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The Oregon State University Energy Center has been certified as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design platinum, the highest level, by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The $55 million power generation center became operational in June 2010 and replaced a 90-year-old steam-generation plant that had issues with failing boilers and earthquake standards.

The new facility is a cogeneration site for heat and electricity. It meets about 50 percent of the university’s power needs and can operate using a variety of power sources, including natural gas, diesel, biofuel and methane.

The Energy Center is the first university-based LEED platinum-rated power facility in the nation.

The building includes several features that helped it gain the certification, including radiant heating, rainwater harvesting, water-efficient landscaping, use of recycled building materials and a white reflective roof. Much of the construction debris was also recycled after the project was finished.

Andersen Construction was the general contractor on the project, which was funded through a combination of bonds, energy tax credits, grants and gifts.