2016 Federal Green Challenge Award Winners in the Southeast Region
Recognition was an important part of the Federal Green Challenge. Awards were given at the regional level in the categories of Leadership and Energy.
In the Southeast region, the 2016 award winners were Department of Human Services’ U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Southeast Regional Office and Department of Energy’s East Tennessee Technology Park. Below are descriptions of what the awardees achieved and/or how they achieved reductions.
Leadership
Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Southeast Regional Office, Orlando, Florida
In 2015, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Southeast Regional Office implemented a leased space reduction of five percent (1,555 square feet). This will lead to significant savings of an estimated $300,000 over 10 years. The change also decommissioned cooling requirements of approximately 12 tons of air conditioning capacity that no longer must be run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The initial goal was to seek out a modest space reduction and reduced rent. However, there were many benefits associated with this including reduced electricity, water and waste consumption. This is also a major step forward in embracing smart growth principles as outlined by EPA. Additionally, this type of leadership will help prepare for the implementation of the 2030 net zero energy building requirements.
Energy
Department of Energy, East Tennessee Technology Park, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
In 2015, the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP) decreased their electricity consumption by 16 percent to 16,375,000 kilowatt hours. The ETTP also decreased their natural gas consumption by 43 percent to 2,229,800 cubic feet. In addition, a one-megawatt solar array was installed on-site to contribute renewable energy. Powerhouse Six, as it is called, is the third solar array at ETTP. The solar array will provide enough clean energy to power more than 100 average-sized homes per year while preventing pollution that is equivalent to removing 240 cars from the road annually.