New cover

National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

NASA JSC

Sustainability 

Engagement 

FY2017 Strategy
Insight From the Center Sustainability Officer

NASA employees have a very difficult challenge ahead of us. As we continue planning 

and preparation for a trip to Mars, we know that making the best use of every resource 

we have on our spacecraft is vital to a successful mission. Reusing water means more 

mass is available for other things. Creative packaging of supplies can save weight and 

waste; novel electrical distribution schemes can save precious energy for other uses, etc. 

We need to apply this same thought process to how we do business on Earth. We can 

use our knowledge and understanding of how to do long-term spaceflight missions to be 

a better steward of precious resources on our home planet. We are uniquely positioned 

to help lead this country to a better, cleaner, more efficient way of living every day. After 

all, what is Earth, but just one big spacecraft spinning around the sun? Let’s take the 

challenge that the Mars journey gives us and use that expertise to change wasteful 

behaviors, discover new technologies, and set the standard for the rest of the Nation 

to follow today. 

Joel Walker

Center Operations Director

Center Sustainability Officer

NASA’s Johnson Space Center

Front cover: In this view of the central and north Gulf Coast of Texas, 

San Antonio Bay, Matagorda Bay and Galveston/Trinity Bay are 

clearly seen. Small sediment plumes at the tidal passes are visible. 

This page: Construction and Demolition (C&D) material was 

incorporated into a privacy barrier at the astronaut memorial grove.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Goals 1

Air 2

Land 4

Water 6

Materials 8

Energy 10

People 11
1

Sustainability

NASA

Goals What is Sustainability? Goals Sustainability

Targets

How we target 

sustainability 

at JSC

“NASA’s sustainability policy is to execute the 

mission without compromising our planet’s resources 

so that future generations can meet their needs.... 

taking action now to provide a future where the 

environment and living conditions are protected 

and enhanced.... NASA manages risks to mission, 

risks to the environment, and risks to our communities. 

To this end, NASA seeks to use public funds efficiently 

and effectively, promote the health of the planet, and 

operate in a way that benefits our neighbors.” 

 –NASA Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan

The 10 Executive Order goals are categorized at JSC in 5 main resources. These 

are managed to sustain People, symbolized at the center of the sustainability 

logo. The JSC strategy is to create a 

working environment where JSC employees feel happy, comfortable, and productive 

to support our mission. Your sustainability 

efforts can affect and benefit the mission. See 

impacts you can make in “Takeaways” to follow.

Sustainability—

we just do it.

More on NASA’s Strategy for FY17 at 

http://www.nasa.gov/content/strategicsustainability-performance-plan-sspp
2 3

JSC

Air Air Goal 

1

Greenhouse 

Gases

Building 24 is seeing new changes that will help reduce its environmental impact. In September 2016, Boiler 24-4A 

was replaced with a state-of-the-art energy-efficient burner assembly that will substantially reduce combustion 

byproducts. Unlike the current system, which is an antiquated flue gas recirculation system, this replacement will 

decrease carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, both of which are precursors to smog formation. 

Moreover, Boiler 24-3A is being moved into Building 24. The 

installation and start-up of the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) 

Facility in this building will reduce NASA-JSC’s carbon footprint by 

approximately 29,000 metric tons of CO2 annually. The steam will 

be used to operate the existing steam-powered chillers. The 

associated “net reduction” in greenhouse gases to operate JSC is 

equivalent to eliminating the exhaust of approximately 3,500 

automobiles. The CHP is expected to be online by mid-2017.

Two Government Owned Vehicle (GOV) plug-ins arrived 

in FY16! Civil servants and contractors with third-party 

liability insurance can use the Ford C-Max Energi, 

located at building 419. The other, a Ford Fusion (upper 

right), is for SAIC contractors. Six charging posts are 

planned for installation near building 21, and additional 

plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are expected. 

NASA HQ plans to provide guidance for on-site Privately 

Owned Vehicle (POV) charging by December 2016.

Vanpooling is another transportation alternative that 

reduces emissions. See the other benefits (right) and 

read a JSC employee’s narrative of using this service in 

“People” on page 11.

JSC actively promotes cycling to reduce travel 

mileage. Logistics personnel and cycling enthusiasts 

have grown the “free range” bike program to over 

200 bicycles, which you can use as an alternative 

form of transportation on-site. Look for air pumps 

and racks to maintain the bikes.

Concurrent with National Bike Month, the first JSC employee “Bike to Work 

Day” was in May of 2016 and included a gathering of 40 participants. The 

event was well-organized, as each registrant was assigned a Bike Route 

Champion to make the ride from as far as downtown Houston. The Gilruth 

was the morning gathering spot where multiple organizations supported the 

event; snacks, bike mechanics, and showers were available. New buildings 

and major upgrades to existing buildings are now incorporating showers 

within restrooms to promote “exercising” this alternative form of commuting.

Participants communicated with their teams to get home before the eventual 

late afternoon downpour. Employees became more aware of the larger 

cycling community and even met weeks after the event to discuss the City 

of Houston 

proposed Bike 

Plan. You can 

participate in 2017 

and even organize 

the event with the 

Green Team at 

monthly meetings.

environmental impact

transportation alternative

“free range”

“life-style” change

Boiler 24-3A being moved into Building 24

A meter and chord set for 

the Ford Fusion at B20 

are contained in a 

rainproof box, set up 

by Eric Kimball and 

Dave Hanson. 

(Source: Dave Hanson)

Kirstyn Johnson brought her cycling 

lifestyle and passion to Houston. She, 

with the support of the Green Team, 

led JSC’s first employee designated 

Bike to Work Day on May 19, 2016 

and is photographed with her 

Power of One Award. 

(Source: Teresa Shurtz).

On-site 

Mobility

Bike to 

Work Day

Goal 

5

TAKEAWAYS: Bike, vanpool, or drive electric to work. TAKEAWAYS: Join the organizing team for Bike to Work Day.

Fleet 

Management

Estimated Benefits of Vanpooling Source: MetroStar
4 5

JSCLand Land Goal 

10

Goal 

2

Climate Change 

Resilience

Are you BAFFLED 

by climate change?

Sustainable 

Buildings

Climate change is complex, happening right now, and is already 

affecting JSC; the location of new building construction is 

determined, in part, by elevation due to predictions of rising sea 

level and JSC’s proximity to Clear Lake. Climate.nasa.gov

provides articles, research, video, etc. to assist the public in 

understanding both the issues and solutions. Read the blog article 

featuring JSC Center Operations sustainability initiatives, and keep 

an eye out for another in the coming year!

In order to help develop guidelines for the City of Houston to 

address climate change, the Council on Environmental Quality 

(CEQ), will continue to collaborate with NASA-JSC. They will 

post the Houston-Galveston region’s case study describing 

both climate threats and adaptation (adapt2climate.org).

Construction continues on Building 21, the Human 

Health and Performance Laboratory. It is designed to 

LEED Silver standards, which include:

o Alternative Transportation: Storage for 24 bikes 

and 19 low-emitting/fuel-efficient parking spaces

o Native Landscaping

o Water Use Reduction: Low-flow plumbing fixtures

o Optimize Energy Performance: Projected 30% 

energy savings

o 75% Construction Waste Recycled

o Low-VOC-Emitting Materials: Adhesives, sealants, 

paints, flooring systems

Several 200 area buildings (222, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232) are 

scheduled for demolition next year. These high-maintenance, 

energy inefficient, 50-year-old facilities will return 36K square 

feet of developed area to green space!

View of Little blue heron in nest in the JSC rookery 

and pond area. (Source: NASA-Lauren Harnett)

(Source: climate.nasa.gov/blog, 

Laura Tenenbaum)

happening right now

LEED Silver standards September

2015

November

2015

January

2016

March

2016

May

2016

June

2016

August

2016

green space

B231, one of 200 area buildings scheduled 

for demolition in the coming year.

Out with the Old 

and in with the New

TAKEAWAYS: Watch “Earth Minute” videos at climate.nasa.gov and read about climate science; understand adaptations and affects specific to Houston at adapt2climate.org
6

JSCWater Water

Goal 

6

Goal 

2

Goal 

4

Sustainable 

Acquisition

Sustainable 

Buildings

Water 

Use

o New Neptune water meters help detect leaks in the 

system and assess water usage at each building.

o Splitting the potable and fire suppression water 

services is near completion. This will help minimize 

required disinfection residuals throughout the potable 

water system.

o Corrective water conservation actions onsite will be 

initiated, including wasteful practices of water use; 

this includes personal use or equipment that may 

be leaking water or using water for cooling. 

Systems may be installed to recirculate cooling 

water for the equipment.

o Refund the reuse of flush water from JSC wells 

for irrigation.

o Reporting leaks or irrigation equipment that are in need 

of repair. Reporting spills that may enter inside and 

outside drains that enter into the JSC water systems.

o Buildings 12, 20 and 21 have reduced water usage 

in bathrooms.

o The new JSC clinic collects rain water in a catchment 

system to allow gradual percolation into the soil and 

controlled discharge. This reduces storm water 

discharges into local estuaries.

o New sustainable buildings at JSC include rain water 

catchment basins to collect and reuse rain water.

o To help meet NASA mandates for procurement, 

as well as reduce water usage, JSC will acquire 

equipment that is both energy and water efficient. 

assess water usage collects rain water

reduce water usage

TAKEAWAYS: Report water leaks; include sustainable acquisition requirements in contracts and procure equipment that is both energy and water efficient.

7
8 9

JSCMaterials Materials

Goal 

7

Goal 

9

Goal 

6

Goal 

4

Pollution 

Prevention and 

Waste Reduction

Electronic Stewardship 

and Data Centers

Sustainable 

Acquisition

Water 

Use

Purchasing sustainably may not only help reduce 

environmental impacts, but also reduce overall operational 

costs. In order to identify sustainable purchasing requirements 

for goods and services, JSC uses the Sustainable Facilities Tool 

(www.sftool.gov/greenprocurement). It helps in selecting compliant 

and environmentally friendly products and services when developing 

contracts and making purchases. Select compliant and environmentally 

friendly products and services when developing contracts and making 

purchases. Make sure to report the purchase of compliant and designated 

items to the JSC Environmental Office by December 1st each year.

JSC responsibly recycles electronics through the R&U Branch. R&U has agreements in place to make sure items are 

reused or recycled properly. Help JSC ensure proper disposal of electronics and equipment by excessing NASAowned electronics and equipment through R&U. For personal electronic recycling, use the U.S. Postal Service’s 

BlueEarth program, which will help NASA and JSC meet waste diversion goals. NASA is also working to consolidate 

Data Centers wherever possible to improve efficiency.

Helps Goal 4 by 

reducing how much 

water JSC has to 

use for irrigation. 

Get a container. Fill it up. Drop it off.

Helps Goal 6 by 

reducing how 

much fertilizer JSC 

has to purchase.

Helps Goal 7 

by diverting 

organic waste 

from landfill.

Designated “Coffee to Compost” bins are located 

at B326 or loading docks behind B3 and B11.

environmental impacts

electronics recycling

recycling, reuse, and composting

You can put plastic bottles, plastic drink bottles, 

and aluminum cans together into one recycling 

container. This helps JSC meet Goal 7 by 

increasing diversion from the landfill.

TAKEAWAYS: Recycle #1 and #2 plastic bottles and aluminum. TAKEAWAYS: Compost your coffee behind B326 or loading docks behind B3 and B11. 

Participate in the Coffee-to-Compost 

Program by collecting used coffee 

grounds for JSC’s compost program.

Aluminum 

Cans

#1 

Plastic

#2 Plastic

JSC diverts over 30 waste streams from landfill through recycling, 

reuse, and composting. Help JSC meet Goal 7 by using less toxic 

materials, reusing material, and recycling whenever possible. 

Do you need office supplies or equipment? Check with JSC’s 

Redistribution and Utilization (R&U) Branch. They may already have 

what you need! Be sure to participate in all of the JSC recycling 

programs. Use JSC Form 845 to report your recycling efforts to the 

JSC Environmental Office to make sure your efforts are counted.
10 11

JSC

Energy

JSC

People Energy People

Goal 

3

Goal 

8

Clean and

Renewable 

Energy

Teams 

at JSC

Energy 

Performance 

Contracts

People Making 

a Difference

The Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Plant

For cleaner, more efficient energy usage, JSC is installing a 

CHP to reduce energy intensity from 212,716 BTU/GSF to 

103,616 BTU/GSF. 

This will provide increased energy surety with approximately 

11.9 MW of onsite power generation, as well as provide 

“Island Mode” for situations when JSC could otherwise be 

cut off from the grid. Additionally, it will power around 70% 

of the site base electric load, and the “waste heat” from the 

generators will be converted into steam. It will provide all site 

steam load, and 40-60% peak chilled water load.

Green Team

The Green Team organizes the employee bike 

to work day in May and participates in events, 

such as the annual trash bash in order to engage 

more JSC employees to take sustainable action.

Centerops.jsc.nasa.gov/sustainability/greenteam

Sustainability Partnerships Team

In this group, the technical workforce solves environmental 

problems that benefits space and Earth, and increases 

JSC’s exposure to ‘dual use’ technologies.

Centerops.jsc.nasa.gov/sustainability/

sustainabilitypartnershipsteam

“About six years ago I accepted an opportunity 

with NASA and began riding a STAR vanpool. 

The only potential problem with coming to work 

was the long distance of my commute. It would 

require a daily long drive on Southwest Freeway 

(59) and Sam Houston Freeway (Beltway 8), and 

sometimes traffic could be horrible. Fortunately, 

the perfect solution to this problem was the 

opportunity to join a STAR vanpool. 

The monthly fees for the vanpool is way cheaper 

and more efficient as opposed to riding my 

personal car since I am saving time, money, wear 

and tear, and substantially lowering my stress 

levels. Not only that, but also avoiding the 

potential traffic tickets. I am really enjoying my 

vanpool opportunity since on the way of my 

commute, I have the option to nap, work or read. 

My wife and kids even happier for me joining the 

vanpool because without the set afternoon 

departure times, I would be lured to work late 

way too often.

I would not be able to survive the commute if it 

was not for riding in a STAR vanpool because it 

made the difference over the last six years. By 

joining the vanpool, I am able to commute safely, 

economically efficient, time-saving, environmentally friendly and stress-free.”

--Adam Kalil

Contractor Environmental Partnership

Onsite and offsite volunteers work together to find solutions 

to contractor’s common problems. Collaboration leads to 

pilot projects and community outreach programs, such as 

the electronic recycling events at Space Center Houston 

and the Coffee-to-Compost Program.

Environmental Stewardship Subcommittee

This group provides bi-directional communication between 

the JSC Environmental Office and JSC organizations on 

environmental issues that affect the Center.

FY 17 Window Wall Replacement: $3.7M

Replacing windows and solid panels beneath 

windows with low-e glass and better 

insulation will save $411,000 in energy per 

year! This is similar to the building 1 window 

replacement and includes 4N, 31, 44 and 45.

What can you do?

o Adjust window coverings to reduce direct sunlight and close 

window coverings at the end of the work day. Only raise blinds 

12-inches from the top. Raising them all the way up can make 

lowering them difficult. For window covering repair, etc., submit 

an electronic request to jsc-furniture@mail.nasa.gov.

o Participate in the Super Flex (“Flex Friday”) schedule.

o Remove energy-using equipment from your work areas, 

particularly refrigerators, heaters and printers.

o Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms.

o Use task lighting in your work areas, and coordinate with your 

Building Facility Manager to reduce unnecessary lighting.

o Report energy and water wasting problems to PAE Work 

Control or your Facility Manager. 

reduce energy intensity

low-e glass

turn off lights

TAKEAWAYS: Unplug at the end of the day; report energy inefficiencies to work 

control or your facility manager.

 

TAKEAWAYS: Advocate for NASA on a sustainability team. Send in your champion story, and 

sign-up for the distribution list at https://lists.nasa.gov/mailman/listinfo/jsc-sustainability

Nathan Moore 

continues to 

resource from the 

Redistribution and 

Utilization (R&U) 

branch for a variety 

of projects. Contact 

us to find out how 

you can benefit 

from R&U materials. 

(Source: NASA)
Back cover

What you can do

www.nasa.gov

This Earth observation photo taken during a night pass by the International 

Space Station Expedition 46 crew includes the Texas coastline, clearly showing 

San Antonio, Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Houston (most prominent). 

JSC Sustainability

Internal: Centerops.jsc.nasa.gov/sustainability

External: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/about/sustainability/index.html

Learn about climate change and NASA climate news at climate.nasa.gov