**U.S. Department of Energy**

**Quarterly Teleconference on Implementing**

**Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Requirements**

**October 23, 2008 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (EDT)**

**[TOPICS]{.underline}**

-   10^th^ DOE EPP Teleconference anniversary

-   Environmentally Preferable Purchasing in Environmental Management
    Systems

-   Green Purchasing Procedure

-   Paint Reuse Sources

-   Walk Through of Data Entry Website

**[MINUTES]{.underline}**

**Welcome - Don Lentzen (DOE-HQ Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
Program Lead)**. Don invited those on the teleconference to discuss
changes in EPP over the last 10 years and success stories:

> **Paint Reuse 1998** **-- Peter Pohlot (Brookhaven National Lab)**
> shared that October 2008 is also Peter's 10-year anniversary at
> Brookhaven National Lab. When he first arrived on the job, he was
> contacted by the Paint Shop, which had 500 gallons of paint and was
> faced with the issue of no oil based nor multi color paint allowed any
> more on site. It would cost \$20-25K to dispose of the paint. Peter
> managed to find reuse for the paint by donating it to the Town of
> Brookhaven (an acceptable donation source so far as DOE is concerned)
> and the Town was able then to donate it to the organizations in the
> community that needed the paint, such as the Boy Scouts, Habitat for
> Humanity, and the Firemen's Museum.
>
> **EPA 1998 - Terry Grist (EPA Coordinator responsible for CPG recycled
> content program in 1998)** sent the following statement for Don to
> read at the teleconference: *Throughout much of the 1990s, many
> agencies were looking for ways to avoid implementation of the
> procurement guidelines, but DOE was quite different. They had an
> organizational commitment to comply with the requirements and had a
> strategy that included all of their facilities. They had a plan, based
> on education, information, and communication. The adoption of the
> teleconferences was a key component to their overall strategy. Every
> time a new guideline was issued, DOE took it upon themselves to make
> sure they understood the guideline and alleviate any ambiguities. I
> thought the efforts were extraordinary and well thought out and quite
> commendable. I know everyone who organized the teleconferences were
> committed to making sure the Department met their requirements and
> that those who participated in the meetings received the most accurate
> and timely information available. I often recommended that other
> agencies contact DOE for a real-life example of how things should be
> done. I always appreciated the opportunity to work with both Susan and
> Sandra and I hope that those who come after will continue their
> stewardship.*
>
> **10^th^ Anniversary of DOE EPP teleconferences** **-- Susan Weber
> (Former DOE-HQ EPP Program Lead and Teleconference Initiator)**
> reminded us that RCRA served as the impetus to green purchasing, but,
> even though Congress passed it in 1976, EPA did not designate items
> for 20 years. One of the first designated products was paper with
> recycled content. The work to designate paper was by a young lawyer at
> EPA, Dana Arnold---now with the Office of the Federal Environmental
> Executive and the one who longer than any of us has and continues to
> work toward the Federal government transitioning to green products.
> Now LEED Buildings appear to be the future of green purchasing,
> specifically the integration of green purchasing in the construction
> process.
>
> At DOE in 1998, Susan was in the Office of Environmental Management
> and saw green purchasing as a corporate program. She felt fortunate
> not long after the program was initiated to have someone in DOE's
> Office of Procurement & Policy to team with\--Richard Langston. Susan
> gives Richard credit for the policy work needed to institutionalize
> green purchasing at DOE.
>
> Today 10 years later, we have biobased, alternative fuels/vehicles,
> energy efficient, water conserving, electronics, and construction.
> LEED for buildings with its green materials requirement has caught on
> in the private sector even. Susan noted as we move away from petroleum
> based products, we will see it as patriotic, good stewardship, and
> fiscally conservative to transition to green products.
>
> **U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs** -- Sharon Williams (Danville)
> remembered they had a hard time getting people on board to think about
> recycling much less procurement of recycled content products. Now
> recycled products and EPEAT electronics are doing well. Some delays
> come about because contracts are in place and we have to wait for them
> to expire before we can include the designated products.

**DOE Procurement Updates -- Richard Langston (DOE-HQ)** said all the
FAR cases being tracked have been completed. The EPEAT case will be
finalized in November.

**USDA Seeking Input from Sites -- Shana Love (USDA)** (Link to
[www.usda.gov/biopreferred](http://www.usda.gov/biopreferred))
congratulated DOE on its program to transition to biobased products and
reminded us that comments are due on the 9 newly proposed biobased
products by December 22. **\[DOE sites should send their comments to Don
Lentzen (donald.lentzen@hq.doe.gov) no later than December 12.\]** Shana
said the next set of proposed biobased products is with the Office of
Management and Budget and should be publicly available for comment in
January 2009. **Shana asked us to also give USDA feedback especially on
products we have issues with in relation to voiding warranties and other
concerns in relation to equipment in which biobased products are used.**

Concerning labeling, USDA is addressing feedback on a labeling system
received at the July 2008 public meeting. The proposed labeling system
is now being reviewed by USDA management. USDA is working with the
Federal Trade Commission to ensure they update their green marketing
guides to be in step with all the designated products and, thereby, help
deal with the "green washing" issue of vendors who overstate how "green"
their products actually are.

This fiscal year, the BioPreferred program will focus on promotion and
outreach, beginning with updating the website and biobased product
catalog.

Two invitations for people on this call

-   Nov 2008 - BioPreferred stakeholders meeting and teleconference
    opportunity for DOE sites to give input on products

-   Jul 8-11, 2009 - BioPreferred Showcase and Training opportunity to
    help organize

Contact Shana Love (Tel. 202-205-4008, E-mail <shana.love@usda.gov>)

Questions & Answers

Ralph Wrons (Sandia National Lab) asked if we hope to increase the
biobased manufacturers at the BioPreferred Showcase, could we vet those
allowed to exhibit to ensure no green washing?

Shana - That is something we could include\--screening to meet minimum
biobased content or limiting to products that have been designated or
proposed.

**EPP in Environmental Management System -- Debbie Boggs (Legacy
Management)** (See <http://www.hss.doe.gov/pp/epp/emsystems.html> for
presentation) walked us through the Legacy Management process for
incorporating Environmentally Preferable Purchasing in their
Environmental Management System. Legacy Management developed a code
system for staff to use when purchasing so the various products we need
to report on can be tracked. The code system is based on the eight
programs that support the EMS system. For details, see the presentation
posted at <http://www.hss.doe.gov/pp/epp/emsystems.html>

One of the questions arising is how to report a component necessary for
the operation of a green system but the component itself has no special
green attributes. The answer is that the component could be reported as
a supportive element (in the example a transducer) to the renewable
energy system (a solar system).

Comment

Jim Wise (DOE-RL) noted that Green Peace ranks suppliers of electronic
products. Even if the product itself is not green, the company should be
given purchasing preference for its green operations.

**Green Purchasing Procedure -- Trish Brechlin (Environmental Management
Consolidated Business Center)** (See
<http://www.hss.doe.gov/pp/epp/emsystems.html> for procedure) shared the
"Green Purchasing" procedure she developed for the EM Consolidated
Business Center.

The procedure is intended to make purchasers think more about the need
to specify the designated products even when making small purchases as
well as writing them into contracts. It will be a living document,
continually updated as requirements and procedures change. Trish asked
the sites to send any sample language they are using in contracts.

Questions & Answers

Jim Wise said the procedure looked very thorough and asked if they used
any international sources when developing the procedure to align it with
the world of international business.

Trish -- We tried to list references but did not go beyond the Federal
requirements.

Ralph Wrons -- I am assuming this is draft

Trish -- it was approved in August, and we will update it annually.

Ralph Wrons -- it is very comprehensive. I see a big hurdle for buy in
from even management of the ES&H Department.

Trish -- We are mostly a business organization. Management wants to have
buy in. We just have to remind them.

Josh Silverman (DOE-HQ) -- Is the procedure only applicable for CBC or
will it be rolled out for other EM organizations?

Trish -- It is only applicable to our organization. It is the option of
the sites we service whether they adopt this procedure or develop their
own. Either way, we all have the same purchasing requirements.

Josh -- What sites does CBC serve?

Trish -- Portsmouth, Paducah, Carlsbad, West Valley, Spru, Oak Ridge,
Moab where they are tied into the CBC P-card program.

**Walk Through of DOE Date Entry Website and Process --Brett Goldsmith
(DOE-HQ)** described the changes made to the PPTRS for FY2008 reporting:

-   The P2 and EPP site profiles have been merged.

-   Biobased reporting has been added to the Site Profile and is no
    longer its own section.

-   For help with data entry, the e-mail is <p2support@hq.doe.gov> and
    tel. 301-903-4694.

Questions & Answers

Jerry Hoch (West Valley) said after about 15 minutes the screen noted
him as logged off without any warning.

Brett -- That is the HS policy when there has been 10 minutes of no
activity.

Jerry -- But it did it without any prompting so we lost all the data
input.

Brett -- I will check the time out mechanism.

Linda Even (Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility) was not able
to enter the "Accomplishments/Awards" webpage to make a nomination.

Brett -- You have to fill out the site profile completely.

Linda -- I had completed.

Brett -- I will check.

Josh -- For all to note, if you are a Federal Electronics Challenge
partner, once you fill out the electronic stewardship data in three
reports (the Site Profile, Environmentally Preferable Purchasing/EPEAT
purchases, and Recycling/electronic management and recycling) on the DOE
data entry website, DOE-HQ will do the FEC reporting for you.

**Next teleconference**

-   Date -- January 22, 2009

-   Potential topics for the next teleconference. Please share your
    ideas. Some suggested so far are

    -   Electronics Stewardship Success Stories and Updates

    -   Newly proposed 9 biobased products

    -   Effect on EPP of Energy Security and Independence Act

    -   Energy/water efficient products

    -   Cafeteria Products (dishware)

    -   Construction Materials: Insulation, paint, roofing sealant,
        water free urinals

    -   Other?

**Adjourn**

**RESOURCE MATERIALS AND UPDATED EPP INFORMATION**

**[NEWLY DESIGNATED RECYCLED PRODUCT AND NEW DEFINITION]{.underline}**

**Begin Purchasing and Collecting Purchasing Data by September 15,
2008**

-   Fertilizer

-   Compost (new definition)

Web Info: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/procure/products.htm

**[NEWLY DESIGNATED BIOBASED PRODUCTS]{.underline}**

**Begin Purchasing and Collecting Purchasing Data by May 14, 2009 except
where denoted**

**CLEANERS/SOLVENTS**

-   Adhesive and mastic removers -- 58%

-   Bath and spa cleaners -- 74%

-   Carpet and upholstery cleaners

    -   General purpose cleaners -- 54%

    -   Spot removers -- 7%

-   Floor strippers -- 78%

-   Glass cleaners -- 49%

-   Graffiti and grease removers -- 34%

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-   Hand cleaners and sanitizers

    -   Hand cleaners -- 64%

    -   Sanitizers -- 73%

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-   Laundry products

    -   General purpose laundry -- 34%

    -   Pretreatment/spot removers -- 46%

**CONSTRUCTION**

-   \*Carpets - 7%

-   \*Insulating foam (plastic) for residential and commercial
    construction -- 7%

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-   \*Panels - composite panels

    -   Acoustical composite panels -- 37%

    -   Interior panels -- 55%

    -   Plastic lumber composite panels -- 23%

    -   Structural interior panels -- 89%

    -   Structural wall panels -- 94%

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-   Release fluids - concrete and asphalt -- 87%

**DISHWARE**

-   Cutlery - disposable -- 48%

-   \*Disposable containers -- 72%

**LUBRICANTS**

-   2-cycle engine oils -- 34%

-   Firearm lubricants -- 49%

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-   Greases

    -   Food grade -42%

    -   Multi-purpose -- 72%

    -   Rail track -- 30%

    -   Truck -- 71%

    -   Unspecified -- 75%

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-   Metalworking fluids---straight oils

    -   Straight oils -- 66%

    -   General purpose soluble, semi-synthetic, synthetic -- 57%

    -   High performance soluble, semi-synthetic, synthetic **(delayed
        preference compliance date)** -- 40%

**SEALANTS**

-   Wood and concrete sealers

    -   Membrane concrete sealers -- 11%

    -   Penetrating liquid sealers -- 79%

**OTHER**

-   De-icers - general purpose de-icers -- 93%

-   Dust suppressants -- 85%

-   \*Fertilizers - 71%

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-   Films

    -   Non-durable -- 85%

    -   \*Semi-durable (plastic bags) -- 45%

-   Fluid filled transformers

    -   Synthetic esterbased transformer fluids **(delayed preference
        compliance date)** -- 66%

    -   Vegetable oil-based transformer fluids -- 95%

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```
-   \*Hydraulic fluids - stationary equipment -- 44%

-   Lip care products -- 82%

-   \*Sorbents -- 89% (proposed 52%)

**Begin Purchasing and Collecting Purchasing Data by March 16, 2007
except where denoted**

-   Lubricants, penetrating -- 68% biobased content by weight

-   Diesel fuel additives -- 90%

-   Urethane roof coating/sealant -- 20%

-   Hydraulic fluids for mobile equipment (tractors, etc.) -- 44%

-   Bedding, bed linens, towels **(November 20, 2007 preference
    compliance date)** -- 12%

-   Water tank coating/sealant **(November 20, 2007 preference
    compliance date)** -- 59%

\* May overlap with recycled content requirements. Recycled content
requirements have precedence.

Regulations:
http://www.biopreferred.gov/ProposedAndFinalRegulations.aspx

**[SOURCES OF INFORMATION]{.underline}**

**DOE's "Environmentally Preferable Products Program" website for access
to the reporting site, annual report, teleconference agenda and minutes,
and sources of helpful information**

U.S. Department of Energy's RCRA 6002/Executive Order 13423 home page

http://www.hss.doe.gov/pp/epp/

**Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Executive Orders, Regulations,
Guidelines**

Office of the Federal Environmental Executive

[www.ofee.gov]{.underline}

**Buying Green**

FedCenter

http://www.fedcenter.gov/programs/buygreen/

**What Is Green Purchasing, Anyway?**

Office of Personnel Management

[www.golearn.gov]{.underline} (Free Catalog Section, then Legislatively
Mandated\...Topics)

**GENERAL PRODUCT INFORMATION**

**Environmentally Preferable Products**

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

<http://yosemite1.epa.gov/oppt/eppstand2.nsf>

**Environmentally Preferable Products**

U.S. Department of Energy

http://www.hss.doe.gov/pp/epp/

**Alternative Fuels and Vehicles**

U.S. Department of Energy

[http://www.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/epact/federal/]{.underline}

**Biobased Products**

U.S. Department of Agriculture

<http://www.biopreferred.gov/?SMSESSION=NO>

**Construction**

Whole Building Design Guide \-- Technical Guidance for Implementing the

Guiding Principles for Federal Leadership in High Performance and

Sustainable Buildings Memorandum of Understanding

[[http://www.wbdg.org/sustainablemou]{.underline}](http://www.wbdg.org/sustainablemou)

The Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers with more than

60 model green construction spec sections

[[http://fedgreenspecs.wbdg.org]{.underline}](http://fedgreenspecs.wbdg.org/)

**Energy/Water Efficient Products**

Federal Energy Management Program

<http://www.eere.energy.gov/femp/procurement/>

**Recycled Products and Suppliers**

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Comprehensive Procurement
Guidelines

[http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/procure/index.htm]{.underline}

**Materials Exchange Products**

(especially chemicals, equipment, and hazardous materials) at other DOE
facilities

Log on with user name (erhquser) and password (erhqdoe)

DOE Complex Wide Materials Exchange

<http://wastenot.er.doe.gov/me/login.aspx>

**Substitutes for Ozone-Depleting Products**

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

[http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/lists/index.html]{.underline}

**SPECIFIC PRODUCT CATEGORIES**

**Carpet**

> **Contract Language and Standards/Guidelines**
>
> U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
>
> Select "carpet" at
> <http://yosemite.epa.gov/oppt/eppstand2.nsf/Pages/Search.html?Open>
>
> California Carpet Standard
>
> http://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/green/epp/standards.pdf
>
> **Recycled Content Specifications and Suppliers**
>
> U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
>
> [http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/procure/products/carpet.htm]{.underline}
>
> **Suppliers Meeting California Carpet Standard**
>
> http://www.green.ca.gov/EPP/carpets.htm

**Cement/Concrete**

> **Recycled Content Specifications and Suppliers**
>
> U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
>
> [http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/procure/products/cement.htm]{.underline}

**Cleaning Products**

> **Contract Language and Standards/Guidelines**
>
> U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
>
> Select "cleaning supplies" at
> [http://yosemite.epa.gov/oppt/eppstand2.nsf/Pages/Search.html?Open]{.underline}
>
> **Suppliers**

EcoLogo CCD 104 Hand Cleaners -- Industrial

http://www.ecologo.org/en/seeourcriteria/details.asp?ccd_id=329

EcoLogo CCD 110 Cleaning and Degreasing Compounds

http://www.ecologo.org/en/seeourcriteria/details.asp?ccd_id=335

EcoLogo CCD 115 Odor Control Additives

<http://www.ecologo.org/en/seeourcriteria/details.asp?ccd_id=340>

EcoLogo CCD-146 Hard Surface Cleaners

<http://www.ecologo.org/en/seeourcriteria/details.asp?ccd_id=371>

EcoLogo CCD-147 Floor Care Products

<http://www.ecologo.org/en/seeourcriteria/details.asp?ccd_id=372>

EcoLogo CCD 148 Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners

http://www.ecologo.org/en/seeourcriteria/details.asp?ccd_id=373

EcoLogo CCD 166 Disinfectants and Disinfectant Cleaners

http://www.ecologo.org/en/seeourcriteria/details.asp?ccd_id=391

> Green Seal GS-37 Industrial and Institutional Cleaners
>
> <http://www.greenseal.org/findaproduct/index.cfm#cleaners>

**Construction Materials and Products**

> **Contract Language**
>
> U.S. Department of Energy
>
> [http://www.hss.doe.gov/pp/epp/epspecs.html]{.underline} , see
> "Construction Services"

**Paint**

> **Recycled Content Specifications and Suppliers**
>
> U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
>
> [http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/procure/products/paint.htm]{.underline}
>
> **Suppliers**

EcoLogo CCD-47 Surface Coatings (Paints, Stains, and Varnishes)

<http://www.ecologo.org/en/seeourcriteria/details.asp?ccd_id=272>

EcoLogo CCD-48 Surface Coatings (Recycled)

http://www.ecologo.org/en/seeourcriteria/details.asp?ccd_id=273

> Green Seal GS-43 Recycled Content Latex Paint
>
> http://www.greenseal.org/newsroom/GS-43_Recycled_Content_Latex_Paint.pdf

**Toner Cartridges**

> **Recycled Content Specifications and Suppliers**

EcoLogo CCD-039 Printing Cartridges Remanufactured

http://www.ecologo.org/en/seeourcriteria/details.asp?ccd_id=264

> U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
>
> [http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/procure/products/toner.htm]{.underline}

**[DOWNLOAD AND RUN BEES 4.0 SOFTWARE]{.underline}**

BEES (Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability) software
helps designers, builders, and product manufacturers identify the
environmental and economic performance of

construction materials. Developed by NIST (National Institute of
Standards and Technology) Green Buildings Program with support from the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmentally Preferable
Purchasing Program and the HUD Partnership for Advancing Technology in
Housing (PATH) the tool is based on consensus standards and designed to
be practical, flexible, and transparent.

**Register for software at
[[http://www.bfrl.nist.gov/oae/software/bees/registration.html]{.underline}](http://www.bfrl.nist.gov/oae/software/bees/registration.html)
(no cost involved):**

-   Fill out registration form

-   Click submit

**To install BEES 4.0:**

-   Download bees30dzip.exe, a 14.6 MB self-extracting file. (If
    prompted during the download, choose to save the file).

-   From Windows Explorer, double click on bees30dzip.exe to start the
    self- extraction process.

-   When prompted, choose a folder to unzip the file to and click Unzip.

-   Using Windows Explorer, go to the folder you specified in Step 3,
    double click on Setup.exe and follow the directions on the screen.
    You will need to choose a folder in which to install BEES 3.0d. This
    folder must be different from the one you specified in Step 3.

**To run BEES 4.0:**

-   Select Start-\>Programs-\>BEES-\>BEES 4.0

**OR**

-   Go to "My Computer" or wherever you can see all folders and files on
    your computer. Do not try to open the BEES exe file from a software
    application, such as Word.

```{=html}
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```
-   Go to where you stored the BEES files (probably in a folder labeled
    "BEES")

-   Open the BEES30d.exe file

-   Go to "Analysis" at top of window

-   Go to "Define Parameters"