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 Sustainability Bridge from Military to Civilian
Partly, the new complex will serve as a showcase for new energy and water conservation strategies that help the bottom line and can be used by companies, industry, and institutions such as research institutes and medical care facilities. One highlight is a visitor facility which will sport an energy efficient eco-friendly roof practically covered with greenery to supply insulation and alleviate the “heat island” effect. Green roofs have become commonplace at government installations including military bases and also prisons, but they have yet to create considerable inroads somewhere else within the U.S. With a comparable goal in view, the military is additionally showing cost effective microgrid and solar energy technology at two other bases inside California and Hawaii.
Durability for All
The new complex will make use of roughly 30 % less electricity as compared to conventional buildings, and about half the water. While some of the cost savings results from new building methods, materials and technology, others result from common sense solutions which could easily be used as retrofits on existing buildings and grounds. For instance, there is no need for outdoor irrigation, because the landscaping makes use just of drought resistant native plants. Low-flow plumbing fittings and high efficiency lights are utilized all over, and the use of natural daylight is maximized simply by installing cubicles with lower walls, which also helps air to flow better.
Sustainability and Alternative Transportation
The new building will also test the capability of city planners to pull more and more people from their automobiles and into mass transportation and other alternatives. The complex was created to fulfill suggestion #133 of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission, so when completed in 2011 it will move a large number of new office workers into Alexandria, a location which already struggles with high congestion.
In case you really care about your future, be eco friendly. We could accomplish this by choosing eco friendly products and engaging in environment helpful pursuits. We just have one world to exist in so let’s stand up for it!