Gaz Métro seeking LEED certification for its regional office in Rouyn-Noranda

ROUYN-NORANDA, QC, Dec. 11, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Gaz Métro is proud to announce the official opening today of its new office for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region in Rouyn-Noranda, built according to LEED CI criteria. We are delighted to be one of the first in Rouyn-Noranda to request LEED certification in the CI category. This is also the first Gaz Métro regional office to follow in the footsteps of Head Office in Montréal, one of the first buildings in Québec to receive a LEED CI, Silver certificate in 2010. Gaz Métro will submit its request for certification in early 2013 and hopes to obtain it in 2014.

"This announcement, along with the many commitments outlined recently in our Sustainable Development Roadmap, confirms our desire to be in the forefront when it comes to sustainable development. This certification also shows that natural gas, the principal source of energy used in our facilities, is an important ally, from an economic and environmental point view, in achieving the objective of sustainable construction in Québec," said Patrick Cabana, Vice-President, Gas Supply, Procurement and Regulatory Affairs, at Gaz Métro.

Active in the Rouyn-Noranda region for the past 47 years, Gaz Métro was able to count on local resources and partnerships to carry out the project, which gave high priority to using FSC-certified wood as the main construction material.

The new building, which has a surface area of more than 620 m² (6,700 ft²) and is located at 579 Témiscamingue in Rouyn-Noranda, has three sections: an office, a warehouse, and a shelter for service trucks. Gaz Métro has chosen to be the owner of this business office as tangible proof of its sustainable presence in the region.

LEED in brief

LEED, which stands for "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design," is an international benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings; it promotes an overall approach to sustainability.

Internationally recognized LEED certification is awarded in Canada by the Canadian Green Building Council (CaGBC). The organization conducts an evaluation according to five principal human and environmental health criteria: 1. Ecological site improvement; 2. Water efficiency; 3. Energy and atmosphere; 4. Materials and resources; and 5. Indoor environmental quality. A final criterion: "Innovation and design process," evaluates expertise in sustainable design and construction, as well as design practices. www.cagbc.org

About Gaz Métro

With almost $5 billion in assets, Gaz Métro is a leading energy provider. It is the largest natural gas distribution company in Quebec, where its 10,000 km underground network of pipelines serves 300 municipalities and more than 185,000 customers. Gaz Métro is also present in Vermont, producing electricity and distributing electricity and natural gas to cater to the needs to some 300,000 customers. Gaz Métro is actively involved in the development of innovative, sustainability-oriented energy projects such as the production of wind power, the use of natural gas as a transportation fuel and the development of biomethane as a renewable energy source. Gaz Métro is committed to ensuring the satisfaction of its customers, providing support to businesses, local organizations, families and communities, and meeting the needs of its partners (Gaz Métro inc. and Valener) and employees. www.gazmetro.com

SOURCE: GAZ METRO

Estelle Lacroix
Media Gaz Métro
514 598-3449
www.gazmetro.com/pressroom

Photos, videos (B-Roll) and corporate logos are available from our media library.