Tour set of "green" forest office in Alamogordo
The Lincoln National Forest Supervisor's Office and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Service Center and their 85 employees moved into the facility in October. The forest offices had been in an old Alamogordo post office since 1961.
The new 19,900-square-foot structure features large conference rooms, exhibit space and expanded parking, as well as building techniques and equipment that require less energy and water.
Among other things, it has 110 solar panels installed on the roof producing 15 percent of the facility's electrical power, and uses xeriscaping and drought-resistant plants to save water.
Green buildings are designed to meet such objectives as protecting the health of occupants; using energy, water and other resources more efficiently; and reducing the overall impact on the environment.
"We must all be environmentally and socially responsible," said Lincoln Supervisor Jacque Buchanan. "One way of showing that is in the long term, this green facility will save the U.S. Forest Service money over the many years of use."
Related News

EDF and France reach deal on electricity prices-source
PARIS - State-controlled power group EDF and the French government have reached a tentative deal on future nuclear power prices, a source close to the government said on Monday, ending months of tense negotiations.
The two sides agreed on 70 euros per megawatt hour (MWH) as a reference level for power prices, the source said, cautioning that details of the deal are still being finalised.
The negotiations aimed to find a compromise between EDF, which is eager to maximise revenues to fund investments, and the government, keen to keep electricity bills for French households and businesses as low as possible.
EDF declined to…