&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Administration and
Resources Management
Washington, D.C. 20460
EPA 202-R-97-001
Winter 1997
Pollution Prevention
Progress Report
in Compliance with
Executive Order 12856
OfHu of Administration
fodution 'Prevention Sterling Committee
Recycled/Recyclable • Printed with Vegetable-Based Inks on Recycled Paper (20% Postconsumer)
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Environmental Protection Agency's response to Executive Order 12856 is part of a larger.
integrated management approach to prevent pollution. EPA's approach is to operate an umbrella
of programs, each of which stem from other regulatory or executive order requirements, but
may have overlapping goals or action items. While the requirements are addressed under sepa-
rate programmatic initiatives, the Agency is coordinating its approach to pollution prevention by
merging the efforts of these individual initiatives.
The Agency's integrated pollution prevention management program is organized through a
steering committee led by the Agency's Office of Administration. The committee, comprised of
technical, programmatic and administrative staff from throughout EPA, has brought together
long-standing working relationships and programs designed to promote pollution prevention at
EPA facilities. This report clearly demonstrates the Agency's compliance with Executive Order
12856 and its dedication to exceeding minimum requirements by promoting pollution preven-
tion opportunities throughout EPA facilities.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION 1
II. DESCRIPTION OF ERA'S FACILITIES 3
III. EXECUTIVE ORDER 12856 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 5
IV. EXECUTIVE ORDER 12856 FACILITY SITE PLANS 7
V. EPA'S POLLUTION PREVENTION PROGRAM 10
Chemical Management Program 11
Energy and Water Conservation Programs 14
Waste Prevention and Recycling Programs 25
Affirmative Procurement Program 29
Green Buildings Program 32
VI. TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC ASSISTANCE 37
VII. COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH 40
VIII. CONCLUSION 46
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I. INTRODUCTION
In response to the pollution prevention requirements of Executive Order
(E.O.) 12856, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Office of
Administration (OA) is submitting this report to the Office of Enforcement
and Compliance Assurance (OECA) of EPA. The report documents the
progress that EPA has made in the area of pollution prevention from October
1995 through October 1996. This report also covers progress for data prior
to October 1995 that became available in 1996. This report addresses the following topics:
> Description of EPA's Facilities
»• Executive Order 12856 Reporting Requirements
»• Executive Order 12856 Facility Site Plans
»• EPA's Pollution Prevention Program
• Chemical Management Program
• Energy and Water Conservation Programs
• Waste Prevention and Recycling Programs
• Affirmative Procurement Program
• Green Buildings Program
»> Technical and Programmatic Assistance
»> Communications and Outreach.
This report describes EPA's efforts to implement pollution prevention in its daily activities. In
carrying out its ultimate goal of protecting human health and the environment, EPA incorporated
methods of pollution prevention in its regulations, guidance, and voluntary programs. EPA is
also responsible for managing its facilities, which are comprised of laboratories and offices
across the country. Through its management functions, EPA's OA is dedicated to leading by
example with a comprehensive internal pollution prevention program. EPA's program covers all
aspects of facility operations — from laboratory hazardous waste generation to office paper
recycling.
EPA's nationwide pollution prevention program addresses many individual executive orders that
deal with specific areas within the field of pollution prevention. These executive orders are the
official mandates that reinforce a nationwide effort to implement pollution prevention practices
into EPA's daily activities. These mandates promote pollution prevention as the preferred envi-
ronmental management technique throughout the federal government. The executive orders
include E.O. 12856: Federal Compliance With Right-to-Know Laws and Pollution Prevention
Requirements, E.O. 12873: Federal Acquisition, Recycling and Waste Prevention, E.O. 12845:
Purchasing Energy-Efficient Computer Equipment, and E.O. 12902: Energy Efficiency and
Water Conservation. The following table lists these, and other pollution prevention-related
executive orders, and the main requirements of each executive order.
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During the past year, EPA has continued to comply with E.O. 12856 and to expand its pollution
prevention program beyond regulatory and executive order minimum requirements. This is
evident in the written site-specific pollution prevention plans developed by EPA facilities during
the past year. Each facility assessed its overall functions to identify pollution prevention
accomplishments, opportunities for new projects, and goals. The success of this effort is due in
part to the many long-standing pollution prevention programs OA instituted in response to other
executive orders and regulatory requirements, and as part of the Agency's overall goals.
In response to E.O. 12856, OA has continued to provide technical and programmatic assistance
to its facilities. Through constant communication and outreach, OA provided the type of
assistance EPA facilities needed to improve their pollution prevention programs. Some of this
assistance was offered nationwide in the form of guidance pamphlets on pollution prevention
opportunities; other assistance was facility specific. The dialogue between Headquarters and the
field also enabled OA to identify opportunities that might have otherwise gone unnoticed for a
particular facility. During the past year, OA has coupled this assistance with an outreach
campaign to keep facilities informed and to continue the enthusiasm for pollution prevention.
These efforts over the past year are a continuation of the pollution prevention programs that
have been in place at the Agency. In meeting E.O. 12856 requirements, OA has taken a team
approach with its many programs and has led a cohesive effort to implement pollution
prevention into all aspects of EPA facility operations and functions. This comprehensive
approach to pollution prevention allows us to extend beyond prescribed requirements. This
report highlights several program areas — chemical management, energy and water
conservation, waste prevention and recycling, affirmative procurement, and state-of-the-art
environmental construction — which comprise OA's broad pollution prevention program.
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II. DESCRIPTION OF EPA'S FACILITIES
EPA facilities are comprised of offices and laboratories in either govern-
ment-owned, EPA-owned, EPA-leased, or General Services Administration
(GSA)-leased space. In addition to the headquarters located in the
Washington-DC metropolitan area, there are approximately 29 laboratories
and 10 office areas nationwide.
EPA divides the U.S. and Puerto Rico into 10 regions, each of which has a regional office and
several laboratories. These laboratories perform a broad scope of scientific and technological
activities that range from enforcement and technical services to development and fundamental
research. The roles and missions of these facilities focus on environmental problems from a
variety of media, and their ecological and health-related impacts. The following is a description
of the different types of EPA facilities.
• Regional Offices — The EPA Regional offices conduct activities in support of EPA
programs and manage environmental policies in the states which comprise the Region.
The Regions provide administrative support for the development and implementation of
comprehensive and integrated environmental protection programs.
• Environmental Services Division (ESD) & Central Regional Laboratories (CRL) — The
10 laboratories are dedicated to the support of regional programs primarily through the
provision of laboratory analytical support, quality oversight, and technical activities in
support of enforcement and compliance.
• Office of Research and Development (ORD) Laboratories — The ORD laboratories
engage in fundamental research, application-driven research, development, and technical
assistance on an as-needed basis.
• Other Program Laboratories — The other program laboratories support regulatory and
short-term needs through laboratory analytical services, enforcement, compliance
activities, monitoring, technical assistance and services, and a limited amount of
development.
• Headquarters — EPA Headquarters accommodates the Agency's policy making,
management, administration and integrating functions for a variety of research,
monitoring, standard-setting, and enforcement activities pertaining to the protection of
the environment.
A detailed description of each EPA facility can be found in the EPA Facilities Guide - 1996
Nationwide. The map on the following page indicates the location and type of EPA facilities.
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U.S. EPA REGIONAL OFFICES & LABORATORIES
•MASSACHUSETTES
IS UNO
Regional Offices
ESDI Central Regional Labs
ODD Labs
Q Other Program Labs
H Headquarters Locations
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III. EXECUTIVE ORDER 12856 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
EPA is committed to fulfilling the letter and spirit of requirements outlined
by E.G. 12856. This section categorizes the requirements of the executive
order associated with the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-
Know Act (EPCRA). EPA distributed a Pollution Prevention Program
Guide and Safety, Health and Environmental Management Guidelines that
provide detailed instructions on completing the required EPCRA forms and
developing a pollution prevention program. In addition, OA provided facilities with memos
describing pollution prevention planning requirements, guidance for developing pollution
prevention plans, and an example of a model pollution prevention plan. EPA facilities also
hosted several pollution prevention workshops and training courses, such as the Pollution
Prevention Opportunity Assessment Workshop for Laboratories hosted by EPA's Houston
Laboratory. The following section describes EPA's compliance with EPCRA. As described in
the previous section of this report, EPA facilities include approximately 10 offices and 29
laboratories. Most of the laboratories use many different chemicals in small quantities. As a
result, EPA laboratories exceed few thresholds under EPCRA. The laboratories that do exceed
EPCRA thresholds are described under the appropriate section below.
Executive Order Emergency Planning Requirements (§3-305(a))
Several EPA laboratories use extremely hazardous substances (EHSs). These chemicals include
chlorine for water treatment, sulfuric acid used in sample preparation, and hydrazine for
analytical tests. Although several EPA laboratories use EHSs, none uses these substances at or in
excess of their threshold planning quantities. Therefore, EPA laboratories did not submit §302
notifications.
Executive Order Emergency Release Reporting Requirements (§3-305(d))
EPA has few facilities likely to release an EHS or a Comprehensive Environmental Response
Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) hazardous substance into the environment in excess
of a reportable quantity. Most EPA facilities only use small quantities of chemicals and keep
only small quantities on-site. EPA facilities did not release any EPCRA §304 chemical in excess
of its reportable quantity during the 1996 reporting period.
Executive Order Emergency Awareness Reporting Requirements (§3-305(c))
EPA facilities must comply with the reporting requirements under §§311-312 of EPCRA if the
chemicals, products, or mixtures they use require a material safety data sheet and are present in
quantities greater than 10,000 pounds. If the chemical is an EHS, then the reporting threshold is
500 pounds or the threshold planning quantity, whichever is less. The facility must complete a
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ha/ardous chemical inventory form, called a Tier I or Tier II report, and include ha/ard.
quantity, and location information on any chemicals present above their reporting threshold.
The following table lists the facilities that submitted hazardous chemical inventory forms.
EPA EPCRA §§311-312 Facilities
Facility
Manchester Regional
Laboratory
Edison Laboratory
Environmental Research
Laboratory
National Vehicle and Fuel
Emissions Laboratory
Address
7411 Beach Drive East
Port Orchard, WA
2890 Woodbridge Ave
Edison, NJ
6201 Congdon Boulevard
Duluth, MN
2565 Plymouth Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI
Chemical
Heating Oil
Heating Oil
Diesel Fuel
Diesel Fuel
Executive Order Chemical Release Reporting Requirements (§3-304)
EPA voluntarily reduced the threshold for Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting by 20
percent — from 10,000 to 8,000 pounds (for the otherwise use category) — and did not claim
the laboratory exemption allowed under this section. After taking these steps to ensure that EPA
facilities are proactive in supplying information to the public, only one facility still exceeded the
8,000-pound threshold: EPA's National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVEEL) in Ann
Arbor, Michigan, which submitted reports for toluene and xylene, both constituents of gasoline.
NVEEL uses fuel in large quantities to support the testing of motor vehicle emissions and fuel
economv.
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IV. EXECUTIVE ORDER 12856 FACILITY SITE PLANS
As evidence of EPA's commitment to being a leader in pollution prevention
at its facilities, all EPA facilities have developed and submitted pollution
prevention plans as required by §3-302(d) of E.G. 12856. These plans are a
product of the Agency's pollution prevention program which provided
direction, guidance, training, and assistance to its facilities. The plans
reflect the broad spectrum of pollution prevention opportunities at EPA lab-
oratories and regional offices and the success of long-term OA programs. This section of the
report describes the events that led to the development of facility-written pollution prevention
plans, their contents and their outcome, as well as pollution prevention initiatives being imple-
mented throughout EPA facilities.
Pollution Prevention Plan Development
In accordance with §3-301 of E.O. 12856, EPA developed its pollution prevention strategy. The
strategy challenges the Agency to lead by example in its efforts to prevent pollution. It applies
EPCRA to Agency operations, reflects the Agency's commitment to its facilities' surrounding
communities, and calls for the Agency to reduce toxic chemical emissions. In order to •
demonstrate environmental leadership, the strategy went beyond the requirements of the
executive order in a number of ways. For its own facilities, EPA waived the use of the
laboratory exemption, lowered the "otherwise use" threshold on TRI reporting from 10,000 to
8,000 pounds, and broadened the scope of pollution prevention opportunities to include all
components of facility operations and chemical use.
EPA developed a structured approach of educating and team-building to execute the strategy.
The Agency implemented a campaign to educate through methods such as discussing E.O.
12856 requirements during monthly telephone conferences with safety, health and environmen-
tal compliance managers. EPA also gave presentations on pollution prevention during annual
meetings of facility managers, laboratory directors, assistant regional administrators and safety,
health and environmental compliance managers. A team consisting of individuals from OA, the
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR),
ORD, and supporting contractors visited two major^EPA research laboratories and two regional
environmental service laboratories. These visits enabled Headquarters staff to better understand
the operating functions of EPA laboratories and the role of pollution prevention in those func-
tions. OA selected one laboratory to work with in developing a model, or example, pollution
prevention plan. Headquarters staff visited the site several times to work directly with laboratory
and facility operations staff to develop a model plan for the facility.
The next step in meeting the goals outlined in the strategy was to communicate with and develop
guidance for EPA facilities. Headquarters sent the facilities a series of memos describing E.O.
12856 planning requirements, guidance specific to EPA's approach to compliance, and the model
pollution prevention plan. Each facility appointed a pollution prevention coordinator and formed
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a pollution prevention team. With these resources in place and constant communication between
Headquarters and the facilities, each facility developed its own pollution prevention plan.
Description of the Plans
A completed plan sets forth a strategy with specific action items to integrate pollution preven-
tion into the facility's environmental protection program. These plans are unique to each facility
and include a detailed assessment of pollutants generated, an analysis of pollution prevention
opportunities, and procedures for implementing and evaluating pollution prevention goals.
Each pollution prevention plan describes the activities conducted at the facility, assesses the
pollution prevention opportunities that could be applied to these activities, and sets goals lor
reducing pollution. Collectively, these plans illustrate the success of pollution prevention at EPA
facilities and the opportunity to share these successes with other EPA facilities. Headquarters
staff conducted an analysis of the plans and identified projects that have been successfully
completed at several sites and could be replicated at other sites. For each pollution prevention
project, a pamphlet is being developed which will contain a description of the project, the steps
involved in implementing it, how to measure progress, and what resources may be necessary. A
RTF's Pollution Prevention Plan
GENERAL FACILITY INFORMATION
DATE: April 12, 1995
FACILITY NAME: Research Triangle Park
ACTIVITY: Cleaning and Maintenance Supplies
CONTACT: Nancy Rhew, Recycling Coordinator
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
Cleaning and maintenance supplies covers all chemicals used in the maintenance
and cleaning of the thirteen buildings in the RTF facility. EPA is responsible for
cleaning four of the thirteen buildings it occupies. These buildings are the HRC,
ERC Annex, Chapel Hill and Administration building. EPA contracts for cleaning
services for these buildings. The cleaning contractor is responsible for furnishing
the cleaning supplies and cleaning restrooms, sweeping floors, vacuuming carpets,
and cleaning entrance door glass daily. Floors are stripped and waxed quarterly
except in the laboratories, which are stripped and waxed every six months.
Cleaning of all other EPA occupied facilities is the responsibility of the facility
POLLUTION PREVENTION OPPORTUNITY ASSESSMENT
Phosphate-based cleaning solutions are being used by the contractor. These
cleaning solutions are not precluded by the current contract. Phosphate-containing
cleaning solutions, when disposed of into water bodies, cause eutrophication, an
excessive growth of aquatic plants that consume dissolved oxygen and suffocate
marine life. RTP does not stipulate jn the cleaning contract what types of cleaning
compounds can and cannot be used.
POLLUTION PREVENTION GOALS
The next contract renewal should consider changing phosphate solutions with less
harmful products. Environmentally benign cleaning products, such as phosphate-
free cleaning detergents, should be Identified and evaluated for use as part of the
contract.
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description of the progress of this effort is included in this report under the Technical and
Programmatic Assistance section.
Plan Analysis
The plans show that all of EPA's facilities are participating in pollution prevention activities, and
are helping EPA meet the minimum requirements of E.O. 12856. The plans indicate, however.
that a wide variety of activities are occurring at EPA facilities that go beyond the minimum
requirements of the executive order. EPA facilities assessed pollution prevention opportunities in
activities such as equipment acquisition, battery management, and sample collection for testing.
One of the integral parts of each plan is establishing goals for each activity. These goals allow
each facility to focus efforts for a particular activity towards a common cause. While the various
goals identified in the plans reflect the facilities' participation and commitment to pollution pre-
vention, each EPA facility had to consider operations-related and laboratory-related limitations.
Facility operations goals are limited by building ownership, management, and employee partici-
pation. Laboratory process goals are limited by research constraints and predetermined standard
methodologies. Despite these limitations, the plans reveal that successes exist and goals are set
in many areas of pollution prevention at EPA facilities. The broad scope of the plans reflect the
established pollution prevention programs already in place throughout EPA.
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V. EPA'S POLLUTION PREVENTION PROGRAM
The Agency has a long tradition of promoting pollution prevention in the
management and maintenance of its facilities. EPA's pollution prevention
program is implemented through an umbrella of programs, each of which
stem from other regulatory or executive order requirements. The Agency's
response to these environmental requirements can be described through its
integrated pollution prevention program. This comprehensive approach to
pollution prevention allows us to extend beyond prescribed requirements.
This chapter highlights several program areas chemical management, energy and water
conservation, waste prevention and recycling, affirmative procurement, and state-of-the-art
environmental construction which comprise QA's broad pollution prevention program. The next
several sections of this report will describe current activities and the progress that has been
made in the past year.
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Chemical Management Program
One of EPA's goals is to ensure that pollution prevention becomes part of
the daily operations at all its offices and laboratories. EPA facilities face a
unique challenge to reduce its use of certain chemicals. EPA laboratories
follow standard methods for analyses of waste water, drinking water, haz-
ardous waste, and other media. These methods prescribe the sample volumes
and the quantities of reagents to be used and preclude any deviation. As
described in facility pollution prevention plans, EPA laboratories are evalu-
ating initiatives to reduce, for example, the dependence on solvents. A pri-
mary method for preventing pollution at laboratories due to solvent use involves chemical man-
agement initiatives. EPA facilities have implemented or are pursuing the initiatives described
below.
Chemical Ordering Svstem.s
Ordering systems may contain or lack procedures that inherently result in procuring excess
ha/ardous materials. As a result, these materials eventually exceed their shelf lives and become
ha/ardous wastes, which are subject to stringent treatment and disposal requirements. EPA
laboratories implemented several systems to reduce the disposal of expired hazardous materials.
First, the purchase of all hazardous materials requires approval by a Safety, Health, and
Environmental Management Program (SHEMP) manager, safety officer, or an industrial
hygienist. In addition, laboratories order commonly used materials in bulk and dispense them
from a central location to prevent the disposal of partially used containers. Laboratory personnel
order acutely hazardous chemicals in small quantities to workers. EPA laboratories also limit the
quantities of potentially hazardous materials they receive for analysis. This practice reduces the
amount of ha/ardous material requiring disposal.
Athens Laboratcfy
Chemical favcntoiy Control
Inventory by Location
Pate 2
Daw Froiay, January 24, 199?
Quantity
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Chemical Adoption
Most EPA facilities have implemented chemical adoption programs. A chemical adoption
program involves making excess chemicals available within the facility and, in many cases,
outside the facility to other federal or academic laboratories. Facilities use a database to enter
the amounts of excess chemicals that are available to laboratory researchers and technicians.
If these individuals need a chemical that is posted, then they adopt the chemical through the
appropriate standard procedures. The facility avoids disposal costs for all products adopted
through the system. This practice minimizes laboratory personnel's exposure to hazardous
materials, reduces hazardous waste at the facility, and results in cost savings to the facility.
EPA's Region 5 CRL estimated that its initial program resulted in a savings of $9,300.
Solvent Recovery
An example of a solvent
recovery system
Many of the standard analytical test methods used by EPA require the
use of solvents such as methylene chloride. Frequently, EPA conducts
organic extractions. Standard extraction methods cause the solvent to
evaporate into the laboratory fume hood. This solvent can be recovered
during the concentration step and reused. Several EPA laboratories
purchased solvent recovery systems, including Region 10 CRL;
Region 9 CRL; the Edison, New Jersey facility; and the Annapolis
Laboratory. EPA's Region 10 Laboratory recently ordered a second
unit to increase its capacity to recover solvents. EPA's Edison facility
recovered 364 liters of methylene chloride in 1995. This recovered
chemical resulted in a cost savings of $4,594 on the purchase of new
chemical and avoided $1,750 in disposal costs. Reported system
recovery rates range from 65 to 95 percent. One disadvantage to the
system is the increased time to complete the analysis. Initially, some
laboratories expressed concern over the integrity of the recycled
solvent. EPA's Annapolis Laboratory conducted an in-depth study to
determine the effectiveness of the recovery system, and concluded that
it renders the solvent acceptable for most analytical processes.
Analytical Method Changes (Materials Substitutions and Equipment Changes)
EPA laboratories consistently search for analytical methods that use less solvents or result in
less hazardous waste. EPA successfully adopted alternative equipment and recommended
methodology changes to support this goal. For example, many EPA laboratories converted from
liquid-liquid to solid-phase extraction techniques for drinking water analyses. Solid-phase
extraction equipment reduces the amount of solvent used from 500 to 5 milliliters. Similarly,
several Environmental Research Laboratories use microwave digestion methods to analyze soils
\1
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and aqueous samples for metals. Microwave digestion uses half the amount of sample and acid
required by conventional acid digestion.
EPA's ORD Laboratory in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, has significantly reduced the
use of phosgene and other toxic gases. Scientists have eliminated chemical exposure during tox-
icological inhalation experiments through equipment redesign. The new system isolates the test-
ing chamber to small bottles through the use of nose-only inhalation syringes.
Another EPA laboratory modified its method for analyzing drinking water containing metals.
After conducting the test, the water is run through filtration materials, including activated char-
coal, to prevent it from becoming a hazardous waste.
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Energy and Water Conservation Programs
The main goal of EPA's Energy and Water Conservation Program is to
consider the use of natural resources, available and reusable waste
streams, existing infrastructure, and resource investment when designing,
constructing, and maintaining the Agency's facilities and facility systems.
This effort intends to produce systems that dovetail with existing systems
by using established community resources conservatively and by
incorporating advanced and innovative technologies that are cost effective
and environmentally sound throughout their life cycles. This goal is
driven jointly by federal energy and water management regulations, and
the mission and pollution prevention initiatives of EPA.
Energy Reduction: Meeting Our JO Percent Goal
As mandated by the Energy Policy Act of 1992, EPA reduced energy use by 10 percent between
1985 and 1995. EPA achieved this by using a traditional approach at owned and operated
facilities, including:
• Implementing a lighting retrofit program consistent with the Green Lights Program goals
promoted by the Agency
• Incorporating updated standards for building systems into Agency leases and construction
projects
• Promoting general awareness and education efforts for Agency employees and managers
on the environmental advantages of energy conservation.
EPA's Annual Energy Consumption |
cr c
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Over the last 10 years, EPA invested in high-efficiency products when retrofitting building
systems, designing new facilities, and providing new office equipment.
Profile Of Water Consumption
During the past two years, EPA has required its facilities to monitor and report water consump-
tion and costs on a quarterly basis. Since 1994, EPA has required the use of water conserving
equipment in all newly leased and built facilities. In addition, the Agency has incorporated low-
flow toilets and sinks in its improvement program for existing facilities. Assessments of water
conservation opportunities are part of EPA's facility site visit program and have led to opera-
tional and management measures that have reduced water consumption. Between 1994 and
1995, the Agency reduced its water consumption by approximately 53 million gallons.
EPA's Annual Water Consumption
Fiscal Year
Next Steps: Pursuing 20 Percent Reduction by 2000 and 30 Percent by 2005
EPA is now engaged in an aggressive and broad-reaching program to achieve the 20 percent
reduction goal as required by the law, as well as the 30 percent reduction goal called for in E.O.
12902. The Agency is committed to using environmentally beneficial and energy-efficient build-
ing technology and procedures wherever possible and believes that a comprehensive combina-
tion of effective facility management practices and technology implementation will enable it to
exceed these reductions.
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Striving Toward a 30% or Better Reduction Goal
» Green Lights/diffused natural
lighting
» Energy Star office equipment
» Heat pipes
» Desiccant cooling systems
with/without renewablss
» Waterfground source heat
pumps
» Solar hot water
» Co-generation
» HVAC distribution/variable air
delivery
» Direct digital controls (DOC)
1
» Fuel cells
» High-efficiency central LOCAL
plant components uwv**i.
» Renewables AUTOMATED
» Programmable
thermostats I BUILDING
» Infrared sensors for IMTPI I insure
water managemtnt INTELLIGENCE
» Insulation upgrades
» Photovoltalcs
II 1
Advanced and improved BUIdlng System Technology Management
Technologies for 20% Reduction or Better Interface
The Agency's strategy for achieving the 20-percent reduction goal is to incorporate energy
efficient technologies in four of EPA's largest energy-consuming laboratories. The 30-percent
reduction will be met by installing automated control systems to monitor and adjust those
technologies so they run at the most efficient levels. The figure above illustrates this strategy.
Because federal agencies have the capacity and responsibility to provide leadership in energy-
efficient management practices and increase the penetration of environmentally beneficial
product and technologies, EPA is:
• Aggressively pursuing all feasible energy-efficient building system upgrades in EPA
facilities through private-sector partnerships, such as utility companies' demand-side
management program and, most significantly, energy savings performance contracting
(ESPC). More information on ESPCs is provided later in this report
• Combining and integrating energy-efficient building upgrade measures to maximize
pollution prevention, maximize energy efficiency, and increase the net present value of
the investment
• Evaluating the feasibility of a full range of commercially available building technologies,
designs, and maintenance options that can reduce energy consumption.
For new construction projects, EPA is:
• At a minimum, designing all facilities in compliance with applicable codes and
regulations, particularly 10 CFR Part 435 Subpart A, or any design initiatives encouraged
by DOE pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and E.O. 12902. Such initiatives
include passive energy design strategies, use of waste energy and reclaimable resources,
and the use of solar and renewable energy
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• Maintaining a high level of awareness for technology developments and committing to
use them whenever possible, including projects that have been considered completed,
where cost effective
• Ensuring that all new system installations are highly automated using a comprehensive
monitoring and control strategy designed to ensure continued monitoring of the system s
performance relative to the delivery of expected services at the expected energy
efficiency levels and with the expected level of pollution prevention.
These practices will help EPA reach the next major milestones, reducing energy consumption by
20 percent by 2000, and 30 percent by 2005.
"Proof of Concept" Technologies Used to Conserve Energy and Prevent Pollution
EPA incorporated several innovative technologies while working toward this goal. These "proof-
of-concept" technologies illustrate how EPA can efficiently and effectively save energy and
thereby prevent pollution. A description of the technologies is provided below.
Desiccant
A desiccant dehumidification system removes humidity from the supply airstream by rotating a
desiccant wheel through the air supply duct. The desiccant wheel is coated with a substance
which absorbs moisture directly from the air. Sections of the wheel that become saturated from
moisture in ambient air are rotated through a regeneration duct in which high temperature
exhaust air from the laboratory dries the desiccant. The dry supply air having passed through the
desiccant must be cooled before it is introduced into the laboratory space. The imparted cooling
is achieved through a significantly down-sized mechanical chiller system which must treat only
the sensible heat of the air stream. The desiccant wheel saves energy by providing all of the
latent moisture removal before the air enters the cooling coils. This reduces the load on the
cooling coils and also eliminates the need for reheat, a common practice in laboratory heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The only energy consumption associated with
the desiccant wheel is the fuel burned for heating the regeneration air and the motors used to
rotate the desiccant and heat exchange wheels.
A combination desiccant wheel/heat transfer wheel system has been installed at the Edison, New
Jersey laboratory. In this setup, a heat transfer wheel is installed half in the supply air stream
between the desiccant wheel and the cooling coils, and half in the regeneration air stream. This
wheel transfers heat from the hot, dry supply air to the air which needs to be heated for regener-
ation, reducing both the cooling coil load and the regeneration heater load.
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Heat Pipe
1,930 toni coting
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A heat pipe dehumidification system consists of
two coils, one which is placed before the cooling
coil and one which is placed after the cooling coil.
Heat pipes, or closed tubes filled with a liquid
refrigerant, connect the two coils. As the outside
air passes over the pre-cooling coil (the first side
of the heat pipe) it is cooled by the refrigerant.
The refrigerant evaporates, and the vapor rises to
the other side of the heat pipe — the reheat coils.
The air passes over the cooling coil and is further
cooled and dehumidified. The cold air then passes
over the reheat coil, and is heated by the refrigerant vapor, which condenses and flows back to
the precooling coil. The heat transfer process is entirely driven by the alternating evaporation
and condensation of the refrigerant, and there is no energy input to the heat pipe.
This technology has been installed in the Gulf Breeze, Florida, laboratory to reduce the chiller
load by precooling and dehumidifying outside supply air. Heat pipes are scheduled to be
installed in the Cincinnati, Ohio, laboratory within the next two years.
Solar
Solar hot water heating uses the sun's energy to heat water for domestic use. The sunlight
strikes the collector which captures the sun's energy, and the heat is subsequently transferred to
water or another fluid which is pumped through the collector and then to the storage tank where
it remains until it is needed.
Solar hot water heating is used to heat the water in the
west tower of the EPA Headquarters Building in
Washington, DC, and a day care center in Athens,
Georgia. To further its commitment to promoting solar
energy, EPA has moved to participate in a partnership pro-
gram sponsored by the Corporation for Solar Technology
and Alternative Renewable Resources (CSTRR). More
information on CSTRR is provided later in this report.
Active Davlighting
EPA employees displaying solor panels
at EPA Headquarters
Active daylighting incorporates a motorized solar tracking reflector array designed to introduce
natural lighting deep into the core of a building. Active daylighting systems are engineered to
maximize visible light transmission and minimize solar thermal gain.
l;
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EPA is installing an active daylighting system in its NVFEL facility in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The project will use existing roof-mounted sky light devices which have been covered in order
to eliminate solar thermal loading in the temperature sensitive automotive testing area. Because
of the low-thermal gains associated with this project, natural daylight will offset electric fluorescent
lighting provided in the space. This will be accomplished using photocells which will shut-off
fluorescent lighting when adequate daylight is present. Motorized reflectors, powered by
photovoltaic cells, will be installed to tract the sun's path and direct sunlight into the diffusers.
Uniquely, the cost savings resulting from the reduction in artificially lighting this space is
minimal and would not, on its own, justify the investment in this technology. However, the
payback on this investment is significantly improved when considering that the active daylighting
system now enables the Agency to use the room and natural daylighting as originally intended.
Geothermal
Geothermal heat exchange is one of the most environmentally resourceful energy conservation
methods for large-scale air conditioning and heating. In geothermal systems, underground water,
which maintains a constant temperature throughout the year, is used to heat HVAC circulation
water in the winter and cool circulation water in the summer. This type of system, also known
as an open-loop system, can provide almost all of the cooling and heating load for a facility
annually. Heat pumps using ground water as a heat source in the winter and as a heat sink in the
summer use about 70 percent less energy that equivalent mechanical systems.
Ground source, or closed loop, systems use pipes which are buried when underground water is
not easily reachable. The naturally constant underground temperature provides heat exchange
year-round for circulation water. These systems generally have a smaller capacity than
open-loop systems, but still provide the same level of energy savings.
A geothermal heat pump application is being evaluated for EPA's laboratory in Narragansett,
Rhode Island.
Indirect Evaporative Cooling
Indirect evaporative cooling is a means of precooling the airstream before it is introduced to the
air handling system, therefore reducing the load on the chiller. Indirect evaporative cooling
includes an air-to-air heat exchanger where one airstream is saturated with water, therefore
reducing its temperature. This airstream is blown through one end of the heat exchanger and is
exhausted to the outside. Outside air is drawn into the building through a duct which is perpen-
dicular to that of the cool duct. The outside air passes over the metal heat exchanger and drops
in temperature before entering the building.
This technology, coupled with a heat pipe application is scheduled for EPA's Andrew W.
Breidenbach Research Center (AWBERC) in Cincinnati, Ohio. A pilot demonstration project is
being designed.
19
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Variable Speed Drives
Variable speed drives (VSD) regulate the power input to fan or pump motors to reduce energy
consumption at part-load conditions. They are installed on the electrical connection to the
motors and use performance-based controls to vary the electrical input. The energy input, as a
percentage of full load input, is proportional to the cube of the percentage of the required fan
speed. For example, a fan motor which only needs to operate at 60% load will reduce its energy
input to 22% of full load input (60% x 60% x 60% = 22%) with the installation of a VSD.
Chiller compressors equipped with a VSD can improve their part load efficiency to as low as
0.2 kW/ton by incrementally dropping compressor power due to low condenser temperatures.
VSDs for chilled water pumps and chiller compressors are being incorporated in the HVAC
design for the AWBERC laboratory.
Cogeneration
Cogeneration is the method of producing electricity on-site using gas turbines or other renew-
able energy sources such as solar, biomass, or wind energy. With Cogeneration systems, waste
heat from the generators can be captured and used for water heating, process heating, or space
heating or cooling. Emissions are greatly reduced from purchasing electricity from a utility grid,
where nearly two-thirds of the input energy for electricity generation is lost to waste heat and
emissions. Cogeneration systems are expensive to install, yet can provide up to 70% reduction
in energy costs.
Cogeneration is being considered for facility upgrades at NVFEL and at the Fort Meade
Environmental Science Center in Fort Meade, Maryland.
Environmental Controls Automatic Sensors
As part of the Agency's effort to monitor and reduce energy and water consumption, an emerg-
ing new technology. Node-based Direct Digital Controls (NDDC), holds promise for improving
building controls and real-time monitoring. This technology incorporates an open-communica-
tions protocol using an integrated computer-chip that provides distributable intelligent linking of
a wide variety of energy, environmental, safety, and security needs.
At its Montgomery, Alabama, laboratory, EPA pro-
poses to apply this technology to control and moni-
tor laboratory pressures, fume hood exhausts, pH
wash-down fluids, scrubber efficiencies, and indoor
environmental conditions. While at its Gulf Breeze,
Florida, laboratory. EPA intends to use this technol-
ogy for control and monitoring building security,
fire protection and indoor environmental quality.
Both projects are in the design phase.
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Partnerships in Conservation
For several years, EPA has pursued public-private partnerships to gain knowledge, impart
knowledge, and encourage the use of innovative technology when planning, developing, and
implementing conservation measures and concepts in its facilities, or when participating in
projects being carried out by others. The following are representations of the range of
partnership activities in which the Agency is involved.
Corporation for Solar Technology and Alternative Renewable Resources (CSTRR)
EPA is working to incorporate the use of purchased solar energy at its Las Vegas laboratory.
CSTRR, a public corporation charged with developing and distributing solar and renewable
energy, is driving this initiative by proposing to build a power plant in the region based on solar
energy. CSTRR's initial research has shown that Nevada potentially offers outstanding solar
energy resources. The move toward this technology not only conserves energy from traditional
sources, but it reduces the level of man-made carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. EPA has signed
a "Letter of Interest," a non-binding agreement, for its facility to work with CSTRR and
Department of Energy (DOE) to analyze a solar power purchase.
Energy Savines Performance Contracts (ESPCs)
B*fort ESPC
During ESPC
t660k
Contractor
Payment
4330k Utility
BUI
1996 Utility Bill
11 1 million
»7BO!<
Gowmmtnt
Sh*r«
$330 Utility
BUI
2020
ESPC. formerly known as Shared Energy Savings
Contracting, is a new method of financing energy-
efficient improvements in federal buildings through
federal appropriation of capital funds. Under this
financing mechanism, federal agencies contract
with energy-service companies who pay all of the
up-front costs for the energy upgrade. In exchange,
the company receives a share of the cost savings
resulting from the energy efficiency upgrades until
the contract period expires, which can be up to 25 General ESPC Savings
years. At that time the federal government retains all
the savings and equipment.
NVFEL will be EPA's first facility to use this financing mechanism to upgrade an HVAC
system. Using ESPC procedures. EPA's goal is to establish NVFEL as an energy and
environmental showcase facility by reducing
source emissions, energy consumption, and energy
costs, while preserving or improving the integrity
of the laboratory's mission. To achieve these
goals, EPA is requesting proposals for innovative,
resource-
efficient, and highly integrated system designs
with synergy among interacting components. The
request for proposal incorporates an evaluation
During ESPC Aft*r ESPC
Contractor
Paymtnt
Utility BIH
Gov»mm»nt
Share
NVFEL ESPC Savings
21
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mechanism that requires each proposal to state the reduction in associated power generation pol-
lutants, and the resultant societal life-cycle cost of the proposed retrofit.
NREL Renewable Opportunities Assessment
Through an interagency agreement, EPA and DOE have tasked DOE's National Renewable
Energy Laboratory to assess the potential for implementing renewable energy technologies and
conservation measures at the 16 EPA laboratories where EPA Headquarters pays the utility bills.
Findings from the first phase of the task are documented in a report entitled "Renewable Energy
Opportunity Assessment." This preliminary assessment is mainly a prescreening of renewable
energy options and is undertaken in accordance with the Agency's Renewable Implementation
Plan. The assessment was accomplished by surveying each of EPA's facility managers and
modeling each facility using specific data requested or available through EPA's national data-
base for each site. The report revealed:
• 37 potential opportunities for solar water heating
• 27 potential opportunities for solar ventilation preheating
• 18 potential opportunities for photovoltaics
• 18 potential opportunities for ground source heat pumps
• 15 potential opportunities for solar cooling
• 12 potential opportunities for skylights
• 9 potential opportunities for daylight controls.
Some of these building-specific opportunities, including a number of campus-wide projects,
could generate significant energy savings. Phase two of this task is to develop specific projects,
and Phase three is to determine which projects to finance. EPA has moved forward in analyzing
potentially good investments for installing three solar collectors to provide energy for hot water
heating at the laboratory in Edison, New Jersey, specifically in Building 209. The estimated
installation cost would be $14,448, with an annual cost savings of $1,237. The technology
would also conserve energy and prevent pollution by avoiding 3,572 kg of carbon dioxide
emissions, 23 kg of sulfur dioxide emissions, and 17 kg of nitrogen oxides emissions.
The Edison project, if implemented, would serve as a model for renewable energy projects at
other facilities. A second renewable energy project is planned for EPA's Narragansett facility.
Here, the Agency is focusing on on-site generation of geothermal energy using water-based heat
pumps. Facility-wide opportunities will remain under consideration for a long-term conservation
strategy.
22
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Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC)
EPA is assembling a private-public partnership to
demonstrate the world's first megawatt class SOFC
power station at its new Fort Meade Environmental
Science Center in Fort Meade. Maryland. The power
station is an innovative compact technology which
functions along the same principles as a battery, yet it is
fueled by a variety of resources, among them renewable
biogas and solar hydrogen. The technology will provide
extremely efficient and clean power to the facility at over
twice the efficiency of conventional power-generating
combustion technologies. EPA is participating in this
public-private partnership with DOE, the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers. Westinghouse Corporation,
Baltimore Gas and Electric, Electric Power Research Institute, and others, in order to investigate
the technical and financial viability for successfully demonstrating this project. The partners
have been meeting periodically for the past two years and have recently developed a project
prospectus that will be used to gain more support for this exciting new technology. The Fort
Meade Environmental Science Center will be constructed by December 1998. at which time
EPA expects to be able to power a portion of the facility's electrical needs with the SOFC.
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
DQE's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP)
With the assistance of FEMP and the Tennessee Valley Authority, EPA is exploring the use of
renewable technologies for incorporation in its renovation plans for its Athens. Georgia labora-
tory. The Southeastern Regional Biomass Energy Program (SERBEP), which has engineered
bioenergy infrastructure in this area of the country, is the chief resource tor this initiative. EPA
invited SERBEP representatives to describe its program to Agency engineers and architects, and
began seeking support on whether bioenergy specifically developing biofuels from wood waste
is feasible at the Athens facility. The first phase of the investigation of this project will include:
• A field trip to the research laboratory in Athens to gather data for existing biomasx
options, and review the plans necessary to implement these options
• An evaluation of biomass fuel options available to the Athens facility
• An interagency agreement is already in place to perform this task, which will facilitate
the working arrangement.
Carnegie-Mellon
EPA is a member and sponsor of the Industry/University Cooperathe Research Consortium
23
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(IUCRC) at the Carnegie-Mellon University Center for Building Performance and Diagnostics.
With the National Science Foundation as an additional sponsor, this Industry-University
Cooperative Research Consortium includes government representatives to help determine
research priorities and how information can be transferred among groups. EPA's funding and
participation in the IUCRC is used by the National Science Foundation to support research
projects which explore the integration of building design, materials, construction, life-cycle
uses, and operations to improve occupant health, satisfaction and productivity, and prevent
detrimental impacts to the environment and natural resources.
The research of this IUCRC deals directly with the environmental, economic, and industry
issues involved with the building industry. Pollution prevention is a monumental task in light of
the social and economic needs, the national priorities, and general wasteful practices which is
prevalent in the building industry. EPA is interested in advancing the research and development
of building concepts, technologies, and systems that will provide highly integrated solutions for
the products of this industry and to the benefit of its customers. EPA also is interested in
understanding and demonstrating the environmental benefits of these solutions, including their
applications and instrumentation, whenever possible, even in its own buildings and facilities.
Federal Procurement Challenge
Federal purchasing can play a positive role in moving the commercial marketplace toward the
development and widespread use of products that save energy and water, and use renewable
resources. DOE has established the Federal Procurement Challenge as a mechanism for federal
agencies to efficiently access these environmentally responsible products and encourage their
use in the market place. EPA has signed on to this challenge and is committed to purchase
best-practice energy-efficient and water-saving products which are in the upper 25 percent for
all products in that category; purchase emerging technologies and products that offer greater
energy efficiency, water savings, or use of renewable resources than products now commercially
available; and track the successes and experiences with these products.
24
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Waste Prevention and Recycling Programs
EPA has had recycling programs in place since the late 1980s. The
Agency has a network of Waste Prevention and Recycling Coordinators
who manage programs in their respective locations. Nationwide. EPA
facilities recycle an estimated 2,500 tons of paper, aluminum, and glass
annually. During the past two years, the Agency has coupled its success
in recycling paper, aluminum, and glass with an aggressive source
reduction effort through the Agency Paperless Office Campaign.
Paperless Office Campaign
As a part of EPA's pollution prevention program, OA and the Office of Solid Waste coordinated
a campaign to reduce the use of paper in EPA offices. The Regional offices and Headquarters
participated in the campaign. Since the launch of the effort on Earth Day 1994, the two-year
campaign has produced a 25 percent reduction in Agency photocopying.
Headquarters and the Regions employed a number of creative measures to reduce paper genera-
tion in offices. These measures included increasing the use of electronic communications,
duplexing photocopies and computer printouts, as well as revising the methods by which docu-
ments are generated and printed.
Paperless Office Campaign-1995 Results
Photocopy Impression Reductions
, 293,115,371
218,984,717
r
41,196,810
(OS-Dec)
56.132,531
(Juty-Bep(
62,167,662
(April-June)
39,488,814
(Jut-March)
1993 Baseline 1994 Actuals' 19% Actuals
"Adjusted to 12 months (or oompart»oi» with 1985.
Compared to 1993 paper usage, EPA Headquarters and Regions made 74,130,654 fewer
photocopy impressions in 1995, which equals about 55,597,991 sheets, assuming a 50-percent
duplexing rate. This is equivalent to about 278 tons of paper. By reducing the amount of paper
25
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generated. EPA produced the following environmental benefits:
• Prevented the use of 11,308,515 kWh of energy, which is enough to power 2,758 homes
for six months
• Saved 7,641 cubic feet of landfill space, enough to fill up about 147 mid-size pickup
trucks
• Saved 1,981,000 gallons of water, which is equivalent to doing 39,620 loads of laundry
• Saved 2,406 trees from being harvested
• Saved 193,006 gallons of oil, equivalent to 193,006 oil changes on the average car.
In 1995, EPA Headquarters and regions reduced photocopy impressions by 16.1 percent,
exceeding its goal of 15 percent. In achieving this reduction, Headquarters alone achieved an
11-percent reduction in photocopy impressions. OECA reported the greatest decrease in impres-
sions at 29 percent. In addition, the Office of Air and Radiation, ORD, and the Office of Solid
Waste and Emergency Response decreased photocopy impressions by more than 20 percent.
Regional offices achieved a 20-percent reduction in photocopy impressions in 1995. Region 6
reported the greatest decrease in impressions at 35 percent. Regions 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9 also
reported reductions of 18 to 30 percent.
EPA reduced paper consumption beyond decreasing photocopy impressions. Many EPA offices
have developed electronic means of communication, replacing systems that depended on printed
hard copies. For instance, the Office of Information Resources Management has developed an
electronic forms routing and signature system, enabling several commonly used forms to be cir-
culated and approved electronically. Region 6 replaced a newspaper clipping service with a soft-
ware program that stores and distributes appropriate news stories via electronic means.
The Paperless Office Campaign used photocopy impression data as the sole indicator of Agency
paper consumption. However, many offices have reduced paper consumption by other means,
such as increasing the use of computer-based technology for electronic mail, training, data trans-
mission, and document dissemination, and by duplexing computer printout. These efforts were
not measured and are not reflected in the numerical paper reduction data contained in the report.
Thus, EPA Headquarters and the Regions are likely to be reducing much more paper than was
tracked for this campaign. Therefore, EPA is confident that the Agency far exceeded its 15-per-
cent Agency-wide 1995 paper reduction goal.
The following success stories highlight some achievements of:
• Region 1: This Region was the prototype for the Agency-wide campaign. Since FY92,
26
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Region 1 has a cumulative photocopy reduction of 35.5%.
• Office of Water - Headquarters: The Office of Water (OW) offered many of its publica-
tions, periodicals, and workshop and training materials through the Internet via the
World Wide Web. To communicate internally at Headquarters and to Regional OW staff,
OW used the LAN and a central voice messaging system.
• Region 2: This Regional Office installed a program to produce double-sided computer
printouts, which saves about 80 cartons (400,000 sheets) of high-grade office paper
annually.
• Region 10: This Regional Office set all photocopiers and computer printers to default on
duplexing, disseminated all of its reorganization memos and reports over the LAN, and
distributed monthly paperless tips via the LAN.
The strategies by EPA offices to reduce paper consumption in 1995 are ongoing efforts. Many
were pilot projects in 1996 and will likely lead EPA to greater reductions in office paper con-
sumption during the years to come.
Headquarters' "All Paper" Recycling Program
During the fourth quarter of FY96, EPA Headquarters, in cooperation with GSA, has imple-
mented an "ALL PAPER" recycling program which includes the current paper grades as well as
new materials such as books, magazines, and carbonless paper. The goal of the new recycling
program is to increase the volume of paper recycled at EPA facilities and lower removal costs.
During FY96, EPA Headquarters recycled the following amount of aluminum, glass, and paper:
FY % Washington, D.C. Area Recycling Figures for
Grade 1*
Paper
(Tons)
0.27
Grade '2+
Paper
(Tons)
363.48
:;G«ade3% .
"Paper
(tons)
76.62
Grade 4#
Paper
(Tons)
5.30
. \
Total
Paper
(Tons)
445.67
EPA Facilities
Alnniiiii!i$Ji4!
OBIS' ''
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the Waterside Mall facility. The proceeds from the sale of the glass have gone to support
scholarships and the EPA day care center.
On Earth Da\ in 1994. the Agenc> demonstrated a new automated recycling collection system
in collaboration with the ENVIPCO corporation. Waterside Management, and the local commu-
nitv The automated s\stem can process and store more than 40 plastic, glass, and metal con-
tainers per minute. Since the beginning of the project, 50,000 units have been processed.
Proceeds from the sale of the recyclables have gone to support local community programs.
28
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Affirmative Procurement Program
In response to E.O. 12873, Federal Acquisition, Recycling,
and Waste Prevention, EPA issued an Environmental
Procurement Strategy in August 1995. The strategy outlined
the Agency's efforts to implement the requirements of the
executive order and to encourage pollution prevention
efforts throughout the Agency. The Affirmative Procurement
Program focusses on environmental acquisition in EPA con-
tracts, grants, and environmental procurement and demon-
stration projects through "Green Building" initiatives.
Percentage of EPA Documents Printed on Rncydud Paper
A
FY89 FY90 FY 91 FY 92 FY 93 FY 94 FY 95 FY 96
• In-House Printing G Outside Procurement
Recycled Paper
Because paper is a significant portion of the federal waste
stream, EPA has monitored and set guidelines for the purchase
of paper since 1989, when the paper procurement guideline
was first implemented. EPA was the first federal agency to
achieve 100 percent compliance with the requirements under
the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, which requires
that all documents and other paper materials be printed on
recycled paper. In FY96 all EPA documents were printed on
recycled paper with at least 20 percent post-consumer content
as specified in E.O. 12873.
EPA Headquarters uses a 100 percent recycled copier paper with 50 percent post-consumer con-
tent. The use of the 100 percent recycled paper sends a positive environmental message and has
saved the Agency a total of $322,000 in paper purchase costs since 1994.
20% & 100% Recycled Paper Cost Comparison
40
50
20
10
0
7/94 10/94 '/95 4/95 7/95 10/95 1/96 4/96 7/96 10/96
29
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Contractor Requirements for Recycled Paper
EPA has secured a deviation from FAR Parts 4.303 and 52.204-4, which "encourages" the offe
or or contractor to submit documents double-sided on recycled paper containing at least 20 per-
cent post-consumer material. The deviation enables EPA to continue its policy requiring offerers
and contractors to submit documents (including proposals, program reports, draft and final
reports) that are printed or copied double-sided on 20 percent post-consumer paper. The Agency
policy has been in place since 1990.
Contracts Manual and Acquisition Handbook Revisions
\
The Office of Acquisition Management (OAM) has revised the Agency Affirmative
Procurement Program to accommodate the new requirements of E.O. 12873 and the new items
designated by the "Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines" (CPG) and the "Recovered
Materials Advisory Notice" (RMAN). The Contracts Management Manual and the Acquisition
Handbook were updated and revised on May 15, 1996, to incorporate the new requirements for
the purchase of recycled content and environmentally preferable products.
OAM has prepared a Draft Procurement Policy Notice which provides guidance on required
procedures to promote the acquisition of environmentally preferable products and services. The
requirements to buy environmentally preferable products and services will be included in all
statements of work. Contractors shall comply with these recommendations and such other CPG
revisions and RMANs as EPA may issue with respect to the procurement of products that con-
tain recovered materials.
Federal Acquisition Regulation: Ozone Executive Order
As a member of the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council (CAAC), and the Environmental
Committee of the Department of Defense (DOD), EPA has led federal efforts to maximize the
use of non-ozone-depleting supplies and services. As a result of EPA's efforts, the interim rule
on ozone-depleting substances was issued this year (FAR Case-92-307).
Energy Star Computers
The federal government spends nearly $4.6 billion annually on
computer hardware. Through the Energy Star program, EPA
purchased energy-efficient computers, printers, and monitors.
Currently, EPA is collaborating with GSA and computer manu-
facturers to identify additional avenues for procuring environ-
mentally preferable computer components and systems.
30
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On April 2, 1996, EPA issued a final rule adding coverage to the EPA Acquisition Regulation
(EPAAR) on energy-efficient computer equipment. This final rule, which replaces Procurement
Policy Notice 94-9, ensures all purchases of microcomputers, including personal computers,
monitors, and printers meet "EPA Energy Star" requirements for energy efficiency. The final
rule was effective on April 17, 1996.
United States Environmental Recycling Hotline
The Environmental/Recycling Hotline, supported by the US EPA Region 9
and the US Postal Service, is a public/private sector partnership that oper-
ates a state-of-the-art computerized, interactive phone and Internet system.
Callers can access a large variety of environmental information about recy-
cling, source reduction and affirmative procurement. Vice President Al Gore
recently commended the project as a "program that truly exemplifies the spirit of reinventing
government."
Procurement of Alternatively Fueled Vehicles
Motor vehicles are necessary to support mission-related activities at certain facilities. EPA is
supporting pollution prevention opportunities that may decrease the negative environmental
impact of vehicle operation. One of the ways this is accomplished is by supporting the procure-
ment of alternatively fueled vehicles (AFV). OA recently distributed guidance to EPA facilities
on the pollution prevention opportunities associated with AFVs. During FY95 there was a total
of 126 AFVs in the Agency's fleet: 101 methanol (M-85), 10 ethanol (E-85), 14 dedicated com-
pressed natural gas (CNG) and one bi-fuel CNG. This constitutes 18.5% of all vehicles leased
from GSA by the Agency.
Sustainable Building Technical Manual
This manual, issued in June 1994, helps designers, builders, owners and operators of public and
private facilities to implement strategies that promote environmentally sound buildings, or
"Green Buildings." The document is the result of a collaborative effort with Public Technology
Incorporated (PTI), the US Green Buildings Council, DOE and EPA. The manual offers step-by-
step guidelines for energy- and resource-efficient building in pre-design, design, construction,
operations, and management. The following section of this report discusses in further detail the
Agency's successful implementation of Green Buildings concepts at EPA facilities.
31
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Green Buildings incorporated sustainable design, renovation and
maintenance considerations.
Green Buildings Program
Vast opportunities for
implementing regulatory
and executive order pro-
curement requirements exist
in building construction,
renovation, and mainte-
nance. For several years,
EPA has been implementing
Green Building strategies in
a variety of ways, which
are expanding with each
construction and renovation
project. To promote a healthful and productive working environment, the Green Buildings
Program incorporates principles of energy and resource efficiency, applies waste reduction and
pollution prevention practices, ensures unpolluted indoor air, and uses natural light as a light
and heat source whenever possible. The Green Buildings vision and policy statement, presented
in full on the following page, serves as a guide for EPA and as a model for other agencies. It
represents a holistic, systems approach to sustainable building design, renovation, and mainte-
nance.
There are many examples of Green Building practices that are incorporated in numerous solici-
tation for offers (SFOs) for construction or renovation activities at EPA facilities. For instance,
SFOs have specified the collection of recyclable waste materials, the recycling of construction
and renovation debris, and the reuse of existing building material. Also, SFOs specify the use of
environmentally preferable building products and materials, promote low VOC-content adh-
sives, and restrict the use of products made from endangered or restricted wood.
Several upcoming and recent EPA facility construction projects demonstrate technologies and
concepts that integ'rate a systems approach to Green Buildings procurement using many of the
practices previously described. These facilities include the New Headquarters Buildings
(Washington, DC), the New Consolidated RTP Facility (Research Triangle Park, North
Carolina), the National Exposure Research Laboratory (Athens, Georgia), Region IV Office
(Atlanta, Georgia), Region III Office (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), Region VII Central Regional
Laboratory (Kansas City, Kansas), National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (Ann Arbor,
Michigan), and the Fort Meade Environmental Science Center (Fort Meade, Maryland). The fol-
lowing EPA facilities provide examples of the variety of pollution prevention opportunities
which were addressed through the Green Buildings Program.
32
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GREEN BUILDINGS VISION AND POLICY STATEMENT
In order to maintain leadership in environmental protection, EPA must lead by example. Through sustain-
able design and construction of EPA facilities we will model responsible environmental behavior and help
create the framework within which the building industry as a whole can shift towards practices which will
promote "Green Buildings".
Green Buildings are structures that incorporate the principles of sustainable design — design in which the
impact of a building on the environment will be minimal over the lifetime of that building. Green Buildings
incorporate principles of energy and resource efficiency, practical applications of waste reduction and pollu-
tion prevention, good indoor air quality and natural light to promote occupant health and productivity, and
transportation efficiency in design and construction, during use and reuse.
Agency facilities, both new and existing, should serve as models for a healthy workplace with minimal
environmental impacts. To achieve this goal, EPA will utilize both innovative "state of the art" technologies
and a holistic approach to design, construction, renovation, and use. EPA will work with the private sector
to identify opportunities for innovation and help create markets for both products and design concepts.
Important considerations in the design, construction and use of EPA-owned and -leased facilities include the
following:
• Site planning that utilizes resources naturally occurring on the site such as solar and wind energy, natural
shading, native plant materials, topography and drainage.
• Location and programs to optimize use of existing infrastructure and transportation options, including
the use of alternative work modes such as telecommuting and teleconfencing.
• Use of recycled content and environmentally preferable construction materials and furnishings, consis-
tent with EPA Procurement Guidelines.
• Minimization of energy and materials waste throughout the buildings life cycle, from design through
demolition or reuse.
• Design of the building envelope for energy efficiency.
• Use of materials and design strategies to achieve optimal indoor environmental quality, particularly
including light and air, to maximize health and productivity.
• Operation systems and practices which support an integrated waste management system.
• Recycling of building materials at demolition.
• Management of water as a limited resource in site design, building construction and building operations.
• Utilization of solar and other renewable technologies, where appropriate.
Evaluation of trade-offs will be an important component of the design of Green Buildings. Where the goals
of a Green Building are contradictory (for example increased ventilation vs. increased energy efficiency),
the trade-offs will have to be evaluated in a holistic framework to achieve long-term benefits for the envi-
ronment. Also, the physical considerations must be balanced with other policy objectives such as environ-
mental justice, particularly with regards to site location. We anticipate that there may not be always be sin-
gle answers to recurring building issues, but we will adopt a consistent approach to evaluating all buildings
for sustainable design considerations.
—From EPA's Environmental Procurement Strategy, August 1995, EPA200-R-95-001
33
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New Headquarters Building
EPA is in the process of designing and
developing a consolidated headquarters
facility in downtown Washington, DC. The
Agency will occupy a portion of the in-
progress Ronald Reagan Federal Building
and the adjacent to-be-renovated
Customs/Connecting Wing/Interstate
Commerce Commission and Ariel Rios
Buildings. The Agency had already located
700 OECA employees in the Ariel Rios
(south) Building, and during the summer of
1997, will move another 1,000 employees into the Ronald Reagan Building. At that point,
approximately one-quarter of the Agency's Headquarters employees will be consolidated.
The consolidated Headquarters facility has faced time constraints while joining projects that
were already under construction, in historically protected buildings, and involving traditional
GSA design and renovation projects. EPA's efforts focused on intervention strategies which
ensure the Agency's functional and mission requirements are met. Even in these complicated,
fast-paced projects in which EPA was not initially a primary tenant, the Agency has been suc-
cessful in incorporating numerous Green Buildings features. For example, EPA:
• Established a process to review materials and material safety data sheet information to
choose alternative materials with low off-gassing potential
• Developed an indoor air quality guidance document for use by the construction con-
tractor to avoid potential adverse effects from construction on adjacent occupied areas
• Specified low-VOC paints, crystalline silica-free joint compound, and 4-PC free carpets
Recommended refinements to HVAC, air distribution, filtering (i.e., pre- and post-
filters), and exhaust aspects of the buildings, which were incorporated
• Incorporated use of operable windows
• Chose a systems furniture project using environmental selection criteria (including
emissions testing)
• Incorporated a Green Lights lighting design, specified low-flow plumbing devices, and
required recycled materials in the base building and tenant spaces.
These and other building refinements will ensure a healthful, productive workplace for all EPA
employees. As the project progresses, the planning team will continue to develop space plans
and make design choices which reflect the latest sustainable design practices.
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Athens
A variety of pollution prevention opportunities were considered and incorporated into the design
and construction of renovations at the EPA facility in Athens, Georgia. In incorporating Green
Building concepts, OA was able to minimize
off-gas environmental contaminants in materi-
als and products (e.g., adhesives, varnishes,
carpets, paints), use CFC-free insulations and
refrigerants, and avoid materials in limited
supply or not from sustainable sources. OA
was able to use recycled content products (e.g.,
insulation, wall board and fly-ash concrete),
maximize shading through liberal use of trees
and shrubs, and include centralized recycling
stations. A variety of conservation opportunities were implemented, such as improved efficiency
of refrigeration equipment, a variable air volume HVAC system, split-task ambient lighting sys-
tem, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and trickle irrigation systems for exterior landscaping.
Research Triangle Park
During the design of the new consolidated RTF facility, the concept of environmentally benig
design applications will be incorporated throughout various stages of its development and use.
This 635,000 square-foot consolidated
facility will be located next to a lake and
the buildings that form this complex will
be integrated into the existing forest and
wetland areas. Landscaping activities at
the facility will use indigenous, low-main-
tenance plant species.
Pollution prevention practices will be used
throughout the facility. These practices
include the use of non-polluting, low-emis-
sion interior finishes and the establishment
of preferences for construction material
made from recycled products whenever possible. Specific examples of this pollution prevention
methodology include the use of water-based paints for walls; low VOC emitting adhesives, fin-
ishes, sealants and joint compounds; steel and aluminum insulation; and rubber flooring and
other materials which contain recycled materials. Also, the facility will use certified recyclable
carpets which are impermeable to water. The carpet backing material that will be used is more
chemically inert than conventional alternatives, thus minimizing chemical emissions from with-
in the building.
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Fort Meade Environmental Science Center
Environmentally sound materials and processes will be incorporated into the various phases of
design such as the interior, site, and architectural/structural phases of the new facility in Fort
Meade, Maryland. For example, materials for the interior finishes will be selected to minimi/e
chemical off-gasing. Lighter colored finishes will be used in order to maximize the lighting
reflectivity. In addition, no mercury, asbestos, or halon will be used within the facility. It has
been specified that no lead is to be used in the water piping connections.
Examples of Green Building practices incorporated into the physical site design phase include
stipulating that existing trees will be transported on-site where possible and that, to reduce the
need for fertilization, new planting will include native species and grasses. Also, the existing
tree stands will be preserved to the furthest possible extent. Another example in this area is the
use of recycled asphalt for wearing surfaces for parking and roadway areas.
The architectural/structural design phase also provides for many environmentally benign
materials and practices. For example, it is specified that building materials should include
recyclable materials such as fly ash in concrete to reduce the cement content, and recycled
material within the facility's insulation. In addition, wall bases and selected flooring areas will
contain rubber with reclaimed material. Carpet and ceiling tile have been specified to allow
these materials to be recycled in the future. Also, a recycling center will be provided for waste
materials.
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VI. TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC ASSISTANCE
OA's commitment to pollution prevention is illustrated by providing
technical and programmatic assistance to EPA facilities. This helped
EPA facilities implement parts of their pollution prevention plans and
gain a better understanding of how EPA facilities are incorporating pol-
lution prevention into their daily activities. By highlighting the most
successful pollution prevention techniques used by each facility and
sharing these success stories with other facilities, EPA demonstrated
that taking advantage of pollution prevention opportunities is worth the effort in terms of pollu-
tion prevented, natural resources saved, and benefits gained.
Sharing Success Stories
To determine which pollution prevention activities have been the most successful over the last
year, OA analyzed the plans submitted in response to requirements of E.O. 12856. EPA identi-
fied which activities have been the most successful, why, and how they could be implemented at
other facilities.
For three of the most successful activities painting operations, battery management, and alterna-
tively fueled vehicles EPA developed pamphlets containing a description of the project, the steps
involved in implementing it, how to measure progress, and what resources may be necessary.
OA contacted facility staff who have been instrumental in implementing these activities to
ensure that their experiences, strategies, and lessons learned were incorporated into the pam-
phlets.
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The pamphlets serve a dual purpose: to communicate the benefits of pollution prevention to
other facilities, and to highlight the most successful activities. OA distributed the first three
pamphlets in October 1996. Pamphlets on five more projects are currently scheduled for devel-
opment. Ultimately, OA hopes that an understanding of these projects will lead to having more
pollution prevention projects implemented at EPA facilities.
Site Specific Support
In addition to nationwide technical and programmatic support, OA also provided site-specific
support. For example, OA sent members of its staff to visit the Region 8 Denver BSD
Laboratory in August 1996. The purpose of the visit was to assist the facility in developing a
database system to track the generation of hazardous waste from individual satellite locations
within the laboratory and from the laboratory as a whole. Using the information gathered from
meetings with various EPA Region 8 Laboratory personnel, a database was developed to enable
laboratory staff to track the monthly generation and accumulation of hazardous waste by the
laboratory. This database is helping the Region 8 Laboratory implement one aspect of its pollu-
tion prevention program. This database allows the Region to quantifiably measure its progress
in the area of hazardous waste reduction using the numerical data maintained in this database.
By maintaining the information stored by this database, the Region 8 staff can effectively moni-
tor and account for their monthly hazardous waste accumulation and generation. In addition, the
database allows the laboratory to maintain this information for each satellite accumulation area
as well as for the entire laboratory. Using this database, the laboratory staff can not only main-
tain a higher level of environmental regulatory compliance, but they can also track and observe
the hazardous waste accumulation and generation trends of each satellite accumulation area and
of the laboratory as a whole. This hazardous waste tracking system is not limited to the Region
8 Laboratory but can be used by other EPA laboratories as well. The database can be formatted
to suit the site-specific needs of different laboratories.
Audits and Site Visits
To gain an understanding of site-specific facility pollution prevention programs, EPA incorporat-
ed pollution prevention into its safety, health, and environmental management audit program.
Through the audit program, EPA evaluates each facility's compliance with environmental,
health, and safety regulations in order to ensure a consistent facility-wide compliance with regu-
lations and requirements. By adding pollution prevention to this comprehensive evaluation, EPA
is able to track facility-level implementation of pollution prevention plans.
EPA has taken the opportunity to visit several of its laboratories nationwide to observe operatin
practices relative to energy consumption. Through these visits, EPA determined the HVAC
38
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systems to be the largest energy consumption area. As a result, its energy conservation program
is designed to tackle the HVAC challenge as its principal target for conservation. In addition, the
visits have produced elevated awareness and commitment to energy reduction.
Teaming Partners
OA has provided technical assistance to groups, some of which are outside the Agency,
researching pollution prevention opportunities and complying with the requirements under E.O.
12856. EPA is in a partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on many pollu-
tion prevention studies. In particular, EPA provided technical support on a cost-benefit study of
pollution prevention options for FAA's program and for specific FAA facilities. With the
National Academy of Sciences, OA helped develop the document, Prudent Practices. This docu-
ment outlines specific practices to prevent pollution at laboratories. EPA plans to conduct a
series of workshops to implement these practices at EPA laboratories. With EPA's mixed waste
program, OA has participated by incorporating pollution prevention opportunities into the latest
regulations.
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VII. COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH
The overall success of EPA's pollution prevention program depends in
part on how well EPA facilities are kept informed about the benefits,
successes, and opportunities in pollution prevention activities. Many
people have and are continuing to learn about pollution prevention
opportunities through many different modes of communication. In
keeping with this concept, OA established several communication tech-
niques. These methods included establishing a pollution prevention
steering committee, creating and distributing pollution prevention posters and newsletters, and
providing training sessions which highlight successes in pollution prevention.
\
Steering Committee
_^ ^ Over the past several years, OA has coordinated pollution
prevention efforts in response to executive order and regu-
— •"••latory requirements. As efforts expanded in response to
growing requirements, OA began to formalize its internal pollution prevention team by forming
a steering committee. Since May 1996, OA's Pollution Prevention Steering Committee has met
on regular basis. The committee consists of various members from all divisions and branches
within OA. The purpose of the steering committee is to coordinate pollution prevention efforts
within OA, to identify pollution prevention opportunities, to exchange information, and to pro-
vide implementation guidance for facility use. The activities performed by the steering commit-
tee included reviewing the pollution prevention plans submitted by EPA facilities, identifying
the success contained in the plans, reviewing and commenting on the pollution prevention pam-
phlets that were created, and identifying additional pollution prevention opportunities that could
be implemented by EPA facilities.
Electronic Mail
In order to facilitate the lines of communication between EPA facilities
and the Headquarters staff, OA's Pollution Prevention Steering
Committee established a central e-mail address. The address,
p2group@epamail.epa.gov, is easily accessible to all EPA employees and
streamlines questions or comments related to OA's pollution prevention
program. These questions or comments are directed to and addressed by
appropriate members of the Pollution Prevention Steering Committee.
40
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Posters
OA used awareness posters as one method of communicating the benefits of pollution preven-
tion practices. The design for a poster on OA's pollution prevention program was developed in
February 1996. Some of the benefits illustrated in the poster included water and energy conser-
vation efforts that saved money and reduced pollutants, paper use reduction and recycling
efforts, thermal technology used in building operations such as water heating, and chemical sub-
stitution and microanalytical techniques that minimize chemical wastes. The design for a poster
on the pollution prevention benefits of OA's energy conservation program was developed to
increase awareness and understanding of the program. These posters, copies of which are pro-
vided on the next few pages, were distributed in May 1996 to all EPA facilities. Other energy
posters have illustrated issues such as HVAC changeouts involving innovative
technologies.increased awareness of energy conservation techniques, and educated EPA facili-
ties on the amount of pollution prevented through energy conservation and efficient practices.
41
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OARM AND YOU
PARTNERS IN
POLLUTION PREVENTION
AT EPA FACILITIES NATIONWIDE
Pollution Prevention Poster
42
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Energy Savings = Pollution
Prevention
Reducing electricity consumption eliminates
greenhouse fas omissions from utilities. The
environmental effect of turning lights and
computers off Is the same as carpooling and
planting ti
Turning 2
computers off
nights and
weekends
= 8,100kWh
savings
Reduction of
utility generated
COi
• 15,000 Ib CO,
reduction
Removing one car
from the road for
one year
or
Planting two acres
oftrees
Energy Conservation Poster
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Newsletter and Homepage
EPA continues to develop and distribute its quarterly newsletter. Conservation News, to its facil-
ities. The newsletter serves as the key mechanism for information transfer between EPA
Headquarters, the facilities, and the public on the pollution prevention program, especially ener-
gy and water conservation. The newsletter updates its audience on facility success stories, regu-
latory or policy updates, upcoming events, training opportunities. Clearinghouse and other
resources, and technology advances and applications. The newsletter is available on the Internet
at http://www.epa.gov/conserv_news. Its popularity has led to the development of a homepage
on OA's pollution prevention program, which will be available to the public in the near future.
SERA
Conservation
News
Vofcora 3, Number 1
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Training
OA hosted several conferences over the past year to provide training to EPA employees
responsible tor facility maintenance, operations, and safety, including a Building and Facilities
conference in Washington. DC, in April 1996. Sessions on pollution prevention, energy and
44
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water conservation, and environmental regulatory compliance were presented to facility repre-
sentatives. EPA staff learned how to incorporate these programs into the funding process. On
the regional level, Region 6 hosted a workshop at the Houston, Texas, facility on the practical
application of pollution prevention opportunity assessments.
Also, the Safety, Health and Environmental Management Program Training conference was held
in September in Alexandria, Virginia. Among other things, participants learned about imple- ;
menting pollution prevention projects, identifying opportunities, and incorporating pollution
prevention into already established programs and functions.
Conservation Information Clearinghouse and Hotline
The Facilities Management and Services Division (FMSD) established the
Clearinghouse and Hotline to serve as a focal point for collecting and dis-
seminating information about energy and water conservation. The
Clearinghouse also maintains a library of information on topics, including
energy conservation, energy-efficient technologies, CFC management,
and pollution prevention. Technology manufacturers, service suppliers,
and specialists in acquisition routinely are brought in to present informa-
tion to FMSD engineers and planners.
Awareness Package
As part of the conservation program, EPA distributes a package of energy and water conserva-
tion awareness information annually to all facility and energy managers. The package typically-
contains guidance and resource information to further assist managers in implementing energy
and water awareness programs at the facility and in presenting new concepts and technologies
available for application.
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VIII. CONCLUSION
In keeping with the requirements of E.G. 12856, related initiatives, and
the Agency's mission, EPA remains a leader in protecting the environ-
ment through pollution prevention efforts. The activities that began or
perpetuated over the last year illustrate the Agency's commitment and
enthusiasm to conform to pollution prevention mandates. In some
cases, the Agency is exceeding the requirements.
EPA will continue to build its successes to identify, develop, and implement pollution preven-
tion activities. The Agency's motivation for this is not just to comply with requirements, but to
merge pollution prevention activities into daily routines that serve the nation and the world with
EPA's ultimate task to protect human health and the environment for current and future genera-
tions.
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