NEWS: Renewable Energy Facility recognized as @USGBC leader in energy, environmental design

In 2009, the District began designing a new incineration facility that would conserve resources, reduce air emissions, and generate electricity.

Six years later, the Renewable Energy Facility (REF) has been awarded LEED Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, for its sustainability features including water efficiency, innovation, and indoor environmental quality.

The LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, program is the most widely used green-building rating system, with 1.7 million square feet of construction space certified every day. See the REF's official LEED scorecard.

This certification is a reflection of the facility’s success in saving money and resources, while promoting renewable, clean energy. Compared to the average commercial building, LEED Gold buildings consume less energy and less water, with lower maintenance costs, higher occupant satisfaction, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

—Story by Communications Specialist Yolanda Kelly. Thanks to Kellie Rotunno, Jim Bunsey, Tom Vasel, Steve Janosko, and everyone who worked to get the REF LEED Gold Certified.

GREEN: #neorsdREF will be a clean, green, sustainability machine

Incinerating with sustainability in mind? Yes, you read that correctly.

The Sewer District is nearing completion on its LEED-certified Renewable Energy Facility (or REF), the future energy-generating home of three new incinerators that will burn biosolids more efficiently with less resources. The new REF will be up and running later this summer, and we'll feature the project at this Sunday's EarthFest presented by Earth Day Coalition at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds.

PICS: Under construction, beyond cool

Last week, we toured the progress inside our $170 million Renewable Energy Facility. Here are some of the latest photos.

The building houses equipment that will generate 25% of the plant's electricity while conserving resources and reducing pollution. It is scheduled to go online this summer.

One of three fluidized-bed incinerators, each one about 60 feet tall. They're called fluidized beds because heated sand blows around inside the base like a liquid. The incinerators burn solid waste known as biosolids.

NEWS: Mayans schmayans, here are 2013 predictions NE Ohioans can count on.

So we have survived the predictions of the apocalypse, but that doesn't mean there aren't important endings and beginnings to talk about.

Here are just a few of our more-certain 2013 predictions as we take a moment to prophesy:

DOLLARS AND SENSE: Ways we are controlling costs

How are we keeping our Great Lake great and controlling costs?

We take our customers' investment in our work very seriously. Clean water protects the health and safety of all the citizens in our region, and we are proud of the work we do. But we understand customers want to be sure we are managing their rates efficiently, especially in the first year of a rate increase. Here are several examples of cost-saving efforts and examples we have noted in recent years.