CalPERS Adds More 'Green' to HQ

SACRAMENTO, CA-The California Public Employees’ Retirement System continues to add “green” components to its $250-million Downtown project here. CalPERS now says the build out of the 550,000-sf complex likely will include office furniture made with recycled polyurethane foam.

“We will do our part in helping keep waste foam from landfills, and reduce the load on the environment of chemicals used in the manufacture of new foam,” says CalPERS CEO Fred Buenrostro. “It is our hope that this small step will demonstrate that sustainable technologies can help stimulate a larger market demand for recycled foam and other recycled materials.”

Slated for completion in 2005, the building is expected to meet the certification requirements of the US Green Building Council’s leadership in energy and environmental design program. Among the project’s other environmentally friendly features will be: energy-efficient, heat reducing windows; energy efficient HVAC systems; raised flooring located to reduce energy consumption, and; renewable and recycled materials, including photovoltaic panels provided by SMUD as a demonstration project.