Large companies and corporations often set standards in society. When they start making changes they can influence individuals to change, too. This is true too of the government. When the government starts making changes, people take notice. They are more likely to make those same changes in their own home.

Changes on the Federal Level

One move that the federal government is making is a switch to federal buildings that are more environmentally friendly. Kevin Kampschroer, from the General Services Administration, is the person who is leading this change. He is hoping to help the environment and also those people who work in the federal buildings.

Kampschroer is the director for the Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings. This division of the General Services Administration is newly formed and aimed at helping Kampschroer with his green buildings mission. In 2007 Congress passed requirements for sustainable design and energy reduction for buildings. With the General Services Administration being the largest public real estate agency, it is Kampschroer’s mission to get them compliant with the regulations and to set an example for other real estate owners.

What Is Being Done

Through this new office many changes are being made. There is a project to transform the GSA’s headquarters into an environmentally friendly building. This building was built in 1918 and the renovations will be major to get it up to green standards.

The building will have extensive changes made to it. This includes an atrium that is lit with all natural light. There will also be a system installed to produce renewable energy right on site. To help reduce water consumption there will be a rain water collection system installed. New windows will also be installed that will help save energy and that include a special feature that turns off the air conditioning when the windows are opened.

In addition to all those renovations and additions there will also be vegetation planted on all rooms to help save energy. Vegetation of roofs can help to save on energy usage by keeping
buildings cooler. It also helps to reduce run off which contributes to water pollution.

Influencing Others

The hope with the GSA’s project is to influence others and start a movement in the private sector. By setting a good example about how going green can be beneficial in a variety of ways and that it is not that difficult to implement changes that allow you to convert buildings to be more environmentally friendly, Kampschroer hopes that all real estate owners will take the cue and start making changes in their buildings.