Union Pacific Center Receives Silver LEED Certification

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Feb 14, 2012, 02:03 ET

OMAHA, Neb., Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Union Pacific Center received the Silver certification under the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED for Existing Buildings rating system. Union Pacific's headquarters location, Union Pacific Center, is a 19-story, 1,318,471 square-foot building completed in 2004 with a capacity of approximately 4,000 employees. It is the largest LEED certified building in Nebraska and just the second building in the state to earn LEED Existing Building certification.

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In addition, Union Pacific Center's current 76 ENERGY STAR rating means the facility is more energy efficient than 76 percent of similar U.S. office buildings.

"Wise energy use is just as important in our office buildings as it is operating our trains," said Jim Young, Union Pacific Chairman and CEO. "As Union Pacific celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2012, our employees more than ever are committed to and engaged in environmental stewardship. We are proud of achieving this LEED certification."

Union Pacific Center received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification based on the following accomplishments:

Optimizing energy performance by completing projects to save 741,455 kilowatt hours annually, reducing energy consumption by 3 percent.
Reducing potable water consumption by 550,000 gallons in 2011 compared to 2010.
Improving the energy efficiency of the building's lighting by using bulbs that have 50 percent less mercury content and longer life, as well as LED lighting that eliminates mercury.
Recycling 81 percent of all construction waste.
Purchasing 88 percent of office furnishings that meet LEED sustainability criteria.
Increasing solid waste recycling from 53 percent to 68 percent, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.
Implementing a green cleaning program that emphasizes the use of sustainable cleaning products having a lower environmental impact to achieve a hygienic and safe indoor environment. A total of 77 percent of all cleaning products meet standards for sustainability.

About Union Pacific
It was 150 years ago that Abraham Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act of July 1, 1862, creating the original Union Pacific. One of America's iconic companies, today Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP), linking 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail and providing freight solutions and logistics expertise to the global supply chain. From 2000 through 2011, Union Pacific spent more than $31 billion on its network and operations, making needed investments in America's infrastructure and enhancing its ability to provide safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible freight transportation. Union Pacific's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers and emphasizes excellent customer service. Union Pacific operates competitive routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways.

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SOURCE Union Pacific