EPA Scores 100 Percent On Sustainability And Energy Goals

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released its fiscal year 2010 scorecard on sustainability and energy performance. EPA is meeting or exceeding all the federal goals to decrease energy use per square foot; reduce potable water use per square foot; lessen fleet petroleum use; establish inventories of direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions; incorporate sustainable building practices; and increase renewable energy use.

The agency's energy consumption has dropped by 22.8 percent compared with the 18 percent required federal target. Water usage has gone down by 18.7 percent vs. the six percent target. Petroleum usage in the agency's vehicle fleet has declined by 24.9 percent measured against the 10 percent target. Additionally, EPA purchases 100 percent green power for all of its electric power needs. EPA was the first agency to submit greenhouse gas targets and agency inventory to the meet the requirement of Executive Order 13514.

"The scorecard is an important tool for us to develop targets for waste reduction and energy efficiency for our facilities at EPA," said Craig Hooks, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Administration and Resources Management. "EPA is doing what the President envisioned us to do, 'lead by example,' by being good stewards of the environment, all the while realizing substantial savings to the government."

Using the scorecard as a benchmark, EPA has identified and is tracking opportunities to reduce pollution, improve efficiency, and cut costs. Under the executive order, President Obama directed federal agencies to lead by example in clean energy and to meet a range of energy, water, pollution, and waste-reduction targets. Based on scorecard benchmarks, EPA will update its sustainability plan, which is required by the executive order. The plan is due in June, and is posted publicly on the agency's website.

The agency continues to strive for additional energy and water reductions, upgrade new and existing buildings with green and energy-efficient technologies, and identify ways to decrease greenhouse gas emissions including green travel, green conferencing, and employee teleworking opportunities.

EPA's Sustainability and Energy Scorecard is at: http://epa.gov/aboutepa/ombscorecard.htm

SOURCE: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency