Clear One Health Plans, Inc. (OTCBB: CCHN) announced it has been awarded LEED® Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, further advancing the company's commitment toward making a positive impact on the environment, the community, and its members' wellbeing. LEED is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.
"At Clear One Health Plans we are committed to sustainable practices including our green building, support for green modes of transportation, use of efficient lighting, renewable energy and conservation, as well as waste reduction, reuse and recycling," said Gunnar Hansen, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Clear One Health Plans. "Clear One is proud to have earned LEED Gold certification. We recognize how our business can affect the environment and people's wellbeing, and we are proud to further contribute to a more sustainable community."
Clear One began construction in September 2006 and opened its new facility on Monday, May 12, 2008. In accordance with the Company's corporate values, the environmentally sensitive facility was designed and constructed by BBT Architects, Inc. and Kirby Nagelhout Construction Company of Bend, Oregon. LEED Gold Certification of Clear One Health Plans was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the environment and the community. These features include:
- Daylighting – Eleven-foot finished ceilings allow for deeper penetration of more natural light into the office space and allow reflective lighting fixtures.
- Building Design - 75% of all spaces have natural light and views. On-site storm water runoff quality control and reflective roof membrane.
- Construction - In two categories 50% and 75% of construction waste was diverted from landfills.
- Computer Operated Lighting System - Measures ambient light and adjusts fixtures to produce the same foot-candle readings (brightness). Energy efficient light fixtures and bulbs.
- Purchasing - 35% Green Power.
- Indoor Air Quality – Air humidified to 28% and filtered to 13 MERV "Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value." The MERV rating is the standard method for comparing the efficiency of an air filter. The higher the MERV rating, the better the filter is at removing particles from the air.
- Water Efficient Landscaping – 50% reduction in water usage and use of native plant materials.
- Efficient Restroom Fixtures - 30% reduction in water usage.
- Alternative Transportation – Indoor bicycle storage, showers, locker rooms, and carpool parking.
- Materials and Products - Use of regional materials, certified wood materials, over 30% recycled material, no products containing HCFCs, formaldehyde or ammonium sulfates, and use of low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound)finishes, adhesives and paints.
- Implementation of Green Housekeeping Plan
- Building Control Systems – All systems enhanced commissioned, measured, and verified.
"The green building movement offers an unprecedented opportunity to respond to the most important challenges of our time, including global climate change, dependence on nonsustainable and expensive sources of energy and threats to human health," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. "The work of innovative building projects such as Clear One Health Plans is a fundamental driving force in the green building movement."
Clear One Health Plans was also recognized by Oregon Business magazine as one of the 100 best green companies to work for in Oregon in 2009 because of its commitment to sustainable practices including the company's building, its support for green modes of transportation, use of efficient lighting, renewable energy and conservation, waste reduction, reuse and recycling.
About Clear One Health Plans, Inc.
Clear One Health Plans offers affordable health plans to meet the needs of employers, providers, and consumers. The Company provides health insurance, including Medicare Advantage plans, commercial plans, individual plans, and administrative services to individuals and businesses throughout the West. The Company also offers life, disability, dental, vision and voluntary benefits programs, as well as employee benefit services to self-funded employers, associations, Taft-Hartley Trusts, and Chamber of Commerce plans. Clear One is dedicated to the development of community-based employee benefits programs, health insurance, and ancillary plans. For more information call 888-863-3637 or visit www.clearonehp.com.
About U.S. Green Building Council
The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. With a community comprising 78 local affiliates, more than 20,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 100,000 LEED Accredited Professionals, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to soar to $60 billion by 2010. The USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students. Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% water consumption and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.
About LEED
The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction, and operation of green buildings. The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED rating system is the preeminent program for the design, construction, and operation of green buildings. 35,000 projects are currently participating in the LEED system, comprising over 5.6 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 91 countries. By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community. USGBC was co-founded by current President and CEO Rick Fedrizzi, who spent 25 years as a Fortune 500 executive. Under his 15-year leadership, the organization has become the preeminent green building, membership, policy, standards, influential, education, and research organization in the nation. For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.
Safe Harbor statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking in nature and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended. The words "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "plan," "appears," "will," and similar expressions and variations thereof identify certain of such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
Contacts:
Clear One Health Plans, Inc.
Jennifer Moss Lewis, 541-330-4993
Corporate
Communications & Public Relations
jennifer.mosslewis@clearonehp.com
