WASHINGTON - Today the E.P.A. (EPA) acknowledges the efforts of in excess of 400 federal facilities that took steps to reduce pollution, support renewable energy, and operate more efficiently in 2014 as part of the Federal Green Challenge (FGC), resulting in an estimated cost savings to U.S. taxpayers of in excess of $24 million. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from participating facilities is equivalent to yearly emissions from 190,000 passenger vehicles.
"The agencies who participate in EPA's Federal Green Challenge are green leaders, reducing pollution, realizing significant cost savings, and making green enhancements that will leave a healthier planet for future generations," said Mathy Stanislaus, assistant administrator of EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. "The awards recognize the commitment from these federal agencies to being good neighbors and environmental leaders in their communities."
A national effort under EPA's Sustainable Materials Management Program, the FGC allows federal offices or facilities to pledge participation in reducing the federal government's environmental impact.
The FGC supports
Executive Order 13693, Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade, which outlines aggressive new efficiency requirements for Federal Agencies, as well as its earlier versions.
Within the target areas, challenge participants in FY14:
- diverted over 390,000 tons of Municipal Solid Waste and Construction & Demolition waste from landfills;
- saved nearly 80 million gallons of water;
- saved 107 million cubic feet of natural gas;
- reduced fleet distance traveled by 12.3 million miles;
- sent 450 tons of end of life electronics to 3rd party certified recyclers;
- avoided purchasing 15,000 pounds of office paper; and
- saved U.S. taxpayers over $24 million.
Agencies strive for yearly enhancements in selected target areas (Waste, Electronics, Purchasing, Water, Energy and/or Transportation) and report their enhancements to EPA, demonstrating the financial and environmental benefits of their actions. For the 3rd year in a row, E.P.A. is recognizing facilities for yearly improvements.
The 2015 National Awardees are:
Improvement by Target Area - highest increased percentage over previous year
Waste: Southern Arizona Virginia Health Care System, Department of Veterans Affairs, Tucson, Arizona
Electronics: Western Laboratory, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice, San Francisco, California
Purchasing: U.S. Courthouse, General Services Administration, Los Angeles, California
Energy: Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, U.S. Marine Corps, Department of Defense, San Diego, California
Water: Oregon Caves National Monument, National Park Service, Department of the Interior, Cave Junctions, Ore.
Transportation:
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, D.O.E., Golden, Colo.
- Minneapolis Virginia Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs, Minneapolis, Minn.
- Capulin Volcano National Monument, National Park Service, Department of the Interior, Capulin, N.M.
More information on the Federal Green Challenge:
http://www.epa.gov/fgc/awards/2015.html
