An 81,1000 sq.ft. utility plant to heat and cool more than 5.5 million sq.ft. of office space in the Capitol and 22 other state buildings in the downtown Sacramento area. Central Plant received LEED Gold Certification for its environmental efficiencies.

The new plant’s features include cooling towers to release heat pulled from state buildings and a 140-foot-tall, 4.25 million gallon, thermal energy storage tank for reserves of chilled water necessary for plant operations during off-peak energy demand times. The plant uses solar panels to provide energy for the offices in the building.

Stearns managed the entire structural steel package from procurement, detailing, fabrication and erection.

Central Plant received the following rating:

• U.S. Green Building Council LEED in 2009; achievement level: Gold