National Mediation Board 

SUSTAINABILITY PLAN 

 June 2, 2010 

___________________________ _____________

June D.W. King Date 

Director, Office of Administration and 

Senior Sustainability Officer
Page 2 of 8

Section I. National Mediation Board Policy and Strategy 

I. Policy Statement: 

The National Mediation Board (NMB) is an independent Executive Branch agency 

established by the 1934 amendments to the Railway Labor Act of 1926 which 

expanded coverage of the Act to include the airline industry. The NMB performs a 

key role in achieving the principal purpose of the Act: “to avoid any disruptions in 

commerce or to the operation of any carrier engaged therein” by assisting the 

carriers and their employees in their duty under the Act to “exert every reasonable 

effort” to settle disputes. 

We are committed to reducing green house gases in accordance with Executive 

Order 13514 (E.O.). During this first year, we will review the areas which are 

within our control as well as being mindful of the areas that our outside of our 

control to ensure that our decisions are being made consistent with the 

requirements of this Executive Order now and into the future. 

Finally, over 63 percent of our employees use public transportation. The NMB is 

committed to achieving all the requirements of this Executive Order. 

II. Sustainability and the NMB Mission: 

The NMB will strive to fully integrate all aspects of the Executive Order into all 

aspects of its business processes. 

III. Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals: 

Regarding Scope 1 & 2 greenhouse gases reductions, the NMB leases 23,425 of 

office space from the General Service Administration (GSA) in a privately owned 

office building and therefore does not pay any of its utility bills. All costs paid by 

the NMB are included in the overall monthly lease payment. Also, the NMB does 

not maintain or lease a fleet of cars. 

In the scope 3 area, the NMB began working with GSA to track federal employee 

travel which includes business air travel, ground travel, and federal employee 

commuting. Currently, GSA was not able to get the information to prepare this 

report from the travel agency but we are confident that the link will be established 

and we will begin tracking this information. 

Federal Employee Commuting 

During the FY 2008 base year, 39 of the NMB’s authorized 51 FTEs commuted to 

work utilizing public transportation. We participate in the Federal Smart Benefits 

program, which provided $115 a month (FY 2008 maximum) to all eligible 

employees for use on: 
Page 3 of 8

 Metrorail 

 Metro Bus 

 Maryland area Regional Commuter (MARC) train service 

 Amtrak 

 Regional bus systems that accept the Smart Trip card 

During FY 2010, the NMB provides $150 to 36 of its current on-board staff of 47 to 

continue to use public transportation. We also allow our employees to use either 

Alternative Work schedules (AWS) or to Telework. Currently, 12 employees use 

AWS and 23 employees telework at least one day a week. 

IV. Plan Implementation: 

a. Internal Coordination and Communication – In our bi-weekly staff meetings, 

the senior leadership will review the progress the agency is making in 

reducing greenhouse gas emissions and make recommendations to the entire 

agency.

b. Coordination and Dissemination of the Plan to the Field – The NMB has one 

satellite office in Chicago which is treated the same as the Washington office. 

All communications from the Washington office are sent to both locations at 

the same time.

c. Leadership and Accountability – The Director, Office of Administration is the 

designated Senior Sustainability Officer who along with the OA staff will 

oversee the NMB’s efforts in meeting the goals and requirements of the 

Executive Order.

d. Agency Policy and Planning Integration – The NMB has begun reviewing the 

requirements of the Executive Order to determine if our current policies need 

to be updated to provide more emphasis on sustainability strategies.

e. Agency Budget Integration – The Director, OA working with the Senior 

Leadership will ensure that the budget supports the goals and requirements 

of the agency and the Executive Order.

f. Methods for Evaluation of Progress – The OA staff will review the Scope 3 

targets and brief the senior leadership on a quarterly basis on the current 

practices and make recommendations if necessary. The quarterly results will 

be published in the OA newsletter to update the entire staff on the agency’s 

progress. 
Page 4 of 8

Originating Report / Plan 

Scope 1 & 2 GHG Reduction

Scope 3 GHG Reduction 

Develop and Maintain 

Agency Comprehensive 

GHG Inventory 

High-Performance 

Sustainable Design / Green 

Buildings 

Regional and Local Planning

Water Use Efficiency and 

Management 

Pollution Prevention and 

Waste Elimination 

Sustainable Acquisition 

Electronic Stewardship and 

Data Centers 

Agency Specific Innovation 

“Sample Plan” Yes n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a No 

GPRA Strategic Plan n/a Yes n/a n/a n/a n/a Yes Yes n/a No

Budget n/a Yes n/a n/a n/a n/a Yes Yes n/a No

Annual Accountability Report n/a Yes n/a n/a n/a n/a Yes Yes n/a No

V. Evaluating Return on Investment: 

The NMB realizes that the return on investment is not only measured by economic 

success, but by also evaluating and balancing the total overall benefit to our 

internal and external customers. We will strive to reach and exceed that balance so 

that an accurate evaluation can be obtained. 

VI. Transparency: 

As part of the Open Government Directive, the NMB has committed to providing as 

much transparency as possible. We have established a portal on our website at 

www.nmb.gov which details expected NMB actions and timeline for incorporating 

the principles of the President’s January 21, 2009 Memorandum on Transparency 

and Open Government. 

Within the NMB, we will use the OA weekly newsletter to provide updates on the 

agency’s progress toward meeting the goals of the Executive Order. 

Section II. Performance Review & Annual Update 

I. Summary of Accomplishments: This is the first year that the NMB is 

undergoing these initiatives. 

II. Goals Performance Review:

Goal: Scope 3 Greenhouse Gas Reduction 

a. Federal employee travel – The NMB is within walking distance of three 

Metro Rail lines and multiple bus lines which allows many of our 

employees to participate in the Smart Benefits program. 
Page 5 of 8

During this fiscal year, 36 out of 47 employees participate in the Smart 

Benefits program. The NMB is also encouraging employees to incorporate 

teleworking into their schedule or use Alternative Work Schedules (AWS). 

b. Contracted waste disposal – The NMB does not track contracted waste 

disposal because it is included in our existing building lease payment to 

GSA. 

c. Transmission and distribution losses from purchased energy – N/A 

d. Other, as defined by Agency – N/A 

e. Discuss any planned agency activity or policy implementation to improve 

data accuracy and overall data collection and analysis methods related to 

Scope 3 GHG emissions. – The NMB, as part of our internal controls 

process, reviews employee transportation usage. 

a. Goal description – As telecommuting increases, AWS scheduling and the use 

of webinars for training, the NMB anticipates a reduction is greenhouse gas 

emissions. 

b. Agency lead for goal – Data will be tracked through the Office of 

Administration. 

c. Implementation methods – The NMB policies allow employees to either 

telework or participate in AWS scheduling. 

d. Positions – The agency will use current staff 

e. Planning table – see below 

f. Agency status – The NMB participates in the Smart Benefits program as well 

as policies that allow employees to Telework and use AWS. 

SCOPE 3 GHG TARGET Unitsi FY 10 FY 11 FY 12 FY 13 FY 14 .... FY 20 

Overall Agency Scope 3 Reduction Target 

(reduced from FY08 base year)ii % 2 4 6 8 10 hold 

Sub-Target for Federal Employee Travel % 2 4 6 8 10 .... hold 

Sub-Target for Contracted Waste Disposal % n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a .... n/a 

Sub-Target for Transmission and Distribution 

Losses from Purchased Energy % n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a .... n/a 

Other, as defined by agency % n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a .... n/a 

Goal: Pollution Prevention and Waste Elimination 

a. Increase source reduction of pollutants and waste 

b. Divert at least 50% non-hazardous solid waste by FY 2015, excluding 

construction and demolition (C&D) debris 

c. Divert at least 50% C&D materials and debris by FY 2015 

d. Reduce printing paper use 

e. Increase use of uncoated printing and writing paper containing at least 

30% postconsumer fiber 
Page 6 of 8

f. Reduce and minimize the acquisition, use, and disposal of hazardous 

chemicals and materials 

g. Increase diversion of compostable and organic materials from the waste 

stream 

h. Implement integrated pest management and landscape management 

practices to reduce and eliminate the use of toxic and hazardous 

chemicals and materials 

i. Increase agency use of acceptable alternative chemicals and processes 

j. Decrease agency use of chemicals to assist agency in achieving FY 2020 

GHG reduction targets [See Section II - 1 and 2 above] 

k. Report in accordance with Sections (301-313) of the Emergency Planning 

and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986iii

Sub goals a, b, c, f, h, I, j, and k do not currently apply to the NMB. The 

NMB provides the following responses for sub goals d, e, and g: 

d. Reduce printing paper use – The NMB has reduced the printing of its 

annual report by half. All documents are made electronically available. 

In addition, our representation elections are electronic which has 

eliminated the need to print hard copy of ballots. 

e. Increase use of uncoated printing and writing paper containing at least 30 

percent postconsumer fiber. – The NMB is reviewing this goal and will 

strive to increase its use of type of paper. 

g. Increase diversion of compostable and organic materials from the waste 

stream. – The NMB participates in the recycling program instituted by the 

building management. Each office, workstation and lunch room has a 

recycling bin. The employee manual contains instructions on the type of 

products that should be placed in the bin. The NMB cannot determine the 

amount of waste that is diverted from the landfill. 

a. Goal description – Continue to reduce the printing requirements and replace 

paper document distribution with electronic distribution. 

b. Agency lead for goal – Office of Administration 

c. Implementation methods – The NMB will continue to use its OA weekly 

newsletter, news clips and its website to provide information. All those items 

are currently in electronic format. 

d. Positions – Since we currently participate in this effort, no additional staffing 

is required. 

e. Planning table – see below 

f. Agency status – The NMB was the first government agency to have an 

electronic records scheduled approved by NARA. 
Page 7 of 8

POLLUTION PREVENTION & WASTE ELIMINATION Units FY 10 FY 11 FY 12 FY 13 FY 14 FY 15 

Non-Hazardous Solid Waste Diversion Targets (non C&D) % n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 

C&D Material & Debris Diversion Targets % n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 

Goal: Sustainable Acquisition 

a. Ensure 95% of new contract actions, including task and delivery orders 

under new contracts and existing contracts, require the supply or use of 

products and services that are energy efficient (Energy Star or FEMPdesignated), water efficient, biobased, environmentally preferableiv

(excluding EPEAT-registered products), non-ozone depleting, contain 

recycled content, or are non-toxic or less toxic alternatives.v

The NMB will continue to follow GSA’s recommendations for sustainable 

product purchases through its Go green Environmental initiative. 

b. Update agency affirmative procurement plans (also known as green 

purchasing plans or environmentally preferable purchasing plans), policies 

and programs to ensure that all Federally-mandated designated products 

and services are included in all relevant acquisitions.vi

The NMB does not currently have an affirmative procurement plan or 

green purchasing plan. Any major purchases are outlined in our budget 

submission and accountability report. 

a. Goal description – The NMB will continue to follow and use GSA Advantage’s 

Go Green. 

b. Agency lead for goal – Office of Administration 

c. Implementation methods – N/A 

d. Positions – N/A 

e. Planning table – see below 

f. Agency status – The NMB will continue to streamline its acquisition 

processes. 

SUSTAINABLE ACQUISITION Units FY 10 FY 11 FY 12 .... FY 20 

New Contract Actions Meeting Sustainable Acquisition Requirements % ? ? hold hold hold 

Energy Efficient Products (Energy Star, FEMP-designated, 

and low standby power devices) % ? ? ? ? ? 

Water Efficient Products % ? ? ? ? ? 

Biobased Products % ? ? ? ? ? 

Recycled Content Products % ? ? ? ? ? 

Environmentally Preferable Products/Services (excluding 

EPEAT) % ? ? ? ? ? 

SNAP/non-ozone depleting substances % ? ? ? ? ? 
Page 8 of 8

Section III. NMB Self Evaluation: 

Does your plan provide/consider overarching strategies and approaches for 

achieving long-term sustainability goals? Y 

Does your plan identify milestones and resources needed for implementation? Y 

Does your plan align with your agency’s 2011 budget submission? Y 

Is your plan consistent with your agency’s FY 2011 budget and appropriately 

aligned to reflect your agency’s planned FY 2012 budget submission? Y 

Does your plan integrate existing EO and statutory requirements into a single 

framework and align with other existing mission and management related goals 

to make the best use of available resources? 

Y 

Does your plan provide methods for obtaining data needed to measure progress, 

evaluate results, and improve performance? Y 

 

i

 GHG emissions are measured in mtCO2e and the percentage reductions are reductions in 

mtCO2e. 

ii Refer to the OFEE Scope 3 GHG Emissions Reduction Target Tool and User’s Manual for 

detailed descriptions of each scope 3 categories and calculation methods. When writing 

narrative for this goal area, please note that it is not necessary to provide a great deal of detail. 

Agencies should focus on general strategy for reducing Scope 3 emissions and should plan to 

provide greater detail on milestones and actions taken to reduce emissions associated with 

agency-specific targets in subsequent updates to this plan. 

iii 42 U.S.C. 11001 et seq 

iv EPEAT products are addressed in Goal 9: Electronic Stewardship and Data Centers. 

v

 Purchases are mandated where such products and services meet agency performance 

requirements. These mandates do not apply to the acquisition of weapons systems. Agencies 

should discuss how they currently capture and analyze data to track their performance 

regarding the 95% target for new contracted actions. Where agencies are unable to track 

specific actions, they should discuss plans to improve data collection and identify areas where 

specific challenges exist. 

vi Some agencies may use the term ‘green purchasing plan’, ‘affirmative procurement plan’, 

and/or ‘EPP’.