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Norfolk Southern Corp.’s Arnold B. McKinnon headquarters building in Norfolk, Va., recently earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2010 ENERGY STAR® rating, meaning the building’s energy efficiency performs in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide.

Commercial buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR rating typically use an average of 35 percent less energy and release 35 percent less carbon dioxide than conventional buildings. A building that scores 75 or higher on the EPA's 1-to-100 scale is eligible for the rating; NS’ 21-story, 311,000-square foot headquarters scored a 78.

The Class I boosted the building's energy performance primarily by upgrading lighting systems as part of a $10 million network-wide initiative aimed at installing brighter, energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs or new fixtures in more than 600 offices, shops, and yard facilities. The initiative also calls for installing hundreds of occupancy sensors and photocells that automatically turn off lights when workspaces are unoccupied.

NS estimates the initiative’s first phase has saved more than 50 million kilowatt hours of energy and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 29,415 metric tons annually.

"Norfolk Southern is committed to increasing energy efficiency in all its buildings and facilities, and incorporating sustainable designs and materials in new construction projects," said Blair Wimbush, vice president of real estate and NS’ corporate sustainability officer, in a prepared statement.