On Friday, April 24, 2009 the National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS) will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new green Visitors Control Center. The Honorable Dutch Ruppersberger will provide a keynote to honor the new center. Mr. John C. Inglis, NSA Deputy Director and the Honorable Ruppersberger will take part in opening the new center with a ribbon cutting.
The new Visitor Control Center has several updates to help NSA/CSS go green, including a solar array on the roof that converts sunlight into electricity. Some of the other new "green" aspects of the center are photovoltaic (PV) lighting, two solar powered light poles, five skylights that provide natural light to reduce the use of electric lighting, BigBelly Solar Trash and Recycling Receptacles, and restroom technology of both the "flushless" and one-pint flush systems. The new center will also include geothermal heat pump (GHP) that harnesses the earth's constant temperature as a heat source in winter and a heat sink in summer.
Visitor Control Center 1 is located off of Canine Road and is the welcoming center for visitors with important business at the Agency. The ribbon cutting will began at 1:30 in the afternoon.
Media representatives interested in covering the ribbon cutting, please contact the NSA/CSS Public and Media Affairs Office via phone at 301-688-6524 or via email at nsapao@nsa.gov. Photos will be made available upon request.