In yet another example of the U.S. army leading the private world straight into a much healthier and less traditional energy reliant future, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is planning to be eligible for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold accreditation for that brand new energy efficient office building at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. The structure was initially built to satisfy a smaller standard but the Department of Defense has developed a policy of heading beyond minimal compliance with environmental regulations, in order to stimulate a lot more aggressive action regarding environmental protection by the public sector specifically regarding climate change.
USACE Commanding General Lt. Gen. Robert Van Antwerp recently blogged regarding the Corps's sustainability policy with a line from one of his predecessors: "Environmental integrity and beliefs must be more than an overlay. They have to be described as a bone-deep portion of our method of doing business." Van Antwerp has also observed that climate change is actually "a very real concern that could have very real consequences worldwide." That does not leave much wiggle room for helping our troops inside the drill baby drill ethos but then again, that's the whole point.
The Durability Bridge from Military to Civilian
Partly, the new building will function as a highlight for new energy and water conservation plans which help the final outcome and can be used by companies, market, and institutions such as research institutes and medical care facilities. One highlight is actually a visitor facility which will have an energy cost-efficient eco-friendly roof literally covered with greenery to supply insulation and relieve the "heat island" effect. Green rooftops are becoming common at government installations such as military bases and also prisons, but they have yet to make significant inroads somewhere else in the U.S. Having a similar goal in sight, the armed service is also showing cost effective microgrid and solar energy technology at a couple of other bases inside California and Hawaii.
Sustainability for Everyone
The new structure will make use of roughly 30 % less electricity as compared to conventional buildings, and about half the water. Even though some savings results from new construction methods, technology and materials, others derive from good sense answers which could effortlessly be used as retrofits on current buildings and grounds. For example, there's no need for outdoor irrigation, because the landscaping design makes use just of drought resistant native plants. Low-flow water system fittings and energy efficient light bulbs are utilized throughout, and the usage of natural daylight is maximized by simply putting in cubicles with lower walls, that also helps air to circulate more efficiently.
Sustainability together with Alternate Transportation
The modern complex will likewise test the ability of city planners to pull more people out of their cars and into mass transport and some other alternatives. The structure was created to satisfy recommendation #133 of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission, and when finished in 2011 it will shift a large number of new workers in offices straight into Alexandria, an area which by now struggles with excessive congestion.
USACE Commanding General Lt. Gen. Robert Van Antwerp recently blogged regarding the Corps's sustainability policy with a line from one of his predecessors: "Environmental integrity and beliefs must be more than an overlay. They have to be described as a bone-deep portion of our method of doing business." Van Antwerp has also observed that climate change is actually "a very real concern that could have very real consequences worldwide." That does not leave much wiggle room for helping our troops inside the drill baby drill ethos but then again, that's the whole point.
The Durability Bridge from Military to Civilian
Partly, the new building will function as a highlight for new energy and water conservation plans which help the final outcome and can be used by companies, market, and institutions such as research institutes and medical care facilities. One highlight is actually a visitor facility which will have an energy cost-efficient eco-friendly roof literally covered with greenery to supply insulation and relieve the "heat island" effect. Green rooftops are becoming common at government installations such as military bases and also prisons, but they have yet to make significant inroads somewhere else in the U.S. Having a similar goal in sight, the armed service is also showing cost effective microgrid and solar energy technology at a couple of other bases inside California and Hawaii.
Sustainability for Everyone
The new structure will make use of roughly 30 % less electricity as compared to conventional buildings, and about half the water. Even though some savings results from new construction methods, technology and materials, others derive from good sense answers which could effortlessly be used as retrofits on current buildings and grounds. For example, there's no need for outdoor irrigation, because the landscaping design makes use just of drought resistant native plants. Low-flow water system fittings and energy efficient light bulbs are utilized throughout, and the usage of natural daylight is maximized by simply putting in cubicles with lower walls, that also helps air to circulate more efficiently.
Sustainability together with Alternate Transportation
The modern complex will likewise test the ability of city planners to pull more people out of their cars and into mass transport and some other alternatives. The structure was created to satisfy recommendation #133 of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission, and when finished in 2011 it will shift a large number of new workers in offices straight into Alexandria, an area which by now struggles with excessive congestion.
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If you truly care about your future, be eco friendly. We could do this by choosing eco friendly products and participating in environment helpful pursuits. We just have one world to exist in so let's stand up for it!
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