News Releases from Region 06
EPA Recognizes Two El Paso Federal Facilities for Significant Energy Reductions and Cost Savings
DALLAS - (April 28, 2015) Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized the Drug Enforcement Administration' El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC) and the Armendariz US Courthouse for reducing their environmental impacts. As part of the Federal Green Challenge (FGC), more than 400 federal facilities, representing nearly 1.3 million federal employees, took steps to reduce pollution, support renewable energy, and operate more efficiently in 2014, resulting in an estimated cost savings of more than $24 million to U.S. taxpayers.
"The agencies who participate in our Federal Green Challenge are leading change in the federal government," says Mathy Stanislaus, Assistant Administrator of the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. "The Federal Government is the largest consumer of energy in the nation, with a footprint that includes 360,000 buildings, 650,000 fleet vehicles, and $445 billion spent annually on good of services. The awards recognize the commitment from these federal agencies to being good neighbors and environmental leaders in their communities."
The Armendariz US Courthouse decreased the amount of electricity it uses by 74% from 2013 to 2014. The EPIC facility was recognized for education and outreach efforts as well as its success in green purchasing. By improving building performance and educating employees, EPIC reduced utility usage by almost $57,000 from FY2012 to FY2014. In FY2014, EPIC recycled nearly 25,000 pounds of material. The facility also improved its purchasing of equipment with EPEAT certification (Electronic Product Assessment Tool), and requires that all computers, monitors, and laptops use Energy Star power management features. Staff also reduced paper use significantly, going from 10,000 pounds in 2013 to 1,600 pounds in 2014.
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 and recognizes outstanding efforts that go beyond regulatory compliance. Agencies strive for annual improvements in selected target areas (Waste, Electronics, Purchasing, Water, Energy and/or Transportation) and report their improvements to EPA, demonstrating the financial and environmental benefits of their actions. Within the target areas, challenge participants in FY14:
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 third party certified recyclers; and
avoided purchasing 15,000 pounds of office paper.
For the third year in a row, EPA is recognizing facilities for annual improvements.
The 2015 National Awardees are:
o Electronics: Western Laboratory, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice (DOJ), San Francisco, CA
o Purchasing: U.S. Courthouse, General Services Administration (GSA), Los Angeles, CA
o Energy: Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, U.S. Marine Corps, Department of Defense (DOD), San Diego, CA
o Water: Oregon Caves National Monument, National Park Service, Department of the Interior (DOI),
o Transportation:
Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs, Minneapolis, MN
Capulin Volcano National Monument, National Park Service, Department of the Interior (DOI), Capulin, NM
More information on the Federal Green Challenge: http://www.epa.gov/fgc/
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Activities in EPA Region 6: http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.htm
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