Department of the Interior Wins Four Federal Energy and Water Management Awards

Congratulations to four outstanding teams for earning 2016 Federal Energy and Water Management Awards. These Department of Energy (DOE) awards recognize exceptional energy and water conservation efforts. Continuing its strong performance in this annual competition, DOI won Project Awards for (1) the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Provo Area Office; and (2) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Headquarters and Visitor Contact Station at Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge; (3) a Program Award for the Bureau of Land Management’s Sustainability Inspection Compliance Assessment – Safety, Health and the Environment Program; and (4) a Contracting Award for the National Park Service’s National Capital Region Energy Savings Performance Contract.

These award winners strengthen the nation’s energy security, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, conserve water, and improve environmental quality. The winning projects showcase efficiency features that can be replicated, while the winning program and contracting effort establish processes that will ensure energy and water savings over the long term.

DOE honored this year's award winners during a ceremony on December 7, 2016. Award winners and leaders from the BLM, FWS, NPS, Reclamation, and the Department joined Elizabeth Klein, Associate Deputy Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary – Policy, Management, and Budget, and Olivia Ferriter, Deputy Assistant Secretary – Budget, Finance, Performance, and Acquisition, at the event. 

Because of Interior’s success in the competition, Ms. Klein was asked to address the audience as a keynote speaker. Her inspiring remarks described how Interior has incorporated energy and water conservation into its daily operations. She also thanked the winners from all agencies for their leadership.

Information on each of Interior’s winning entries follows: 

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Provo Area Office, Utah – Project Award. The Provo Area Office (PAO) was recognized for a comprehensive retrofit that greatly reduced energy and water consumption. The PAO implemented improvements over the course of four years that reduced energy and water use and GHG emissions by nearly 50%. The project included the installation of a 24 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system, which can provide up to 25% of the building’s electricity needs, xeriscape landscaping, a rainwater harvesting system, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning upgrades, new plumbing fixtures, and efficient lighting. As a result of these efforts, the PAO now meets all of the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings (Guiding Principles). Award recipients: Eugene Hawks, Civil Engineer, Reclamation; Joshua Kresge, Engineering Technician (Civil), Reclamation; Clifton Mower, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Reclamation; Jared Posey, Supervisory General Supply Specialist, Chief, Property and Procurement Group, Reclamation; Cary Southworth, Supervisory Civil Engineer, Manager, Office Engineering Division, Reclamation; and Scott Winterton, Supervisory Civil Engineer, Office Engineering Division, Reclamation.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters and Visitor Contact Station, Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, Iowa – Project Award. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold-rated Headquarters and Visitor Contact Station received a Project Award. The facility has numerous energy efficient, sustainable strategies, which make it 56% more efficient than an average building. Renewable energy systems, including a 15-ton geothermal heat pump, two solar hot water collectors, and a 25 kW PV system, contribute to an ultra-low carbon footprint. On an annual basis, the building avoids GHG emissions equivalent to taking 22 cars off the road. Almost half of the total building materials’ content was manufactured using recycled materials, while low volatile organic compound carpets, paints, and adhesives provide a healthy work environment for employees. Efficient water fixtures conserve almost 11,000 gallons of potable water annually. Landscaping with native plants eliminates irrigation, and four rain gardens direct storm water to artificial wetlands. Award recipients: Debbie Beck, Facility Manager, FWS; Todd Criswell, Project Manager, FWS; Timothy Fuller, Architect, FWS; Cathy Nigg, Refuge Manager, FWS; and John Stokes, Chief, Contracting and General Services, FWS (deceased).

Bureau of Land Management - Sustainability Inspection Compliance Assessment – Safety, Health and the Environment (SI CASHE) Program – Program Award. BLM developed this program in FY 2013 to address energy and water conservation requirements of law and executive order and incorporate the Guiding Principles into its building inventory. The SI CASHE process includes both inspection and identification, corrective action, implementation, and training. The inspection team audits the building, identifies its deficiencies, and gives recommendations for compliance. The deficiencies are recorded and resources are provided for repairing the deficiencies and bringing the building into compliance with the Guiding Principles and other energy reduction mandates. At the same time, the team conducts training on site for local personnel on how to identify and correct deficiencies using agency resources. The program enabled the BLM to incorporate the Guiding Principles into 18% of its building inventory in FY 2015 and achieve a 34.5% reduction of its energy use intensity from the FY 2003 baseline. Award recipients: David Campbell, Chief Engineer, BLM; Stephen Cole, Architect, BLM; Ken Morin, Environmental Engineer, BLM; Andrew Roberts, Mechanical Engineer, BLM; and Charles Svoboda, Electrical Engineer, BLM.

National Park Service National Capital Region Energy Savings Performance Contract – Contracting Award. In September 2014 the NPS National Capital Region (NCR) awarded Siemens Government Technologies Phase I of a multi-phased Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) to help the region meet energy reduction, renewable energy, and water conservation goals, and make significant reductions in GHG emissions. The innovative effort bundles all parks across the region together into one contract to achieve the greatest amount of energy savings possible. NPS awarded Phase II in July 2016. The first two phases will save approximately $3.1 million annually. The projects include LED lighting along the National Mall, a water efficient irrigation system on the White House Ellipse, and solar panels at several area parks. Award recipients: Monta Baskerville, Project Manager/Sustainability Coordinator, NPS; Tracey Crockett, Chief, Acquisition, Financial Assistance and Property Management, NPS; Doug Jacobs, Deputy Associate Regional Director, NPS; Karel Morales, Deputy Comptroller, NPS; and Philip Selleck, Associate Regional Director, Operations and Education, NPS (retired).