Sustainable Investment Group (SIG) was hired to guide the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta through the LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance rating system. The building achieved LEED Gold Certification on May 13, 2013. This process was lead and managed by Asa Posner, a Senior Sustainability Consultant at SIG.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta covers the Sixth Federal Reserve District, which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The bank’s primary functions are to manage monetary policy, bank supervision and regulation, and assist in the operation of the nation’s payment system.

The building was originally constructed in 2001 and holds a prominent place in midtown Atlanta at the corner of Tenth and Peachtree streets. Made of White Cherokee Marble from the same Tate, GA quarry that supplied marble for many other Atlanta landmarks, the building is 735,311 square feet in size. Prior to SIG’s efforts, a significant sustainability undertaking had already begun. The United States Federal Reserve System has embarked on a mission to improve the environmental sustainability of its facilities, and has adopted a sustainability vision. Following in the footsteps of the Federal Reserve Banks of Cleveland and Chicago, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta decided to pursue LEED for Existing Buildings certification.

Here are a few of the highlights of SIG’s LEED Gold effort at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta:

• The building reduced conventional commuting trips by over 40%. Many bank employees carpool, walk, bike, use public transportation, or telecommute.
• The building diverted over 70% of the ongoing consumable waste system from the landfill.
• 33% water use reduction compared with the current plumbing code.
• All new computers and monitors purchased are ENERGY STAR certified.
• All open offices and private offices have task lighting controls.
• A high performance green cleaning program is in place. This program uses less toxic cleaning chemicals throughout the building.
• The building earned the 2013 ENERGY STAR label.

This landmark building also contains a unique education opportunity. The Atlanta Monetary Museum is a free museum open to the public that provides a display on the history of money, the bank’s role in the economy, and view of the automated vault and cash processing areas. It can be seen through self-guided tours Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and guided tours are available for groups of 10-30 people. Learn more here.

© 2013 Sustainable Investment Group (SIG). All Rights Reserved.