Discovery Communications Awarded Highest-Level Certification from U.S. Green Building Council
Company’s Global Headquarters is Carbon Neutral and first existing building in Maryland to receive LEED certification
January 27, 2008
(Silver Spring, Md.) Discovery Communications today announced that its global headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland has been awarded Platinum-level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Discovery’s headquarters building is only one of nine existing structures in the U.S. to receive Platinum certification, and the first existing building in Maryland to be awarded any level of certification.
The LEED Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building project meets the highest green building and performance measures in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
"Protecting and celebrating the environment has been Discovery Communications' mission since John Hendricks first chose planet earth to represent the global Discovery brand and we are extremely proud to be one of only nine existing buildings in the United States to receive Platinum LEED certification. With the launch of Planet Green in June 2008, the first ever 24- hour television network dedicated solely to helping people live a green lifestyle, Discovery continues to deepen our life long commitment to inspire people around the world to embrace environmental responsibility through quality entertainment and informational programming," said David Zaslav, President and CEO, Discovery Communications.
The LEED certification process requires a stringent review of corporate operations that awards points for positive initiatives. When Discovery applied for certification in early 2007, the company already had a number of initiatives in place, including the use of fluorescent light bulbs throughout the facility, efficient scheduling of HVAC services in non-peak hours, and capturing and reusing water in the outdoor gardens. Additional initiatives were launched during the certification process, including a top to bottom effort to become carbon neutral through the use of carbon offsets and wind power renewable energy certificates, and a robust employee engagement program to challenge and motivate employees to become involved in recycling and reduction programs. By engaging in these important efforts, the company saves over 24,000 gallons of water annually and reduces carbon emissions by more than 260 tons each year.
"When a building is certified at the Platinum level, it is an especially proud achievement," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. "By taking the initiative to operate from a LEED-certified headquarters, Discovery Communications is leading by example and will serve as a showcase for high-performance, energy-efficient, healthy buildings."
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications is the world’s number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.
About Planet Green
Discovery Communications is a passionate advocate of preserving our earth and a leader in developing television programs that educate citizens about the best qualities of this place we call home. Discovery’s commitment to these issues reached new heights when it created Planet Green, the company’s global, cross-company initiative and commitment to document, preserve and celebrate the planet. In June, Discovery Home channel becomes Planet Green – the first 24-hour eco-lifestyle channel dedicated to making a difference by providing tools, information and content that will enlighten, empower and most importantly, entertain. The channel will launch to over 50 million homes.
Planet Green speaks to people who want to understand green living and to those who truly want to make a difference by providing tools and information to meet the critical challenge of protecting our environment. Planet Green’s platforms include leading eco-lifestyle website TreeHugger.com and the recently launched solutions-oriented planetgreen.com. Discovery will also launch Discovery Education Green, a K-12 service that hosts dynamic media content correlated to state standards. Discovery Education Green will help teachers integrate Green lessons into their curriculum and empowers students to make more environmentally conscious decisions.