# Presentation: 426870

## Fort Carson Sustainability Partnerships:  Bringing Sustainability to a Three-County AreaGarrison Commander:  COL Eugene B. SmithPresenter:  Christopher Juniper Sustainability Planner

- “Best Hometown in the Army”

**Notes:**
Thank you for being here!

This is the core of the conference in some ways - our annual report of progress
And commitments to continually improve

## Fort Carson Location

_**Fort Carson Overview**_
- _Established 1942_
- _Currently hosts 19,000 active duty military personnel in 10 units_
- _Planned growth:  30,000 personnel by 2011_
- _Approx. 60,000 acres just south of Colorado Springs _
- _78,000 acres at  Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site_

**Notes:**

The goals remain at the forefront of strong sustainability commitments in the world.  Just last year, WalMart joined us as a major organization dedicated to achieving 100% renewable energy.

Thanks to COL Trombitas for committing to annual reports - it is a best practice for all major employers in a community

The 25 year goals are implemented through 5 yr measurable objectives and 2 year initiatives

The report I’m summarizing is in your conference packets - check our SEMS website for ongoing updates.

## Fort Carson Sustainability Leadership

_**2027 Sustainability Goals Established at **_
_**2002 Community Sustainability Conference**_
- GC COL Trombitas Committed to 2027 Goals and
- Annual Public Reporting
- Leading to Annual Sustainability Conferences
- and Annual Progress Report
- Implemented Through SEMS
- (Sustainability and Environmental Mgmt System)
- 5-Yr Objectives
- 2-Yr Workplans

**Notes:**
The SEMS is an adaptation of the ISO14001 standard EMS system that is required of all military installations.  Fort Carson added Sustainability – meaning it added its 25 year Sustainability Goals including social and economic performance to its EMS as it was developed beginning in 2002.

The goals remain at the forefront of strong sustainability commitments in the world.  Just last year, WalMart joined us as a major organization dedicated to achieving 100% renewable energy.

Thanks to COL Trombitas for committing to annual reports - it is a best practice for all major employers in a community

The 25 year goals are implemented through 5 yr measurable objectives and 2 year initiatives

The report I’m summarizing is in your conference packets - check our SEMS website for ongoing updates.

## Fort Carson Sustainability Leadership

_**Adopted 2027 Sustainability Goals**_** **
_**Performance Goals:**_
- Zero Waste (solid waste, hazardous waste /air emissions, wastewater)
- 100% Renewable Energy
- 75% Reduction Water Purchases
- Sustainable Transportation
- Sustainable Procurement
- Sustain Mission Capability (land mgmt)

**Notes:**
These performance goals are supported by specific, measurable 5 year objectives.  New objectives were established by the goal teams in 2007 to achieve by 2012.  For example, Sustainable Transportation objectives that related to leadership in a carbon-constrained world include:

Reduce single-occupant vehicle (non-mission) trips on Post 25% by 2012 and 40% by 2017
100% access to sustainable transportation fuels by 2012
Reducing life-cycle fossil fuel inputs and greenhouse gas emissions
Continue conversion of government fleet vehicles to achieve better fuel efficiency – 3% per year

## Fort Carson Sustainability Leadership

_**Adopted 2027 Sustainability Goals**_
_**Process Goals**_
- Sustainability Training
- “Community of One” alignment and
- Sustainability Partnerships
- Develop SEMS = Sustainability & Environmental Management System** **

**Notes:**
The 5 year goal plans are all available on our SEMS website

## Fort Carson Sustainability Leadership

**2007:  Integration with **
**Fort Carson Strategic Plan**
- Mainstreams Sustainability Goals
- Distributes Sustainability Leadership
**5 Strategic Goals:**
- Workforce Development
- Mission Readiness
- Community Well-being
- Hometown Management
- Sustainability (includes Partnerships)

**Notes:**
  This year’s big system change:  integration of sustainabilty goals with all Fort Carson Strategic management goals

## Fort Carson Sustainability Partnerships

_**2027 Goal**__** **_
- Enhance partnering to collaboratively develop, integrate and implement regional sustainability._**  **_
_**Assists Fort Carson with:**_
- Knowledge and creativity
- Sustainable local vendors / utilities
- Policy changes that support FC goals

**Notes:**
This Executive Order – which is the President acting in his/her capacity as CEO of the Federal Government, was developed by the White House Office of the Federal Environmental Executive.  It is the most aggressive EO regarding sustainability in the federal government adopted to date.  

## Fort Carson Sustainability Partnerships

_**2013 Objectives**_
**Conduct partnerships that achieve business results and organizational benefits for Fort Carson and partners:**
- Community Sustainability Conference and Expo
- Monthly Sustainability Goal stakeholder meetings
- Hosted by Garrison Commander

## Fort Carson Sustainability Partnerships

_**2013 Objectives**_
**Achieve integrated, comprehensive planning in the southern Colorado regarding significant sustainability aspects/impacts:**
- Pikes Peak Sustainability Indicators Project
- Military Impact partnerships
- Sustainable Development:  Southern Colorado Sustainable Communities partnership

## Fort Carson Sustainability Partnerships

_**Community Sustainability Conference and Expo**_
- Begun 2002 to establish sustainability goals
- “Fort Carson Community Sustainability Conference”
- Annual fall conference for Fort Carson reporting, inspiration/education, stakeholder feedback 2003-2007 (Expo added 2006)
- 2008:  Transform to “Southern Colorado Community Sustainability Conference”
- With Fort Carson report and educational track

**Notes:**
The DoD’s facilities energy budget alone reached $2.8 billion in FY 04, despite ongoing efforts to reduce energy consumption in various locations.  The Energy Management Program of 2005 adopted more aggressive goals – so all Fort Carson buildings are designed by the Army Corps of Engineers and their contractors to beat ASHRAE energy standards by 30%.  IN addition, the DoD steadily increased funding for renewable energy projects – more than tripling the budget from FY03 to FY06. 

## Fort Carson Sustainability Partnerships

_**Sustainability Goal Stakeholder Meetings**_
- Begun by GC COL Mike Resty 2005 to emphasize GC focus on sustainability, hold FC efforts accountable to expert stakeholders, enhance partnerships
- One of the 12 Sustainability Goals each month
- Typical format: 15 min presentations, 1+ hour discussion
- Enhances Goal Team stakeholder collaboration

**Notes:**
Fort Carson brought GEN Kern to our 6th Community Sustainability Conference, attended by nearly 500 people, last October to further highlight the connection between climate change and national security.  GEN Kern was one of the 11 retired military leaders that contributed to the report issued by Ms. Goodman, who is now General Counsel at the CNA Corporation.  Their report is available at their website.

## Fort Carson Sustainability Leadership

_**Pikes Peak Sustainability Indicators Project**_
- Phase 1: 2004-2006
- Local govts and indicator experts in three counties explore together (1) sustainable development; (2) Sustainability Indicators of progress; (3) How to best support Fort Carson’s Sustainability Goals
- Conclusion:  PPSIP Report
- Suggests 120+ indicators
- Provides summaries of similar projects

**Notes:**
PV Solar:  12 acre former landfill site will provide about 2% of Fort Carson’s electrical energy.  
  The greater expense covered by Xcel Energy.  
  Kudos to Vince Guthrie at DPW for putting it together.

Renewable Energy Credits purchase:
  Third year of contract through the Western Area Power Administration that offsets about 28% of Fort Carson’s electricial demand with renewable energy project support.  
  This investment plus 10% hydro power from Springs Utilities and the new solar array mean that about 40% of Fort Carson’s electricity next year will be from renewable sources.

Wind energy:  next year we are partnering to fully explore our wind potential for generating electricity on Post.

Energy savings:  projects this past year expected to save us $300,000 per year going forward.

## Fort Carson Sustainability Leadership

_**Pikes Peak Sustainability Indicators Project**_
- Phase 2: 2006-2007
- Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (w/Army military impact planning grant) explores indicator data availability
- Pikes Peak United Way launches “quality-of-life” indicator Vision Councils and Annual Report for El Paso County
- (Jacksonville, FL model)
- Phase 3:  Southern Colorado Sustainable Communities

**Notes:**
PV Solar:  12 acre former landfill site will provide about 2% of Fort Carson’s electrical energy.  
  The greater expense covered by Xcel Energy.  
  Kudos to Vince Guthrie at DPW for putting it together.

Renewable Energy Credits purchase:
  Third year of contract through the Western Area Power Administration that offsets about 28% of Fort Carson’s electricial demand with renewable energy project support.  
  This investment plus 10% hydro power from Springs Utilities and the new solar array mean that about 40% of Fort Carson’s electricity next year will be from renewable sources.

Wind energy:  next year we are partnering to fully explore our wind potential for generating electricity on Post.

Energy savings:  projects this past year expected to save us $300,000 per year going forward.

## Fort Carson Sustainability Partnerships

_**Military Impact Partnerships**_
- Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, with Fort Carson support, obtains Military Impact planning grant from Army Office of Economic Adjustment
- Projections of growth impacts
- Town Hall meetings sponsored by NGOs and media
_**Focused on social and economic impacts**_

**Notes:**
Fort Carson can only be successful meeting its aggressive 2027 Sustainability Goals through multiple partnerships – both educational partnerships regarding the advantages of sustainable development strategies, and specific partnerships for renewable energy facilities and sustainable transportation systems.

In 2003 we began educating the citizens and elected leaders about our goals and the merits of sustainable development through the Pikes Peak Sustainability Indicators Project.  Project partners included every local government in the three county region of our major cantonement area south of Colorado Springs.  Governments and citizens were invited to participate on four task forces that explored regional collaboration on sustainability indicators – each task force focused on one of the four compass points for sustainability performance adopted by Fort Carson in 2002:  Nature, Economy, Well-being and Society (NEWS).
The result was about 120 potential indicators, and the launch of an El Paso County Quality of Life Indicator project by the United Way that we participate in.

Presently, we are transforming the Indicators project partnership to a broader coalition to develop and deliver sustainable development education to all of Southern Colorado.  Presently titled the Sustainable Communities Initiative, it will include NGO and government partners dedicated to sustainability education – including CORE Colorado since your Board member Christopher Juniper is leading this initiative.

## Fort Carson Sustainability Partnerships

_**Southern Colorado Sustainable Communities**_
- (Phase 3 of PPSIP Project)
- Sustainable development education for citizens, businesses, institutions
- Educational partners:  NGOs promoting sustainable development, academic institutions
- Convening partners:  governments and civic organizations that invite educational events

**Notes:**
Sustainability Training also affects our ability to reduce GHGs and achieve sustainability performance – a comprehensive program managed by SEMS Training Team, doing trainings authorized and required by the GC’s office.

Last year, in-person training provided to approx 2500 employees and Soldiers - more effective than on-line trainings

## Fort Carson Sustainability Partnerships

_**Southern Colorado Sustainable Communities**_
_**Educational Partners (expected):**_
- Colorado Association for Recycling
- State of Colorado Smart Growth Program
- Colorado Renewable Energy Society
- Peak to Prairie Alliance
- Southern Colorado American Institute of Architects
- The Catamount Institute (youth and ecological education)
- Southern Colorado US Green Building Council
- University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
- Colorado State University - Pueblo

**Notes:**
Sustainability Training also affects our ability to reduce GHGs and achieve sustainability performance – a comprehensive program managed by SEMS Training Team, doing trainings authorized and required by the GC’s office.

Last year, in-person training provided to approx 2500 employees and Soldiers - more effective than on-line trainings

## Fort Carson Sustainability Partnerships

_**Southern Colorado Sustainable Communities**_
_**Convening Partners (expected):**_
- Local Governments (cities, counties)
- Regional government (councils)
- Local Chambers / Economic Development Corps
- Civic organizations

**Notes:**
Sustainability Training also affects our ability to reduce GHGs and achieve sustainability performance – a comprehensive program managed by SEMS Training Team, doing trainings authorized and required by the GC’s office.

Last year, in-person training provided to approx 2500 employees and Soldiers - more effective than on-line trainings

## Fort Carson Sustainability Partnerships

_**Critical Fort Carson Sustainability Performance Partnerships**_
**Goal 1 - Energy and Water**
- Wind purchase partnerships Colorado Springs Utilities & big customers (incl. DoD)
- (2) RECs purchase partnership with WAPA
- (3) Solar electricity partnership with private sector and two electrical utilities
- (4) Fountain Creek Watershed dialogue** **

**Notes:**
The 100% Renewable Energy goal for 2027 included a provision to maximize how much was produced on Post as part of ongoing security concerns.  Fort Carson is presently exploring whether there is wind energy potential on our main training site near Colorado Springs, and we have just installed a solar photovoltaic array that I’ll cover in a minute.  

Wanting to be a leader, and not wanting to wait for renewable energy to be available through our local utility or through developments, we began offsetting our unsustainable energy purchased from Colorado Springs Utilities in 2005 through a 5 year contract for Renewable Energy Credits generated by the Western Area Power Administration, a federal energy distribution agency.  The amount purchased was roughly equivalent to 28% of our energy use at the time.

We have followed that leadership initiative with a creative partnership with Xcel, Colorado Springs Utilities and solar vendor Conergy, a German company with HQ for the US here in Denver.

The project is possible because of the solar PV requirements on Xcel from Colorado’s Renewable Portfolio Standard – thanks to all of you that worked to make that a reality and the Governor for improving it last year.  The RPS requirement made this solar installation’s energy slightly more expensive than Fort Carson’s existing energy coming from Colorado Springs Utilities, but that’s a lot better than how expensive it would be without Xcel’s participation.  The slight increase we’ll experience today is expected to become so much below the standard utility rates in the future that over the 20 year life of the project, we expect to save up to $500,000 in electricity costs.  All the capital was provided by the private sector – the array is located on Fort Carson on a former landfill site that can’t economically be used for anything else. 

## Fort Carson Sustainability Leadership

_**Carbon-constrained Leadership Initiatives**_
**2 MW Solar Array – Earned Governor’s**
**Renewable Energy Award for 2007 **

**Notes:**
Colorado Governor Bill Ritter Jr. and Major General Mark A. Graham opening the Fort Carson photovoltaic array, Jan 08

We are honored to have been selected for the Governor’s Renewable Energy Award for 2007; here’s the governor and our Commanding General Mark Graham cutting the ribbon on the array last month.

## Fort Carson Sustainability Partnerships

_**Critical Fort Carson Sustainability Performance Partnerships**_
**Goal 11 - Training Lands**
- Army Compatible Use Buffer (ACUB) partnership with Nature Conservancy

**Notes:**
The 100% Renewable Energy goal for 2027 included a provision to maximize how much was produced on Post as part of ongoing security concerns.  Fort Carson is presently exploring whether there is wind energy potential on our main training site near Colorado Springs, and we have just installed a solar photovoltaic array that I’ll cover in a minute.  

Wanting to be a leader, and not wanting to wait for renewable energy to be available through our local utility or through developments, we began offsetting our unsustainable energy purchased from Colorado Springs Utilities in 2005 through a 5 year contract for Renewable Energy Credits generated by the Western Area Power Administration, a federal energy distribution agency.  The amount purchased was roughly equivalent to 28% of our energy use at the time.

We have followed that leadership initiative with a creative partnership with Xcel, Colorado Springs Utilities and solar vendor Conergy, a German company with HQ for the US here in Denver.

The project is possible because of the solar PV requirements on Xcel from Colorado’s Renewable Portfolio Standard – thanks to all of you that worked to make that a reality and the Governor for improving it last year.  The RPS requirement made this solar installation’s energy slightly more expensive than Fort Carson’s existing energy coming from Colorado Springs Utilities, but that’s a lot better than how expensive it would be without Xcel’s participation.  The slight increase we’ll experience today is expected to become so much below the standard utility rates in the future that over the 20 year life of the project, we expect to save up to $500,000 in electricity costs.  All the capital was provided by the private sector – the array is located on Fort Carson on a former landfill site that can’t economically be used for anything else. 

## Fort Carson Sustainability PartnershipsGarrison Commander COL Eugene B. SmithSustainability Program Leaders:Tom Warren and Mary BarberPOC:  Christopher Juniperchristopher.juniper@us.army.mil720-278-1763