2014 Federal Green Challenge Award Winners in the Mid-Atlantic Region

Federal Agencies were recognized through the Federal Green Challenge for outstanding efforts that went beyond regulatory compliance and strove for annual improvements of five percent or more in selected target areas.

Recognition was an important part of the Federal Green Challenge (FGC). Awards were given at the regional level in the categories of Overall Achievement, Innovation, Education & Outreach, Electronics, Energy and Waste.

In the Mid-Atlantic region, the 2014 award winners were the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Drug Enforcement Administration Mid Atlantic Laboratory, Moorhead Federal Complex, Robert N.C. Nix Sr. Federal Building, Curtis Center and the Missile Defense Agency.

Thanks to all FGC participants!

EPA’s Mid-Atlantic region thanked these awardees and all of our fellow federal partners for “leading by example” as we strove to reduce the federal government’s environmental footprint. Our “green” actions saved taxpayer money and helped our country reduce emissions that contribute to climate change.

Mid-Atlantic Regional Award Winners

Overall Achievement

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Washington DC, along with facilities in the Mid-Atlantic and nationally, had a 54% increase in renewable energy purchased or installed onsite; showed the largest single improvement for Agency third-party certified recycled electronics recycled of 5,293%; they identified 150 potential energy conservation measures and procured $1M in work from Energy Saving Contractors, these projects are expected to save ICE a total of 6,802 MMBtu of energy, 2.1 million gallons of water, and $180,000 in total utility cost savings each year once implementation is complete. Energy savings will also translate into reductions in ICE's greenhouse gas emissions.

Innovation

Missile Defense Agency, Department of Defense (DOD), Fort Belvoir, VA

The Missile Defense Agency with facilities in the Mid-Atlantic and nationally showed a 270% increase in third-party certified recycled electronics; they reduced paper usage with a Common Access Card system whereby copiers were set to duplex; they implemented a virtual desktop, reduced amount of paper and toner consumed by 12% and 33%, respectively. MDA also reduced the overall energy and real estate footprint of their data centers -- cutting the number of data centers by 83% and energy use by 40%. They also reduced the number of commuter miles by increasing teleworking participation.

Education & Outreach

Mid Atlantic Laboratory, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice (DOJ), Largo, MD

The Mid-Atlantic Laboratory of the Drug Enforcement Administration achieved a 100% improvement in third-party certified recycling for their electronics – improving from 1.35 tons to 2.7 tons during FY13! MDA also showed a 21% improvement in water savings as well.

Energy

Robert N.C. Nix, Sr., Federal Building, Philadelphia, PA

The GSA-managed Nix Federal Building in Philadelphia achieved a 3% improvement in energy usage reduction as compared to 2012. The reduction equaled 111,478 kwhs reduced and was accomplished by installing light sensors and higher efficiency bulbs among other activities.

Waste

Moorhead Federal Building, Pittsburgh, PA

The GSA-managed Moorhead Federal Building in Pittsburgh achieved a 42% decrease in tons of municipal solid waste sent to landfills from 156 tons to 91 tons! This complex also improved its composting efforts in 2013 by 10% or by 12 tons!