The U.S.
General Services Administration (GSA) recently released the first comprehensive
document undertaken by a federal agency regarding acquiring, constructing,
operating and maintaining sustainable buildings.Sustainability
Mattersis a collection of case studies and industry
best-practices that address GSA’s sustainability initiatives and strategies at
all stages of a building’s lifecycle.
“Sustainability
in building design, construction and operation is fundamental to our agency
core mission of providing superior workplaces at the best value for the
American taxpayer,” said GSA’s Commissioner of Public Buildings David L.
Winstead. “We want to be part of transforming the building industry so that
‘green’ is the only way of doing business.”
In the
study, GSA demonstrates how to create sustainable buildings by intelligently
integrating energy efficient and environmentally sound decisions and
technologies into building designs. GSA uses the Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building
Council, as a tool to evaluate and measure its achievement in sustainable
d esign. The goals are to conserve resources and create more productive and
healthier work places.
GSA is
working toward accomplishing the goals of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the
President’s Executive Order 13423 (“Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy
and Transportation Management”) and the Energy Independence and Security Act of
2007.
The full
text of Sustainability Matters is on GSA’s website atwww.gsa.gov/sustainabledesignunder sustainable design program documents.