2014 Federal Green Challenge Award Winners in the Pacific Southwest Region

Overall Achievement

U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Pacific Rim Region (San Francisco, Calif.)

U.S. GSA’s regional office worked closely with EPA Region 9 to promote paper use reduction and the procurement of 100% recycled content paper, including providing web-based training and user-friendly instructions on purchasing. GSA’s regional office shifted to 100% postconsumer recycled paper, and federal agencies in the Pacific Southwest have purchased over 48 million sheets of 100% recycled paper to conserve over 3,700 forty-foot trees, reduce 2,468 Metric Tons of Carbon Equivalent and cut over 1.7 million gallons of water use. U.S. GSA’s Pacific Rim Regional office also reduced potable water use by 24% and electricity use by 30%.

Leadership

U.S. Forest Service Region 5 (Calif.)

The Forest Service Region 5 Regional Leadership Team supported an innovative, web-based “Summit Mt. Whitney Green Challenge” to drive leadership by example. Mount Whitney is the highest mountain in California. Forest Service individuals and teams were encouraged to track their environmental results in a friendly, 6-week competition. Over 300 individuals from 13 Administrative Units participated. The green actions saved 7,032 kWh of electricity, conserved 5,106 gallons of water, cut 855 pounds of solid waste and reduced 461 pounds of paper use. These actions are estimated to have reduced 30,000 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Education & Outreach and Waste

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, CA

Air Station Miramar increased awareness of waste generation and promoted their recycling program through the installation’s Teen and Child Care Centers during Earth Week. They also conducted two e-waste collection events and disseminated recycling information through email and base marquee announcements to reach 75% of the base population. As a result, Miramar increased recycling by 30% -- from 1470.63 tons in 2012 to 1911.79 tons in 2013 – far exceeding their goal of 10%. Miramar reduced its solid waste landfill disposal by more than 22%.

Water Conservation

Co-Winner: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) (San Francisco, Calif.)

Water Conservation award: FDIC cut water use by 36% to conserve over 729 thousand gallons of water. An automated water meter and WaterSense Irrigation System were installed to monitor and regulate water use, added aerators to faucets and upgraded domestic hot water system with new boilers and heat exchangers to reduce water use.

Co-Winner: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Pacific Southwest Lab (Vista, Calif.)

The DEA Lab cut potable water use by 40% to conserve 38,906 gallons of water last year. They promoted awareness of their Federal Green Challenge goal at staff meetings and encouraged all employees to report leaks and do their part to conserve water. In addition they prevented deionized water tank overflow, adjusted the ventilation and air conditioning system, and replaced suspect valves.

Co-Winner: Naval Base Coronado (Coronado, Calif.)

The base reduced water use last year by 20% to conserve over 101 million gallons. Irrigation frequency was reduced to allow some lawn areas to go dormant, one-pint urinals were installed, the chemical treatment of cooling towers’ valves were adjusted to use less water, and galley water use was minimized.

Energy

Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon, AZ

The park cut its energy consumption by 32% over the previous year. In addition to enjoying an unseasonably warm winter, which reduced the need for heating oil, the park also consolidated its facilities by closing a large warehouse/office building. Hence, the park was able to heat fewer buildings