Top Marks for EPA on 2011 Sustainability Scorecard

by | Jun 19, 2012

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The EPA met all of its sustainability and energy goals for 2011 and remains on track to meet all seven future goals on its Office of Management and Budget sustainability scorecard, amid mixed results from other major federal departments and agencies.

The scorecard measures the sustainability of federal departments and agencies using seven metrics including scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions, scope 3 GHG emissions, energy intensity, renewable energy use, water intensity, fleet petroleum usage, and the percentage of agency facilities that are sustainable green buildings. The EPA scored a green rating on all seven. A green rating indicates the benchmark has been met, and yellow indicates that progress is being made. A red rating means that improvement is needed.

According to the scorecard, the EPA reduced its combined scope 1 and 2 emissions by 56.9 percent and its scope 3 emissions by 10.1 percent in 2011. The agency says it achieved these reductions through major energy efficiency projects at its facilities, improved fleet management practices, the installation of videoconferencing hardware and extensive green power purchases.

Since 2007 the EPA has reduced its potable water-use intensity compared with 2007 by 15.3 percent. It has a target of a 26 percent reduction by 2020, against 2007 levels.

The General Services Administration also scored all green ratings on its metrics.

The Energy Department fared less well, scoring four green, one yellow and two red ratings. Goals it met include a reduction in its scope 3 emissions and an increase in its renewable energy use. The department missed its goals on fuel use and green buildings. Meanwhile, the Department of Defense recorded just two green, two yellow and three red ratings.

Scorecards were first released last year. In 2010, NASA’s scorecard shows that it exceeded a five percent target on renewable energy use set for federal agencies last year.

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