**DRAFT**

**U.S. Department of Energy**

**Quarterly Teleconference on Implementing**

**Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Requirements**

**July 26, 2007 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (EDT)**

**[TOPICS]{.underline}**

-   Newly Revised Green Purchasing Section of DOE Acquisition Guide

-   Biobased Product Warranties

-   Site Experience with Biobased Products

-   Electronic Equipment

**[MINUTES]{.underline}**

**Welcome** - Don Lentzen (DOE-HQ Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
Lead)

**Update from the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive** --
Dana Arnold (OFEE) [www.ofee.gov](http://www.ofee.gov/)

On behalf of Mr. Pinero, Dana thanked all who have been involved in
purchasing EPEAT computers. DOE has purchased 10,000 so far.

Also on the OMB Environmental Stewardship scorecard time, DOE is looking
wonderful so thank you again.

EO13423 tells agencies they need to address purchasing chemicals. The
instructions are to develop a plan that sets goals and action items and
is due January 2008. Guidance is in draft for review which will be sent
out for input before finalized. Agencies need to determine what they
should focus on and whether an issue is at the agency or organizational
level. Across board we have different chemical issues (cleaning products
to research chemicals). An alternative to the plan would be to work a
plan for managing the purchase of chemical into your Environmental
Management System.

Question Josh Silverman (DOE-HQ): We have a requirement to develop a
plan, but do we have a reporting requirement?

Answer: Dana: No reporting requirement except to submit the plan

**Introduction of New Lead for VA EPP Program and Update** -- Barbara
Matos and Sue Nogas

Barbara announced

-   The VA's Environmental Affairs Program transferred at the end of
    June to the Office of Asset Enterprise Management to better align
    with Executive Order 13423.

-   Barbara Matos, after 5 years with the program, has taken a position
    within the Treasury Department (Tel. 202-927-5929, E-Mail
    barbara.matos@do.treas.gov).

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-   Sue Nogas, after 16 years with EPA's Solid Waste Program and more
    recently responsible for the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines
    (CPG), is now the new lead for the VA EPP Program (Tel.
    202-273-6107, E-Mail sue.nogas@va.gov).

**Introduction of New Lead for EPA CPG (Recycled Product Designation)
Program and Update** -- Sue Nogas and Marlene RedDoor
<http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/procure/products.htm>

Sue announced

-   Marlene RedDoor, who has been working on various greening the
    government initiatives such as nylon carpet, is the new lead for the
    EPA CPG Program (Tel. 703-308-7276, E-Mail
    regelski-reddoor.marlene@epa.gov).

-   Marlene is working on updating the CPG web pages to reflect EO13423
    and finalizing CPG 5. She welcomes technical questions about any of
    the products. CPG 5 will 1) include fertilizer and compost made from
    recovered organic materials including manure and biosolids and 2)
    not limit the compost designation to specific types of organic
    materials.

**Highlights of Changes in Newly Released Chapter 23 of the DOE
Acquisition Guide and Update on FAR Cases** -- Richard Langston (DOE)

Chapter 23

-   Chapter 23 of the DOE Acquisition Guide has been released and is now
    in effect. The purpose of the revision is to ensure that DOE
    Acquisition personnel are aware of the many environmental, energy,
    and transportation considerations included in the new Executive
    Order 13423 affecting the acquisition process.
    <http://management.energy.gov/policy_guidance/Acquisition_Guide.htm>

-   The requirements of Executive Order 13423 should be included in each
    management and operating contract or any other contract requiring
    contractor operation of Government owned facilities or vehicles

Question Barbara Matos (Treasury Department) - Is the Guide accessible
outside the firewall?

Answer: Richard Langston - Yes.

FAR cases

-   2006-30 EPEAT -- cleared OFPP and awaiting publication

-   2006-8 Energy -- cleared OFPP and awaiting publication, needs
    coordination with ENERGY STAR

-   2005-39 Materials and Service in Construction -- adds solicitation
    and clause that EPP applies to sub-contracts; drafted final rule and
    received public comments

-   2004-32 Biobased products -- going to OFPP for approval

**Biobased Product Warranty Issues** -- Shana Love (USDA) and Steve
Devlin (Iowa State University)

www.usda.gov/biopreferred

Steve Devlin said tne common worry about using biobased products, like
hydraulic fluids, is their potential to impact product warranties and
said the U.S. Department of Agriculture is contacting manufacturers and
trade associations to evaluate the 15 biobased items (out of 76 active
items) identified as having potential for warranty issues. Of note:

-   The 15 biobased items identified so far with possible warranty
    issues include 2-cycle engine oils, hydraulic fluids for mobile
    equipment, biofluid-filled transformers, composite panels,
    insulating foam, metal working fluids, greases, de-icers, laundry
    products, and specialty cleaners.

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-   Many warranties only include performance specifications, which many
    biobased products meet.

-   Manufacturers will sometimes work with consumers to test biobased
    products.

-   USDA has contacted over 190 companies of equipment and found many 1)
    didn't know about biobased products, 2) were not willing to talk, 3)
    had heard of biobased and were looking at potential warranty issues
    but complaining they were not finding enough data to support
    adjustments in warranties. The Industry Associations had road blocks
    and did not want to release information that might be detrimental to
    their clients or appear to favor one client over another.

-   USDA has also asked Federal agencies and public institutions to
    share the results of their findings on warranty issues related to
    biobased products but has received no information to date.

Steve encourages purchasers to press this issue with suppliers and
manufacturers for those biobased products that meet all national
performance specifications required of their type of product.

Question Are there any issues related to biobased beyond the
specifications that affect the warranty?

Responses Sue Nogas (VA) -- Re-refined oil also has warranty issues.

> Dana Arnold (OFEE) -- It depends on what the warranty says. Is it a
> warranty by statement or by testing protocol?

Question Dana Arnold (OFEE) - Has USDA talked to agencies to find out
about warranty issues we are hitting up against?

Responses Steve Devlin (ISU) -- We have tried talking with agencies via
e-mail and phone contact but have not received a lot of response and are
not sure if we are reaching out to the right people

> Keith Rule (PPPL) -- PPPL is using biodiesel in our John Deere gators.
> We have a gentleman's agreement that the manufacturer would provide
> PPPL with an engine if we have engine failure. PPPL did a fair share
> of work to reach this agreement.
>
> Dana -- Warranties do not cover fuel whether petroleum or biobased. If
> there is a problem caused by the fuel, then warranty is not honored
> but that is not unique to biodiesel.
>
> Sam McCord (SNL) -- Sandia National Lab is using Renewable Lubricants
> hydraulic fluid and has no problems with warranties. The biobased
> fluid met international specs so no warranty issues. Can USDA share
> the warranty data they are collecting with us?
>
> Keith (PPPL) -- PPPL also has biobased hydraulic fluid in a freight
> elevator. Subway car lifts in NYC used biobased hydraulic fluid and
> experienced problem with seals. Fluid meeting standard does not mean
> product is compatible with seals in equipment.
>
> Dana: Right. Biobased fluids affect rubber seals, gaskets, and tubing.
>
> Shana Love (USDA) -- USDA recommends to manufacturers that they be up
> front about potential issues and how to work through them. USDA can
> provide the data and will try to link to the equipment manufacturers
> websites with their statements concerning their warranty policies. Who
> can we contact on NYC subway issue?
>
> Keith -- Will try to find contact. PPPL wants to go to B100 on some
> vehicles but needs to evaluate where it will come in contact with
> rubber and replace the rubber with viton. The cost will be in the
> labor for conversion.

**Biobased Metal Cutting Lubricant at PPPL** -- Vinnie Smith (PPPL)

Five years ago, Vinnie was looking for a product that did not pollute
the shop since cutting fluid is applied with mist applicators. The
largest PPPL machine shop switched to biobased Accu-Lube®
micro-lubrication system (<http://www.acculube.com/>) for their
machining and cutting operations. AccuLube® is dispensed through mobile
magnetically attached units. Details of the PPPL experience are at
<http://www.hss.energy.gov/nuclearsafety/nsep/p2/epp/EPP-Lubricants-PPPL.doc>.
A brief summary of the benefits of biobased Accu-Lube® cutting fluid
are:

-   Accu-Lube® contains no hazardous ingredients.

-   During the cutting process, Accu-Lube® is naturally consumed by
    evaporation.

-   Because Accu-Lube® is water soluble, clean up is done with soap and
    hot water.

-   LB2000 for medium and heavy machining and costs about \$65-70/gallon
    but only use a few ounces per day. It will leave a film if nozzle
    not cleaned regularly.

-   LB3000 is used on metal, lumber, and wood.

-   LB6000 is for nonferrous metals, such as aluminum on the Power Stamp
    machine

-   Two ounces of Accu-Lube® usually lasts an 8-hour shift of cutting.
    The estimated savings per machine is \$1200 after the first year of
    operations.

Question Don Lentzen (DOE-HQ) -- Some cutting fluids cause split
fingers. Are these fluids better?

Response Vinnie -- No ill effects by anyone in shops. Vinnie used to
break out in a rash with the previous products.

Question Keith Rule (PPPL) -- What is cost of the units that feed the
AccuLube® into the machine?

Response Vinnie - \$300/machine.

Response Keith -- An additional plus for the Lab is no hazardous waste
is being generated as with past cutting fluids.

**New ENERGY STAR Requirements (ES 4.0 Qualified---80 Plus Power Supply)
for Electronic Equipment** -- Jeff Eagan (DOE-HQ Electronic Stewardship
Lead)

<http://www.epeat.net/>

Beginning on July 20, 2007, ENERGY STAR's new specifications for
computers go into effect. The key features of the new specifications
are:

-   Use energy efficient 80 Plus power supply

-   Operate efficiently in Standby/Off, Sleep, and Idle modes

-   Include and enable power management features of the system and
    provide user education about these features

ENERGY STAR is a criterion under EPEAT. Manufacturers have until January
2008 to certify their products meet the new ENERGY STAR requirements.
The vast majority of EPEAT qualified monitors have met the new ENERGY
STAR requirement. A list of the computers and laptops/notebooks that are
ENERGY STAR qualified is available at the following link:
<http://www.energystar.gov/ia/products/prod_lists/computers_prod_list.xls>
If the present EPEAT qualified computer products do not met the new
requirements by January, they will be removed from the list.

Question Barbara Matos (Treasury Department) -- If an EPEAT qualified
product is purchased before the list is updated, do they still meet the
requirement to purchase EPEAT qualified products?

Response Cate Berard (EPA) -- Yes for OMB scorecard and the Federal
Electronics Challenge reporting. If it was EPEAT registered at the time
of purchase, then it counts as an EPEAT product. Some manufacturers may
remove their products from the EPEAT registry but probably not until
January 20, 2008

Question Don Lentzen (DOE-HQ) -- What does an 80 Plus power supply mean?

Response Kate Lewis -- One that meets ES4.0 -- a standard for internal
power supplies requiring desktops to be 80% efficient and
notebooks/laptops to be ENERGY STAR qualified. EPA and DOE have a joint
ENERGY STAR website as a portal to the EPA and DOE energy efficient
products websites. For questions, reach Kate Lewis at Tel. 202-343-9024
or <lewis.kate@epa.gov>

**Site Questions and Discussion**

-   Does your site use GSA Advantage to verify whether the products you
    purchase meet the biobased/recycled content specifications?

> Gabe Adams (SPR) - SPR recently started to rely on the CPG icon in
> choosing some products. He will check with the end users to see if
> they are receiving what GSA website says they should.
>
> Jeff Lau (GSA) -- GSA wants to hear from the DOE sites now and will
> follow up with discussion at the October teleconference.
>
> Don Lentzen (DOE-HQ) -- People are paying attention to the GSA logos.
> It is good to have that information and we want to ensure the logos
> are valid. Some sites have reported discrepancies.
>
> Jeff Lau -- That is something we are looking into to see if we need to
> change our policy. We are learning now what the extent of the problem
> is.
>
> Dana Arnold (OFEE) -- Icons are self claims by the manufacturers not
> GSA. GSA does not have the resources to verify all the products.
>
> Don Lentzen -- Be advised to practice due diligence.
>
> Dana Arnold -- Look as a minimum for information on the packaging to
> verify. Some manufacturers claim "recycled" but the product might not
> meet the specified content.

-   When purchasing oil for vehicles, what standard do you specify---for
    gasoline (ilsac?) and for diesel (API?). Please check with your
    staff and share any information you find with us.

**Next teleconference**

-   Date -- October 25, 2007

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

    -   FY2007 Data Call

    -   EPP Training Template for Use by DOE Sites

    -   Energy/water efficient products per EPAct 2005

    -   Cafeteria Products (dishware)

    -   Construction: Paint and water free urinals

    -   Other?

12:30 Adjourn

**Adjourn**

**A few rules for successful teleconferencing**:

-   Because we only have a limited number of telephone lines available,
    all coordinators at one site should participate in the
    teleconference together on one telephone.

-   Keep your phones on mute (if you are using a speakerphone) unless
    you are speaking.

-   Announce your name and affiliation before speaking each time.

-   All participants will be asked to introduce yourselves at the start
    of the teleconference and given the opportunity for comments and
    questions at the end of the teleconference.

**[SEVEN NEWLY DESIGNATED RECYCLED PRODUCTS]{.underline}**

**Begin Purchasing and Collecting Purchasing Data by May 1, 2005**

-   Blasting Grit

-   Furniture - Office

-   Pipe -- Non-Pressure

-   Racks - Bicycle

-   Ramps -- Modular Threshold

-   Roofing Materials

-   Vehicle Parts -- Rebuilt

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

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

**Begin Purchasing and Collecting Purchasing Data by March 16, 2007
except for those with asterisk, which will be effective November 20,
2007**

-   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 (User Housing Facilities?) -- 12%

-   \*Water tank coating/sealant -- 59%

Web Info: http://www.biobased.oce.usda.gov/fb4p/PurchasingBiobased.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 13101 home page

http://www.hss.energy.gov/NuclearSafety/NSEP/p2/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.energy.gov/NuclearSafety/NSEP/p2/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.biobased.oce.usda.gov/public/index.cfm]{.underline}

**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/DOEmatex/index.html]{.underline}

**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]{.underline}
>
> **Recycled Content Specifications and Suppliers**
>
> U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
>
> [http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/procure/products/carpet.htm]{.underline}
>
> **Suppliers**
>
> Green Seal "Choose Green Report: Carpet"
>
> [http://www.greenseal.org/cgrs/Carpet_CGR.pdf]{.underline}

**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 "concrete" at
> [http://yosemite.epa.gov/oppt/eppstand2.nsf/Pages/Search.html?Open]{.underline}
>
> **Suppliers**
>
> Green Seal "Choose Green Report: Industrial and Institutional
> Cleaners"
>
> <http://www.greenseal.org/certproducts.htm#cleaners>

**Construction Materials and Products**

> **Contract Language**
>
> U.S. Department of Energy
>
> [http://www.hss.energy.gov/nuclearsafety/nsep/p2/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**
>
> Green Seal "Choose Green Report: Architectural Paints"
>
> <http://www.greenseal.org/draftdocs.htm>

**Toner Cartridges**

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

**[DOWNLOAD AND RUN BEES 3.0 SOFTWARE]{.underline}**

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

building/construction products. Developed by the NIST (National
Institute of Standards and Technology) Green Buildings Program with
support from the U.S. EPA 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 3.0d:**

-   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 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 3.0d:**

-   Select Start-\>Programs-\>BEES-\>BEES 3.0d **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.

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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"