It’s appropriately named Independence Station because it’s located in Independence, Oregon. But it could be named for the independence from foreign energy sources, as the “world’s greenest building” will be fueled with biodiesel.
Biodiesel Magazine reports that the $15 million building is halfway finished with completion scheduled early next year. The article says along with the power from biodiesel, the building will feature rainwater collection and reuse, use sunlight, and be built from recycled and reclaimed building materials:
The 57,000 square-foot building is also expected to be awarded the highest rating recorded by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System, according to main project developer and owner Aldeia LLC.
The LEED rating system, which is developed by United States Green Building committees, is designed to guide and distinguish high-performance commercial and institutional projects, including office buildings, high-rise residential buildings, government buildings, recreational facilities, manufacturing plants and laboratories. Out of a possible 69 points,
Independence Station is expected to score at least 64.
Besides residential and business space, the building will also house facilities for biofuel production, education and research. Aldeia plans to collect yellow grease from local restaurants in order to produce biodiesel on site, which will fuel seven Cummins Inc. generators. “We have plans to work with the chemical engineering department at Oregon State
University, so our personnel plans are small,” said Steven Ribeiro, Aldeia principal developer. “I will be involved in the production personally, and have purchased a 3,000-gallon retired home heating oil delivery truck that has been logoed up as ‘Energy for Independence’.”
Arrangements have been made to collect local used cooking oil, and B99 will be purchased from SeQuential-Pacific Biofuels in Portland, Oregon.