New NS headquarters awarded LEED Gold certification

Norfolk Southern Railway announced its new corporate headquarters in Atlanta has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The certification is considered the most widely-used green building rating system in the world. Gold certification was obtained for the building’s design and construction, including sustainable site development, water conservation, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality, NS officials said in a press release.

The Class I earned 62 points under the new LEED v4 standards, including all points for the water efficiency category and a majority of points for all other categories. The HQ is one of the first Gold-certified office buildings in Georgia, NS officials said.

“Railroads are an essential part of a low-carbon supply chain, so it was important for our headquarters to reflect that commitment to sustainability,” said Annie Adams, NS executive vice president and chief transformation officer. “Our headquarters was built with advanced technology and sustainable features that create an exceptional experience for our employees and attract the world-class talent that exists in Atlanta.”