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CIA goes green

post #1 of 8
Thread Starter 

"The Central Intelligence Agency's new facilities in northern Virginia are going LEED, with a 22,000 square foot green roof, 40% savings in water by using low-flush toilets and waterless urinals, 21% savings in energy use by using occupancy sensors and energy efficient equipment, while improving air quality with 60% more fresh air.

 

The first office building, which opened its doors in 2007, earned LEED Silver certification, while the visitor center and central plant each earned LEED Gold certification. Details on what they did below the fold.

 

Sustainable Site Development

* Comprehensive mass transportation program

* Preferred parking for low emitting and fuel efficient vehicles and carpools
* Bike racks
* Public transportation to site

* Enhanced stormwater management
o Quality and quantity control
* Vegetated roof
o 22,000 square foot vegetated roof


Water Savings

* Over 40% potable water savings
o Low-flow water closets
o Water efficient faucets and showerheads
o Waterless urinals
o Native landscaping at central plant

 

 

Energy Efficiency

* Over 21% energy savings
o Occupancy sensors
o Daylight and tasklights
o Energy efficient appliances and equipment
* Building commissioning
* 100% renewable energy certificates for visitor center

 

 

Indoor Environmental Quality

* 60% more fresh air supply
* Carbon dioxide monitors to provide fresh air when necessary
* Individual lighting controls and extensive outdoor views for occupants
* Low-emitting materials: paints, carpet, systems furniture, sealants, wood
* Green housekeeping program
* Indoor air quality
o During construction management
o Before occupancy testing

 

 

Materials Selection

* Over 50% construction waste diversion from landfill
* Over 20% recycled content in building materials
* Extensive use of building materials from regional sources
* Recycling for building"

 

(CIA via Computer World via Treehugger)

 


Edited by stins - Sat, 02 Feb 2008 00:07:34 GMT
post #2 of 8

Wow- that's pretty impressive!  It's hard to believe that the CIA under the Bush administration would be doing something as "radical" as LEED certification.

 

I've never heard of preferred parking for low emitting and fuel efficient vehicles before.  That's an interesting concept.  Maybe their preferred parking should include covering by solar trees?  :)

post #3 of 8

Wow, the CIA going green?  While Bush is in office?  No sh**?

 

I have to say I'm very pleasantly surprised.


Edited by stins - Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:08:04 GMT
post #4 of 8

Very cool.

 

My wife is studying to become LEED certified in Architecture. They reccommend some pretty awesome stuff.

post #5 of 8

I bet it is because of the money they will save over the long term.

 

Still, it is good news!

 

I love that CIA staff cycle to work. :)

post #6 of 8

This was probably conceived and planned during the Clinton administration. I doubt it takes the government only 7 years to plan and build something as sophisticated as the new CIA headquarters ...


Edited by petera650 - Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:23:10 GMT
post #7 of 8
That is really neat!
post #8 of 8
 I worked for a company that had both a German and an American side. Good ideas from either side were often discarded because 'those bastards' came up with it - so the company lost out.

Same with environmental things - true and lasting progress always comes on middle ground. Radical solutions are rarely lasting or even the best. Neither extreme has a hold on 'truth'.

Of course there were green things done during Bush years - solar panels on the White House for one thing - just as there has always been a garden at the White House. The Obama mania bunch just manages to play things up for the sake of publicity - not for truth. 
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