Sustainability Report

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) 2003–2004
Sustainability, in the sense of an organization and its 

operations, is the simultaneous and balanced pursuit of 

economic viability, environmental stewardship, and public

responsibility. It is achieved over the long term through 

appropriate investment decisions and operating practices.
INTRODUCTION

This Sustainability Report highlights the National Renewable Energy 

Laboratory’s (NREL) comprehensive 

sustainability activities. These efforts 

demonstrate NREL’s progress toward 

achieving overall sustainability goals. 

Sustainability is an inherent centerpiece 

of the Laboratory’s work. NREL’s 

mission—to develop renewable energy 

and energy efficiency technologies and 

practices...and transfer knowledge and 

innovations to address the nation’s 

energy and environmental goals—is 

synergistic with sustainability. 

In 2000, the Laboratory formalized its 

sustainability activities, building on 

earlier efforts. Consistent with NREL’s 

mission, the Lab took a leadership 

role in sustainability within the DOE 

complex and became a significant 

contributor to the sustainability agenda 

nationally and internationally. 

PIX 03285 Stephanie Troxel, NREL
CONTENTS

Message from the Director 1

Commitment and Management 2

Environmental Footprint 3

Campus Planning 4

Water Use 5

Energy Use 6

New Construction 7

Green Power 8

Transportation 9

Recycling 10

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing 11

Greenhouse Gas Emissions 12

Environmental Management 13

Public Responsibility 14

Message from the Sustainable NREL Lead 15

Sustainability Awards back cover

Acknowledgments

The Sustainable NREL Master Plan implementation is managed by Robert Westby, 

Sustainable NREL lead; and Susan Huffnagle, Sustainable NREL coordinator. 

The following staff members implement the master plan through collaborations of their individual 

areas: NREL Executive Management (Lab economic viability); Nancy Carlisle (environmental 

stewardship activities - site planning and new buildings); Stephanie Tanner (water); Otto VanGeet

and Anna Hoenmans (electricity and natural gas use); Dan Bilello (GHG reductions); Chandra Shah 

(green power purchasing); Don Reed, Henri Hubenka, and Computer Power Management Committee 

(computer power management); Tim Peele (transportation); Karri Bottom and the Recycling 

Advisory Committee (materials); Maureen Jordan and Denise Rayborn (environmental management 

systems - including sustainability); Michelle Kubik (communications); Laura Michael (policies and 

procedures); Lee Boughey (public responsibility). 
1

I

n October 2000, I announced the creation of the Sustainable 

NREL Initiative. The purpose of this initiative was to help the 

Laboratory seize every opportunity to ensure that the choices we 

make today maintain our economic viability, minimize our impact 

on the environment, and ensure the well-being of our staff and the 

public far into the future. Subsequently, the accomplishments in 

the planning stage of this initiative succeeded in laying important 

groundwork for our journey toward a more sustainable Laboratory. 

In February 2002, NREL made the transition from planning to a focus 

on implementing actions that would lead to a sustainable operating 

culture. Sustainable NREL activities are organized around a comprehensive Sustainability Management Framework, which is based on 

the “triple bottom line” of sustainability—economic viability, environmental stewardship, and public responsibility. 

This report summarizes the status of Sustainable NREL activities for 

2003-2004. I am pleased to report that we have made considerable 

progress in all areas. Here are a few of the highlights:

• The Lab substantially reduced its energy use, meeting both 

DOE 2005 and 2010 goals in 2003.

• NREL was one of seven organizations to initially establish 

greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reduction targets as part of 

the EPA Climate Leaders Partnership. 

• NREL has purchased 10% of its annual electrical use in green 

power since 2001. 

• The Lab completed its 25-year General Development 

Vision, which encourages sustainability through an overall 

development plan.

• NREL’s next major new building, the Science and Technology 

Facility (STF), was designed at the Gold level of the Leadership 

in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines. 

• The Lab’s fl eet of 39 fl eet vehicles includes 29 

alternative-fuel vehicles.

• NREL has reduced its water use by 25% since 2000.

NREL’s primary goal is to establish a formal change in Laboratory 

culture, ensuring that every decision we make fully considers all 

resource implications. When sustainability is an inherent part of 

everything we do at the Lab, we know that we will have achieved our 

objective. 

Richard Truly

Director, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

September 2004

“NREL’s primary goal is 

to establish a formal 

change in Laboratory 

culture, ensuring that 

every decision we 

make fully considers all 

resource implications. 

When sustainability 

is an inherent part of 

everything we do at the 

Lab, we know that we 

will have achieved our 

objective.”

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

PIX 0983 Warren Gretz, NREL
2 

NREL Sustainability Vision 

NREL will exemplify sustainability in an R&D organization by 

maximizing effi cient use of all resources; minimizing waste 

and pollution; and serving as a positive force in economic, 

environmental, and community responsibility.

http://www.nrel.gov/sustainable_nrel/

COMMITMENT AND MANAGEMENT

Sustainability Management Framework

Economic Viability

Environmental Stewardship

• Campus

• Water

• Electricity/Natural Gas

• Transportation

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rebuy

• Environmental Management 

• Education/ Communications

Public Responsibility

The Sustainable NREL Master Plan and Management Framework 

provide the foundation for sustainability activities that are implemented 

collaboratively throughout the Laboratory. For more information, please 

visit our Web site.
3

I

n 2004, NREL completed a life-cycle 

assessment-based “environmental 

footprint.” This assessment is the baseline 

against which the Laboratory measures 

its progress in achieving “environmental 

neutrality” in all its operations. This 

goal identifies the environmental 

consequences of the Laboratory’s choices 

and measures the cumulative effect of 

those choices using a functional CO2

common denominator. The use of this 

universal metric allows NREL to better 

understand the relative impacts of its 

decisions; measure progress toward 

sustainable neutrality; benchmark 

performance against goals and other 

similar institutions; and, in general, take 

responsibility for its actions. 

ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT

SOURCE Total for FY03 Kg CO2 Eq. % of Total CO2 Emitted

Electricity 21,777,183 kWh 22,299,835 77%

Natural Gas 62,046 MMBTU 3,275,408 11%

Commuter Vehicle Emissions 227,069 gallons gas 1,475,949 5%

Domestic Air Travel Emissions 6,689,199 miles 1,373,648 5%

International Air Travel Emissions 2,107,400 miles 440,994 2%

Fleet Vehicle Emissions 11,267 gallons gas & eq. 73,236 * Negligible

Solid Waste Disposal 9,575,000 gallons: 201 MMBTU 10,611 * Negligible

Water (Electricity Consumed) 9,575,000 gallons: 13,581 kWh 13,907 * Negligible

Water (Natural Gas Consumed) 9,575,000 gallons: 201 MMBTU 10,611 * Negligible

Laboratory CO2 Source Distribution

(% Kg CO2 Equivalent)

* Four sources have 

 negligible emissions

Source: Sustainable NREL: Laboratory Life-Cycle Assessment of Environmental Footprint; Susan Huffnagle, Robert Westby; 

NREL Report No. CP-710-36529

PIX 07303 David Parsons, NREL
4 

CAMPUS PLANNING

NREL has completed a 25-year General Development Vision (GDV), establishing an overall development plan that encourages sustainability 

by discouraging “piecemeal” building additions. This unique plan proposes 

incorporating leading-edge renewable energy and energy effi ciency technologies—

as well as environmentally sound energy, alternative transportation, and water 

effi ciency practices—into NREL’s buildings and the surrounding environment. 

The plan sets goals for land development and building design that will maximize 

resource effi ciency, minimize waste, enhance people’s work environment, and help 

NREL achieve its energy mission.

NREL’s General 

Development Vision 

outlines a 25-year plan 

for the Laboratory’s site 

development.

Today: 10% green power purchased since end of 2001

2020: 100% green power 

Today: Energy use 34% less than required standard in DOE-owned buildings

2020: Energy use 60% less than required standard in all NREL buildings 

Today: Decreasing amount of waste generated and CO2 produced

2020: Near-zero waste generated and CO2 produced 

Today: Evolving sustainability efforts

2020: Effective sustainability program and culture in place 
5

WATER USE

NREL has developed life-cycle cost-effective water effi ciency 

programs that include an extensive 

water-management plan. 

In addition, four waterconservation best management 

practices have been implemented. 

They include educating staff about 

water conservation, utilizing 

natural landscaping, installing 

low-fl ush toilets and waterless 

urinals, and retrofi tting faucets 

and showerheads with aerators to 

decrease water fl ow.

Natural landscaping is one 

way NREL is reducing water 

consumption. Using plants that 

are native to the environment 

creates harmony between 

water conservation and 

aesthetic beauty.

FTLB

Gallons (millions)

SERF

Other

Total

5.0 4.8 4.7 4.2

5.9 4.9 5.0 4.6

1.8 1.4 1.1 0.8

12.6 11.1 10.7 9.6

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

FY00 FY01 FY02 FY03

Best management practices have enabled NREL to reduce 

water consumption by 25%. This has allowed water costs 

for the Laboratory to remain constant since FY 2000. 

NREL Water Use

PIX 12641 Warren Gretz, NREL
6 

ENERGY USE

When it comes to electricity and natural gas consumption, NREL 

has a unique challenge as a research and 

development institution. The Laboratory 

works to strike a balance between energyuse reduction without compromising its 

scientific endeavors. 

Seventy-seven percent (77%) of the 

Laboratory’s CO2 emissions come 

from electricity use. In response, NREL 

has focused on lowering electricity 

consumption through energy efficiency 

retrofits on existing buildings and 

sustainable new-building construction. A 

primary electrical cost-saving opportunity 

is peak load management. ���������������

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NREL Energy-Use Reduction Progress

(Electricity/Natural Gas)

NREL has installed meters on all 

Lab-owned buildings to measure use 

and peak demand. This data is used 

to program the Laboratory’s energy 

management control systems and 

to serve as the basis of its Demand 

Management Program. 

The federal government has established 

energy-use goals, which NREL 

already has met and exceeded. The 

Lab continues to actively pursue all 

cost-effective, energy-use reduction 

opportunities.
7

NEW CONSTRUCTION

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) 

is a voluntary program sponsored 

by the U.S.Green Building Council, 

which provides guidelines for 

sustainable construction of new 

buildings. There are three different 

levels that can be awarded to a 

building design—Bronze, Silver, 

or Gold. 

NREL’s new construction policy 

requires that all of its new buildings 

achieve at least a Silver level and 

exceed the Federal Model Energy 

Code by at least 30%. NREL’s 

newest building, the Science 

and Technology Facility (STF), is 

designed to achieve the Gold level. 

The Science and Technology Facility (STF), which will 

achieve a Gold rating in the LEED program, is a significant 

project for the Lab. NREL is one of six federal facility Pilot 

Partners of Labs for the 21st Century (LF21C). 

Laboratory buildings, as a building type, present unique challenges with regard 

to energy performance. For example, a laboratory building needs 10 to 15 times 

the number of “air changes” as compared to a regular office building. The U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy 

(DOE) have created Labs for the 21st Century (LF21C), a voluntary program 

dedicated to improving the energy performance of U.S. laboratory buildings. 
8 

GREENPOWER 

Since 2001, NREL has purchased 10% of its annual electrical use in the form of wind power from its local utility. The Laboratory is currently exploring the redirection of 

that purchase to help facilitate the start-up of rural Colorado wind projects. 

The NREL National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) provides on-site generation.

In addition to its green power purchases, NREL uses renewable energy technologies for 

on-site generation. Electricity generated during research and development activities at 

the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) simultaneously offsets site electrical 

load. There also are applications of photovoltaics on the main campus of the Laboratory. 

Photovoltaic cells are located on NREL’s 

site entrance building and Solar Energy 

Research Facility (SERF).

PIX 10216 Warren Gretz, NREL PIX 11546 Ryan Ault, NREL 
9

TRANSPORTATION

I

n FY03, NREL calculated the 

breakdown of miles traveled by 

employees via commuting, air travel, 

and the NREL fl eet. NREL has reduced 

air travel—which was the largest 

portion—through the installation of 

teleconferencing equipment. Thirty-one 

trips were saved in FY03 alone. 

Employee commuting also contributes 

signifi cantly to the miles traveled. 

Recently, NREL conducted a commuter 

survey and determined that nearly 36% 

of NREL employees participate in some 

form of alternative commuting. Through 

NREL’s promotion efforts, employees 

enjoy the benefi ts of free bus passes; 

Web links to carpool/vanpool sites; and 

lockers, showers, and safety vests for bike 

commuters.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has 

set petroleum fuel-use goals for federal 

fl eets. The goal for NREL is 9,800 gallons 

annual use by 2005. NREL has reduced 

petroleum use from 12,250 gallons in 

1999 to 8,500 gallons in 2003. This goal 

was accomplished by the increased use of 

alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs)—NREL’s 

fl eet of 39 vehicles includes 29 AFVs. 

% Breakdown of Total Miles

NREL Gallons Used Gallons used

12,250 11,700 9,970 10,540 8,500

FY99 FY00 FY01 FY02 FY03

7,000

8,000

9,000

10,000

11,000

12,000

13,000

DOE FY05

Goal = 9,800

NREL Fleet Petroleum Use

NREL Staff Total Miles Traveled in FY03
10 

RECYCLING

NREL’s comprehensive recycling program, which began 

as a voluntary program in the 

early 1990s, has evolved into a 

formal Laboratory activity led by 

an internal Recycling Advisory 

Committee. 

The program consists of 14 separate 

recycling centers that are on-site 

collection points for corrugated 

cardboard, all types of paper, 

aluminum, glass, plastic containers, 

toner cartridges, and packing 

peanuts. In addition, batteries, 

fluorescent lightbulbs, and scrap 

metals are collected and recycled. 

In FY03 alone, NREL increased its 

recycling by 12% from FY02, while 

decreasing paper consumption.

Recycling Data – FY02 vs. FY03

300,000

250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

0

LBS.

FY02 FY03

Cardboard

Paper Products

Comingled Containers

Total 210,788 lbs. 236,128 lbs.

23,400

164,958

22,430 25,646

186,182

24,300

(Plastic, Aluminum, Glass)

25,646

Comingled

Containers

(Plastic, AL, Glass)

Approximately 30% of 

waste stream may be 

recycled material

Paper 

Products

Solid Waste 

Disposal 24,300

Cardboard

In 2003, NREL recycled 36% of its total waste, and 

is actively working to eliminate all recyclables from 

the waste stream. 

FY03 Total Waste Stream

(664,008 lbs.)
11

ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE PURCHASING

Federal directives have established goals for environmentally preferable purchasing. 

Federal agencies consider factors such as the 

amount of recycled content in products, use 

of bio-based and recovered materials, reuse of 

products, and the ultimate recyclabillity 

of products. 

One hundred percent (100%) of all 

Laboratory carpet, toner cartridge, and offi ce 

paper purchases have recycled content. 

Key Eff orts

Duplex modules were installed 

on all 77 network printers, which 

default to the double-sided 

printing option.

As of FY 2001, NREL no longer 

purchases equipment containing 

CFC, HCFC, and Halon.

Whenever possible, NREL 

purchases Energy Star Products, 

energy-effi cient computer 

equipment, and LCD monitors. 

In FY 2005, NREL will require that 

its offi ce supply vendor off er a 

“green-only” purchase catalog. 

In FY 2003, 74,334 pounds of 

paper was purchased and186,182 

pounds was recycled. To address 

this challenge in FY 2005, NREL 

will establish an Electronics 

Processing Initiative that will 

reduce the amount of paper 

coming into the Laboratory from 

outside sources. 

Dollars (in thousands)

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

9

22

59

FY99 FY00 FY02 FY03

15

25

60

48

30

30

26

39

Carpet Toner Cartridges Office Paper

*2001 data not available

Represents 100% 

of purchases made 

at the Laboratory

Laboratory Purchase of Recycled Products
12 

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

The EPA Climate Leaders Partnership is a voluntary program that challenges 

partners to set aggressive greenhouse gas 

(GHG) emissions-reduction goals. NREL, 

which was the fi rst federal pilot partner 

of the program, is one of seven members 

to initially establish a target reduction.

NREL’s goal is to reduce GHG emissions 

by 10% by FY05 vs. the FY00 baseline. The 

Laboratory is actively implementing retrofi ts, 

constructing energy-effi cient and sustainable 

new buildings, implementing energy-saving 

programs throughout the Laboratory, and 

increasing its “green power” purchases to 

reduce emissions. 

GHG Emissions Reductions

0.04500

0.04000

0.03500

0.03000

* Offset based on green power purchase (wind power) of 10% of annual electrical use

0.02500

0.02000

0.01500

0.01000

0.00500

0.00000

GHG/square foot

EPA Climate Leaders Program 

target reduction goal is 10% by 

FY05 vs. FY00 baseline use.

2000 2001 2002 2003

total GHG/sq ft w/ offsets* baseline

EPA Climate Leaders is a program that 

aids companies in their goals to reduce 

greenhouse gas emissions.
13

NREL has implemented an Environmental Management System 

(EMS) as required by federal directives. 

These activities focus on incorporating 

environmental considerations into 

normal management processes, as well 

as improving internal environmental 

management effectiveness. These activities 

focus on efforts such as natural and cultural 

resource protection, pollution prevention, 

and waste management.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

NREL prepares an annual environmental 

management report, summarizing NREL’s 

environmental protection programs and 

activities. It is organized according to the 

different environmental media (e.g. air, 

waste, ground water, etc.), and includes a 

brief summary of:

• How the program is managed in that 

area, 

• Any permitting or notification efforts 

that are ongoing or have been 

completed during the reporting 

period, and

• Activities that have occurred during the 

reporting period in that environmental 

area. 

Copies of these reports are available 

at http://www.nrel.gov/sustainable_nrel/ 

environmental_manage.html

NREL was accepted into the 

Environmental Protection Agency’s 

(EPA) National Environmental 

Performance Track (NEPT) program. 

One of 39 new members from 

22 states, the Laboratory was 

recognized for its impressive record 

of environmental management 

and performance. NREL’s successful 

Environmental Management 

System (EMS), augmented by the 

Sustainable NREL program, was 

recognized for its continuous 

environmental improvement in 

FY04.

PIX 12618 Warren Gretz, NREL
14 

PUBLIC RESPONSIBILTY

Public responsibility is one of the three primary elements of the Sustainability 

Management Framework. NREL works 

proactively to support the transferability of its 

sustainability activities and to educate others 

about sustainability through a variety 

of outreach mechanisms.

The fi rst Sustainable Design Guide (SDG) was 

developed for Los Alamos National Laboratory 

and is being actively offered to federal and 

state facilities. A generic version of the SDG 

has been posted for general use on the DOE 

Buildings Web site; and the American Society 

of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning 

Engineers (ASHRAE) is considering adopting 

it as a model. The guide can be accessed 

at http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/

highperformance/lanl_sustainable_guide.html

Key Eff orts

NREL has been recognized 

through awards programs and has 

demonstrated its leadership in 

national programs (see Sustainability 

Awards).

The Laboratory has developed 

transferable sustainability tools such as 

the new building Sustainable Design 

Guide (SDG). 

NREL is a member of and supports 

multiple state, regional, and 

national stakeholder organizations.

The Laboratory conducted a two-day 

conference on Sustainability 

Management Systems (SMS) with 

nearly 70 attendees nationwide.

NREL promotes sustainability at several outreach 

events, including the National Western Stock 

Show in Denver. 

PIX 12237 Warren Gretz, NREL
15

We are pleased to have completed our fi rst NREL Sustainability Report. It has been rewarding to be associated with Sustainable NREL, which enjoys 

the unequivocal support of NREL’s executive management, our Department of 

Energy (DOE) sponsors, and—most important—the individuals who make up 

the NREL staff. 

We have implemented a program in the broadest sense of sustainability, which 

is based on a “triple bottom line” foundation. Our sustainability management 

framework includes the primary elements of economic viability, environmental 

stewardship, and public responsibility. We have made outcome-based 

implementation a priority, and established metrics to baseline and measure 

progress in order to drive accountability. 

We have been able to mature our activities signifi cantly since 2002 and make 

progress toward measurable outcomes. Continued progress will require 

increasingly enhanced efforts to which we are committed. Our focus in the 

next year will be on capturing the benefi ts of further institutionalizing the 

overall sustainability ethic at the individual staff-member level; working toward 

the overarching goals of “environmental neutrality” and “near-zero waste”; 

and completing a program assessment against comprehensive sustainability 

performance-reporting frameworks such as the Global Reporting Initiative 

(GRI) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines.

I want to personally thank those individuals previously cited in the 

acknowledgments section of this report. Their contributions and leadership 

have been—and will continue to be—key in our implementation efforts. 

Finally, I would like to acknowledge Laboratory Director Richard Truly for his 

leadership and support in institutionalizing sustainability at the Laboratory and 

creating Sustainable NREL as its implementation vehicle.

As a national laboratory, one of our roles is to serve as a public resource. As 

such, we would be pleased to share any aspect of our sustainability activities 

with you.

Bob Westby

Director, Energy and Environmental Applications Offi ce; 

and Sustainable NREL Lead

September 2004

MESSAGE FROM THE 

 SUSTAINABLE NRELLEAD
National Renewable Energy Laboratory

1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, Colorado 80401-3393

303-275-3000 • www.nrel.gov

Operated for the U.S. Department of Energy 

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 

by Midwest Research Institute • Battelle

NREL/MP-710-36786 • September 2004

Printed with renewable-source ink on 

tree-free recyclable paper produced from 

the kenaf plant, grown and processed 

totally chlorine-free in the United States. 

2004 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Pollution Prevention Best-In-Class Awards:

Offi ce of Energy Effi ciency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

 • Sustainable NREL: New Building Program

 • Sustainable NREL: Recycling Program

 • Sustainable NREL: Education, Outreach, and Information Sharing

EPA National Environmental Performance Track (NEPT)

Colorado Department of Health and Environment 

 Environmental Leadership Program

Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy and Water Management Award

2003 University of Colorado Wirth Chair Award in Environmental and Community 

Development Policy

Department of Energy Departmental Energy Management Achievement Award: 

Eff ective Program Implementation – Sustainable NREL

2002 EPA Climate Leaders Partnership: First federal laboratory member and one 

of seven members to establish a target GHG emissions reduction 

Labs for the 21st Century: One of the fi rst federal-sector labs that joined the 

program as a Pilot Partner in 2002

Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) Energy Saver Showcase Award 

for the Thermal Test Facility (TTF)

2000 EPA Green Power Partnership: Made commitment to purchase 10% of annual 

electric use in wind energy and became fi rst federal laboratory member 

SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS

PIX 12607 Warren Gretz, NREL