Strategic

Sustainability

Performance

Plan

Report to:  

The Council on Environmental Quality

The Office of Management and Budget

June 2, 2010

U.S. Department of

ENERGY

United States Department of Energy

Washington, DC 20585

Strategic

Sustainability

Performance Plan

Discovering Sustainable Solutions

to Power and Secure America’s Future

Report to The White House  

Council on Environmental Quality

and Office of Management and Budget

September 2010
Department of Energy

ii
Department of Energy

iii

Department of Energy

Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan

Discovering Sustainable Solutions

to Power and Secure America’s Future

Table of Contents

Section 1: Department Policy and Strategy.................................................. 1

I. Department Policy Statement .................................................................1

II. Sustainability and the Department’s Mission.........................................2

III. Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals .........................................................4

IV. Plan Implementation.............................................................................6

V. Evaluating Return on Investment.........................................................10

VI. Transparency.......................................................................................12

Section 2:  Performance Review & Annual Update.................................... 13

I.  Summary of Accomplishments.............................................................13

II. Goal Performance Review ....................................................................17

1.   GOAL:  Scope 1 & 2 Greenhouse Gas Reduction .............................19

2.   GOAL:  Scope 3 Greenhouse Gas Reduction....................................33

3.   GOAL:  Comprehensive Greenhouse Gas Inventory........................37

4.   GOAL:  High‐Performance Sustainable Design (HPSB).....................38

5.   GOAL:  Regional and Local Planning ................................................43

6.   GOAL:  Water Use Efficiency and Management..............................46

7.   GOAL:  Pollution Prevention and Waste Elimination.......................50

8.   GOAL:  Sustainable Acquisition .......................................................57

9.   GOAL:  Electronic Stewardship and Data Centers ...........................61

10. GOAL:  Department Innovation.......................................................65

Section 3: Department Self Evaluation....................................................... 69
Department of Energy

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Appendices

Appendix 1: Abbreviations........................................................................... 75

Appendix 2: Sustainability Governance ....................................................... 77

Appendix 3: Federal Energy Management Program.................................... 78

Appendix 4: Current DOE Projects............................................................... 81

Appendix 5: Summary of DOE Orders.......................................................... 84

Appendix 6: Source Document References.................................................. 87

List of Tables

Table 1: Critical Planning Coordination.......................................................... 9

Table 2: Energy Intensity Progress............................................................... 13

Table 3: Renewable Energy Progress ........................................................... 13

Table 4: Water Intensity Progress................................................................ 14

Table 5:  DOE’s FY 2009 Performance in Meeting EPACT 2005 and EO 13423

Requirements ............................................................................... 15

Table 6: Goal 1 Planning Table..................................................................... 33

Table 7: Goal 2 Planning Table..................................................................... 36

Table 8: Goal 4 Planning Table..................................................................... 43

Table 9: Goal 6 Planning Table..................................................................... 49

Table 10: Goal 7 Planning Table................................................................... 57

Table 11: Goal 8 Planning Table................................................................... 61

Table 12:  Goal 9 Planning Table.................................................................. 65

Table 13: Energy Savings Performance Contracts currently in place (1999‐

2010)............................................................................................. 83

List of Figures

Figure 1:  Estimated DOE 2008 Scope 1 and 2 Greenhouse  

                  Gas Inventory by Source ................................................................4

Figure 2:  Total Energy Use for DOE Real Property ......................................20

Figure 3: Energy Intensity FY03‐FY09...........................................................21

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II. Sustainability and the Department’s Mission

Sustainability is fundamental to the Department of Energy’s research mission and

operations as reflected in the Department’s Strategic Plan.  Our overarching mission is

to discover the solutions to power and secure America’s future.  We are implementing

our mission through three strategic goals:

• Innovation, to maintain U.S. global leadership in science and engineering

• Energy, to build a competitive and sustainable clean energy economy to secure

America’s energy future

• Security, to reduce nuclear dangers and environmental risks

To accomplish its mission, the Department focuses on achieving a number of ambitious

strategic priorities.  DOE invests in science to achieve transformational discoveries.  It is

pursuing clean, secure energy, by reducing our dependence on oil and changing the

landscape of energy demand and supply.  The Department is positioning the U.S. to lead

on climate change technology and science.  DOE advances economic prosperity by

creating green jobs and increasing the Nation’s competitiveness.  It cleans up the

environmental legacy left by nuclear weapons and nuclear energy research programs,

and works to protect national security by maintaining the nation’s nuclear deterrent and

preventing nuclear proliferation.

The DOE Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan (SSPP) is fundamentally based on the

Department’s mission, vision, and strategic plan.  It is through these synergies that DOE

will meet the goals of all the applicable “greening the government” executive orders and

statutes.1

Innovation. This strategic goal covers basic and applied research in scientific programs

that include bioscience, environmental and climate science, advanced materials, and

even the fundamental nature of matter and energy at the atomic and molecular scales.  

Energy‐related research supports the goals of a low‐carbon, energy‐efficient economy

through transformational breakthroughs.  In addition, DOE constructs and operates the

world’s premier scientific facilities and instruments that researchers depend on to

extend the frontiers of science and technology.   

Energy.  Clean energy and sustainability lie at the core of the Department’s mission.  

DOE contributes to a competitive, low‐carbon economy through scientific

breakthroughs leading to new technologies that enhance energy efficiency and

 

1 Key Executive Orders and statutes include: EO 13514 Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and

Economic Performance (2009); EO 13423 Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and

Transportation Management (2007); National Energy Conservation Policy Act of 1978; Energy Policy Act of

1992; Energy Policy Act of 2005; Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
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productivity while bringing clean, reliable, and affordable energy technologies to the

marketplace.   

The Department champions sustainability initiatives in such diverse areas as vehicle and

fuel technologies, building technologies, renewable energy technologies, and energy

efficiency and storage.  In addition, DOE promotes nuclear power as a resource capable

of meeting the Nation’s energy, environmental and national security needs by resolving

technical and regulatory barriers through research, development and demonstration.  

DOE also leads national efforts to modernize the electric grid, enhance security and

reliability of the energy infrastructure, and facilitate recovery from disruptions of energy

supply. DOE is involved in advancing carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies,

which can play an important role in reducing domestic GHG emissions while preserving

the option of using an abundant domestic fossil energy resource.  DOE is committed to

integrating the results of these initiatives into our operations to achieve the goals of the

relevant EOs and statutes.

Security.  Issues of nuclear safety and security are a top priority as DOE transforms the

Nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile and supporting infrastructure to be more responsive

to the threats of the 21st Century.  The Department has proven its ability to integrate

sustainability into its national security mission through such efforts as designing and

operating sustainable buildings, despite operational constraints that may limit

opportunities for conventional resource conservation in this area.  

The Department is also responsible for the largest nuclear environmental cleanup

project in the world and is committed to completing this mission in a sustainable

manner.  The Department manages its post‐closure environmental responsibilities to

reduce waste site footprints, ensures the future protection of human health and the

environment, and increases the number of legacy management custody‐and‐control

sites in beneficial reuse.   

Although the nature of the Department’s stockpile security and environmental cleanup

responsibilities pose challenges, DOE is committed to finding opportunities within its

portfolio to achieve and exceed the sustainability goals.   

DOE will address these challenges by pursuing the following key objectives:

• Fostering a culture of energy efficiency and sustainability

• Improving data quality to inform operations and decision making

• Optimizing allocation of resources to achieve EO goals while safeguarding the

mission

• Applying the best sustainability practices

• Adopting emerging, promising technologies
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III. Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals

The Department’s estimated Scope 1 and 2 FY 2008 baseline is 4.6 million metric tons

(mT) CO2e (Figure 1).  As of May 2010, there were 87 buildings and structures scheduled

for completion by FY 2020 (in development at CD‐2 or above).  Although some of these

facilities will replace older, less efficient operations, this new construction could

increase the Department’s GHG level to at least 5.5 million mTCO2e/year.  Despite this

potential increase in emissions, DOE will identify opportunities to offset these

operations while striving to meet its GHG reduction goals.  The Department also

identified an estimated baseline of 748,000 mTCO2e for its Scope 3 FY 2008 baseline.

DOE GHG Emissions by Source

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

Electricity Fossil Fuel Fugitive Gas Transportation

 Emissions (Million mTCO2e) 

Figure 1:  Estimated DOE 2008 Scope 1 and 2 Greenhouse Gas Inventory by Source

The Department established the following GHG emission reduction goals for fiscal year

(FY) 2020:  

• Reducing Scope 1 and 2 GHG by 28% (1.3M  mTCO2e from the FY 2008 baseline)

• Reducing Scope 3 GHG by 13% (97,000 mTCO2e from the FY 2008 baseline)

DOE’s strategy to achieve these targets takes full advantage of the extent to which

emissions are linked to changes in other related performance parameters, particularly

energy.  For Scope 1 and 2 emissions, the Department will:

• Prioritize investment in efficiency measures and infrastructure improvements

based on carbon intensity

• Reduce the use of petroleum‐based fuels

• Deploy operations and maintenance best practices

• Install asset‐level metering
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• Assess and upgrade its real property portfolio to meet the high‐performance

sustainable building principles

• Reduce non‐carbon dioxide (CO2) fugitive emissions, specifically sulfur

hexafluoride (SF6)

• Assess the feasibility of using DOE facilities as technology innovation sites for

carbon capture and sequestration or beneficial reuse.

• Explore low carbon, next generation energy technologies such as fuel cells,

cogeneration, biomass, other renewable technologies and additional

technologies as developed.

The Department of Energy maintains one‐of‐a‐kind mission essential facilities

(accelerators, light sources, nuclear processes, petroleum reserves and supercomputing

facilities) that are inherently energy and/or water intensive. To address these unique

sustainability issues, the Department will establish internal expert transformation

teams, accountable to each Under Secretary, to determine opportunities to improve the

energy and water use efficiency of these facilities.   The Department will establish a

process to account for, and report their energy, water and GHG contribution/reduction

concurrent with its normal facilities portfolio.  DOE will conduct internal departmental

discussions to determine how goals will be met without affecting mission

accomplishment.   

To reduce its Scope 3 emissions, the Department will:

• Expand the use of teleconferencing, video conferencing, and web‐based

meetings to reduce employee air travel

• Reduce transmission and distribution (T&D) losses through on‐site power

generation

• Reduce waste generation by increasing sustainable purchasing and recycling

The full benefit of all efforts to reduce GHG emissions will be realized when the

Department’s corporate culture embraces the full range of sustainable practices.  To this

end, the Department is strengthening its commitment to resource conservation as a

core value.  All DOE organizations, including their Federal and contractor personnel, are

expected to exhibit sustainable behavior, which contributes to this SSPP.
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IV. Plan Implementation

a. Internal Coordination and Communication

The Department established a governance model (see Appendix 2) to prepare the SSPP

and begin implementation of the EO.  The model reflects the decentralized nature of

DOE’s operational activities, and draws in the maximum amount of internal expertise

and operational performance data.  It provides broad representation from

Headquarters, DOE sites, and DOE contractors, and fosters effective communication and

coordination.  The model, graphically illustrated in Appendix 2, includes the following

elements:

• Senior Sustainability Steering Committee (SSSC).  The Deputy Secretary is the

Senior Sustainability Officer (SSO) and chairs this committee comprised of the

Under Secretaries, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), General Counsel (GC), Director

of the Office of Management, Chief Health, Safety and Security Officer, and the

Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.  The SSSC aligns

DOE business practices with the goals of the EOs and related statutes.   

• Sustainability Integration Team (SIT).  The committee is co‐chaired by a senior

manager from Headquarters and from Field Operations, and includes

representatives from various DOE organizations.  Working Group co‐chairs

participate in SIT discussions.  The SIT supervised the development of the initial

SSPP.  This team discussed and resolved issues relating to the SSPP however had

no line authority to direct or implement policy.  The function and organizational

placement of the SIT is subject to change.

• Working Groups (WG).  Working Groups are comprised of members from

Headquarters and from Field Operations.  They provide subject‐matter expertise

to the SIT.   

Implementation and coordination of the SSPP will occur through existing DOE lines of

authority.  In addition, the Field Management Council, National Laboratory Directors

Council, Energy Facilities Contractors Operations Group, communities of practice,

assistance networks and working groups will enhance the communication of Plan

implementation.  The Department’s directives system will incorporate and

institutionalize implementation procedures by which DOE will meet SSPP goals.

For long‐term implementation and oversight, the Department will establish a

Sustainability Performance Office (SPO) to coordinate corporate oversight, foster

behavior change, evaluate performance, facilitate information management, and report

progress toward sustainability goals.  The SPO will support the Deputy Secretary in their

role as the SSO, as well as the Under Secretaries, DOE sites, and other offices as

appropriate.  The SPO will be staffed with full‐time‐equivalent senior‐level professionals.
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b. Coordination and Dissemination of the Plan to the Field

The SSPP was developed with significant participation from Headquarters elements,

field representatives, and DOE contractors.  As such, a large number of key personnel,

representing a cross‐section of the Department, were involved in the discussions,

analyses and decision making associated with this Plan.

At the site level, the Department will build on the Environmental Management System

(EMS) process, required by EO 13423 and already in place at its sites, to implement the

goals articulated in this Plan.

c. Leadership & Accountability

The Secretary is personally committed to achieving the EO and statutory targets and is

leading the effort to change the Department’s culture to integrate sustainability into all

DOE operational decisions.  The Secretary’s designation of the Deputy Secretary as SSO

demonstrates the Department’s high‐level commitment to sustainability.  In addition,

the establishment of the SSSC and the designation of the SSO as its chair, ensures

continued senior level attention to achieving sustainability goals.  Further, senior

leaders, managers, staff, and DOE contractors will be held accountable commensurate

with their responsibilities for performance under the EOs and related statutes.   

The three Under Secretaries will be accountable for all planning, resourcing,

implementation, and reporting to achieve sustainability goals within their organizations.

Internal sustainability scorecards will assess the level of success at each level of the

Department (individual sites, programs, and Under Secretary).  These scorecards will be

reviewed by the SSO to evaluate performance and determine best paths toward

meeting sustainability goals on a regular basis.   

d. Department Policy and Planning Integration

The Department has several mechanisms in place within which the SSPP will be

integrated with existing policy and planning efforts.  For example, the SSPP is a key

initiative within the Energy goal of the Department’s Strategic Plan.  Execution of the

SSPP will also be integrated into the Department’s performance planning, budget

formulation and execution processes.  In addition, the SSPP will be linked to policy

initiatives primarily emanating from the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable

Energy.  Table 1 provides detailed information on the linkage to other policy and

planning mechanisms.

e. Department Budget Integration

Consistent with the objectives of EO 13514, the Department is committed to further

integrating the principles of sustainability into its decision‐making and budget

development processes.  The annual budget process will be informed by the goals of the

SSPP, starting at the Under Secretary level and progressing through the Program

Secretarial Offices (PSO) to the sites.  Future internal DOE budget guidance will include

information on the importance of sustainability, GHG emissions reduction, and resource
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conservation.  The Department will align its site‐level environmental, energy, and real

property planning systems to elevate sustainability in site management and budgeting

processes.

Working with their program offices, sites will continue to utilize energy savings

performance contracts (ESPC) and utility energy service contracts (UESC) as practical.  

ESPC projects that require appropriated funding payments may be submitted through

the DOE budget process.   

f. Methods for Evaluation of Progress

DOE will utilize, integrate, and streamline existing Department data collection

mechanisms to evaluate progress toward meeting goals from EOs and related statutes,

including:

• Pollution Prevention Tracking and Reporting System (PPTRS), collects

environmental, purchasing, and best practices data.

• Energy Management System version 4 (EMS4), collects site energy and water

consumption and costs.

• Federal Automotive Statistical Tool (FAST), collects fleet inventory and fuel use.

• Consolidated Energy Data Report (CEDR), collects additional data on metering

requirements, water use, renewable energy generation and purchases, and

sustainable buildings.

• Site Sustainability Plan Performance Reporting, collects data on site identified

sustainability projects and supports Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA)

Section 432 compliance.

• Integrated Facilities Infrastructure (IFI) Crosscut, identifies the resource

requirements associated with Ten Year Site Plan implementation.

• Ten Year Site Plans (TYSP), collects planned additions or changes to the real

property portfolio.

• Facilities Information Management System (FIMS), collects data concerning real

property attributes and use.

DOE will develop and promulgate internal DOE Sustainability Scorecards to track program

and site performance towards meeting the SSPP goals.  This scorecard will be developed

and disseminated for internal review and comment during the first part of FY 2011.  DOE

will also prepare DOE’s semi‐annual report to OMB and CEQ in response to the

sustainability scorecard process.   
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Table 1: Critical Planning Coordination

The following table shows the long‐term integrating relationship between the SSPP and

other planning and reporting efforts used by DOE.    A “Yes” means the SSPP has been

integrated into the subject report, “P” means it will be integrated within the next fiscal

year, “No” means it has not yet been planned for integration, and “N/A” means

integration is not applicable or not appropriate.  

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

Department Innovation

GPRA Strategic Plan Yes Yes N/A Yes P P P P Yes Yes

Circular A‐11 300s N/A N/A N/A No N/A N/A N/A Yes No N/A

Annual Energy Data

Report Yes Yes Yes N/A N/A Yes N/A N/A N/A N/A

EISA Section 432 Facility

Evaluations/ Project

Reporting

Yes N/A N/A No N/A Yes N/A N/A Yes Yes

Budget P P P P P P P P P P

Asset Management Plan

/ 3 Year Timeline P N/A N/A No N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Circular A‐11 Exhibit 53s N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A No No N/A

OMB Scorecards N/A N/A N/A Yes N/A Yes N/A Yes Yes N/A

DOE's Annual Federal

Fleet Report to Congress

and the President

Yes N/A Yes N/A Yes N/A N/A Yes N/A Yes

Data Center

Consolidation Plan N/A N/A N/A P N/A N/A N/A P P P

Environmental

Management System Yes P P Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes P

Site Sustainability Plans P P P Yes P Yes P Yes P No

High Performance and

Sustainable Buildings

Implementation Plan

P N/A N/A Yes P Yes N/A P N/A N/A

Affirmative

Procurement Plan for

Green Purchasing

No P N/A Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes No

US Climate Change

Technology Program

Strategic Plan (2006)

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes N/A N/A Yes Yes Yes

Federal GHG Accounting

& Reporting Guidance Yes Yes Yes N/A N/A Yes Yes Yes N/A Yes

Federal Procurement

Data System N/A N/A N/A P N/A N/A N/A Yes P N/A
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V. Evaluating Return on Investment

The Department will establish a process to prioritize projects that most cost‐effectively

meet the SSPP’s energy and environmental goals, while generating the greatest cost

savings for DOE as it executes its mission.  Each project considered for funding will be

evaluated first on economic Return on Investment (ROI) and then on an ROI that

includes environmental and social benefits.  DOE will calculate the ROI of resource

conservation and GHG reduction projects as described below.

Financial ROI is one of several key factors in prioritizing projects and determining the

ability to implement these projects (especially for direct appropriation proposals).  In

addition to the components of ROI, DOE may consider (although is not limited to) the

following criteria when assessing projects:  

• Cost per unit contribution to the SSPP energy and environmental goals

• Program/site priorities and future plans in support of its missions

• Local and regional planning factors

• Current site infrastructure and planned new construction

• Site energy or water consumption and cost trends

• Public visibility (DOE places value on showcasing technologies developed

through its research efforts)

• Risk management consideration (e.g., environmental remediation from

unplanned spills and releases)

• Safety and health

• Continuity of operations

• Social cost of carbon (SCC)

a. Economic Lifecycle Cost / Return on Investment

When evaluating proposed projects, DOE will use a rigorous cost‐benefit analysis for

selecting projects and initiatives.  Return on Investment and Net Present Value

(NPV) will be calculated per OMB Circular A‐94 “Guidelines and Discount Rates for

Benefits – Cost Analysis of Federal Programs.”  Other financial calculations may be

performed to determine payback period, internal rate of return (IRR), and project

cost effectiveness with regard to GHG, energy and water savings over time.

b. Social Costs & Benefits

Beyond a financial ROI, the Department will consider the social costs of GHG

emissions and the benefits of abatement.  These social costs will factor into the ROI

analysis through the use of a nominal SCC as provided in “Social Cost of Carbon for
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Regulatory Impact Analysis” under EO 12866.2  The 2010 SCC value of $21.40 per

mTCO2e will be used as an additional project review factor after an NPV and other

financial analyses are completed, and its value will be adjusted over time to reflect

inflation and other relevant escalation rates.

c. Environmental Costs & Benefits

DOE will continue to factor environmental costs and benefits into its ROI analysis.  

Previous statutes and EOs mandating resource conservation provide a strong

framework to guide the Department’s continuing efforts to reduce its collective

environmental impact.  DOE will apply lifecycle analysis to actions with

environmental impacts to reveal the proportionality of their implementation costs

to their contribution to the SSPP energy and environmental goals.  

d. Mission‐Specific Costs & Benefits

Many core DOE activities are highly energy intensive.  Scientific tools (such as

accelerators, synchrotron light sources, reactors and supercomputers), materials

development processes, and environmental remediation (such as tank waste

treatment), require ready access to reliable energy and backup power at reasonable

costs.   DOE will take proactive steps to address the energy supply sources at these

facilities to maximize GHG reduction opportunities.

  

In completing its environmental responsibilities, DOE will consider opportunities to

accelerate deactivation and decommissioning (D&D) of excess facilities as well as

opportunities to deploy more sustainable D&D technologies such as in situ

decommissioning.  DOE will also continue to incorporate green remediation

practices into its environmental cleanup program.

In addition, DOE will evaluate the use of mission specific research, such as energy

efficiency and renewable energy, for projects that can be demonstrated at DOE

sites.  Such demonstrations can put DOE research into practice, increase DOE energy

savings and renewable energy, and potentially reduce associated costs for DOE and

commercial technology transfer.

e. Operations & Maintenance and Deferred Investments

DOE site managers are responsible for implementing effective real property

management processes and proper application of operations and maintenance (O&M)

funds.  Maintenance and repair activities are prioritized based on many factors including

safety, quality of life, protection of assets, and protection of the environment.  The

Department maintains a backlog of deferred maintenance (i.e., maintenance activities

that were deferred beyond their optimal time for execution).  Certain deferred

 

2 See  

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/commercial/pdfs/smallmotors_tsd/sem_fin

alrule_appendix15a.pdf  
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maintenance results in increased energy usage and generates additional repair costs

(e.g., a leaking roof will damage internal building components if not fixed).  Site

Managers will consider energy, water and GHG reduction opportunities when

prioritizing maintenance, repair and deferred maintenance activities.

f. Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability

Climate change is expected to affect the United States in a number of ways.  

Warming oceans will raise sea levels, which could lead to negative consequences for

DOE coastal sites.  Climate change may also change patterns of rainfall, resulting in

greater water scarcity in parts of the country.  Increased water scarcity poses the

greatest risk to DOE sites that rely on large amounts of water for waste processing

and power generation, particularly those in drier regions of the country.  Climate

change may also increase the frequency and intensity of storms, which may lead to

greater potential damage to DOE sites and an increased likelihood of power loss,

localized flooding, and other threats to business continuity and infrastructure.  DOE

will study and consider these concerns as environmental factors when evaluating

project prioritization.    

g. Alternative Funding Approaches

The Department utilizes third‐party financing mechanisms such as ESPCs and UESCs

to finance energy efficiency and conservation measures.  By using these approaches,

the Department leverages private sector financing and expertise.  When entering

into alternative financing arrangements, DOE will work to ensure reasonable cost

savings estimates, proper project implementation, sound contract oversight, and

accurate measurement and verification of savings.   

VI. Transparency

The Department commits to transparent communication on sustainability with both

internal and external audiences.  Keeping stakeholders apprised of DOE progress and

results is consistent with DOE’s Open Government Plan3 and is essential to achieving the

requisite cultural change needed to integrate sustainability as a Department core value.

The Department will engage in two‐way internal communication to inform continuous

improvement in the implementation of the EOs and related statutes.  This will include

gathering data and operational experience from DOE programs and sites through

reporting processes, and dissemination of internal scorecards.

Information will be accessible through DOE’s website where the SSPP, and associated

milestones/performance information, will be posted.  DOE will provide periodic updates

on the status of programs, initiatives and accomplishments associated with the SSPP.

 

3 http://www.energy.gov/open/documents/DOE_OGI_Plan_07Apr2010.pdf   
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Section 2:  Performance Review & Annual Update

I.  Summary of Accomplishments

The Department has made considerable progress in its sustainability efforts under the

requirements of EO 13423 and related statutes.  These accomplishments are

summarized below and include discussion of successful programs, lessons learned and

anticipated challenges.

Progress toward Facility Energy and Water Goals

In FY 2009, DOE reported a 17.4% decrease in energy intensity compared to FY 2003 for

facilities subject to the statutory goal of 12%, as noted in Table 2.  This reduction includes

purchases of 778 billion British Thermal Units (Btu) of renewable energy.  Without these

purchases, DOE’s reduction is 14%, still surpassing the 12% goal for the year.

Table 2: Energy Intensity Progress

Energy Management

Requirement

FY 2003

Btu/GSF

FY 2009

Btu/GSF

% Change

2003 ‐ 2009

FY 2009 Goal

Target

Reduction of facility energy

intensity  

225,483 186,355 ‐17.4% ‐12.0%

The reduction in energy intensity is the result of energy conservation measures, reduced

mission‐related activities and the downsizing of some operations and facilities.  As

manpower is reduced and facilities are closed, efforts to consolidate operations and

minimize energy use in vacated buildings will continue.   

During FY 2009, DOE sites use of renewable electric energy was 4.7% of total electricity

use, surpassing the goal of 3% for FY 2009 (see Table 3).  Of DOE’s total 236 Gigawatt

hours (GWH) of renewable electricity use, 225 GWH came from new renewable energy

(RE) sources (developed after January 1, 1999).   

Table 3: Renewable Energy Progress

Renewable Energy Requirement Renewable

Electricity Use

(MWH)

Total Electric

Use  

(MWH)

RE as % of

Total Electric

Use

FY 2009 Goal

Target

Eligible renewable electricity use

as a percentage of total

electricity use

235,945.0 4,971,650.0 4.7% 3.0%

In FY 2009, DOE facilities generated about 1,900 MWH of renewable electricity from 141

on‐site projects, or approximately 0.8% of DOE’s total of eligible renewable energy

(purchases are the main source).  In addition to renewable electric energy, DOE used

46.2 billion Btu of renewable biomass gas and thermal energy in FY 2009.  Eight
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renewable thermal energy projects, not counted under the statutory renewable energy

goal, produced 182 billion Btu of energy.

There are several significant projects being pursued or underway that will increase RE

generated at DOE sites.  Construction started on a biomass co‐generation plant at the

Savannah River Site, which will replace an existing old and inefficient coal plant, and

save an estimated 100,000 metric tons of CO2 annually4 and 1.4 billion gallons of water.  

Two additional biomass steam plants are under construction at Savannah River,

replacing existing fossil‐fuel‐fired plants and reducing the miles of steam piping needed

to move the heat.  A biomass steam generation plant is scheduled to be operational in

2011 at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).  It will replace four aging natural gas‐

fired boilers and reduce annual CO2 emissions by over 55,000 metric tons, along with

significant reductions in air pollutants.  The National Energy Technology

Laboratory installed satellite biomass low pressure steam and hot water boilers in

various DOE buildings at its Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania site, replacing the existing landlord

operated coal fired high pressure central steam plant.  DOE will continue to identify

renewable energy projects and/or technology demonstrations at sites that can

contribute to sustainability goals.

As shown in Table 4, DOE sites reported a 2.6% decrease in water intensity for FY 2009

compared to FY 2007, however this does not meet the 4% reduction required by EO

13423.  The intensity reduction over the past year is partially due to reduced mission‐

related activities, implementation of best management practices and water

conservation measures (e.g., leak detection and repair).   

Table 4: Water Intensity Progress

Water Intensity Reduction Goal FY 2007

Gallon/GSF

FY 2009

Gallon/GSF

% Change

2007 ‐ 2009

FY 2009 Goal

Target

Reduction in potable water

consumption intensity

64.8 63.1 ‐2.60% ‐4.00%

DOE recognizes the potential to save money and natural resources through water

conservation.  DOE encourages its field offices and sites to include water management

plans within their facility management plans.  DOE will work to increase efforts

associated with water conservation as described in Goal 6.

The Department recently funded many facility efficiency improvements through its

aggressive use of ESPCs.  These investments totaled $139 million in FY 2008 and $176

 

4 Though the plant under construction is estimated to result in the GHG savings mentioned, the contractor

has retained rights to the carbon “credits,” so the GHG savings may not count toward DOE’s GHG

reduction goals.  The renewable energy attributes of the generation are retained by DOE under the

contract, so the project will count toward the Department’s renewable energy goal.
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million in FY 2009 (33% and 43% of annual facility energy costs, respectively).   DOE will

continue to pursue alternative finance projects as appropriate.  

Progress toward Fleet Transportation Goals

DOE demonstrates compliance with requirements to decrease petroleum use, increase

use of alternative vehicle fuels, and the other requirements for covered fleet vehicles as

shown in Table 5.

Table 5:  DOE’s FY 2009 Performance in Meeting EPACT 2005 and EO 13423 Requirements

Authority/

Mandate Performance Measure Goal/Requirement

DOE Performance

in FY 2009

Energy Policy

Act (EPACT)

1992

Alternative fuel vehicle

(AFV) acquisitions

75% of the 733 covered

light‐duty vehicles (LDV)

acquired in FY 2009 must be

AFVs

Acquired 1,237 AFVs and

earned 169 additional

credits1for a total of

1,406 credits or 192% of

covered acquisitions.

Compliant

EO 13423 Reduce consumption of

subject2 petroleum by 2%

annually through the end of

FY 2015 from FY 2005

baseline3

Reduce consumption of

subject petroleum to below

FY 2009 target of 6,798,690

gasoline gallon equivalents

(GGE)

Reduced consumption of

subject petroleum to

6,185,765 GGE (8.3%

below the FY 2009

target). Compliant

Increase annual alternative

fuel consumption by 10%

(compounded annually)

through the end of FY 2015

from FY 2005 baseline2

Increase alternative fuel

consumption equal to or

above FY 2009 target of

913,276 GGE

Increased alternative fuel

consumption to

1,307,721 GGE (43.2%

over the FY 2009 target).     

Compliant

EPACT 2005,

Section 701

Alternative fuel use in AFVs Operate all dual‐fuel AFVs

on alternative fuel unless

the AFV is granted a waiver

for fuel availability or cost

Used 340 GGE of

alternative fuel per non‐

waivered dual‐fuel AFV.       

Compliant

1

Credits earned for biodiesel use. 2

“Subject” petroleum includes the petroleum used in all light‐duty, medium‐duty, and heavy‐duty

vehicles, unless such vehicles are exempted from EO 13423 (e.g., law enforcement, emergency, and

military tactical vehicles, and vehicles operated outside of the U.S.). 3

DOE’s FY 2005 subject petroleum baseline is 7,389,881 GGE and FY 2005 alternative fuel baseline is

623,779 GGE.  

The Department continues to transform its vehicle fleet to utilize alternative fuels.  In

order to further reduce GHG emissions from petroleum use, DOE is exploring options to

transform its fleet.  In April 2010, DOE announced that it will leverage EO 13514 to

double its hybrid vehicle fleet.  Replacing 850 DOE vehicles with hybrid vehicles will

bring the total number of hybrids at the Department to 985, while DOE continues to

reduce the overall size of its vehicle fleet.
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Progress toward Other Sustainability Goals

In FY 2009, DOE attained a status of “Green” on three out of four environmental

stewardship performance metrics on the OMB scorecard:  Environmental Management

Systems (EMS), Affirmative Procurement Program, and Electronic Stewardship.

Through its ongoing implementation of robust site‐level EMS, DOE institutionalized an

effective framework for implementing sustainability throughout the complex.  All sites

have fully implemented EMS, most of which already address many EO 13514 goals.  

Environmental Management Systems provide a structure for the site‐level cross‐cutting

and multi‐functional coordination necessary to plan for, and achieve, the Department’s

sustainability goals.   

DOE continued its leadership in Federal electronics stewardship in FY 2009.  Over 97% of

computers leased or purchased by DOE were Electronic Product Environmental

Assessment Tool (EPEAT)‐registered; over 95% of DOE sites extended life‐spans of

computers and monitors to at least 48 months; and over 99% of DOE end‐of‐life or

surplus electronics were reused or recycled.  In addition, over 90% of DOE sites,

representing over 95% of DOE Federal and contractor personnel, employed power

management on computers and monitors.

During FY 2009 DOE was unable to demonstrate implementation of Federal Guiding

Principles for Sustainable Design (GP) in 3% of its new, existing and leased enduring

buildings larger than 5,000 square feet.  DOE’s status changed from “Green” to “Red”

with only 1.2% of eligible buildings meeting the GP.  DOE has committed to completing a

large number of building‐level evaluations (FY 2011‐2012), and will continue numerous

projects to bring additional buildings into GP conformance.  The Department is closely

monitoring this effort, and will continue to provide technical support and training to its

Program Offices and sites to increase the rate at which buildings can meet the GPs.   

DOE sites have already implemented several green waste management systems.  All

sites have recycling programs in place, reporting in FY 2009 a 49% diversion of waste

Department‐wide.  Twenty‐one sites have recycling programs that cover compostable

and organic materials, diverting over 10,000 metric tons from landfills in FY 2009.   

DOE purchases of recycled‐content products exceeded $38M in FY 2009.  Sites reported

an increase in the variety and number of sites purchasing bio‐based products, and over

98% of DOE Federal and contractor personnel reported preferences for, and purchases

of, ENERGY STAR® products.  Sites also reported a preference for and purchase of

Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP)‐designated and WaterSense labeled

products.

Federal Energy Management Program Activities

Unique among other Federal agencies is the coordinating and support role of DOE’s

Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP).  FEMP’s mission is to “facilitate the
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Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan | Page 17

Federal Government's implementation of sound, cost‐effective energy management and

investment practices to enhance the nation's energy security and environmental

stewardship.”  Given the strong association between greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

and energy management, FEMP has been specifically tasked under EO 13514 to provide

critical support to the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) in

implementing the Order including providing detailed recommendations for GHG

accounting and reporting, guidance on Federal fleet management, technical assistance

to agencies, and chairing several interagency working groups.  Currently, FEMP also has

a key role in supporting DOE’s internal sustainability efforts.  Further details on FEMP’s

Government‐wide and internal support roles, recent activities, and accomplishments

related to EO 13514 are provided in Appendix 3.  

II. Goal Performance Review

The Strategy.  To achieve the goals outlined in this plan, and achieve the Secretary of

Energy’s intent to demonstrate Sustainable Science, the Department will organize its

management and implementation efforts in four major areas.  First, DOE will strengthen

its internal management structure to enhance decision‐making, analysis and

accountability, with significant responsibilities delegated to the Under Secretaries but

performance tracked centrally.   Second, the Department will undertake a wholesale

assessment of its sustainability posture, collecting critical energy and efficiency data

across the entire complex in order to inform future investments decisions.  Third, the

Department will put in place a robust goal attainment and performance management

system based on metering, benchmarking and documented efficiency gains.  Finally, in

recognition that goal attainment is, at the end of the day, a question not only of

technology and data, but of leadership, the Department will establish dedicated efforts

to change individual and collective behavior through incentive programs and periodic

reporting to the Department’s uppermost management.   All of this will be

accomplished as rapidly as possible while maintaining a commitment to public

transparency and mission accomplishment.  

DOE Organization. Under the Deputy Secretary (who is also the SSO) are the Under

Secretary for Nuclear Security, the Under Secretary for Science, and the Under Secretary

for Energy.  Program Secretarial Offices report to the Under Secretaries.  The National

Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is aligned under the Under Secretary for Nuclear

Security.  The Office of Science is aligned under the Under Secretary for Science.  All

other major PSOs are aligned under the Under Secretary for Energy.  The Management

PSO, which is responsible for the Headquarters offices, and the four Power Marketing

Administrations work directly for the Office of the Secretary.  All DOE sites are aligned

under a PSO.  

New Positions.  DOE will establish a Sustainability Performance Office (SPO) to assist the

SSO in the performance of this plan.  The office will focus on data collection, analysis,
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reporting, providing expertise as necessary, and other duties as assigned.  The SPO may

require new FTEs.  The FY 2011 SSPP will provide a more detailed discussion of mission,

and organizational placement of this office.   

Environmental Management Systems.  DOE will continue to use its existing EMS as the

overarching planning and management process to achieve the sustainability goals of the

EOs and related statutes.  The Deputy Secretary ordered the Department to integrate its

environmental and energy management directives, including conformance to

International Standards Organization (ISO) 14001 as the Department’s standard for

environmental management systems and the requirements of EO 13514.    The

Department will promulgate an Order in FY 2011 to require sites to revise their EMS, as

necessary, to incorporate activities and programs to meet the goals and targets

identified in this SSPP, to ensure conformance with the ISO 14001 standard, and to

provide annual reports to Headquarters on their progress in achieving the EO and SSPP

goals.  The Department will also use this new Order to align its corporate policies and

requirements to support the integration of energy use reduction and environmental

sustainability into site operations and activities.  

Sustainability Transformation Teams.  DOE will leverage its scientific expertise by

directing the DOE National Laboratories and sites to collectively collaborate using the

full suite of resources at their disposal (including the expertise of laboratory scientists

and engineers) to develop innovative, crosscutting strategies for meeting the Executive

Order goals.  The Sustainability Transformation Teams will aggressively address DOE

operations, including high‐energy mission specific equipment and facilities, to identify

opportunities to improve sustainability and achieve mission requirements. The

strategies recommended by the Transformation Teams will be reported to the cognizant

Under Secretaries for use by all DOE sites.  These strategies will be integrated with and

align with the Site’s ongoing sustainability planning efforts.    

SSPP Roll‐Out.   The SSPP will be introduced to DOE personnel through a well

coordinated roll out.  Activities will include:

• Distribution of a memo from the SSO to DOE personnel introducing the SSPP

• Publication and public distribution of the SSPP on a DOE website

• Convening a GHG summit of senior DOE leadership (to include laboratory Chief

Operating Officers and Chief Financial Officers)

• Verification that energy conservation and recycling are included in all new

employee orientation programs   
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1.  GOAL:  Scope 1 & 2 Greenhouse Gas Reduction

The Department’s overarching mission is to discover the solutions to powering and

securing America’s future.  As such, the Department has developed programs and

funding approaches and has invested in a range of technologies that increase

efficiency, produce clean, renewable energy, and improve transportation efficiency.  

Over the years, many such technologies were demonstrated and used at DOE sites.  

These were deployed under DOE Order 430.2B and prior Orders.  DOE will expand

these activities for EO 13514 with reduction of GHG emissions as the integrating

performance metric to increase its sustainability.

EO 13514 directed each agency to select a combined Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions

reduction goal.  The Department selected a combined Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions

reduction goal of 28% (from DOE’s FY 2008 baseline).  To reach this goal DOE will:

a. Improve the energy efficiency of processes, buildings, and facilities

b. Increase the amount of renewable energy used, with emphasis on

development of renewable energy generation on DOE sites

c. Reduce the fossil fuel use of the vehicle fleet

d. Reduce non‐CO2 fugitive gas emissions that produce GHG

Each of these strategies is discussed below.

a.   Energy Efficiency in Processes and Facilities: Reduce Facility Energy

Intensity

DOE’s real property portfolio includes over 10,000 buildings and trailers

representing more than 126M gross square feet (GSF) of office buildings,

laboratories, staging facilities, and warehouses at 47 major sites across the

country5

.  

i. Goal Description   

EISA 2007, as amended by the National Energy Conservation Policy Act

(NECPA), requires a 30% energy intensity reduction for federal facilities by

2015 (relative to a 2003 baseline).  This goal is consistent with the goal set in

Section 2a of EO 13423 and is included in Section 1.b.1 of DOE Order 430.2B.

 

5 DOE currently owns approximately 22M GSF of space that is outgranted, or leased to third parties over

which the Department has no operational or management control. Because the outgranted facilities are not

under DOE’s operational control, they are not included in DOE’s Scope 1 and 2 GHG inventory or the SSPP.  

Examples include the U.S. Enrichment Corporation’s Portsmouth, Ohio and Paducah, Kentucky.
Department of Energy | 2010

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ii. Current Status   

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate DOE’s total energy use and energy intensity,

respectively, for DOE’s real property portfolio from 2003 to 2009.  The charts

show energy subject to the 30% energy intensity goal and total energy use

(which includes energy excluded from the goal).   

By the end of FY 2009, DOE had achieved an energy intensity reduction of

14% (17.4% if Renewable Energy Certificates [RECs] are included).  The

majority of energy conservation projects have been performed through the

leveraging of ESPC contracts, as well as the implementation of best practices

and demand side management.   

DOE Energy Use 2003-2009

-

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Energy Use (10^9 BTU)

Goal Subject Buildings Energy Total Energy (Goal Subject + Excluded)

Figure 2:  Total Energy Use for DOE Real Property
Department of Energy | 2010

Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan | Page 21

DOE Energy Intensity FY03‐09

180,000

185,000

190,000

195,000

200,000

205,000

210,000

215,000

220,000

225,000

230,000

235,000

240,000

245,000

250,000

255,000

260,000

265,000

270,000

275,000

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Energy Intensity, BTU/SF

Required Energy Intensity (EI)

EI for Goal Subject Energy w/o RECs and Source Energy Credit

EI for Goal Subject Energy w/ RECs and Souce Energy Credit

EI for All Energy without RECs or Source Energy Credit

Figure 3: Energy Intensity FY03‐FY09

iii. Special Considerations

Achieving Scope 1 and 2 GHG reduction targets for FY 2020 will be more

challenging than simply meeting the energy intensity reduction target.  

NECPA allows for the exclusion of certain processes and facilities from the

energy intensity calculation.  However, the GHG emissions of these loads are

not excluded under EO 13514, and are currently subject to the 28% GHG

reduction goal.  

DOE continues to look for ways to reduce process loads at excluded facilities

without adversely affecting the mission of the Department and its facilities.  

The Sustainability Transformation Teams will examine innovative approaches

to achieving mission goals in alignment with SSPP goals.  

iv. Implementation Methods

While sufficient projects to meet the energy intensity goal are still being

identified, the Department will focus on the following actions:

• Conducting process assessments, and energy and recommissioning

audits

• Metering processes and individual buildings for performance

diagnostics

• Benchmarking building performance, with internal and external

disclosure
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• Implementing projects (energy conservation measures [ECM]) to

include recommissioning of buildings

As a priority, DOE will conduct site assessments and energy audits on

facilities and process energy use.  These audits and assessments will be used

to identify projects to support all the goals of this plan, to include energy

efficiency, cool roofs, and potential implementation of combined heat and

power (CHP) units (with or without biomass fuels).  These audits will coincide

with audits required by Section 432 of EISA 2007 and a DOE survey of energy

and water efficiency technologies installed at each site.  

Over time, buildings depart from their design behaviors.  These deviations

may occur from operator intervention, sensor degradation or equipment

malfunction.  The return of a building’s operating systems to their design

condition will often result in improved energy efficiency. DOE will perform

recommissioning assessments on 75% of its buildings (in terms of energy use)

as a priority, and will identify buildings most in need of recommissioning

measures.

DOE will establish two special purpose teams to apply, and assist site

personnel learn about state‐of‐the art water and energy auditing techniques.  

One team will be formed from DOE’s Industrial Programs Office and will

focus on process and industrial assessments.  Among other topics, this team

will look for appropriate opportunities to apply CHP technology, and will

assist in the performance of boiler assessments to improve boiler efficiency

to full compliance with EPA proposed rules for boiler tune‐ups/audits.  The

second team will be formed from DOE’s Building Technologies Program

Office and will focus on building energy, water and recommissioning

assessments.   Low or no cost corrective measures will be implemented in

the near‐term, whereas corrective measures with larger impact will be

addressed in future budget submissions.  These teams will provide

assessments and technical assistance to sites, programs, SPO and the Under

Secretaries to enable sharing of technical expertise, public and private best

practices, and access to state‐of‐the‐art industrial process and building

assessments.

Metering is critical to resource control, as well as measurement and

verification (M&V) of implemented ECMs.  It is currently estimated that only

40% of DOE’s buildings are individually metered for electricity.6

  NECPA, as

amended by EPAct 2005, requires the installation of electrical meters by

2012, with advanced electrical meters “to the maximum extent practicable.”   

 

6 Metering guidance can be found at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/pdfs/adv_metering.pdf   
Department of Energy | 2010

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EISA 2007 mandates appropriate building level metering of natural gas and

steam by 2016. Electrical meter installation will remain a near‐term priority.   

DOE will re‐evaluate, update and promulgate internal metering guidance.  

Sites will adjust their metering plans accordingly.  

The majority of DOE buildings fall into one of two groups:  a multi‐building

facility (often called a campus), or stand‐alone buildings.  DOE’s metering

philosophy differs between these two groups and is discussed below.

1)  Multi‐building sites

• For unmetered buildings and processes, DOE will install electricity

meters so that at least 90% of the multi‐building facility (in terms

of energy use) is metered.

• For unmetered buildings and processes, DOE will install natural

gas and steam meters, as appropriate, so that at least 90% of the

multi‐building facility (in terms of energy use) is metered.

2) Stand alone buildings, such as headquarters buildings in Washington

DC and  Germantown MD, that are not part of multi‐building facilities will

be metered for electricity, natural gas, and steam, and benchmarked

through monthly reporting of energy use.  

To increase transparency of energy and building performance information,

the Department will use metering data for benchmarking purposes.  

Benchmarking is a key energy efficiency management tool.  It allows facility

managers to compare individual building performance to similar buildings,

and allows comparison to the building’s performance in previous years.  DOE

will benchmark all individually metered buildings in Energy Star Portfolio

Manager to allow DOE decision makers to analyze building energy use on a

building, site, or portfolio level to better inform corporate budget decisions.

Under DOE Order 430.2B, DOE sites annually submit data on the status of

their actual and potential energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.  

Currently, DOE has over 100 projects under contract for a combined

investment of about $500M (with about $340M of that under ESPC contract).  

An additional 35 projects are in development (meaning they are preparing to

solicit bids).  DOE will continue to identify and develop energy efficiency and

renewable energy projects (to include building commissioning and

recommissioning) to reduce the energy cost and footprint of the various

sites.  A summary of energy projects underway is provided in Appendix 4.  

Over the long term, the Department will reduce facility energy intensity by:  

• Installing energy improvements in existing buildings (equipment

upgrades; improving maintenance, commissioning procedures, and
Department of Energy | 2010

Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan | Page 24

operating procedures, retrofitting with “cool roofs”7 and ENERGY

STAR® materials and appliances where appropriate, and building

envelope improvements)

• Construction of new buildings that are highly efficient and follow the

GP of sustainability (see Goal 4)

• Disposing excess real property inventory

• Reduction of process energy loads where practical

• Utilization of advanced building metering for real time control and

display, and to encourage energy efficient practices among

employees through awards and incentives

• Utilization of DOE facilities for energy demonstration projects and

emerging technologies for commercial use

• Systematic consideration of energy reduction as a factor in the

decision process for maintenance and repair

• Re‐benchmarking individually metered buildings (annually) to compare

building performance to peers and to past years.  Building energy

performance benchmarks will be publically disclosed  

• Re‐verifying (periodically) that “green buildings” continue to meet

green building certifications    

• Recognizing highest performing buildings with Secretarial Awards.

Reducing the energy intensity of existing facilities will continue to be a major

component of the sustainability strategy.  Purchased electricity accounts for

approximately 60% of DOE’s Scope 1 and 2 GHG inventory.

Existing Facilities.  Numerous opportunities exist to improve the energy

efficiency of existing buildings.  These include:

• Installing more efficient equipment or better equipment controls

• Improving maintenance, commissioning, and operating procedures)  

• Retrofitting buildings with “cool roofs”

• Using ENERGY STAR® materials and appliances

• Improving the building envelope (insulation, windows, and

weatherization)

Facility Deactivation and Decommissioning.  DOE will continue to dispose of

assets no longer needed for current or future mission.  Facilities identified for

disposition, but not removed will operate at minimal energy levels so as to

prevent further environmental degradation.

 

7 See Secretary of Energy memo of June 1, 2010:  Installation of Cool Roofs on Department of Energy

Buildings
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Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan | Page 25

From 2003 through 2009, DOE conducted D&D procedures on about 2.1M

GSF per year (averaging about 400 buildings/year).  For planning purposes, it

is assumed that about 2M GSF per year of building inventory will be

decommissioned and disposed of each year from FY 2010 through FY 2020.  

The Department uses a “one‐for‐one” policy, which states that for every

square foot of new construction, one square foot of similar building type

must be removed.8

New Construction.  DOE Order 430.2B requires all new construction and

major renovations under $5M to comply with the GP, and buildings above

that threshold to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

(LEED) Gold certification, if it had not reached critical decision 2 (CD‐2)

before October 1, 2008.  Both LEED Gold criteria and the GP analyze and

score energy efficiency, water efficiency, and energy saving strategies.  As of

May 2010, there are 87 buildings and structures scheduled for completion by

FY 2020 (in development at CD‐2 or above).  These buildings will add in

excess of 6M GSF and consume over 800,000 MWH of electricity and over

400M cubic feet of natural gas each year.  

As anticipated construction of new facilities may increase future energy

consumption, the Department is ensuring facilities are designed and built to

operate as efficiently as possible while achieving mission goals.  Increased

energy consumption will be offset by increased renewable energy

generation, energy efficiency, and REC procurement, as necessary.

v. Department Lead for Goal  

The three Under Secretaries are responsible for meeting the target to include

the planning, budgeting, development, implementation and oversight.9

vi. Positions

As previously described, DOE plans to establish an SPO.   

DOE will conduct a “training needs assessment” of all DOE designated energy

managers and develop a strategy for addressing noted shortfalls.  DOE will

require the Facility Energy Manager of every DOE site to attain a Certified

Energy Manager qualification.  The Energy Manager position on all sites with

 

8 House Report 109‐086 – Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill, 2006.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi‐bin/cpquery/R?cp109:FLD010:@1(hr086)  

9 The three Under Secretaries are responsible for each of their operations, the DOE Office of Management

(MA) is responsible for the two Headquarters buildings, the DOE Office of Health, Safety and Security

(HSS) is responsible for the National Training Center, and each Administrator of a Power Marketing

Administration is individually responsible for their organization.
Department of Energy | 2010

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greater than 5 million square feet of buildings shall be a full time position

focused on water, energy and GHG management.  

b. Renewable Electricity Installation & Use

A number of DOE sites are located in areas with abundant renewable energy

resources (to include solar in New Mexico, wind in Texas and Idaho, and

biomass in South Carolina).  Even before the current group of statutes and

Executive Orders, DOE led the Nation in the development of renewable

energy.   

i. Goal Description

EPAct 2005 requires federal agencies to ensure that no less than 5% of its

electric energy comes from renewable sources from 2010‐2012, and that no

less than 7.5% be from renewable electric sources in FY 2013 and beyond.  

EO 13423 requires that at least half of the required renewable energy come

from “new” (post 1999) renewable energy sources, and encourages

departments to install renewable energy generation on site for use by the

site.   

ii. Current Status  

Most DOE sites have installed and use some form of renewable power.  The

larger scale renewable electricity installations are located in Colorado,

including almost 2 MW from photovoltaic (PV) arrays and up to 4 MW from

wind turbines.  DOE has smaller projects in other locations, including rooftop

PV arrays in Washington DC, geothermal power in Wyoming, and dish

Sterling solar power systems in New Mexico.  Additional large‐scale projects

being developed on DOE property include a major biomass powered co‐

generation plant in South Carolina and a 37 MW PV system in New York.

At the beginning of FY 2010, DOE received 0.16% of its electrical energy from

on‐site renewable sources.  By FY 2011, DOE expects to add another 0.5% of

renewable electricity, primarily from wind energy at the National Renewable

Energy Laboratory (NREL).  An additional 4.4% of on‐site renewable electric

power (primarily from the biomass powered CHP plant at the Savannah River

Site) is expected to be on line by the end of FY 2012, for a total of 5.1% of

DOE’s electricity consumption coming from renewable sources.     

iii. Special Considerations

Many potential alternatively financed or PPA projects do not meet NPV or

ROI criteria because of the limited contracting periods currently authorized

for these projects.  Expanding the contracted period for PPAs could expand

commercial interest in developing and financing renewable energy projects.  
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DOE will work to determine how this period could be expanded for future

negotiation.  

Large bulk energy contracts have allowed DOE sites to obtain highly

favorable energy rates in many regions of the country.  On a purely economic

basis, many renewable energy technologies may not be able to compete with

this low cost of energy, however renewable energy has many benefits.  

Moving forward, the Department will take social and environmental costs

into consideration when determining the best mix of energy sources and

negotiating future utility contracts.  

  

DOE owns and controls large tracts of land that have been reclaimed after

industrial cleanup.  Much of this land requires long‐term monitoring and is

not currently suitable for unconstrained development.  DOE will examine the

feasibility of using this land for future RE production.  The Department is

pursuing Enhanced Use Leasing (EUL) authority to improve opportunities to

make this land useful without interfering with the long‐term monitoring

effort.   

iv. Implementation Methods

Renewable energy assessment reports for a large number of DOE sites were

completed in the 2007‐2009 timeframe.  A sufficient number of projects

were identified to meet the RE goal from on‐site projects, however, few

projects were found to have a positive NPV or ROI at that time.  DOE will

continue to evaluate the more promising projects for development while

researching favorable new projects.   

In the near term DOE will:

• Conduct site surveys and identify new projects

• Collaborate with other Federal agencies to leverage opportunities and

best practices

• Develop and construct renewable energy projects as appropriate  

• Purchase “green power” to meet statutory and EO goals as necessary

• Work with other agencies to determine best practices for alternative

financing mechanisms.

Site assessments and energy audits will enable DOE to identify new, more

promising projects.  In the past, many renewable energy projects could not

compete against the low cost of grid‐supplied energy.  Factors that increase

the local cost of electricity (such as a carbon tax, grid congestion, or new

billing structure) may significantly change the financial viability of renewable

energy projects.  As such, additional assessments will be conducted each

year to investigate the technical and economic feasibility of new projects or
Department of Energy | 2010

Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan | Page 28

to re‐evaluate the financial viability of an existing proposal where local

factors may have changed.  

DOE funds the development of many new RE technologies.  The Department

will evaluate its sites to determine their potential to perform large‐scale

demonstration and/or installation of new RE and EE technologies

While most previous large projects were funded using alternative financing

methods, other promising projects may need a combination of appropriated

and alternative funding to be considered for development.    In addition, DOE

will evaluate the use of renewable energy PPAs in the western United States

for periods longer than 10 years (through the Western Area Power

Administration).   

During the period FY 2012‐2020, DOE will demonstrate leadership by

achieving the following goals:  

• Produce at least 7.5% of its electricity from on–site sources (eliminate

the need to buy green power)

• Co‐fire all coal‐fed boilers with biomass to the maximum extent

possible (where an economic source of biomass is available)

• Conduct large‐scale demonstration of promising RE technologies at

DOE sites

v. Department Lead for Goal  

The three Under Secretaries are responsible for meeting the target to include

the planning, budgeting, development, implementation and oversight.

vi. Positions

As previously described, DOE plans to establish an SPO.   

c.   Fleet

DOE maintains a diverse fleet of vehicles.  While some are passenger

vehicles, others are medium‐ and heavy‐duty trucks or are special purpose

vehicles.  At the end of 2009, the DOE fleet consisted of 14,279 vehicles

managed by 96 reporting organizations distributed throughout the United

States.  This fleet included 5,067 E‐85 capable vehicles, 213 compressed

natural gas vehicles, 135 hybrids, 13 liquid natural gas, and three liquid

petroleum gas vehicles.
Department of Energy | 2010

Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan | Page 29

i. Goal Description

EISA 2007 and EO 13423 require a 2% per year reduction in fleet petroleum

use through FY 2015 (from a FY 2005 baseline).  EO 13514 incorporates this

requirement and extends it to 2020, for an overall reduction of 30%.  EISA

2007 also requires federal agencies to increase the use of non‐petroleum

fuels by 10% annually.   EISA 2007, EO 13423 and EO 13514 all provide

direction for federal agencies to purchase low GHG emitting vehicles,

including alternative fuel vehicles.

ii. Current Status

DOE currently meets all annual requirements of the law and the various EOs.     

DOE has already met the 2013 milestone for alternative fuel use.  

iii. Special Considerations

The commencement or completion of a large environmental management

activity (which frequently uses a significant number of heavy duty vehicles)

may drive DOE’s fuel statistics up or down by a significant percentage.  As a

result, petroleum fuel usage numbers will fluctuate along a trend line.  

While DOE met the petroleum reduction goal in 2009, many projects will

start and stop before FY 2020.  To date DOE has not reduced fuel usage

enough to ensure the fluctuation remains below the required limit, and thus

will determine and undertake additional measures to ensure continued

compliance.   

DOE has a large proportion of medium‐and heavy‐duty vehicles, almost

three times the proportion of other Federal agencies.  While few cost

effective fuel savings options currently exist, DOE will consider shifting to

biofuels where possible, and will closely examine potential solutions in the

research and development pipeline and move to adopt them where

appropriate.    

iv. Implementation Methods

DOE is taking large, bold steps to reach the various goals:

• Replace the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) diesel bus fleet

• Use a Geographic Information System optimization tool to guide

relocation of light weight vehicles

• Purchase hybrid electric vehicles (HEV)

• Relocate E‐85 capable vehicles

• Develop infrastructure to support electric vehicles (EV) and plug‐in

hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV)

• Increase use of biodiesel for diesel fueled vehicles

• Downsize to smaller vehicles where feasible  

• Conduct driver training
Department of Energy | 2010

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• Eliminate unnecessary vehicles in the fleet

The DOE bus fleet at INL is a major consumer of petroleum diesel fuel.  DOE

intends to replace these buses with new buses powered by compressed

natural gas.  Doing so, DOE will greatly reduce its petroleum use, increase its

use of alternative fuels, and entice employees who currently drive to the site

to take the bus (reducing Scope 3 GHG emissions).  The timing and method

to conduct this replacement is currently under evaluation.

The Department of Energy is funding development of a fleet optimization

tool by NREL.  This tool will optimize the deployment of alternative fuel

vehicles to maximize their use of alternative fuels; and to optimize the fleet

vehicle inventory to ensure mission needs are met with the appropriate size

and number of vehicles.  DOE intends to use this program in the

management of its light vehicle fleet.  

DOE has committed to acquiring a large number of HEVs.  These vehicles,

with better fuel economy than the vehicles they replace, will reduce the

Department’s purchase of gasoline.  DOE will replace 850 gasoline vehicles

with HEVs in the near future.

In parallel with the purchase of these HEVs, DOE will relocate its E‐85

capable vehicles into regions of the country where E‐85 is more

commercially available.  Where needed, DOE will install filling stations on

site or at a convenient location to support the relocation of E‐85 vehicles.  

These actions will increase access of E‐85 capable vehicles to E‐85 fuels,

increasing the Department’s use of alternative fuels.

DOE recognizes that EV and PHEV will be available in the near future.  In

preparation for these vehicles, DOE will establish a program to encourage

the installation of electric charging stations for site use, and for use by

commuters.  Where possible, this program would be tied to the installation

of on‐site renewable energy generation.  These actions would reduce DOE’s

purchase of petroleum fuels and would provide an incentive for commuting

employees to purchase electric capable vehicles (EV or PHEV), reducing

Scope 3 emissions.

DOE also will conduct training of potential drivers to help them develop

skills and behaviors to maximize the fuel economy of these vehicles.  This

training will be provided to both federal and site contractor employees.

  
Department of Energy | 2010

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v. Department Lead for Goal

The three Under Secretaries are responsible for meeting the target to

include the planning, budgeting, development, implementation and

oversight.

vi. Positions

As previously described, DOE plans to establish an SPO.   

d.   Fugitive Emissions

i. Goal Description

DOE will reduce GHG emissions from non‐CO2 sources, and will set specific

yearly reduction milestones in the near future.

ii. Current Status

DOE’s non‐CO2 GHG emissions comprise an estimated 14% of the DOE Scope

1 and 2 GHG inventory.  These estimates are being validated while a new

process is developed to track fugitive emissions.  The majority of these GHG

emissions are from of SF6 gas releases, where SF6 is commonly used as an

electric insulator (dielectric medium) in high‐voltage electrical equipment.  

Its release is attributed to three causes:  maintenance, equipment failure,

and gas seepage.  Release estimates are based on historical purchasing

documents and not by direct monitoring for leakage.   As such, these

estimates do not differentiate between the various causes of leakage or the

fluctuating inventory of gas in the subject equipment.     

iii. Special Considerations

Over 95% of the SF6 emissions come from nine sites, with over 80% coming

from just four sites.  DOE will work to determine how best to reduce SF6

emissions.  Reduction efforts will be targeted to these specific sites.  

iv. Implementation Plan

DOE will address SF6 emissions through a two‐fold approach:

• Reduce SF6 released during maintenance actions

• Find an alternative dielectric medium that is eco‐friendly and provides

comparable or superior electrical insulation performance

Reducing maintenance emissions will be accomplished with capture and

storage equipment, developing procedures to recapture and then reuse SF6

recovered during maintenance actions, developing training, and deploying

the SF6 capture program at key DOE sites.  The necessary capture equipment

is commercially available.
Department of Energy | 2010

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A Fugitive Gas Working Group will be established to share information and

monitoring/control technology amongst those sites with such gases.  This

group will also be tasked to look for an environmentally friendly replacement

material.  If no such material can be found, DOE will consider providing

support for the development of an eco‐friendly replacement material.   

v. Department Lead for Goal

The three Under Secretaries, with assistance from the Office of Procurement

Assistance Management and the Office of Health, Safety and Security, are

responsible for target planning, budgeting, development, implementation and

oversight.

vi. Positions

As previously described, DOE plans to establish an SPO.   
Department of Energy | 2010

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Table 6: Goal 1 Planning Table10

2.  GOAL:  Scope 3 Greenhouse Gas Reduction

There are many categories of Scope 3 GHG emissions.  For the Plan submitted in

June 2010 only three categories are considered:  employee travel, contracted

waste disposal, and transmission and distribution losses from purchased

electricity.   While reduction actions for each category are separate, they

primarily focus on changing human decisions:  find ways to perform less travel,

 

10 Funding amounts provided are strictly estimates and are subject to change.

SCOPE 1&2 GHG TARGET

Unit

FY 10FY 11FY 12FY 13FY 14FY 15FY 16

....

FY 20

Energy Intensity Reduction

Goals.   BTU/SF reduced from

FY03 base year)

% 15% 18% 21% 24% 27% 30% hold ... hold

Planned Energy Intensity

Reduction.  (BTU/SF reduced

from FY03 base year)  

% 18% 19% 21% 24% 27% 30% hold ... hold

Meter building and processes

on multi‐building sites for

electricity (% of energy use on

each site)

Buildings

% 20% 75% 90% hold hold hold hold ... hold

Meter buildings and processes

on multi‐building sites for

natural gas, steam and chill

water (% of resource use on

each site)

% 5% 10% 25% 50% 75% 90% hold ... hold

Renewable Electricity Goals

(Percent of electricity from

renewable sources)

% 5% 5% 5% 7.5% hold hold hold ... hold

Renewables

Planned Renewable Electricity

Use  (Percent of electricity from

renewable sources)

% 5% 5% 5% 7.5% hold hold hold ... hold

Petroleum Use Reduction

Targets  (Percent reduction

from FY05 base year)

% 10% 12% 14% 16% 18% 20% 22% ... 30%

Planned Petroleum Use

Reduction(Percent reduction

from FY05 base year)

% 15% 18% 21% 24% 27% 30% hold ... hold

Alternative Fuel Use in Fleet

AFV Target (Percent increase

from FY05 base year)

% 61% 77% 95% 114% 136% 159% hold ... hold

Fleet

Planned Alternative Fuel Use in

Fleet AFV(Percent increase from

FY05 base year)

% 125% 142% 159% hold hold hold hold ... hold

Scope 1 & 2 ‐ Reduction Target

(reduced from FY08 base year) % ‐2% ‐2% 0% 4% 8% 12% 17% ... 28
Department of Energy | 2010

Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan | Page 34

produce less waste, and use less electricity.  Future Scope 3 GHG reporting is

expected to require expanding the reported categories of emissions, thus

adjusting DOE’s overall reduction goal accordingly.   

i. Goal Description

After reviewing the preliminary DOE Scope 3 GHG inventory for FY 2008 and

anticipating the impact of travel and recycling likely to be put in place, DOE set

Scope 3 GHG reduction goals as follows:

• Federal employee travel:  12%

• Contracted waste disposal (waste not currently recycled or reused): 12%

• Transmission and Distribution losses from purchased energy:  16 %

Pending the inclusion of new categories, the overall DOE Scope 3 GHG reduction

goal is 13%.  As new categories are added in subsequent years, the overall goal

will change.  

ii. Department Status

DOE’s Scope 3 GHG emissions for FY 2008 were estimated to be just under

750,000 mTCO2e.  This estimate includes the categories comprising Scope 3

emissions as prescribed and required by the White House’s Council on

Environmental Quality (CEQ) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

for 2010:  

• Federal employee business air and ground travel

• Employee commute

• Contracted solid waste disposal

• Contracted waste water discharge

• Transmission & Distribution (T&D) losses related to purchased electricity

iii. Special Considerations

DOE consists of about 15,000 Federal employees.  However, contractors manage

and operate DOE sites under a government owned, contractor operated (GOCO)

model.   They consist of about 70,000 personnel who perform functions at DOE

sites in direct support of the DOE mission.  DOE elected to include these prime

contractor activities in its Scope 3 calculations.  Prime contractors not associated

with site operations, as well as all subcontractors, interns and visitors are not

included in DOE’s Scope 3 calculations.   

iv. Implementation Methods

Achievement of the reduction goals requires a combination of policy and

behavior change.  Implementation methods for each category are described

below.
Department of Energy | 2010

Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan | Page 35

Business Air Travel

• Increasing use of web‐based meetings

• Reducing air travel, except where necessary for mission accomplishment

DOE will conduct an internal survey to determine where additional

bandwidth and equipment are needed to support an increase in web‐based

meetings.  Once the required equipment has been ordered and installed,

DOE will reassess the need for and criteria used to approve air travel.   

Efforts will be made to reduce or eliminate short range (<300 miles) air travel

by shifting transportation modes to a train or bus (where time, cost and

mission accomplishment allows).   

Business Ground Travel

• Reducing car rentals by promoting carpooling at conferences and

other meetings

• Research establishing a government rate for PHEV and HEV rentals

• Encouraging the use of public or group transportation modes at

destination cities

• Benefiting from increased fuel efficiency under 2016 Corporate

Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for private auto mileage and

rental vehicles

• Benefiting from large‐scale conversion of conventional taxi fleets into

hybrid fleets in major metropolitan areas

   

DOE will encourage employees attending the same meeting to share a car (a

rental car for out of town meetings).  

Employee Commuter Travel

• Promoting carpooling

• Promoting public transit and shared‐commuting modes where available

• Benefiting from increased fuel efficiency under 2016 CAFE standards

DOE will survey all sites to determine the actual implementation of

carpooling incentives, and use of monetary incentives to encourage

employees to use public transportation.   Where an opportunity presents,

DOE sites will survey their Federal and contractor employees to determine

impediments to the increased use of public transportation.  Where sufficient

interest is expressed, sites will work with local and regional transportation

organizations (see Goal 5) to address employee concerns and develop public

transportation options that meet their needs.

Contracted Waste Disposal

• Expanding waste reduction and recycling programs
Department of Energy | 2010

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• Introducing environmentally focused product packaging requirements

• Increasing reusability or recyclability requirements in procurement practices

Actions in support of contracted waste disposal are addressed under Goal 7

and 8 of this Plan.  Sites will continue to encourage employees to recycle and

reuse materials.

Contracted Waste Water Treatment  

• Encouraging Telecommuting

DOE will survey all sites to determine the applicability and implementation of

existing telecommuting policy.   Upon completion of this survey DOE will

review and, if needed, revise its existing telecommuting policy.     

Transmission and Distribution Losses

• Increasing on‐site generation of electricity

• Increasing purchases of green energy

Actions to reduce the need to purchase electricity from the grid include

reduction of need (energy efficiency) and increase of local supply (local

generation).  These issues are addressed in Goal 1.  

v. Department Lead for Goal

The three Under Secretaries are responsible for meeting the target to include

the planning, budgeting, development, implementation and oversight.

vi. Positions

As previously described, DOE plans to establish an SPO.   

Table 7: Goal 2 Planning Table11

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

Overall Agency Scope 3

Reduction Target (reduced

from FY08 base year)

% 0% 1% 2% 3% 4% 13%

Sub‐Target for Federal

Employee Travel % 0% 1% 2% 3% 4% .... 12%

Sub‐Target for Contracted

Waste Disposal % 0% 1% 2% 4% 6% .... 12%

Sub‐Target for Transmission

and Distribution Losses from

Purchased Energy

% 0% 0% 1% 3% 5% .... 16%

 

11 Funding amounts provided are strictly estimates and are subject to change.
Department of Energy | 2010

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3.  GOAL:  Comprehensive Greenhouse Gas Inventory

The development of a comprehensive GHG inventory is critically dependent on the

accuracy and completeness of the input data.  DOE will refine current data collection

methods to acquire the data needed to produce a complete, accurate and

sustainable inventory.   

i. Goal Description   

DOE is required to provide a comprehensive inventory of Scope 1, 2, and

specified Scope 3 emissions to the CEQ Chair and OMB Director by January 2011

and annually thereafter.   

ii. Current Status

DOE sites report fuel and utility purchasing data into a DOE database (EMS‐4).  

This data is used to develop an inventory of GHG emissions from electric and

carbon based fuels.  Non‐CO2 based GHG emissions are tracked through ad‐hoc

data calls to determine the purchase history and quantity of known GHG

emitting substances.  The historical context of many past purchases remains

unknown; hence GHG emission reports from these substances are only

estimates.

Scope 3 GHG emissions from Federal employee air travel were based on data

accessible through GSA.  Contractor air travel data was collected via a data call.   

Data requested by the CEQ‐provided Scope 3 GHG Targeting Tool (gallons of fuel

for rental cars, miles travelled for personally owned vehicles, bus, rail, subway)

was not available.  Instead, DOE derived this information from travel claim

information retained for FY 2008.  Data requested by the Scope 3 GHG Targeting

Tool was not readily available for commuter travel.  Instead, this information

was developed using individual site specified methods (e.g., past commuter

surveys, sampling, estimates from employee home zip code information, etc.)   

Contracted solid and liquid waste data is currently collected by a DOE database

(PPTRS), although solid waste figures do not currently separate out construction

and demolition debris.  Electricity consumption data for calculation of T&D losses

is readily available in the EMS‐4 database.

Once issued, DOE will use final Federal guidance to develop final Scope 1, 2, and

3 inventories.   

iii. Special Considerations

DOE elected to include site contractor data in GHG reporting.  While this did not

affect Scope 1 and 2 data or Scope 3 data associated with contracted waste or

electrical T&D losses, Scope 3 travel data was affected.  Without having been
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Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan | Page 38

previously tasked to maintain this data, contractors were able to respond to the

data request in various levels of completeness.  To remedy this situation, DOE

will adjust data collection and retention requirements for contractors once final

GHG inventory guidance is released.     

iv. Implementation Methods

Preliminary GHG emissions inventories have used data obtained through

established annual reports, supplemented with ad hoc requests for information.  

In the future, existing Federal and DOE databases will be adjusted to reflect the

requirements contained in the final Federal guidance for GHG inventory

accounting.  DOE will work through the SPO to enhance the GHG emissions data

gathering and reporting process, as follows:

• Embed final Federal guidance into DOE’s guidance and instructions to

sites for inventory development and associated data gathering

• Compile and disseminate best practices and guidance to sites to ensure

relevance, consistency, completeness, transparency and accuracy of GHG

and underlying data

• Assess implementation of guidance and the existence and effectiveness

of internal controls and systems intended to ensure the quality of GHG

inventory and supporting data

• Establish a sustainable mechanism for future development and

refinement of DOE’s GHG inventories to reflect evolving scope, methods

and changes to the DOE complex

v. Department Lead for Goal  

The SSO is responsible for inventory development and reporting.  Until the SPO is

established, FEMP will support inventory development.   

vi. Positions

As previously described, DOE plans to establish an SPO.   

4.  GOAL:  High‐Performance Sustainable Design  

High‐performance sustainable buildings (green buildings) are a critical part of

DOE’s sustainability plan as buildings are responsible for a large percentage of

energy use and GHG emissions.  Good quality, efficient, and sustainable

workplaces will offer a strategic advantage in the recruitment and retention of

our 21st Century workforce.   

DOE’s building strategy is two pronged:  design and construct new buildings that

use reduced energy (until ultimately constructing net‐zero energy buildings), and

upgrade existing buildings to meet the requirements of the Sustainable Building
Department of Energy | 2010

Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan | Page 39

Guiding Principles.  DOE’s High Performance and Sustainable Buildings (HPSB)

Implementation Plan (SBIP) provides a summary of the Department’s HPSB

commitments and activities.   

i. Goal Description

The Department has adopted the EO 13514 goals of:

a.   Beginning in FY 2020, all new Federal buildings are designed to achieve

net‐zero energy by FY 2030  

b.   All new construction, major renovation and alteration of buildings comply

with the GP

c.   At least 15% of the Department’s enduring buildings and building leases

meet GP by FY 2015

d.   Demonstrate annual progress toward 100% conformance with GP for

entire building inventory  

e.   Demonstrate use of cost‐effective, innovative building strategies to

minimize energy, water and materials consumption  

f.   Manage existing building systems to reduce energy, water, and material

consumption in a manner that achieves a net reduction in Departmental

deferred maintenance costs  

g.   Optimize performance of the Department’s real property portfolio –

examine opportunities to decrease environmental impact through

consolidation, reuse and disposal of existing assets prior to adding new

assets  

h. Ensure use of best practices and technology in rehabilitation of historic

Federal properties

ii. Current Status   

As of June 2010, 30 DOE buildings (1.7% of DOE’s enduring buildings) have met

the requirements of the GP, of which 25 have achieved LEED certification.  The

trend line to meet the 15% goal by FY 2015 would have required 90 buildings

(5%) to have met the GP by this date.  DOE is continuing to pursue compliance

with the Guiding Principles and LEED certification.  DOE is pursuing net‐zero

buildings such as NREL’s Research Support Facility (RSF), the world’s largest net‐

zero office building, which achieved LEED Platinum certification in June 2010,

and Building 3156 at ORNL.  DOE’s Office of Science is planning 20 projects under

its National Laboratory Infrastructure Modernization Program designed to

achieve LEED Gold.  

iii. Special Considerations

The DOE portfolio contains many special purpose buildings that require

innovative methods of energy and water reduction.  The STTs will address the

atypical attributes of these buildings when attempting to achieve sustainability

goals.
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DOE does not include outgranted buildings (properties over which the

Department has no operational control) in its plan for meeting the GP goals.

iv. Implementation Methods

DOE will develop a comprehensive understanding of existing building status and

progress toward GPs through surveys and assessments.  Upon completion, DOE

will prepare a plan to overcome operational and financial barriers to compliance.  

DOE will continue to train staff on GP and provide technical assistance reviews as

appropriate.

a. Net‐Zero Energy by FY 2030

The Net‐Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative is a government research

program sponsored by DOE that focuses on improving the energy efficiency of

commercial buildings in the U.S.  DOE is supportive of the net‐zero energy concept

and will use internal expertise to meet this goal.  A net‐zero energy building uses

minimal energy that is supplied by on‐site renewable resources.

Prior to FY 2020, DOE will develop a process to integrate net‐zero energy design

principles (as practicable and life‐cycle cost effective) into all projects that have

not yet achieved CD‐2 (establishment of a baseline).

DOE will develop best practices and other guidance based on its operational

experience implementing net‐zero buildings at several of its laboratories.   

b. New Construction  

The SBIP includes further detail on DOE’s approach to ensure all new

construction and major renovation complies with the GP.

Per DOE guidance, all new construction and major building renovations of

$5M or greater and not having reached CD‐2 status before October 1, 2008

will attain LEED New Construction (NC) Gold certification.  All buildings below

the $5M threshold are required to comply with the GP to the extent practical

and lifecycle cost effective.  DOE considers any building that achieves LEED

NC Gold or better to comply with the requirements of the GP.

c. Existing Buildings

The SBIP also includes detail on DOE’s approach to achieving GP compliance

with existing buildings.  During the planned site assessments in FY 2011 and

FY 2012, DOE will identify buildings to achieve GP status by FY 2015, and will

identify the work and resources required for this effort.  The first priority will

be to complete building assessments for enduring buildings and to focus on

buildings that are currently closest to achieving compliance with the GP.

Currently, DOE is conducting a study of completed assessments to identify
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Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan | Page 41

obstacles to achieving the GP.  Lessons learned will be shared across the

Department, resulting in an increase in compliance.

Meeting the GP goals requires attention to day‐to‐day details at the site

level, as well as the integration of both short‐ and long‐term planning.  DOE

will implement a scorecard process to measure progress toward completing

facility assessments and sustainability GP compliance.

GP assessment and compliance status will continue to be tracked at the

Headquarters level through the Sustainability section of DOE’s real property

database.  Data will be reviewed on a quarterly basis to track progress

toward assessing all buildings and meeting the 15% goal.  The Department

will provide further guidance concerning real world application of the GP

requirements, and will implement a process to verify performance of

buildings identified as meeting the GPs.

d. Conformance of All Buildings to Meet GP

Once DOE meets the goal of 15% GP compliance it will continue assessing

and renovating enduring buildings in order to reach 100% GP compliance.  

New buildings, reaching CD‐2 after October 1, 2008 and in excess of $5M, will

be designed to achieve LEED Gold certification and will be in compliance with

the GPs.  Progress will be tracked through the Sustainability section of DOE’s

real property database.

e. Minimize Energy, Water and Materials Consumption

DOE is currently incorporating cost‐effective, innovative building strategies,

such as highly reflective “cool roofs, to minimize energy, water and materials

consumption.   

DOE will pursue the following strategies in order to manage building systems

to reduce energy, water and materials consumption and maintain mission

readiness:

• Annually invest 2% ‐ 4% of site replacement plant value to sustain the

real property portfolio

• Encourage retro‐/re‐commissioning

• Continue green purchasing of maintenance materials

• Purchase ENERGY STAR® and WaterSense® compliant products and

replacement parts

• Install variable frequency drives (VFD)

• Utilize preventive and predictive maintenance programs to avoid

future costs (e.g., roof leaks, mechanical failures).  
Department of Energy | 2010

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• Collect existing information on cost‐effective, innovative building

strategies in a central repository to disseminate lessons learned and

best practices  

While sustainability is typically factored into all new construction and major

renovation projects, it is only one of many elements that must be considered

in day‐to‐day O&M projects (such as roof projects, heating, ventilating and

air conditioning [HVAC] projects, etc.).  At the site level, facility managers

typically use a matrix of factors (e.g., safety, security, energy use, cost,

quality of life, mission impact) to prioritize O&M project decisions.  

f. Manage Buildings to Minimize Resource Use

Many factors, including energy and water conservation, are taken into

account when establishing maintenance priorities.   Minimizing utility

consumption continues to be a key driver of routine maintenance actions.   

DOE has successfully stopped the growth of deferred maintenance in its real

property portfolio.  The Department will continue to fund maintenance and

repair at industry‐standard levels and will seek to leverage funds to control/

reduce deferred maintenance and to improve sustainability.   The

Department will determine the effect of sustainable building management

on the deferred maintenance inventory.

g. Disposition and Adaptive Reuse

DOE requires that real property assets not fully utilized or in excess of

mission needs be identified for reuse or disposal.  DOE has been a Federal

leader in real property disposition since 2003 when the Government

Accountability Office included all real property within its high risk list.

DOE complies with the one‐for‐one replacement legislation (excess space/

offset requirement) as mandated by House Report 109‐86, which means that

an existing building is required to be consolidated, reused, or disposed of

prior to a new building being constructed or purchased/leased.  

h. Rehabilitation of Historic Properties

The Department has over 1,200 buildings classified as National Historical

Landmarks (NHL), National Register Listed (NRL), or National Register Eligible

(NRE).  Historic properties are managed at the site level.  DOE will ensure the

use of best practices in the rehabilitation of historic properties. To the

greatest extent legally permissible, the Department will also apply the GP to

historic buildings during rehabilitation.   
Department of Energy | 2010

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v. Department Lead for Goal   

The three Under Secretaries, with assistance from the Office of Engineering and

Construction Management, are responsible for planning, budgeting,

development, implementation and oversight.

vi. Positions

As previously described, DOE plans to establish an SPO.   

Table 8: Goal 4 Planning Table12

SUSTAINABLE HIGH

PERFORMANCE

BUILDINGS

(Buildings Meeting

Guiding Principles)

Units FY 10 FY 11 FY 12 FY 13 FY 14 FY 15 .... FY 20

Owned Facilities Targets % 5% 7% 9% 11% 13% 15% .... hold

Leased Facilities Targets % 5% 7% 9% 11% 13% 15% .... hold

Total Facility Targets % 5% 7% 9% 11% 13% 15% .... hold

5.  GOAL:  Regional and Local Planning

DOE sites operate in a variety of environmental settings and social environments.  

Some sites are attached to military bases, some are affiliated with major

universities, while others stand alone.   In every case, sites must engage with the

regional and local planning groups to 1) be good neighbors, 2) effectively coordinate

work and its consequences that cross site boundaries, 3) effectively communicate

with the local community/public and 4) improve the quality of life for site

employees.  DOE sites routinely interact with the local community at a number of

levels.  To date, these interactions have been managed primarily at the site level

unless a specific circumstance required higher level support.  As a result, DOE

Headquarters has not tracked specific site involvement with regional and local

planning groups.   

i. Goal Description

The Department adopts the EO 13514 goals to:  

a.   Incorporate participation in regional transportation planning into existing

policy and guidance

b.   Align the Department’s policies to increase the effectiveness of local

energy planning

 

12 Funding amounts provided are strictly estimates and are subject to change.
Department of Energy | 2010

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c.   Incorporate sustainable building location into policy and planning for new

Federal facilities and leases

d.   Update Departmental policy and guidance to ensure that all

Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Assessments required

under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for proposed new or

expanded Federal facilities identify and analyze impacts associated with

energy usage and alternative energy sources

e.   Update Departmental policy and guidance to ensure coordination and

consultation with Federal, State, Tribal, and local management authorities

regarding impacts to local ecosystems, watersheds, and environmental

management associated with proposed new or expanded Federal facilities

ii. Current Status

DOE sites are actively involved with their neighbors and stakeholders in several ways:

• DOE cleanup sites have active Site Advisory Boards.

• NEPA reviews provide the opportunity for comment on proposed DOE

actions by individuals, as well as by local, regional, and State organizations.

• DOE sites publish and distribute annual Site Environmental Reports,

which describe monitoring activities and the environmental status of

their sites.

• At several cleanup sites, DOE provides land to community reuse

organizations to support economic development.

The specificity of regional/local planning envisioned by EO 13514 is not currently

reflected in DOE orders/guidance.  However, DOE has existing internal orders

promulgating requirements covering new construction and major renovations of

existing buildings (including leased facilities), and High Performance and

Sustainable Buildings Guidance13.  Further, these orders require that land use

planning be consistent with NEPA.

iii. Special Considerations

None.

iv. Implementation Methods

DOE Headquarters will improve its knowledge and understanding of the state of

interaction between sites and their local/regional organizations.  The Department

will then develop additional DOE‐wide guidance, as needed.  The following

paragraphs address each subgoal in turn.

 

13 (http://www.wbdg.org/pdfs/hpsb_guidance.pdf)   
Department of Energy | 2010

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a. Regional Transportation

DOE sites will incorporate participation in regional transportation planning

into their site policy and guidance documents, if not already included.    Close

coordination benefits both the site and the surrounding community by

allowing for improved regional transportation infrastructure and long‐term

improvements to quality of life through reduced traffic and emissions.

As discussed in Goal 2, where public transportation is not readily available or

not well used and where sufficient employee interest is expressed, sites will

work with local and regional transportation organizations to develop public

transportation options that meet their employee’s needs.

b. Energy Coordination

Following the Department’s review of site interaction with the local

community, DOE will conduct a comprehensive review of Department Orders

and policy letters to ensure that proper support of local energy planning

efforts is incorporated.  If required, new DOE Orders will be promulgated to

address local energy planning.   

c. Building Policy

As required by Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 7.105(b) (16), DOE will

incorporate sustainable building location and siting considerations into

acquisition plans for new Federal facilities and leases.  DOE will also adopt a

pending Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) revision requiring Federal

agencies, and contractors obtaining facilities on their behalf, to comply with

the GP.

In addition, DOE will review and implement (as appropriate)  

recommendations developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT),

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  (including Recommendations for

Sustainable Locations for Federal Facilities, and Recommendations for Federal

Local Transportation Logistics) when developing or modifying new procedures

or instructions on facilities placement.   

d. NEPA Guidance

DOE will update Departmental policy and guidance to ensure all

Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Assessments for

proposed new or expanded DOE facilities identify and analyze impacts

associated with energy usage, GHG emissions, and alternative energy sources.  

A revised DOE NEPA policy will be developed for review and approval.
Department of Energy | 2010

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e. Coordination on Ecosystems

The Department encourages on‐going, pro‐active engagement by DOE sites

with their respective local, regional, and tribal planning bodies to coordinate

efforts to improve land use, transportation, growth management and

sustainability policy.  Where appropriate, integrated planning with these

bodies already occurs to ensure site and community efforts achieve synergy.  

Following the Department’s review of site interaction with local communities,

DOE will conduct a comprehensive review of Department Orders and policy

letters to ensure alignment with this goal.

Most local and regional coordination is conducted at the site level.  Local and

regional planning activities will be integrated with each site’s 10‐year planning

process.  These plans will accomplish the following:

• Address on‐site and off‐site transportation infrastructure and planning

• Consider impacts to local ecosystems, watersheds, and environmental

management

• Consider the effect of location and orientation of new construction,

expansion or changing the purpose of existing facilities

If needed, DOE Program Offices will help sites develop and sustain interaction

with the appropriate organizations.

  

v. Department Lead for Goal  

The three Under Secretaries are responsible for meeting the target to include the

planning, budgeting, development, implementation and oversight.

vi. Positions

As previously described, DOE plans to establish an SPO.  

6.  GOAL:  Water Use Efficiency and Management

Water is essential to the DOE mission as industrial processes account for the

majority of DOE’s potable and non‐potable water use.  For example, many sites use

evaporative cooling towers for air conditioning and process heat removal; and the

Strategic Petroleum Reserve uses water to pump oil from its caverns and to maintain

cavern operability.  Most D&D activities use significant quantities of water to reduce

airborne contamination.

Water recycling and reuse strategies are important factors in reducing water

consumption.  This is especially important for remote sites where water must be

trucked in to support the facilities and on sites where water is scarce and excess use

may have an adverse affect on neighboring down‐stream areas, watersheds and
Department of Energy | 2010

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underground aquifers. Opportunities exist to convert from once‐through cooling

water system to systems designed to reuse cooling water, or use gray water and/or

storm water runoff for cooling.   

Infrastructure projects may also have a benefit of saving significant amounts of

potable water. These projects are often completed for reasons other than water

conservation and therefore such benefits are often overlooked.   

i. Goal Description

The Department adopts the following goals of EO 13514:  

a. Reducing potable water consumption intensity 2% annually through FY 2020

(or at least 26% total reduction by FY 2020), relative to the FY 2007 baseline  

b. Reducing industrial, landscaping, and agricultural water consumption 2%

annually (or 20% total by the end of FY 2020), relative to a FY 2010 baseline   

c. Identifying, promoting, and implementing water reuse strategies that reduce

potable water consumption consistent with State law

d. Achieving objectives established by EPA in Storm water Guidance for Federal

facilities  

ii. Department Status

DOE has not made satisfactory progress toward meeting the water reduction

goals.  To date, DOE has reduced its potable water intensity by 2.6% as compared

to the FY 2007 baseline, below the 4% reduction expected by the goal.   

Some DOE sites have implemented large water projects.  Examples include:

• The Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) initiated a project to upgrade the

existing Sanitary Effluent Recycle Facility (SERF).  When the project is fully

complete, LANL expects to save approximately 114 million gallons per year

(MGY) by treating sanitary effluent from LANL’s domestic wastewater

treatment facility and returning that water for reuse within the LANL complex.

• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) optimizes the operation of

the cooling towers by increasing the cycles of concentration from five to at

least 15, reducing makeup water consumption by about one‐third. This

improvement saves approximately 14 MGY.

• Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) implemented the MicroFab project,

which incorporates a number of “green” building features that support

LEED‐NC certification.  It incorporates a high efficiency ultra‐pure water

generation process, process water recycling loop, and reclaim/reuse of

water for cooling tower and scrubber applications.  Other project‐specific

green measures include occupant‐based water efficient plumbing fixtures

and low‐water use landscape design.

• SNL and LLNL each use a reverse osmosis recycling system in their cooling

towers to substantially reduce potable water consumption.
Department of Energy | 2010

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DOE will work with these sites to develop and disseminate best practices on water

conservation projects throughout the DOE complex.

iii. Special Considerations

DOE faces several challenges in meeting the water conservation goal.  Many DOE

facilities are located in regions where water is inexpensive therefore water

projects may not be lifecycle cost effective.  Water use is essential to conducting

critical operations.  These challenges will be addressed through an integrated

approach including water assessments, increased metering, identification of

potential opportunities, considering inclusion of social costs for water in project

evaluation, as well as collaboration and sharing of best practices across the DOE

complex.  

iv. Implementation Methods

DOE’s focus will be to identify projects to meet its water use efficiency goals.

Water conservation efforts consist of five main components:  

• Installing meters to accurately determine water use patterns

• Conducting leak detection and water consumption surveys to identify

water conservation and repair projects

• Reducing potable water and industrial, landscaping, and agricultural

water consumption

• Identifying and implementing water reuse and recycling strategies

• Managing storm water runoff as it impacts local environments

DOE will also work to repair/replace broken water meters and install new water

meters to identify and monitor all water sources that contribute to determination

of total water use under this goal.   

The Department will identify and prioritize water saving opportunities by

conducting site water surveys across the DOE Complex, to include water pipe leak

detection and a review of process water practices.  The procedure will focus

primarily on sites thought to be most susceptible to leakage (i.e., due to age,

incongruent meter readings, etc.).  The Department will use the results of these

surveys to prioritize leak repairs consistent with the most significant losses.   

A review of process water practices will determine which processes would

successfully use ground, gray, or storm water for cooling (as opposed to potable

water), and determine where once‐through cooling systems can be modified to

reuse the cooling water.  Additionally, site surveys will be conducted DOE‐wide to

determine the penetration of water reduction technologies and opportunities for

further implementation.

If not already completed, sites will prepare a water efficiency policy and a water

management plan.  Management will communicate with employees and

stakeholders on the organization’s commitment to water conservation efforts,
Department of Energy | 2010

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water reuse and recycling, and the benefits of these projects on local and regional

water supplies. These plans will be integrated into each site’s EMS.  

DOE facility managers will consider all potential water efficiency improvements

and practices in their facility's operation and maintenance.  Capital improvement

projects will include water consumption reduction technologies.   

Sites will comply with federal stormwater management guidance issued under

EISA Section 438, in addition to Federal stormwater management guidance issued

under EO 13508, Chesapeake Bay Protection and Restoration, by implementing

appropriate technologies such as bio‐retention areas, porous pavements, green

roofs, and rainwater collection systems.

v. Department Lead for Goal

The three Under Secretaries are responsible for meeting the target to include the

planning, budgeting, development, implementation and oversight.

vi. Positions

As previously described, DOE plans to establish an SPO.  

Table 9: Goal 6 Planning Table14

WATER USE EFFICIENCY

& MGMT Units FY 10 FY 11 FY 12 FY 13 FY 14 FY 15 .... FY 20

Potable Water

Reduction Targets

(gal/SF reduced from

FY07 base year)

% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16% ...

. 26%

Planned Potable Water

Reduction (gal/SF

reduced from FY07 base

year)

% 3% 7% 10% 12% 14% 16% ... 26%

Industrial, Landscaping,

and Agricultural Water

Reduction Targets (gal

reduced from FY10 base

year)

% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% ...

. 20%

Planned Industrial,

Landscaping, and

Agricultural Water

Reduction (gal reduced

from FY10 base year)

% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% ... 20%

 

14 Funding amounts provided are strictly estimates and are subject to change.
Department of Energy | 2010

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7.  GOAL:  Pollution Prevention and Waste Elimination

In accordance with the hierarchy established in the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990,

the Department’s primary objective is to prevent or reduce pollution at the source

whenever feasible.  Pollutants and wastes that cannot be prevented through source

reduction will be diverted from entering the waste stream through environmentally

safe and cost‐effective reuse or recycling to the greatest extent practicable.  

Current DOE Orders establish EMS as the management framework for implementing

the sustainable practices and goals of EO 13423, from which many of the goals and

performance metrics of EO 13514 derive.  DOE specifies a number of sustainable

practices related to pollution prevention and waste reduction or elimination

including source reduction, green purchasing, toxic chemical use reduction and

recycling.  The Orders apply to all elements responsible for the management and

operation of the Department’s facilities and activities, including contractors

managing Government facilities. All elements of the DOE organization are

responsible for compliance with the requirements and flowing down the

requirements into their contracts and subcontracts.

DOE will update and combine its energy and environmental directives to ensure that

the policies and practices for achieving sustainability goals are firmly established

within the Department.  Once approved, the provisions of these directives will be

included in the appropriate site contracts.  For pollution prevention and waste

elimination or reduction, DOE will ensure that the existing policies and practices for

source reduction, green purchasing, recycling, and toxic chemical use reduction and

reporting are expanded and integrated with the Department’s overall sustainability

and GHG management strategy.

This section groups the subgoals as follows: waste diversion (a, b, c, g), toxic

chemical reduction (f, h, i, j, k), and paper use (d, e).

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%

post‐consumer fiber

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
Department of Energy | 2010

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i. Increase Departmental use of acceptable alternative chemicals and

processes.

j. Decrease Departmental use of chemicals to assist 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 1986

a. Waste Diversion (Subgoals a, b, c, g)

i. Goal Description

The Department adopts the EO 13514 goal to divert, at a minimum, 50% of

its non‐hazardous solid waste and its non‐hazardous, non‐radioactively

contaminated C&D materials and debris by FY 2015.  It also adopts the EO’s

non‐quantitative source reduction goal and the goal to increase the

diversion of compostable and organic material from the waste stream.

ii. Department Status

DOE sites currently divert non‐hazardous solid waste on a regular basis.  The

Department tracks and reports its waste and recycling performance results

in the PPTRS.  In FY 2009, DOE recycled 49% of its total non‐hazardous solid

waste by weight.

Certain DOE sites account for and recover pollution and waste management

costs similar to what is often done for energy and water use savings. This

represents a best practice that can be disseminated throughout the DOE

Complex to enable further cost recovery.

iii. Special Considerations

The Department is responsible for the disposition of significant quantities of

equipment, materials and debris that could potentially be cleared for

recycling, but are restricted by Departmental policies and directives.  

Materials that cannot be cleared after this verification effort will not be

included in the 50% goal calculation.

iv. Implementation Methods

Preventing or reducing the amounts of pollutants and wastes at the source

through behavior change (e.g., product or process substitution and reuse,

recycling, or composting materials rather than disposal) contributes to the

Department’s waste elimination and GHG reduction targets, reduces

environmental and safety hazards, protects environmental resources,

minimizes life‐cycle cost and liability of DOE programs, and maximizes

operational sustainability.  The framework supporting source reduction and

waste materials diversion exists and has proven to be effective.
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To reduce pollution and increase recycling DOE will:

• Conduct sustainability assessments

• Report volumes and/or weight of waste streams

• Reconsider restrictions preventing clearance of items potentially

available for recycling

• Increase awards and incentives

• Disseminate best practices

• Increase the recyclable content of procured items

Sustainability assessments, such as pollution prevention opportunity

assessments will continue to be an important method used to identify

opportunities for operational process, product, or behavioral changes.  It

will also ease the development of objectives and measurable targets that

support their implementation.   

The Department does not presently track non‐hazardous solid waste

separately from C&D materials and debris.  However, DOE will develop a

baseline for each of these goal areas to separately assess its performance in

diverting C&D debris or other non‐hazardous solid waste.

Sites and Headquarters will use EMSs to manage performance in this area

and report the following, as applicable, on an annual basis, in metric ton

units:

• Non‐hazardous solid waste generated and diverted from disposal

• Compostable and organic materials diverted from the waste stream

• Construction and demolition material and debris generated and the

amount diverted from disposal

• Material and debris generated from posted radiological areas

including wastes identified by regulatory agreement as potentially

contaminated with hazardous or radioactive constituents

• Non‐hazardous solid waste generated and the amount diverted from

disposal, excluding material from posted radiological areas and

wastes identified by regulatory agreement as potentially

contaminated with hazardous or radioactive constituents

DOE will consider participation in EPA’s C&D waste pilot, pending efforts to

quantify solid waste and C&D debris baselines.

Sites will verify the effectiveness and reliability of their clearance‐of‐

property procedures to identify those materials that cannot be cleared for

unrestricted reuse or recycling.  Headquarters will continue efforts to

minimize impacts from the moratorium on release of volumetrically‐

contaminated metals and the suspension on release for recycling of metals

from posted radiological areas.
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The Department will augment its existing Environmental Sustainability

(EStar) award programs to recognize and incentivize sites and programs that

successfully reduce the generation of pollutants and wastes and effectively

divert from disposal those materials that can be recycled or reused.   

The Department will encourage its sites to adopt, as a best practice, “cost of

service” charges that consider the full life‐cycle of liabilities associated with

programs, including procurement, facility management, regulation, worker

safety and security, and waste disposal.  Building operational costs into

overhead charges or user fees provides financial incentives for sustainable

behavior by making transparent the true environmental and social costs of

waste generation and toxic material use. Service charges can be collected

and used to offset the cost of sustainability assessments, of investments in

recycling infrastructure, or to fund the implementation of identified

opportunities.  

Source reduction is facilitated through supply contracts that specify

procurement of environmentally preferable products (EPP) and contracts

that establish the requirement for service providers to track and report on

those purchases.  Similarly, the Department’s waste diversion goals can be

achieved through requirements ensuring a percentage of the waste or C&D

material and debris are recycled or reused, and that performance data is

reported back to the Department.   

Performance to date indicates that DOE may achieve the 50% goal before FY

2015.  DOE will verify individual goal compliance for both non‐hazardous

solid waste and for C&D materials and debris and determine how to

continue its work on diverting waste.

Headquarters will ensure that practices having the potential to result in

significant reductions in pollutant and waste generation through source

reduction and significant diversion of pollutants and wastes from disposal

are disseminated across the Department.

v. Department Lead for Goal

The three Under Secretaries, with assistance from the Office of Health,

Safety and Security, are responsible for planning, budgeting, development,

implementation and oversight.

vi. Positions

As previously described, DOE plans to establish an SPO.  
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b. Toxic Chemical Reduction (Subgoals f, h, i, j, k)

i. Goal Description

The Department adopts the EO goals to develop sustainable pollution

prevention practices and to reduce using chemicals that are toxic, hazardous

and contribute to GHG emissions.  

ii. Department Status

The Department operates under a toxic chemical use and reduction

implementation plan developed in response to EO 13423.  DOE sites have

already surveyed their facilities and operations for the presence of toxic

chemicals, and have used their EMS systems to develop and implement

programs to identify and achieve reduction and/or elimination targets.

Toxic chemical use and release reduction efforts have included examination

of numerous facilities and operations to inventory chemical stock and

dispose of unneeded materials.  These efforts have resulted in several DOE

sites no longer having to file EPCRA Section 313 Reports.

iii. Special Considerations

None.

iv. Implementation Methods

DOE addresses the chemical usage reduction requirements of EO 13514 that

focus on toxic, hazardous and GHG‐contributing chemical emissions with an

EMS‐focused approach based on the existing directives and its Toxic

Chemical Reduction Plan. This approach requires all sites to establish toxic

chemical reduction or elimination efforts, including sustainability

assessments of chemical using operations, as objectives and measurable

targets within the framework of their existing EMS.  Establishment of site‐

specific chemical reduction objectives and measurable targets take into

account site operating conditions, life cycle cost effectiveness, mission

parameters, GHG emission reductions (i.e., the greatest GHG reduction

potential) and other environmental, safety and health factors (e.g., toxicity).  

While DOE sites annually report on environmental sustainability

performance, progress in identifying and implementing chemical use

reduction opportunities is not included.  The Department will update its

reporting practices to monitor this progress and to ensure that data

collection supporting the new sustainable goals and targets under EO 13514

is achieved.

To address Goals 7.f and 7.i, DOE will evaluate data sources such as site

EPCRA reports, site Chemical Inventory and Tracking Systems, and available
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ozone‐depleting substance (ODS) and GHG inventories to identify chemicals

of greatest concern for targeted reduction or elimination efforts.  DOE will

gather and analyze information from its sites in order to promote complex‐

wide adoption of strategies, including best practices, which prove to be

effective at reducing chemical usage.  The Department also will develop

guidance on toxic, hazardous and GHG‐contributing chemical reduction

strategies for the DOE complex.   

Goal 7.h will be addressed by implementing integrated pest management

(IPM) and other appropriate landscape management practices.  While some

sites have already implemented IPM practices into their EMS, not all have.  

To comply with EO 13514, the Department will modify its policies to require

sites to employ IPM and appropriate landscaping management practices

within the site’s EMS framework and provide annual updates on the status

of their IPM activities.   

In compliance with Goal 7.i, DOE will decrease its use of chemicals to reduce

health and safety impacts and GHG emissions.   

Pursuant to EO 13514, DOE is paying greater attention to reducing fugitive

GHG emissions.  The Department will continue to work with sites that use

non‐CO2 GHGs to identify and implement measures to reduce leakage and

recapture gases at risk of leakage when routine maintenance is performed.  

Sites will redesign existing equipment, purchase new equipment to minimize

or eliminate the release of non‐CO2 GHGs and seek out substitute gases that

have lower global warming potentials.

v. Department Lead for Goal

The three Under Secretaries, with assistance from the Office of Health,

Safety and Security, are responsible for planning, budgeting, development,

implementation and oversight.

vi. Positions

As previously described, DOE plans to establish an SPO.  

c. Paper Use (Subgoals d, e)

i. Goal Description

The Department adopts EO 13514 goals to reduce printing paper use while

purchasing uncoated paper containing at least 30% post‐consumer fiber.

ii. Department Status

The Department’s sustainable procurement efforts are described in the Goal

8 discussion of this SSPP.  Federal agencies and their contractors are
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required to procure products with 30% recycled content by numerous

federal and DOE procurement documents15.  In FY 2009, 87% of paper

purchases met this goal.

iii. Special Considerations

None

iv. Implementation Methods

Reuse of paper is not currently reported by DOE sites.  The Department will

update its reporting practices to monitor compliance with this goal.   

All DOE sites will address each of the following methods to reduce the use of

office paper:

• Setting printers and copiers to duplex print and copy by default

• Developing a plan to retire printers incapable of duplex printing

• Image reduction, through copying and printing of multiple pages on a

single page

• Using thinner paper where higher quality paper is not essential

• Implementing innovative approaches to paper use reduction through

print management technology and electronic document

management, display and storage technologies

• Encouraging digital storage of records and files wherever the law allows

• Assessing policies and procedures that require excessive document

printing when electronic filing and transmittal are allowable

Sustainable procurement is a key mechanism to acquire the paper,

technology and software to enable this implementation.   

v. Department Lead for Goal

The three Under Secretaries, with assistance from the Office of Procurement

Assistance Management and the Office of Health, Safety and Security, are

responsible for planning, budgeting, development, implementation and

oversight.

vi. Positions

As previously described, DOE plans to establish an SPO.  

 

15 Paper purchases are conducted pursuant to 40 CFR 247, as well as FAR 23.704, and Department of

Energy Acquisition Regulation (DEAR) 923.4, 970.2304 and 970.5223‐2.
Department of Energy | 2010

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Table 10: Goal 7 Planning Table16

POLLUTION & WASTE

ELIMINATION Units FY 10 FY 11 FY 12 FY 13 FY 14 FY15 ....

FY

20

Non‐Hazardous Solid

Waste Diversion Targets

(non C&D) % 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 50% .... 50%

C&D Material & Debris

Diversion Targets % 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 50% .... 50%

8.  GOAL:  Sustainable Acquisition

The Department has a foundation of policies, procedures, guidance and programs

that will achieve the sustainable acquisition requirements of EO 13514.  The

Department of Energy Acquisition Regulation (DEAR) establishes uniform acquisition

policies that implement and supplement the FAR.

DOE Order 450.1A establishes goals and a number of sustainable practices related to

the acquisition of environmentally preferable products, including designated

recycled‐content products, designated biobased‐content products, non‐ozone

depleting substances, non‐ or less‐toxic materials, and green (environmentally

preferable and energy efficient) electronics.  The Order applies to all DOE elements

responsible for the management and operation of DOE sites, including contractors

managing Government facilities.

DOE Order 430.2B outlines the requirements and responsibilities for managing

energy in DOE facilities and fleets.  This Order includes transportation/fleet

management and provision of access to alternative fuel infrastructure.  Both Orders

are well aligned with the requirements of the EO and have a direct relationship with

and rely on effective procurement and acquisition.   

i. Goal Description

The Department adopts the following EO 13514 goals:  

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 FEMP‐

designated), water efficient, bio‐based, environmentally preferable

(including EPEAT‐registered products), non‐ozone depleting, contain

recycled content, or are non‐toxic or less toxic alternatives

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

purchasing plans or environmentally preferable purchasing plans), policies

 

16 Funding amounts provided are strictly estimates and are subject to change.
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and programs to ensure that all Federally‐mandated designated products

and services are included in all relevant acquisitions)                       

ii. Current Status

Policies, Procedures and Guidance. DOE’s policies, procedures and green

procurement language are contained within the FAR, DEAR, and the Strategic

Integrated Procurement Enterprise System (STRIPES).17  Additionally, there are

several government websites and other sources that contain listings of EPPs,

EPEAT and other sustainable products.18  DOE procurement and contractor

purchasing personnel use these regulations and lists for all appropriate purchases

and contracts.   

Performance Management and Reporting. DOE has established mechanisms for

gathering, analyzing and reporting facility energy and environmental performance

data, and monitoring and reporting performance of the Federal Procurement Data

System, as well as Contractor procurement and purchasing.   

The PPTRS compiles sustainable acquisition‐related data from DOE sites and

offices on an annual basis.  It includes site‐level purchasing data for recycled

content, bio‐based content, EPEAT registered products, and policy questions on

the site requirements or preferences for purchase of ENERGY STAR®, FEMP‐

designated, and WaterSense products.  Unfortunately, these questions do not

align well with the categories required by EO 13514.         

The Federal Procurement and Contractor Purchasing System Balanced Scorecards

integrate core performance measures with DOE mission, vision and strategy. The

scorecards, compiled on an annual basis, are informed by stakeholder surveys and

internal performance management/reporting mechanisms, and are accessible on

DOE’s external web site.19  

Training and Continuing Education.  The Department provides federal

procurement and contractor purchasing staff with guidance and best practices on

DOE’s Procurement and Acquisition external web site and access to external sites

such as U.S. EPA’s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Training site.  

Additionally, DOE facilities have established mechanisms to maintain awareness

and exchange of best practices around sustainable procurement (e.g., Green

Procurement Teams, Green Acquisition Advocates).  Many DOE sites conduct

Pollution Prevention/Environmental Stewardship tracking of EPP.  Certain sites

provide training for their buyers and procurement staff.

 

17  (see http://www.management.energy.gov/policy_guidance/procurement_acquisition.htm)      18  (see U.S. Department of Energy Sustainable Acquisition, Recycling, and Pollution Prevention Practices

Fiscal Year 2008 Report; http://www.hss.doe.gov/nuclearsafety/env/reports/eo13423/fy2008rpt.pdf)   19  (http://www.management.energy.gov/726.htm)   
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Assessment and Monitoring. DOE has established mechanisms to monitor the

effectiveness of its procurement and acquisition functions. The acquisition and

financial assistance self‐assessment checklist20 consists of Federal procurement

compliance criteria, including green procurement questions, and a method for

assessing performance of the Federal procurement offices (and major site

contractor purchasing organizations).  The Procurement Management Review

(PMR) process evaluates procurement practices at major DOE sites by staff from

DOE’s Office of Procurement and Assistance Policy with a periodicity of three to

five years.  The assessment addresses the effectiveness of the procurement

organization, and compliance with procurement statutes, regulations, and

procedures but does not currently consider verification of contractor compliance

with green purchasing contract requirements.   

iii. Special Considerations

None.        

iv. Implementation Methods

The Department is well positioned to achieve the 95% sustainable acquisition goal

by:

• Consolidating required contracting actions into a master FAR clause dealing

with Affirmative Procurement Programs

• Updating master listings of environmentally preferred products on a

routine basis

• Including new fields in an internal database to track affirmative

procurement actions

• Updating the procurement and contracting balanced scorecard to include

the 95% goal

• Upgrading training of procurement and contracting personnel

• Adjusting the PMR process to address compliance with contracted green

procurement requirements

The Department will recommend update and expansion of the main FAR contract

clause 970.5223‐2 Affirmative Procurement Program that documents the

procurement requirements for meeting many of the EO 13514 goals.  It will

address the components of green/sustainable purchasing outlined in this EO goal,

including GHG emission reduction considerations and enhanced reporting

requirements.  This all‐inclusive affirmative acquisition clause is presently in

development.   

DOE will continue to update master listings of environmentally preferable

products to enable efficient access, and to better incorporate appropriate contract

 

20  (http://www.management.energy.gov/documents/FedComplianceCritChecklist.pdf)   
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provisions, for services, commodities and technology.  The Department draws its

listings of EPPs, EPEAT and other sustainable products from external websites.21   

The Department will enhance the scope and types of questions in PPTRS to

measure the proportion of new contract actions for products against the 95%

goal.   

The Federal Procurement and Contractor Purchasing System balanced scorecards

will be modified to include the 95% goal for new contract actions so that progress

can be measured, demonstrated and benchmarked.  Performance goals also can

be integrated within the STRIPES and Acquisition Career Management data

systems for Federal procurement, and Local Purchasing Information Systems for

contractor purchasing.   

DOE will provide training/orientation to DOE and contractor procurement staff

through three primary mechanisms:

• Initial on‐site orientation    

• Continuing education through computer‐based training

• Periodic site and program network interactions

Orientation sessions, held primarily through web meetings, will build initial

awareness of DOE sustainability goals.  Computer‐based training modules will be

developed for use by existing and new personnel.  DOE will benchmark and

leverage existing best practices to inform the above actions, including those from

sites that already have implemented approaches to sharing best practices. These

efforts will fulfill the need for a continuing knowledge resource for both federal

procurement and contractor purchasing employees.   

The Department will increase emphasis on compliance monitoring and reporting

and will augment its existing mechanisms to incorporate the requirements of the

EO in FY 2011.  Self assessment checklists and the PMR process will be updated

accordingly and used to evaluate compliance of new contract actions with the EO

goals, and that delivery of services, commodities or technology is consistent with

contract requirements. The frequency of PMRs will be assessed to ensure that a

representative number of sites are reviewed annually, with results being reported

annually.  

v. Department Lead for Goal

The three Under Secretaries, with assistance from the Office of Procurement and

Assistance Management and NNSA Office of Acquisition and Supply Management,

 

21  (see U.S. Department of Energy Sustainable Acquisition, Recycling, and Pollution Prevention Practices

Fiscal Year 2008 Report;   http://www.hss.doe.gov/nuclearsafety/env/reports/eo13423/fy2008rpt.pdf)   
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are responsible for planning, budgeting, development, implementation and

oversight.

vi. Positions

As previously described, DOE plans to establish an SPO.  

Table 11: Goal 8 Planning Table22

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

New Contract Actions Meeting

Sustainable Acquisition Requirements % 75% 95% hold hold hold

Energy Efficient Products

(Energy Star, FEMP‐designated,

and low standby power devices)

% TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD

Water Efficient Products % TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD

Biobased Products % TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD

Recycled Content Products % TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD

Environmentally Preferable Products/

Services (excluding EPEAT) % TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD

SNAP/non‐ozone depleting substances % TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD

9.  GOAL:  Electronic Stewardship and Data Centers

This goal addresses energy management and optimization for information

technology (IT) systems including equipment found in office, laboratory, production

environments and in data centers. Activities supporting this goal will reduce the

Department’s GHG emissions and achieve other EO related sustainability goals such

as DOE Order 450.1A, which requires that computers and other electronic

equipment used in government agencies enable ENERGY STAR® power management

features (if available).  This section also implements an IT Sustainability self‐

assessment checklist to identify energy management improvements and best

practices as a method of capturing and reporting compliance with EO 13514.

Covered facilities are identified pursuant to the guidance found within EISA 2007,

Section 432.

i. Goal Description

The Department adopts the following EO 13514 goals:

a. Establish and implement policy and guidance to ensure use of power

management, duplex printing, and other energy efficient or environmentally

preferred options and features on all eligible Departmental electronic

products

 

22 Funding amounts provided are strictly estimates and are subject to change.
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b. Update Departmental policy to reflect environmentally‐sound practices for

disposition of all excess or surplus electronic products

c. Update Departmental policy to ensure implementation of best management

practices for energy efficient servers and Department data centers

d. Identify how DOE intends to meet technology energy consumption

reduction goals in its data centers

e. Discuss how DOE plans to meet the technology energy reduction goals in

data centers  

f. Discuss how DOE will increase the quantity of electronic assets disposed

through sound disposition practices  

ii. Current Status

DOE policies currently address personal computer and laptop power

management, operation of workgroup printers, environmentally preferable

purchasing and affirmative procurement.  Program offices have access to an

extensive list of resources to assist with this goal.23  Additionally, PPTRS tracks the

percentage of personal computers and computer networks that have power

management features enabled.  Data for FY 2009 indicates that 90% of DOE sites,

representing 95% of departmental personnel, employ power management

practices.   

The Department has about 100 computer rooms in operation at its sites.  In the

recent years, DOE conducted extensive research concerning data center energy

efficiencies through its work on the design of new data center facilities.  The Data

Center Profile Software Tool Suite24 developed by LBNL and used by DOE Program

Offices and other Federal agencies, assesses the energy efficiency posture of

existing data centers and identifies opportunities for improvement.  FEMP

recently published guidance based on NREL and LBNL research entitled Best

Practices Guide for Energy‐Efficient Data Center Design.25

In addition, the Department has initiated an enterprise IT service consolation

program, the Energy Information Technology Services (EITS) 26, which has

eliminated redundant IT infrastructure and has standardized IT services.  EITS

provides an efficient model for further DOE IT service consolidation and is

expected to be an effective tool to meeting the objectives of the FDCCI and this

goal.

iii. Special Considerations

Data Centers and their supported electronic systems account for a significant

percentage of DOE’s overall energy consumption (i.e., in excess of 15%).  These

 

23 http://www.management.energy.gov/disposal_programs_resources.htm 24 http://www1.eere.energy.gov/industry/datacenters/software.html     25 http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/pdfs/eedatacenterbestpractices.pdf      26 http://eits.doe.gov  
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computer systems, whether for supercomputing or business applications, can be

100 to 200 times more energy intensive than office space and can employ a

variety of unique, non‐commercial electrical equipment, all of which requires

development of decommissioning and disposal plans.   

iv. Implementation Methods

a. Policy and guidance for electronic products.

The Department will develop a policy for power and resource management of

end‐user electronic systems. This policy will take into consideration unique site

environments and IT system requirements.  An IT Sustainability best practices

scorecard will be developed to identify, recommend, implement, and track

efficiencies gained from environmentally sound operation of electronic

products.  Sites will account for electric power conservation or avoidance, and

will report this annually via the Department’s coordinated sustainability

tracking and reporting framework.

b. Data center best management practices  

DOE will assess needs and institutionalize industry best practices for data

center infrastructure and IT operations management.  Best practices under

consideration include:

• Advanced data center power and environmental metering

• Environmental systems optimization and management strategies

• Review of availability (data center tier) requirements

• Server utilization monitoring and power management

• Storage de‐duplication and optimization strategies

• Server virtualization and consolidation strategies

• Private/public cloud computing strategies

• Backup/recovery and Disaster Recover/Continuity of Operations

modernization

• Hosted virtual desktops and thin client technologies

• Unified communication and network optimization strategies

• IT Infrastructure Library/Capability Maturity Model process improvement

for IT system and data center management and operations  

• Outside air, spot cooling, and other advance cooling technologies

Efficient uninterruptible power supplies  and power distribution

technologies

DOE sites will be surveyed to identify and benchmark use of best practices.  

This goal will be achieved by cataloguing and making these best practices

accessible throughout the DOE Complex, and utilizing these to identify, plan

and implement projects to effect improvements. This benchmark will also

support the Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative and associated IT

system inventories.
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c. Data center energy consumption reduction goals  

                             and

d. Data center energy reduction goals

This goal complements and supports the OMB Federal Data Center

Consolidation Initiative (FDCCI).  While the FDCCI focuses on DOE’s federal

data centers, the SSPP includes both DOE federal and contractor operated

data centers. An Integrated Project Team (IPT) has been established to

manage the efforts of the DOE Federal Data Center Consolidation Plan.  This

IPT will assist the Under Secretaries and their M&O contractors in the

implementation of the activities for this goal.  DOE will implement a phased

approach, consistent with the method specified in the FDCCI as follows:

• Phase 1 – Data Center Characterization & IT Infrastructure Asset

Inventory Baseline   

• Phase 2 – Consolidation Analysis & Strategic Decisions

• Phase 3 – Consolidation Plan(s) Development

• Phase 4 – Consolidation Project Execution

• Phase 5 – Ongoing Optimization Support

DOE recognizes that implementing consolidation projects is only the

beginning of a comprehensive IT infrastructure and data center sustainability

program.  DOE will introduce and implement data center and IT system best

practices as supported by the SSPP goals.  A comprehensive compliance

scorecard will capture, report and monitor data center, IT system, energy /

GHG reductions and other SSPP recommended best practices implemented

in the DOE federal domain.  

e. Environmentally sound disposition practices  

Many electrical products in use can be disposed through standard

environmentally sound practices.  However, DOE’s use of unique, non‐

commercial electrical equipment requires non‐standard decommissioning and

disposal.  DOE will take the following actions:

• Update the procurement process to ensure that acquisition plans cover

the disposition of replaced equipment

• Revise current DOE decommissioning procedures to mandate where

appropriate the use of standard disposal programs in place at sites

• Prepare procedures to decommission and dispose of equipment

inappropriate for commercial recycling services  

Changes to the procurement process will be implemented, as described under

the Goal 8 discussion.  Revision of existing or preparation of new DOE

procedures will be implemented accordingly.
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v. Department Lead for Goal

The three Under Secretaries are responsible for meeting the target to include the

planning, development, implementation and oversight.  DOE established an

Integrated Project Team (IPT) to assist the Under Secretaries and capitalize on

department‐wide consolidation opportunities.   

vi. Positions

As previously described, DOE plans to establish an SPO.  Additional positions

associated with this goal will be determined at a later date.  Subject matter

experts, provided from throughout the Department, will advise the team.

Table 12:  Goal 9 Planning Table27

ELECTRONIC STEWARDHIP & DATA CENTERS Units FY 10 FY 11 FY 12 ... FY 20

% of device types covered by current Energy Star

specifications that must be energy‐star qualified % N/A 90% 95% .... hold

% of electronic assets covered by sound disposition

practices % >95% >95% >95% .... hold

% of cloud activity hosted in a data center % N/A TBD TBD .... TBD

% of agency data centers independently metered or

advanced metered and monitored on a weekly basis % N/A 90% 100% .... hold

Reduction in the number of agency data centers % N/A TBD TBD .... hold

% of agency, eligible electronic products with power

management and other energy‐environmentally

preferable features (duplexing) actively implemented  

% N/A 95% 100% .... hold

% of agency data centers operating with an average

central processing unit (CPU) utilization of 60‐70% % N/A TBD TBD .... hold

% of data centers operating at a PUE range of 1.3 – 1.6 % N/A 25% 50% .... hold

% of covered electronic product acquisitions that are

EPEAT‐ registered % N/A 95% 95% .... hold

% of agency data center activity implemented via

virtualization % N/A TBD TBD .... hold

10.  GOAL:  Department Innovation

The first goal in the Department’s strategic plan is Innovation; to maintain U.S.

global leadership in science and engineering.  The Department will continue to

research, develop, demonstrate and deploy innovative solutions and initiatives to

advance sustainability.

 

27 Funding amounts provided are strictly estimates and are subject to change.
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i. Goal Description

The Department is considering several innovative sustainable initiatives:

• Cool roof technology

• Net‐zero or low‐carbon DOE sites

• Energy efficient computer server facilities

ii. Current Status

Cool Roof Technology. Cool roofs (not necessarily white in color) reject solar heat

instead of absorbing heat.  Installation of cool roofs reduces heat gain, thereby

reducing the amount of air conditioning required in a building.  Cool roofs also

lower roof membrane temperatures and reduce heat island effect, which

improves roof top air conditioner heat rejection.   

DOE’s NNSA’s Roof Asset Management Program (RAMP) is a unique, corporate

approach to roof management across the Department’s nuclear weapons

complex.  By treating roofs at multiple sites as an aggregate portfolio and

earmarking a reliable funding stream, this program can achieve consistency in

condition assessments and economies of scale in roof repairs and replacements.  

The RAMP program has directed resources to the most compelling roofing

deficiencies of the complex, documented significant savings, and enhanced the

value added to the facilities portfolio through optimal repairs.  Sandia National

Laboratory has installed 2.1M SF of cool roofs at the facilities, which accounts for

76% of the total site roofing.   

Net‐zero or Low Carbon DOE Sites. The Department continues to implement

innovative building strategies, thus demonstrating a commitment to minimize

energy, water, and materials consumption.  For example, ORNL has completed

retrofits that are expected to establish an office building as DOE’s first net‐zero

energy building.  The facility is controlled by a building automation system.  Data

on the building has been submitted to the Zero Energy Buildings Database and is

currently under review.  Additional examples of DOE energy reduction

accomplishments were previously described in Section 2.I.

Energy Efficient Computer Server Facilities. Computer facilities offer great

opportunities for energy conservation through consolidation of operations,

improved hardware and improved physical infrastructure.  Also, computer

facilities are good candidates for fuel cell or other “local generation” technologies.  

To illustrate, NREL is planning to use its Golden, Colorado net‐zero energy facility

to demonstrate several energy efficiency innovations. As part of this effort, it is

greening its data center by consolidating servers and by leveraging the local

climate to provide “free cooling,” using energy efficient fans and outdoor air to

replace traditional computer room air conditioners (reducing power consumption

by 65%).  
Department of Energy | 2010

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iii. Special Considerations

None.        

iv. Implementation Methods

Apply cool roof technology on DOE buildings.  DOE is establishing a department‐

wide policy directing installation of cool roof technology where local conditions

make it appropriate and with consideration of life cycle costs.  Broadening the

application of NNSA’s RAMP concept, a department‐wide approach to roof

management will provide a proven mechanism to achieve this goal.  

  

Achieve a “net‐zero or low carbon” status at DOE site(s).  The Department will

consider additional use of the following technologies to develop net‐zero or low

carbon DOE sites:   

• Cogeneration plants can generate electricity and recapture waste heat to

provide central heating or cooling for facilities and processes.  Gas turbine

technology is well established for such applications, and there are many

working models.   

• Fuel cell technology is available to address smaller power requirements.  

• The Department will evaluate sites to determine their potential to perform

large‐scale demonstration of new renewable energy and energy efficiency

technologies.

• Nuclear energy is low carbon and could replace a significant carbon load at

DOE sites.  The Department plans to evaluate the feasibility of using small

modular reactors at one or more DOE sites.

• DOE will consider demonstration projects for co‐firing or the outright

replacement of coal with biomass, and the use of carbon sequestration

where feasible.

Create the most energy efficient computer server facilities. The Department

controls about 50 diverse data centers that can be optimized and used as best

practice models for other agencies, universities, and the private sector.  DOE will

conduct surveys of data centers to identify and benchmark use of electronic best

management practices as a basis for advancing, evaluating and demonstrating

new high‐efficiency technologies. DOE will target selected data centers to

demonstrate the new data center infrastructure technologies and how they

optimize data center energy efficiency.

v. Department Lead for Goal

The three Under Secretaries are responsible for meeting the target to include the

planning, budgeting, development, implementation and oversight.
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vi. Positions

As previously described, DOE plans to establish an SPO.
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Section 3: Department Self Evaluation

1.  Self Evaluation

Does your plan provide/consider overarching strategies and approaches for

achieving long‐term sustainability goals? Yes

Does your plan identify milestones and resources needed for implementation? Yes (a)

Does your plan align with your agency’s 2011 budget submission? Yes (b)

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

aligned to reflect your agency’s planned FY 2012 budget submission? Yes (c)

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?

Yes

Does your plan provide methods for obtaining data needed to measure

progress, evaluate results, and improve performance? Yes

(a)  Budget submissions for FY 2010 and FY 2011 occurred prior to release of EO

13514.  Projects included in those fiscal years were not coded in a manner that

would allow for linking with sustainability goals.  DOE will begin coding

associated projects for inclusion in subsequent SSPPs with established

milestones where appropriate.     (b)  The FY 2011 budget request included funding necessary to continue the

government‐wide data collection and analysis process within FEMP required by

EO 13514.  The submission also requested funding to begin DOE‐specific work on

sustainability initiatives.  However, the overall FY 2011 budget request was not

based on the requirements of EO 13514.  The FY 2012 budget submission will

better align with the SSPP.    (c)  This plan will inform the FY 2012 budget submission.  

2.  Planned Actions

The Department will focus on integrating sustainability planning elements into the

programming and budget development process; addressing policy, procedural, and

operational barriers to reducing water, energy, and carbon based fuel usage; and

instilling a corporate culture that emphasizes sound long‐term environmental

stewardship.  DOE will also realign its policies and data tracking mechanisms with

the SSPP.  Actions included below may be under development, dates are subject to

change, and projects are subject to availability of funding.  Additional details and

information on the actions will be provided in future SSPPs.

Programming and budget development process

JUL‐DEC 2010

• Sustainability Transformation Teams begin their efforts. Efforts will be

integrated with and aligned with Site’s ongoing sustainability planning (SEP

2010) [Sec. 2.II pg. 18]
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• Final Site Sustainability Plans submitted (DEC 2010)  

JAN‐SEP 2011

• Align the SSPP with FY 2012 budget (FEB 2011) [Sec 1.IV.e, pg. 7]

• Review and recommend approaches to incorporating social, environmental

and climate considerations into project prioritization (FEB 2011) [Sec.

1.V.a/b/c, pg. 10]

• Prepare a plan to overcome operational and financial barriers to compliance

with all of the Sustainable Building Guiding Principles (APR 2011) [Goal 4.iv,

pg. 40]

• Initiate a study to consider DOE long‐term climate change adaptation

strategies (JUN 2011) [Sec. 1.V.f, pg. 12]

Procedural and operational changes

JUL‐DEC 2010

• Stand‐up Sustainability Performance Office (SPO) to support the Senior

Sustainability Officer (SSO) reporting, analysis, and decision‐making functions

(AUG 2010) [Sec. 1.IV.a, pg. 6; each goal subsection iv. Positions]

• Issue guidance as needed for Site Sustainability Plans (AUG 2010) [Sec 1.IV.f,

pg. 8]

• Implement Department‐wide cool roof program (AUG 2010) [Goal 10.iv, pg.

67]

• Align sustainability planning process with EISA Section 432 facility evaluation

and benchmarking requirements (SEP 2010) [Goal 1.a.iv., pg. 22]

• Establish Fugitive Gas Working Group through Sustainability Transformation

Teams to share information and monitoring/control technology amongst

those sites with such gases in the development of their Site Sustainability

Plans (SEP 2010) [Goal 1.d.iv, pg. 32]

• Update reporting practices to monitor compliance with printing paper use

reduction and purchase of 30% recycled content paper goals (SEP 2010)

[Goal 7d/e.iv, pg. 56]

• Implement an internal performance management process with Scorecards

tracking Department, Program, and site level progress on all sustainability

measures with periodic briefings to the SSO, specifically in conjunction with

the Department’s budget formulation and execution processes (DEC 2010)

[Sec. 1.IVf, pg. 8]  

• Develop a plan to align Departmental data collection and reporting processes

to support all sustainability performance requirements (DEC 2010) [Sec. 2.II,

pg. 18]

• Use NREL’s Fleet Optimization Tool to produce recommendations for DOE’s

FY 2011 Fleet ordering process (DEC 2010) [Goal 1b.iv, pg. 30]

• Initiate phased installation of dedicated meters for data centers subject to

identification (DEC 2010) [Goal 9d, pg. 63]
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• Initiate surveys of sites to identify and benchmark use of electronic data

center best management practices subject to identification (DEC 2010) [Goal

9b, pg. 63]

• Standup and deploy Process/Industrial Technical Assistance Team supported

by EERE’s Industrial Programs Office as requested by DOE sites (DEC 2010)

[Goal 1a.iv, pg. 22]

• Standup and deploy Buildings Assessments/Commissioning Technical

Assistance Team supported by EERE’s Building Technology Program as

requested by DOE sites (DEC 2010) [Goal 1a.iv, pg. 22]

• Conduct a training needs assessment of all DOE’s designated site energy

managers as required by facility size, develop strategy for addressing

shortfalls. (DEC 2010) [Goal 1a.vi, pg. 25]

• Update and issue metering guidance (DEC 2010) [Goal 1.a.iv, pg. 23]

JAN‐SEP 2011

• Evaluate Site Sustainability Plans submitted through Under Secretaries/

Programs (JAN 2011) [Section 1.IV.f pg. 8]

• Survey Federal and contractor employees at all DOE sites to determine

current commuting practices and impediments to the increased use of public

transportation (JAN 2011) [Goal 2.iv, pg. 35]

• Identify additional ESPCs and associated funding if needed (MAY 2011) [Goal

1a.iii, none.]

• Identify sites in need of water optimization projects (JUN 2011) [Goal 6.iv, pg.

48]

• Complete comprehensive evaluations of 75% of DOE's covered facilities

including energy/water audits and roof assessments to identify potential

projects and required investment in support of EO goals per 42 U.S.C.

8253(f)(3) (JUN 2011) [Goal 1.a.iv, pg. 22; Goal 6.iv, pg. 48]

• Perform recommissioning assessments at 75% of DOE’s covered facilities to

identify and implement priority recommissioning measures per 42 U.S.C.

8253(f)(3) (JUN 2011) [Goal 1.a.iv, pg. 22]

• Update site metering plans based on revised metering guidance (AUG 2011)

[Goal 1.a.iv, pg. 23]

• Issue a comprehensive sustainability directive to replace separate energy and

environment directives (SEP 2011) [Section 2.2, pg. 18, Goal 7, pg. 50]

• Commence replacement of 850 conventional gasoline vehicles with Hybrid

Electric Vehicles, and move AFVs to locations with commercial access to

alternative fuels (SEP 2011) [Goal 1.c.iv, pg. 30]

• Sub‐meter electricity, natural gas, and steam, as appropriate on multi‐building

sites so that at least 75% of each site (in terms of energy load) is sub‐metered 42

U.S.C. 8253(e) (SEP 2011) [see Goal 1.a.iv, pg. 23]
Department of Energy | 2010

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• Use Energy Star Portfolio Manager to benchmark energy performance of

metered buildings covered under the statute and disclose performance rating

annually over time per 42 U.S.C. 8253(f)(8)  (SEP 2011) [Goal 1.a.iv,  pg. 23]  

• Conduct integrated, whole systems industrial assessments of DOE energy‐

intensive processes (SEP 2011) [Goal 1.a.iv, pg. 22]

• Evaluate sites to determine potential as test‐beds for large‐scale

demonstrations of new EE/RE technologies (SEP 2011) [Sec. 1.V.d, pg. 11;

Goal 1.b.iv, pg. 28]

• Identify buildings to achieve compliance with sustainable buildings guiding

principles by FY 2015, and the resources required for this effort (SEP 2011)

[Goal 4.iv.c, pg. 40]

• Ensure participation in regional transportation planning is incorporated into

site policy and guidance documents (SEP 2011) [Goal 5.iv.a, pg. 45]

• Prepare water efficiency policies and water management plans for each site

or update existing plans (SEP 2011) [Goal 6.iv, pg. 48]

• Initiate verification of the effectiveness and reliability of site clearance‐of‐

property procedures to identify those materials that cannot be cleared for

unrestricted reuse or recycling (SEP 2011) [Goal 7.b/c.iv, pg. 52]

• Update and include GHG‐contributing elements into guidance on toxic,

hazardous and chemical reduction strategies for the DOE complex (SEP 2011)

[Goal 7. f/i. & iv, pg. 55]

• Implement an all‐inclusive affirmative acquisition clause for all DOE

procurement actions (SEP 2011) [Goal 8.iv, pg. 59]

• Update master listings of environmentally‐preferable products for use in the

DOE complex (SEP 2011) [Goal 8.iv, pg. 59]

• Modify PPTRS to capture data to measure the proportion of new contract

actions for products against the 95% sustainable acquisition goal (SEP 2011)

[Goal 8.iv, pg. 59 ]

• Modify Federal Procurement and Contractor Purchasing System balanced

scorecards to include the 95% goal for new contract actions (SEP 2011) [Goal

8.iv, pg. 60]

• Complete surveys and benchmark site data centers to identify and

implement best management practices, subject to identification (SEP 2011)

[Goal 9.iv.b, pg. 63]

• Revise existing procedures for environmentally sound disposition of

electronics (SEP 2011) [Goal 9.iv.e, pg. 64]

• Develop and implement a policy for power and resource management of

end‐user electronic systems across the DOE complex (SEP 2011) [Goal 9.iv.a,

pg. 63]

FY 2012

• Acquire SF6 capture and storage equipment, develop training, and deploy SF6

capture program at key DOE sites (SEP 2012) [Goal 1.d.iv, pg. 31]
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• Use the findings of facility evaluations and assessments to prioritize water

leak repairs consistent with the most significant losses (SEP 2012) [Goal 6.iv,

pg. 48]

• Complete verification of the effectiveness and reliability of clearance‐of‐

property procedures to identify those materials that cannot be cleared for

unrestricted reuse or recycling (SEP 2012) [Goal 7.b/c.iv, pg. 52]

• Prioritize for implementation all identified data center projects (SEP 2012)

[Goal 9.iv.d, pg. 64]

• Sub‐meter electricity use on multi‐building sites so that all appropriate buildings

and processes are sub‐metered (at least 90% of each multi‐building site’s

electricity load) per 42 U.S.C. 8253(e)  (OCT 2012)  [Goal 1.a.iv, pg. 23]

• Sub‐meter natural gas and steam, as appropriate, on multi‐building sites on a

schedule so that all appropriate buildings and processes are sub‐metered (at

least 90% of each multi‐building site’s thermal load) by October 2015 per 42

U.S.C. 8253(e) [Goal 1.a.iv, pg. 23]

Corporate culture

JUL‐DEC 2010

• Commence periodic sustainability progress briefings from the Under

Secretaries to the SSO (OCT 2010) [None]

• Communicate the SSPP to DOE employees and contractors (NOV 2010) [Sec.

2.II, pg. 18]

• Include energy conservation and recycling in employee orientation programs

(NOV 2010) [Sec. 2.II, pg. 18]

• Conduct a GHG and energy summit among senior DOE leadership (to include

laboratory Chief Operating Officers and Chief Financial Officers) (DEC 2010)

[Sec 2.II, pg. 18]

• Establish a website for sharing sustainability best practices (DEC 2010) [Sec.

1.VI, pg. 12; Goal 4.iv, pg. 40; Goal 7, pgs. 52; Goal 8.iv, pg. 58; Goal 9.iv, 63]

• Develop a plan for retiring Departmental printers incapable of duplex

printing (DEC 2010) [Goal 7.d.iv, pg. 56]

• Include GHG management and energy awareness issues within the DOE

Facilities and Real Estate workshop (DEC 2010) [None]

JAN‐SEP 2011

• Commence periodic sustainability updates from the SSO to the Secretary of

Energy (JAN 2011) [EO 13514 Section 8.i]

• Identify regional transportation planning, ecosystem, watershed, and

environmental management initiatives affecting sites and opportunities to

work with local authorities to align energy policies and sitting of renewable

energy infrastructure (FEB 2011) [Goal 5.iv, pgs. 45‐46]

• Develop incentive program to encourage car sharing for employees attending

out of town meetings (MAR 2011) [Goal 2.iv, pg. 35]
Department of Energy | 2010

Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan | Page 74

• Survey all sites to assess deployment of carpooling incentives, and develop

recommendations for additional employee incentives to use public

transportation (SEP 2011)  [Goal 2.iv, pg. 35]

• Augment DOE’s existing Environmental Sustainability (EStar) award programs

(SEP 2011) [Goal 7a.iv, pg. 53]

• Develop computer‐based training modules for sustainable acquisition subject

to identification (SEP 2011) [Goal 8.iv, pg. 60]

• Increase emphasis on sustainable acquisition compliance monitoring and

reporting through Procurement Management Reviews (SEP 2011) [Goal 8.iv,

pg. 60]

• Assess state of interaction between sites and their local/regional

organizations (SEP 2011) [Goal 5.iv, pg. 44]

FY 2012

• Ensure facility energy managers are qualified Certified Energy Managers

(CEM); include requirement for GOCO sites to have a CEM certified facility

energy manager during next contract amendment or renegotiation (SEP

2012) [Goal 1.a.vi, pg. 25]

• Ensure all sites comprising greater than 5 million square feet of facility space

have full‐time energy managers (SEP 2012) [Goal 1.a.vi, pg. 25]

• Deploy computer‐based sustainable acquisition training (SEP 2012) [Goal 8.iv,

pg. 60]
Department of Energy | 2010

Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan | Page 75

Appendix 1: Abbreviations

AFVs – Alternative Fuel Vehicle  

BTU – British Thermal Unit

C&D – Construction and Demolition

CAFE – Corporate Average Fuel Economy

CEQ – Council on Environmental Quality

CFO – Chief Financial Officer

CFR – Code of Federal Regulations

CO2 – Carbon Dioxide

CPU – Central Processing Unit

D&D – Deactivation and Decommissioning

DEAR – DOE Acquisition Regulation

DOE – U.S. Department of Energy  

DOT – U.S. Department of Transportation

EFCOG – Energy Facility Contractors Group

EISA – Energy Independence Security Act

EMS – Environmental Management System

EO – Executive Order

EPA – Environmental Protection Agency

EPACT – Energy Policy Act  

EPCRA – Emergency Planning and Community Right‐to‐Know Act

EPEAT – Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool  

EPP – Environmentally Preferable Product

ESPC – Energy Savings Performance Contract  

EUL – Enhanced Use Lease

FAR – Federal Acquisition Regulation

FAST – Federal Automotive Statistical Tool

FEMP – Federal Energy Management Program

FIMS – Facilities Information Management System

FY – Fiscal Year

GC – General Counsel

GHG – Greenhouse Gas

GOCO – Government Owned, Contractor Operated  

GP ‐ Federal Guiding Principles for Sustainable Design  

GPRA – Government Performance and Results Act

GSA – General Services Administration  

GSF – Gross Square Feet

HPSB – High Performance and Sustainable Buildings

HVAC – Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning

HEVs – Hybrid Electric Vehicles  

HUD – Department of Housing and Urban Development

IFI – Integrated Facilities Infrastructure (Crosscut)

IT – Information Technology
Department of Energy | 2010

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IMP – Integrated Pest Management  

LANL – Los Alamos National Laboratory  

LBNL – Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

LLNL – Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory  

MGY – Million of Gallons of Water per Year  

mTCO2e – Metric Ton Carbon Dioxide Equivalent

MWH –Megawatt hour

NEPA – National Environmental Policy Act  

NNSA – National Nuclear Security Administration

NPV – Net Present Value

NREL – National Renewable Energy Laboratory

O&M – Operation & Maintenance

OCIO – Office of the Chief Information Office  

OMB – U.S. Office of Management and Budget

ORNL – Oak Ridge National Laboratory

PHEV ‐ Plug‐in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

PMR – Procurement Management Review

PPA – Power Purchase Agreement  

PPTRS – Pollution Prevention Tracking and Reporting System  

PV – Photovoltaic (Solar Power)

REC – Renewable Energy Certificate  

PSO – Program Secretarial Official

ROI – Return on Investment

SBIP – Sustainable Buildings Implementation Plan  

SCC – Social Cost of Carbon

SERF – Sanitary Effluent Reclamation Facility  

SF – Square Feet

SF6 ‐ Sulfur hexafluoride

SIT – Sustainability Integration Team  

SPO – Sustainability Performance Office

SSO – Senior Sustainability Officer

SSPP – Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan

SSSC – Senior Sustainability Steering Committee

STRIPES – Strategic Integrated Procurement Enterprise System

T&D – Transmission and Distribution

UESC – Utility Energy Service Contract

VFD – Variable Frequency Drive  
Department of Energy | 2010

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Appendix 2: Sustainability Governance
Department of Energy | 2010

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Appendix 3:  Federal Energy Management Program

FEMP GOVERNMENT‐WIDE SUPPORT ROLE

The mission of the Department of Energy's (DOE) Federal Energy Management Program

(FEMP) is to facilitate the Federal Government's implementation of sound, cost‐effective

energy management and investment practices to enhance the nation's energy security

and environmental stewardship.

FEMP’s primary customers are the Federal agencies subject to legislative and Executive

Order (EO) mandates in support of the following activities:  

• Reducing the energy intensity in existing buildings  

• Increasing the use of renewable energy technologies  

• Reducing water consumption  

• Reducing petroleum use in Federal fleets and increasing use of alternative fuels

• Metering electricity, natural gas, and steam use in facilities

• Assuring that all new buildings designs are 30 percent more efficient than relevant

code

• Using sustainable design when constructing new buildings and using sustainable

environmental practices

• Procuring energy‐efficient products that are in the top 25 percent of their class

FEMP assists its Federal customers in meeting their energy management goals by

delivering an array of products organized into three distinct service lines:  

• Project transaction services facilitate the use of alternative finance mechanisms

across the Federal Government by helping to identify financing opportunities,

providing alternative finance training, assisting with baseline audits, providing

project facilitation, assisting in project evaluation and selection, providing full

project life‐cycle support, and sharing lessons learned.

• Applied technology services provide technical assistance and training services

across the Federal Government, enabling agencies to meet their energy efficiency

and renewable energy goals in the areas of sustainable design, water conservation,

fleet management, operations and maintenance best practices, metering and

energy‐efficient products.   

• Decision support services assist with the coordination of DOE and inter‐agency

planning, reporting, and communication processes supporting legislative and other

initiatives; publication of rules and guidance; energy awareness; and customer

service support.   
Department of Energy | 2010

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FEMP INTERNAL DOE SUPPORT ROLE

Although its mission supports all Federal Government agencies, FEMP currently supports

DOE in‐house energy management and green house gas reduction activities from its

position under the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).     

DOE Order 430.2b requires each DOE site to develop energy, sustainable building, and

fleet management plans (commonly called Executable Plans – now included in Site

Sustainability Plans).  FEMP develops guidelines for these plans and conducts department‐

wide analysis when they are submitted.  In addition, FEMP gathers data and provides

DOE’s energy, water, and vehicle fleet data input for submittal in annual reports to

Congress.   

FEMP SUPPORT OF EO 13514

Executive Order (EO) 13514, Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic

Performance, established GHG emissions as a unifying priority for Federal energy and

environmental management, thus necessitating a deliberate planning process for

managing GHGs. FEMP has provided ongoing, direct technical assistance to Federal

agencies concerning the development of comprehensive GHG emission inventories

through one‐on‐one meetings between agencies and FEMP technical assistance points of

contact.  FEMP is actively involved in the development of Federal guidance for

implementing the Executive Order, including GHG, fleet management, and water

conservation activities.

To assist agencies develop GHG reduction targets under Section 2(a) of EO 13514, FEMP

developed pre‐populated Scope 1 and 2 GHG targeting tools to enable Federal agencies to

develop top‐down estimates of their GHG emissions from 2008 energy use and project

avoided emissions from meeting mandated goals for 2015. This tool provided ways for

agencies to evaluate projections and determine their 2020 GHG reduction goals.  FEMP

also provided input into the Scope 3 GHG targeting tool to help agencies estimate and

understand their Scope 3 emissions, providing a basis for evaluating targeted reductions

to be met by FY 2020 as required under Section 2(b) of EO 13514.   

As required under Section 9(a) of EO 13514, FEMP chaired the interagency working group

and developed the detailed recommendations for the Federal GHG accounting and

reporting procedures that were delivered to CEQ in April 2010.  These recommendations

include:

“procedures that will ensure that agencies accurately and consistently quantify

and account for greenhouse gas emissions from all scope 1, 2, and 3 sources, using

accepted greenhouse gas accounting and reporting principles.”
Department of Energy | 2010

Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan | Page 80

As required under Section 12 of EO 13514, FEMP also developed guidance and a

comprehensive handbook on Federal fleet vehicle management that:  

“addresses the acquisition of alternative fuel vehicles and use of alternative fuels;

the use of biodiesel blends in diesel vehicles; the acquisition of electric vehicles for

appropriate functions; improvement of fleet fuel economy; the optimizing of fleets

to the agency mission; petroleum reduction strategies, such as the acquisition of

low greenhouse gas emitting vehicles and the reduction of vehicle miles traveled;

and the installation of renewable fuel pumps at Federal fleet fueling centers.”

Further, FEMP is developing and piloting a reporting tool that agencies may use to

develop their GHG inventories while also meeting their obligations for annual energy

reporting. This activity is in accordance with Section 9(c) of EO 13514 which directs DOE,

with 1 year of the date of the order:

”through its Federal Energy Management Program. . . ensure consistent and

accurate reporting under this section, provide electronic accounting and reporting

capability for the Federal greenhouse gas reporting procedures developed under

subsection (a) of this section, and to the extent practicable, ensure compatibility

between this capability and existing Federal agency reporting systems.”

More recently, CEQ requested DOE to co‐chair with EPA an interagency working group to

prepare recommendations for water efficiency guidance to assist Federal agencies in

meeting their obligations under Section 2(d) of EO 13514.  This section establishes water

efficiency goals pertaining to reduced potable water consumption intensity and reduced

industrial, landscaping, and agricultural water consumption.  This activity is a continuation

of work FEMP has been performing under the prior EO 13423, so this working group is

already in place, has been meeting since the issuance of EO 13514, and has already

delivered preliminary guidance to CEQ.

Throughout the EO 13514 implementation process, FEMP staff members have been

detailed to work at the CEQ’s Office of the Federal Environmental Executive (OFEE) to

provide expertise on GHG targeting, accounting, and reporting.  In addition, FEMP

facilitates government‐wide education and training on Federal GHG management.  

FEMP’s activities have included presenting and co‐hosting workshops for Senior

Sustainability Officers and working level staff on EO implementation; and launching and

maintaining various GHG websites for use by Federal government working groups.  FEMP

is currently developing a web‐based course to train Federal employees in GHG accounting

policies and procedures.

  
Department of Energy | 2010

Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan | Page 81

Appendix 4:  DOE Energy Projects

PROJECT PROGRESSION

Energy audits (both internal and external) identify potential energy efficiency measures or

renewable energy projects for consideration.  After careful technical, financial, and

programmatic analysis, a subset of these projects move forward and are proposed for

funding.  These projects are then placed in‐development, ultimately leading to a contract

award.  After construction, these projects are commissioned and then considered

operational.    DOE identifies and develops most projects through a process similar to this,

with the pipeline constantly being replenished with new projects.   

ENERGY EFFICIENCY   

The Department of Energy leads the Federal government in the use of Energy Savings

Performance Contracts (ESPC), both in total investment and in total expected savings.  All

large projects are considered for ESPC funding before other forms of funding are

considered.   

Since 1998, DOE has signed 19 ESPC contracts, providing $451M of energy efficiency

investment at 15 sites, with $1,551M in total expected cost savings (5.5 million MMBtu of

energy savings).  Excluding the two large ESPC contracts discussed below, the average

DOE site ESPC award is about $10M and remains in effect for about 18 years.  Energy

conservation measures (ECMs) currently under contract (operational or under

construction) are provided in Table 15.

Two large projects currently awarded and under construction include:

Savannah River Site (Areas D, K and L): DOE is replacing an ageing coal fueled electric

power plant with a modern, state of the art biomass plant to produce both heat and

electrical power (760,775 MMBtu of heat, 77,500 MWh electrical).  The site is also

installing two biomass heat/steam only plants to supply remote heating loads (33,300

MMBtu of heat).  In addition to reducing the green house gas emissions from the site,

these projects will save water and will eliminate maintenance on many miles of steam

lines.     

Oak Ridge National Laboratory:  DOE is converting a coal fueled steam/heating plant

into a plant fueled by biomass (384,103 MMBtu), greatly reducing the greenhouse gas

emissions from this site.  

ENERGY PRODUCTION

DOE also develops projects to offset energy purchased from the electrical grid.  Doing so

reduces the Scope 2 GHGs produced at the electrical generating source, and the Scope 3

GHGs resulting from losses during Transmission and Distribution of the electricity.  These

projects tend to fall into two categories:  (1) production of clean, renewable power
Department of Energy | 2010

Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan | Page 82

(normally by solar, wind, and geothermal energy generated on site) and (2) clean energy

purchases (normally by Power Purchase Agreements for third party generated electricity

produced on a DOE site, or by green power purchases).  Three major projects are

currently under construction:

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Green Power purchase:  The Army Corps of

Engineers is installing a low flow turbine in its hydroelectric dam at Abiquiu, New

Mexico.  LANL has agreed to purchase about 80% of this power via a long term

power purchase agreement (7,000 MWh electrical/year).  This project will meet

3.3% of LANL’s renewable goal.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) renewable energy development:    

NREL is installing about 2,500 MW of photovoltaic power on the roofs of the

Research Support Facility.  When completed, these systems will provide over 3.8

million MWh of electrical energy per year.  In addition, NREL is in the process of

completing two wind turbine projects (3.8 MW combined), which are capable of

producing about 11 million MWh of electrical energy per year.  When all currently

contracted and operating NREL renewable energy projects are on line, the site will

produce about 90% of its electrical and 67% of its thermal energy needs.   These

projects are funded using a mixture of appropriated funds, Power Purchase

Agreements and a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement.

Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL):  BNL will lease land to BP Solar will develop

a 37 MW photovoltaic array on BNL land.  This energy (60,770 MWh/year) will be

sold to the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) under a power purchase agreement.  

BNL purchases its electrical power from LIPA.   

DOE has met renewable energy goals by purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (REC),

and was cited in EPA’s Green Power Partnership’s Top 20 Purchasers list (for the year

ending April 2010) for purchasing RECs or Green Power for 4% of DOE’s electrical energy

consumption.  
Strategic Sustainabili

Table 13: Energy Savings Performance Contracts currently in place (1999‐2010)

Project Title Agency

Project

Investment

($M)

Guaranteed

Cost Savings

($M)

Annual

Energy

Savings

(MMBtu)

Lighting  

Improvements

Building Automation Systems

HVAC Improvements

Energy Surveys

Boiler  

Improvements

Piping& Distribution

Improvements

Chiller

NREL Biomass ESPC EERE $4 $13 41,272 Hanford 1 ‐ Richland Ops EM $12 $20 19,845 2009 2009 2009 2Savannah River Site Biomass EM $183 $945 3,830,578 2009 NETL Pittsburgh/Morgantown FE $6 $13 23,862 2008 2008 2008 HQ (Forrestal & Germantown) MA $29 $60 49,177 2010 2010 2010 2010 Idaho National Laboratory NE $34 $78 56,059

20082001

2008 2008 2008

Lawrence Livermore NNSA $11 $26 97,650 2008Los Alamos National NNSA $15 $29 62,181 2010 2010Nevada Test Site NNSA $7 $16 18,717 2009 2009 North Las Vegas NNSA $1 $2 5,666 2002Pantex Plant NNSA $24 $66 310,613

20062000

20062000

20062000

20062000 

Y‐12 NNSA $29 $62 133,056 2001 2001

2009 2009 2

2

Argonne SC $7 $12 69,913

20092004 2004

20092004

2009 2

Fermi National Accelerator SC $2 $3 11,206 2010 2010 2010 Oak Ridge National Laboratory SC $88 $207 770,092

20081999

2008 2008 2008 

(For each Energy Conservation Measure, the date is the fiscal year of contract award)
Department of Energy | 2010

Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan | Page 84

Appendix 5: Summary of DOE Orders

Key requirements of the following EOs and DOE Orders are summarized below:

• DOE Order 430.1B – Real Property Asset Management

• DOE Order 430.2B – Departmental Energy, Renewable Energy and Transportation

Management

• DOE Order 450.1A – Environmental Protection Program

DOE ORDER 430.1B

Purpose: To establish a corporate, holistic, and performance‐based approach to real

property life‐cycle asset management that links real property asset planning, programming,

budgeting, and evaluation to program mission projections and performance outcomes.  

Key Requirements:

• Document results of real property asset site planning and performance in a Ten‐Year

Site Plan (TYSP) that is kept current and covers a 10‐year planning horizon. For

closure sites, disposition plans must be developed.

• Develop a land‐use plan to provide a clear view of the land‐use issues, capabilities,

opportunities, and limitations of a site. Land‐use plans should be tailored based on

local site condition and must consider the National Environmental Policy Act, site

planning and asset management, stakeholder public participation, economic

development under community reuse organizations, environmental law, cultural

asset management, historic preservation, and natural resource management, and

other factors.

• Excess real property assets that are appropriate for economic‐development transfer

must be identified and disposed of in accordance with 10 CFR 770, Transfer of Real

Property at Defense Nuclear Facilities for Economic Development (reference b).  

Real estate actions for out‐grant must be performed in accordance with the Joint

DOE/EPA Interim Policy Statement on Leasing Under the Hall Amendment, dated

June 30 1998 (reference x), and applicable DOE directives.

• Real property assets will be maintained in a manner that promotes operational

safety, worker health, environmental protection and compliance, property

preservation, and cost‐effectiveness while meeting the program missions.

• Acquisition of real property assets through construction must be planned and

accomplished to meet program mission projections, with planning to include life‐

cycle cost considerations. Planning for disposition must be initiated when real

property assets are identified as no longer required for current or future programs.

• All DOE elements must develop real property asset performance measures

commensurate with their duties and responsibilities.
Department of Energy | 2010

Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan | Page 85

DOE ORDER 430.2B

Purpose: To provide requirements and responsibilities for managing DOE energy, buildings,

and fleets.

Key Requirements:

• Maximize utilization of private sector, third‐party financing, particularly from Energy

Savings Performance Contracts (ESPC) and Utility Energy Services Contracts (UESC)

applied in a life cycle cost effective manner

• By FY 2015, reduce energy intensity by no less than 30 % on average across the

entire Department, relative to the Department’s energy use in FY 2003.

• By FY 2015, reduce potable water use by no less than 16 %, relative to the

Department’s potable water use in FY 2007.

• Install advanced electric metering systems at all Department sites in accordance

with the DOE metering plan for site monitoring of electric energy. Standard metering

systems for steam, natural gas and water must also be installed and centrally

monitored at all Department sites for steam, natural gas and water consumption.

• Install on‐site renewable energy (electric and thermal) generation at all Department

sites.

• Install sustainable building materials and practices throughout the Department’s

existing building assets and the attainment of the U.S. Green Building Council’s

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for all new

construction and major building renovations in excess of $5 million and not having

reached CD‐2 before October 1, 2008. All buildings falling below this threshold are

required to comply with the Guiding Principles for Federal Leadership in High

Performance and Sustainable Buildings (Guiding Principles).

• Meet the 15 % goal in EO 13423 dated January 24, 2007 section 2(f)(ii) for

incorporating sustainable practices of the Guiding Principles for energy and water

and related principles into the Department’s capital asset building inventory.

• Utilize standardized operations and maintenance (O&M) and measurement and

verification (M&V) protocols coupled with real‐time information collection and

centralized reporting capabilities.

• Perform commissioning of new equipment or retrofit construction to ensure that

systems are designed, installed, functionally tested and capable of being operated

and maintained to perform in conformity with the project intent.

• Perform retro‐commission to review the condition of building systems and return

equipment that has fallen out of desired operating parameters back into appropriate

tolerances.

• Provide access to alternative fuel infrastructure throughout the Department to

ensure that all alternative fuel vehicles will operate on alternative fuels to the

greatest extent practicable, and replace DOE conventional‐fuel vehicles with

alternative fuel and hybrid technology vehicles, including plug‐in hybrid electric

vehicles as they become available.

• Increase development, generation and consumption of electric and steam, natural

gas from renewable energy sources and combined heat and power sources.
Department of Energy | 2010

Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan | Page 86

• Increase use of non‐potable water sources such as reclaimed, recycled and grey

water for appropriate applications.

• Expedite improvement in the quality, consistency and centralization of data

collected and reported through the use of commercially available software.

• Develop and commit to an Executable Plan (now included in Site Sustainability Plan)

for each site that identifies their respective contributions toward meeting all of the

Department‐wide goals stated above.

DOE ORDER 450.1A

Purpose: To implement sound stewardship practices that are protective of the air, water,

land, and other natural and cultural resources impacted by DOE operations, and by which

DOE cost effectively meets or exceeds compliance with applicable environmental, public

health, and resource protection requirements.

Key Requirements:

• Implement sustainable practices for enhancing environmental, energy, and

transportation management performance, as stipulated in section 3(a) of EO 13423,

through environmental management systems that are part of Integrated Safety

Management (ISM) systems established pursuant to DOE P 450.4, Safety

Management System Policy, dated 10‐15‐96.

• Develop and implement an environmental management system to be integrated

into the site’s ISM system.

• Achieve the DOE Sustainable Environmental Stewardship goals:

o Reduce or eliminate the generation and/or toxicity of waste and other

pollutants at the source through pollution prevention

o Reduce or eliminate the acquisition, use and release of toxic and hazardous

chemicals and materials

o Maximize the acquisition and use of environmentally preferable products in

the conduct of operations

o Reduce or eliminate the environmental impacts of electronic assets

o Reduce degradation and depletion of environmental resources through post‐

consumer material recycling
Department of Energy | 2010

Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan | Page 87

Appendix 6: Source Document References

Department of Energy, Organization Chart, November 30, 2009.

http://www.energy.gov/organization/orgchart.htm  

Department of Energy, Environmental Management System

http://www.hss.energy.gov/nuclearsafety/env/ems/  

Department of Energy, Financing Mechanisms

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/financing/mechanisms.html  

Department of Energy, US Climate Change Technology Program Strategic Plan, DOE‐PI‐0005,

September 2006. http://www.climatetechnology.gov/stratplan/final/index.htm  

Department of Energy, High Performance and Sustainable Buildings Implementation Plan,

August 15, 2008.

http://www.management.energy.gov/documents/doe_hpsb_implement_plan.pdf  

Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis under Executive Order 12866, Appendix 15A.  

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/commercial/pdfs/smallmotors_tsd

/sem_finalrule_appendix15a.pdf   

Department of Energy, Open Government Plan, April 2010.

http://www.energy.gov/open/documents/DOE_OGI_Plan_07Apr2010.pdf   

Department of Energy, Affirmative Procurement Program

http://management.energy.gov/business_doe/1151.htm  

High Performance and Sustainable Buildings Guidance, December 1, 2008.

http://www.wbdg.org/pdfs/hpsb_guidance.pdf

House Report 109‐086 – Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill, 2006.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi‐bin/cpquery/R?cp109:FLD010:@1(hr086)

Department of Energy Acquisition Regulations (DEAR)

http://management.energy.gov/DEAR.htm  

Department of Energy, Procurement & Acquisition  

http://management.energy.gov/policy_guidance/procurement_acquisition.htm

Department of Energy, Balanced Scorecard Performance Assessment, March 2004.  

http://management.energy.gov/documents/AcqGuide1pt3.pdf  
Department of Energy | 2010

Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan | Page 88

Department of Energy, Balanced Scorecard – Performance Measurement and Performance

Management Program, January 2005.

http://management.energy.gov/documents/BSCProgramDescriptionDocumentJan2005.pdf  

Department of Energy, Balanced Scorecard Federal Compliance Review Criteria –

Acquisition and Financial Assistance Self Assessment Checklist, May 2008.

http://management.energy.gov/documents/FedComplianceCritChecklist.pdf  

Strategic Integrated Procurement Enterprise System (STRIPES)

http://www.cfo.doe.gov/corpsyst/i‐manage/STRIPES.htm  

Federal Purchasing System Balanced Scorecard, and Contractor Purchasing System Balanced

Scorecards (http://management.energy.gov/726.htm  

U.S. Department of Energy, Sustainable Acquisition, Recycling, and Pollution Prevention

Practices Fiscal Year 2008 Report, February 2009.

http://www.hss.doe.gov/nuclearsafety/env/reports/eo13423/fy2008rpt.pdf

Department of Energy, Data Center Profile Software Tool Suite

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/industry/datacenters/software.html  

Department of Energy, Best Practices Guide for Energy‐Efficient Data Center Design,

February 2010 http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/pdfs/eedatacenterbestpractices.pdf  

NNSA RAMP Program

http://www.fmlink.com/ProfResources/BestPractices/article.cgi?GSA:122408.html  

DOE Order 430.1B – Real Property Asset Management, September 24, 2003.   

https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives/current‐directives/430.1‐BOrder‐bc1/view

DOE Order 430.2B – Departmental Energy, Renewable Energy and Transportation

Management, February 27, 2008.  

https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives/current‐directives/430.2‐BOrder‐b/view

DOE Order 450.1A – Environmental Protection Program, June 4, 2008.   

https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives/current‐directives/450.1‐BOrder‐a/view