Mesa Verde National Park’s visitor center blends state-of-the-art energy technology with traditional Native American building principles to create a high-performance, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum-certified sustainability showcase. The center consumes about 28% less energy than comparable commercial buildings, and through solar panels and solar water heaters, it generates 95% of its required energy. Passive solar design (using the sun’s energy for heating and cooling), like that employed by Mesa Verde’s indigenous dwellers centuries ago, also contributes to energy savings. EERE technical assistance enabled this project to proceed with cooperation from the General Services Administration and the National Park Service.

Positive Impact

More sustainable buildings. Mesa Verde's visitor center combines traditional and sustainable building principles.

Locations

Colorado

Partners

Mesa Verde National Park

EERE Investment

$15,000

Clean Energy Sector

Energy-saving homes, buildings, and manufacturing

The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) works with federal leaders to accomplish energy change within organizations by bringing expertise from all levels of project and policy implementation to enable federal agencies to meet energy-related goals and to provide energy leadership to the country.

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) success stories highlight the positive impact of its work with businesses, industry partners, universities, research labs, and other entities.