CSX Corporate Headquarters Achieves LEED® Certification

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainable operations, CSX Corporation (NYSE: CSX) has obtained Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED^®) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its corporate headquarters.

"This accomplishment further validates CSX's long-term sustainability strategy, which promotes energy efficiency and environmental stewardship throughout our entire network," said Carl Gerhardstein, assistant vice president of health, environment and sustainability, CSX. "Rail is the most environmentally friendly way to ship goods over land, and we continue to look for new opportunities to invest in sustainable operations to benefit the environment, our business and the communities we serve."

Constructed in 1959, CSX's 485,000-square-foot headquarters building in Jacksonville, Fla. features more than 760 offices, 65 conference rooms and a state-of-the-art health and wellness center. Since 2006, CSX has invested several hundred thousand dollars to upgrade the facility with energy-efficient technologies and environmentally friendly operating practices. The corporate headquarters is the first facility on the CSX network to gain certification under the USGBC's rigorous "LEED^® for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance" rating system. Other LEED^® Certified facilities on the CSX network include terminals in North Baltimore, Ohio; Worcester, Mass.; and Florence, S.C.

Energy efficiency retrofits at the corporate headquarters include HVAC optimization, efficient lighting upgrades, and installation of a white roof that reflects sunlight, minimizing the "heat island" effect to reduce the energy needed to cool the building. The facility's water use is 30 percent more efficient than the baseline expectation for similar buildings, an efficiency rating accomplished through water conservation measures including high efficiency plumbing fixtures such as touch-free, low-volume flush valves.

"Delivering the environmental benefits of sustainable design is the result of years of hard work by our facilities team," said Steve Crosby, president of CSX Real Property, Inc., a CSX subsidiary company. "Sustainability is deeply ingrained in the company's daily operations, and the enormous strides in energy efficiency at our headquarters are a prime example of that philosophy at work."

LEED^® certification is one of several accolades CSX has received this year for its commitment to environmental stewardship. The company was recently recognized on the CDP S&P 500 Performance Leadership Index and the Dow Jones Sustainability Index – both of which highlight companies that have successfully reduced carbon emissions and are committed to environmental transparency. CSX employee Rick McNey received the John H. Chafee Environmental Excellence Award for outstanding environmental awareness and responsibility earlier this year.

"LEED^® certification takes planning, hard work and a deeply-rooted commitment to the environment," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. "We applaud CSX for its continued work to reduce its environmental footprint and lead by example."

From using solar energy to help power two new CSX buildings in Worcester, Mass., to the installation of energy-efficient LED fixtures at the Jacksonville Intermodal Terminal, CSX is taking significant steps to update its existing infrastructure and develop new facilities that feature the latest in sustainable technology. More information about CSX's environmental commitment is available at www.beyondourrails.org and www.csxcsr.com.

About CSX
CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For more than 185 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation's economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation's population resides. It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and small farming towns alike. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX).

SOURCE CSX Corporation