Reflects Focus on Sustainability, Healthy Work Environment and Energy Efficiency
NORWALK, CONN. – June 2009 – GE Capital Real Estate announced its Norwalk, Connecticut headquarters has been awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).
As one of the first financial institutions in Connecticut to achieve US Green Building Council membership in late 2007, GE Capital Real Estate spent the last 18 months working to achieve the prestigious LEED status at the 901 Main Avenue, Norwalk location.
To obtain the certification, GE Capital Real Estate was required to tackle three substantive imperatives: sustainability, a healthy work environment and energy efficiency.
To contribute to the energy efficiency requirements, GE Capital Real Estate contracted with green power provider, Community Energy, Inc., to purchase wind energy to offset all electric usage at 901 Main Avenue. This move alone is equivalent to planting 665 acres of trees or not driving 1.8 million miles.
“Receiving LEED certification marks a significant milestone for GE Capital Real Estate in the development of our headquarters,” said Ron Pressman, President and CEO, GE Capital Real Estate. “From ecomagination to globalization, going green is a major component in many GE projects. The greening of our headquarters has not only provided us with significant energy savings but has also enabled us to improve employee productivity and attract and retain our high-quality team.”
Other actions taken for certification include separating building waste into recycling or salvage buckets and ensuring the correct usage of recycled materials in the floor tiles, furniture, carpet and ceiling tiles.
The USGBC’s LEED Green Building Rating System is a voluntary third-party ranking where organizations earn credits for satisfying certain eco-friendly criteria. The criteria include sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality and the innovation and design process.
