U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                  Office of Inspector General

                  At  a   Glance
                                                                                     11-P-0209
                                                                                   April 12,2011
                                                            Catalyst for Improving the Environment
Why We Did This Review

We performed this review to
evaluate the U.S.
Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA's) progress
toward meeting the
requirements of Executive
Order 13514, "Federal
Leadership in Environmental,
Energy, and Economic
Performance." Specifically, we
sought to determine EPA's
status in planning and
measuring reductions of its
greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions at Agency facilities.
Background
                       .
On October 5, 2009, President
Obama signed Executive Order
13514 to establish an integrated
strategy toward Sustainability in
the federal government. The
executive order introduced new
GHG emissions management
requirements. It also prioritized
the reduction of GHG
emissions for all federal
agencies and required them to
measure, report, and reduce
their GHG emissions.
                              EPA's Plan to Reduce Agency
                              Greenhouse  Gas Emissions Is on Track to
                              Meet Executive Order 13514 Requirements
                               What We Found
                              We found that EPA has completed its plan to reduce GHG emissions as
                              required by Executive Order 13514. However, projected GHG reductions are
                              contingent on the full funding and implementation of the plan's energy
                              efficiency projects.

                              EPA established a 25 percent GHG emission reduction target by fiscal year
                              2020. To reach this target, the Agency's primary strategy is to reduce its
                              facility energy intensity by 3 percent annually through fiscal year 2020. EPA's
                              Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan outlines specific projects that the
                              Agency will undertake to reduce GHG emissions. Funding for some of the
                              projects in the plan has not been authorized or appropriated, and delays or
                              deficits in plan funding may adversely impact the Agency's ability to meet its
                              GHG reduction goals.
                               What We Recommend
                              We recommend that EPA's annual update of its Strategic Sustainability
                              Performance Plan report describe changes to GHG emission reductions and/or
                              reduction goals based on actual funding and status of projects, and make
                              adjustments to the overall reduction goal as needed.

                              The Agency found the report to be factually accurate and concurred with the
                              findings and recommendation.
For further information,
contact our Office of
Congressional, Public Affairs
and Management at
(202)566-2391.

The full report is at:
www.epa.gov/oiq/reports/2011/
20110412-11-P-0209.pdf

-------