Federal Network for Sustainability

1. Federal Network for Sustainability FLC Far West & Mid-Continent Regional Meeting September 13-16, 2005 Mr. Gary Gasperino Director, Environmental Quality Division Engineering Service Center

2. Why ‘Sustainability?’ • Creates a long term approach to environmental protection and process improvements • Prevents pollution from the start • Calls for systems thinking, (e.g. the inter-connectedness of the economy, environment, social, and national security concerns). • Helps identify a strategy or framework • Leverages scarce resource$

3. In 1969, Congress wrote… “[I]t is the continuing policy of the Federal Government, in cooperation with State and local governments, and other concerned public and private organizations – to create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations of Americans.” NEPA

4. Greening the GovernmentExecutive Orders • All are here to stay • CEQ and OMB Memo • The President appointed a Federal Environmental Executive to oversee all Greening the Government Executive Orders

5. Office of the Federal Environmental Executive OFEE Vision: A federal government that applies sustainable environmental practices. OFEE Mission: To promote sustainable environmental stewardship throughout the federal government. www.ofee.gov

6. Signed by the western regional offices of these agencies: EPA, 2 Regions NPS, 3 Regions GSA, 2 Regions US Navy US Air Force US Army US Army Corps of Engineers US Dept. of Energy BPA NASA US Postal Service Office of the Federal Environmental Executive, White House Statement of Unity Signed Earth Day, 2000

7. Primary Area of Focus • Using the Power of Government as Consumer! The United States government is the world’s largestpurchaser of consumer products and services.

8. Initiatives of FNS • Greener Copier Paper • Electronics Stewardship • Green Power • Use of EMS Plans

9. Initiatives of FNS • Sustainable Buildings/Design • Biodiesel

10. Greener Copier Paper InitiativeGoals • Raise awareness of environmentalissues concerning copier paper • Create the capability to reduce copier paper use • Make greener paper more available and less costly • Make green purchasing easy to implement • Future emphasis will be onupgrading FNS website paper information tools

11. Electronics Stewardship Initiative • Federal government is the world’s largest consumer, spending • $200 billion annually in direct purchases, a portion of which is electronics • $240 billion annually in grants, a portion of which is electronics • Only about 5% of electronics are currently recycled • Electronics contain toxic materials are hard to recycle, and are the fastest growing waste stream

12. Electronics Stewardship InitiativeGoals • Actively support the Federal Electronics Challenge, www.federalelectronicschallenge.net • FNS member agencies were among the first agencies to actively participate in the FEC • Goals of the FEC include: develop greener purchasing specifications • Coordinating among federal agencies to promote greener use and end-of-life management of electronics • Educating federal agencies on greener electronics practices

13. Green Power Initiative • FNS has a three-pronged approach to green power: • On-site development of renewable energy technologies • Procurement of green power • Procurement of green tags or “renewable energy credits”

14. Environmental Management Systems Initiative • To fully support Executive Orders • Provide education and training on EMS principles • Share information among federal agencies on experiences learned • Promote implementation of EMSs at member agencies

15. Sustainable Buildings Initiative Objectives • Develop high-performance buildings case studies • Introduce concepts and provide information on sustainable buildings to agency personnel • Identify what FNS agencies are doing in sustainable design at the regional level

16. Sustainable Buildings Initiative Objectives (Continued) • Educate to ensure energy efficiency and security measures are both met • Identify how best to work with A/E firms and contractors to encourage sustainability • Coordinate with the Interagency Sustainability Working Group to provide value

17. Sustainable Buildings InitiativeWhy Sustainable Design? Sustainable design makes environmental and business sense: • Reduces environmental impact • Reduces operating costs • Reduces some first costs • Enhances employee health and safety • Improves employee productivity • Enhances our homeland energy security

18. Sustainable Design Tools: Building Rating Systems • U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Rating System • Army’s SPIRIT • Energy Star • Green Building Challenge • Local systems • Boulder and Austin

19. Biodiesel Initiative • FNS has partnered with the Far West Regional Lab Consortium and the West Coast Diesel Emissions Reduction Collaborative to reduce air pollution emissions from diesel sources along the west coast • FNS will do this primarily through education and outreach, including the development of a web based reference guide specifically for federal agencies; and other activities.

20. Leading by Example: A Report to the President on Federal Energy and Environmental Management

21. "Federal agencies need to be able to network and discuss issues related to the broader topic of sustainability. Only then can we recognize the synergies and relationships of the many sustainable practices and great things we do every day. This is indeed all part of a collective effort with a vision towards sustainability. The Federal Network for Sustainability provides a great forum to facilitate that dialogue and share information.“ — Ed Pinero, Federal Environmental Executive

22. How to Get Involved • Contact Al Hurt, FNS Chairman, US Navy at (619) 524-6253, Alan.Hurt@navy.mil • Attend FNS supported conferences, meetings, and trainings • Sign the Statement of Unity • Join our email listserv • Tell us your success stories, and we’ll help you get the word out to others!

23. For more information • Check out our website: www.FederalSustainability.org www.FederalSustainability.net

24. “As public entities working to advance the public interest, Federal Agencies, through leadership and example, can inspire all of society to advance an agenda for sustainability.”