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National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

John C. Stennis Space Center

2021

SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 

and FUTURE PLAN
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 1 Executive Summary ............................................................................................. 3

Section 2 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 4

2.0 Overview ....................................................................................................................................................4

2.1 Team Structure............................................................................................................................................4

2.2 Success Criteria............................................................................................................................................4

Section 3 Sustainability Goals at SSC.................................................................................... 6

3.1 GHG Emission Reduction...........................................................................................................................6

3.2 Sustainable Buildings ................................................................................................................................7

3.3 Renewable Energy...................................................................................................................................10

3.4 Water Use Efficiency and Management...................................................................................................11

3.5 Fleet Management..................................................................................................................................12

3.6 Sustainable Acquisition ...........................................................................................................................13

3.7 Pollution Prevention and Waste Reduction.............................................................................................14

3.8 Energy Performance Contracts................................................................................................................15

3.9 Electronics Stewardship ..........................................................................................................................16

3.10 Climate Change Resilience......................................................................................................................17

3.11 Short-Term Sustainability Plan ...............................................................................................................18

3.12 Long-Term Sustainability Plan ................................................................................................................19

Section 4 Conclusion.......................................................................................................... 20

Appendix 1 Sustainability Working Group Hierarchy ............................................................ 21

Appendix 2 Acronyms.......................................................................................................... 21

Appendix 3 Reference Documents....................................................................................... 22
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SECTION 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Federal Government is committed to following sustainable principles that integrate environmental, societal,

and economic solutions for present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their 

needs. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) sets and tracks its environmental goals through 

the Sustainability Report and Implementation Plan (SRIP), which recognizes the importance of aligning 

environmental practices in a manner that preserves, enhances, and strengthens NASA’s ability to perform its mission 

indefinitely. 

The John C. Stennis Space Center (SSC) is following suit with SSC’s Sustainability Plan (SP), which promotes, 

maintains, and pioneers sustainable practices in all aspects of its mission. SSC’s interdisciplinary, collaborative 

approach relies on the participation of all employees to develop and implement sustainability endeavors connected 

with the following goals:

• Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

• Design, build, and maintain sustainable buildings, facilities, and infrastructure.

• Leverage clean and renewable energy.

• Increase water conservation.

• Improve fleet and vehicle efficiency and management.

• Purchase sustainable products and services.

• Minimize waste and prevent pollution.

• Implement performance contracts for Federal buildings.

• Manage electronic equipment and data centers responsibly.

• Pursue climate change resilience.

The SSC SP details the strategies and actions that address the following objectives:

• Reduce costs.

• Increase energy and water 

efficiencies.

• Promote smart buying practices.

• Increase reuse and recycling while 

decreasing waste.

• Benefit the community.

• Meet or exceed NASA SRIP 

sustainability goals.

The North Reception Area is one of two gateways to SSC.
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SECTION 2 INTRODUCTION

2.0 Overview

SSC recognizes the importance of sustainability in preserving, enhancing, and strengthening NASA’s ability to 

perform its mission indefinitely. The SSC SP reflects the Center’s commitment to innovation, leadership in 

sustainability, and support to NASA’s SRIP. SSC’s sustainability vision exemplifies the importance the Center places 

on sustainability:

“John C. Stennis Space Center will promote, maintain, and

pioneersustainable practicesin all aspects of ourmission,

striving to be an agency leaderin everything we do.”

The SP lays the foundation for realizing this vision by incorporating sustainable practices into key Center activities.

The SP outlines strategies and actions that guide SSC in helping the Agency achieve the NASA SRIP goals. 

2.1 TEAM STRUCTURE

The SSC Sustainability Working Group (SWG) meets monthly to establish Center goals and develop strategies to 

reach those goals. The roles and responsibilities of the SWG are outlined in Appendix 1.

2.2 SUCCESS CRITERIA

Throughout the year, the Center tracks its efforts in helping the Agency achieve each long-term SRIP goal by 

measuring SSC progress toward targets derived from those goals. The SSC Annual Report includes a goal scorecard 

that gives a snapshot of SSC’s sustainability performance for that year.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) 

principles were followed in the design and construction of 

SSC’s LEED Gold Building.
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SSC Sustainability Goals

GHG Emissions Reduction

Reduce Scope 1&2 GHG Emissions by 37.6% from FY 2008. 

Sustainable Buildings

Acquire 26% of gross square footage (GSF) in Buildings to be Sustainable in FY21. 

Reduce energy intensity by 0.5 percent in FY 2021 from FY 2020.

Clean and Renewable Energy

At least 7.5% of the Center’s total electricity usage will come from renewable energy in FY21.

Water Use Efficiency and Management

Reduce potable water consumption intensity by 0.5% in FY21 from FY20. 

Fleet Management

Reduce 10% of Petroleum Consumption in FY21 from FY19. 

Increase by 0% for Alternative Fuel Usage in FY21 from FY19.

Sustainable Acquisition

Complete 18% of contract actions and 20% of obligations (in dollars) as sustainable. 

Train acquisition personnel and monitor the contracting process.

Pollution Prevention and Waste Management

Divert 50% non-hazardous waste and send less than 50% to treatment and disposal facilities in FY21.

Energy Performance Contracting

Implement performance contracts for Federal buildings.

 Completed a $2.2 million Utility Energy Service Contract (UESC) project in FY21. 

Electronics Stewardship

Meet energy efficiency requirements for 100% of newly purchased or leased equipment. 

Dispose of 100% of electronic equipment using environmentally sound methods of reuse, donation, 

recycling, transfer, sale, or demanufacturing.

Climate Change Resilience

Evaluate climate change risks and vulnerabilities as they relate to habitat change. 

Collaborate with regional partners to support environmental adaptation strategies using NASA’s scientific 

data and SSC’s expertise.
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SECTION 3 SUSTAINABILITY GOALS AT SSC

3.1 GHG EMISSION REDUCTION

Goal Description

NASA has set FY 2025 GHG emission reduction goals of 47 percent for scopes 1 and 2 emissions and 32 percent for 

scope 3 emissions relative to an FY 2008 baseline. The efforts of scopes 1 and 2 include investing directly in more 

efficient equipment and renewable energy, performance contracting, replacing or renewing inefficient legacy 

buildings, and transportation fuel management. The goal of SSC for FY 2021 is to reduce scopes 1 and 2 GHG 

emissions by 37.6 percent from FY 2008. GHG emissions are tracked at NASA Headquarters (HQ) level. 

3.1.1 SSC Strategies and Actions

SSC is committed to meeting or exceeding scopes 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions reduction targets established in the 

NASA SRIP by proactively addressing areas of infrastructure, energy consumption, renewable energy production, 

and transportation logistics. These objectives will be achieved by:

Scopes 1 and 2 GHG Emissions

• Continuing to identify SSC General Services Administration (GSA) fleet vehicles that are no longer necessary 

and can be added to a pool to be of greater use or available for lease. Fewer GSA vehicles in use will reduce

the number of gallons of petroleum used and therefore decrease GHG production.

• Replacing light-duty vehicles with low GHG emitting vehicles. SSC currently has 277 GSA vehicles, 20-25 of

which are hybrids.

• Promoting and implementing energy conservation measures.

• Increasing understanding and use of renewable energy through events such as Energy Awareness Day and

Earth Day.

Scope 3 GHG Emissions

• Eliminating redundant deliveries by optimizing order and delivery processes at SSC.

• Reducing employee commuting by pursuing IT solutions to expand telework programs.

• Encouraging employees to participate in vanpools and carpools such as the “Commute with Enterprise.”
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3.2 SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS

Goal Description

NASA will operate and maintain its buildings in a manner that reduces energy, water, and material consumption, 

thereby achieving a reduction in operations and maintenance (O&M) costs. SSC’s goal is to increase gross square 

footage of sustainable buildings to 26.0 percent in FY 2021.

3.2.1 SSC Strategies and Actions

SSC will strive to meet or exceed the Agency’s Sustainable Building goals by meeting the High Performance and 

Sustainable Buildings Guiding Principles for cost savings and increased efficiencies; operating and maintaining its 

buildings in a manner that reduces energy, water and material consumption; improving data center efficiency; 

reducing or consolidating unnecessary infrastructure; and implementing construction standards for sustainable 

building design across the Center. These goals will be achieved by:

• Promoting and implementing energy conservation projects.

• Increasing employee awareness of unnecessary energy consumption to reduce costs.

• Ensuring subject matter experts support the Center’s SWG to promote energy and water conservation.

• Auditing the energy impacts of facility operations and systems throughout the Center.

• Developing a multi-phased plan for the construction and renovation of facilities to eliminate or reduce the

environmental impacts of buildings, improve building performance, reduce long-term O&M costs, and

increase worker productivity.

• Improving existing buildings to meet efficiency requirements. Currently, SSC has three (3) sustainable

buildings (8000, 3418, and 1111). Buildings 3225 and 3226 are in the process of getting LEED certified.

• Identifying and implementing buildings that are 5,000-plus square feet to be energy, waste, or water net

zero by FY 2025.

• Installing ultraviolet lights inside SSC Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems to

increase indoor air quality.

Buildings 3225 and 3226 are on their way to earning LEED certification. 
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Building Upgrades and Commissioning 

Facility Comprehensive Evaluations (FCEs) are performed on 25 percent of SSC’s goal subject facilities per year, thus 

covering 100 percent of such facilities every four (4) years. FCEs focus on characterizing current facility infrastructure 

and system performance, identifying energy and water conservation measures (ECMs and WCMs) for consideration, 

and generating cost and schedule estimates for those conservation measures. Retro-Commissioning also offers an 

opportunity to improve the efficiency of an existing building’s equipment and systems. These building upgrades can

include HVAC controls, testing, adjusting, balancing, heat exchanger equipment, and heating and cooling systems. 

Below are the sustainability projects implemented for FY21. 

Building Sustainability Progress

IAQ Upgrading site-wide filters from MERV 8 to MERV 13.

1103 Reduced unnecessary cooling of unoccupied rooms. 

Set Domestic Water Heater temperature back to site standard or lower. 

Replacing an obsolete air- and water-cooled chiller and associated equipment with a new high-efficiency 

air-cooled chiller and pump on an energy saving variable primary system.

1104 Identified existing boilers to be replaced with high-efficiency condensing boiler to reduce natural gas 

consumption. 

Identified solar-assisted water heater to be repaired. 

Replaced lights in chiller area.

3101 Installed a new highly reflective cool roof to improve insulation and reduce workload for HVAC system. 

Existing building commissioning recommended replacement of chiller #1, which would save energy and 

save O&M cost. 

Repaired Digital Energy Monitor (DEM). 

Plan to recommission building every five (5) years. VAV 4 and 12 cooling and heating Min-Max updated.

3225/3226 In the process of obtaining LEED Certified. 

Implemented energy conservation measures recommended in the existing building commissioning 

document. (For example, modified duct work for improved air flow and indoor air quality.) 

4400 Installed a variable frequency drive on a large motor and completed piping modifications under a UESC. 

4995 Executed energy conservation measures recommended in the existing building commissioning 

document. 

8000 Exterior lighting retrofitted to Light-emitting Diode (LED). 

Test 

Complex

Implemented LED lighting upgrades. 

Existing building commissioning has been completed for 1103, 1104, 3101 3225, 3226, and 4995. 
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New construction projects are designed to incorporate sustainability principles such as maximizing internal natural lighting,

selecting carpet that minimizes volatile organic compound emissions, selecting low-flow restroom fixtures, and landscaping 

with native species. The SSC Electrical Standard now requires all new construction to install DEMs, DWMs, and highefficiency LED lighting. Many SSC facilities already use motion sensors to control lighting, automated temperature set points 

for worker comfort, and occupancy sensors (e.g. carbon dioxide sampling) to detect how often a facility’s internal air needs 

to be changed/refreshed. 

Employees are encouraged to turn off computer monitors when not in use, unplug mobile devices when fully 

charged, and completely shut down their computers during off-shift hours. All windows at SSC are required to be 

properly caulked, and most facilities have windows that remain closed or are sealed shut. Doors without weather 

stripping are reported for maintenance. Small appliances and personal computers are procured with energy 

efficiency in mind. HVAC systems that have reached the end of their serviceable life are being replaced with much 

more efficient, software-driven systems and subsystems. 

Energy Consumption

This graph shows the total energy consumption at SSC for FY 19, 20, and 21. Each year shows a general trend of less 

energy use. Even though many employees have continued to telework due to COVID-19, the energy use did not 

decrease drastically because most buildings need to remain operational. Additionally, some of the employees who 

have returned to SSC have been distributed throughout more buildings to ensure social distancing guidelines are 

being met.
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3.3 RENEWABLE ENERGY

Goal Description

SSC aims to maximize the use of clean energy in the forms of renewable electric energy and alternative energy. The

goal for FY 2021 is to achieve 7.5 percent of renewable electricity use rate. 

3.3.1 SSC Strategies and Actions

The Center will strive to meet or exceed the Agency’s energy goals by expanding SSC’s clean and renewable energy 

position. Through the years, SSC has made limited use of solar hot water heating systems and has recently begun 

looking for cost-effective heat recovery options through combined heat and power (CHP) systems. Currently, SSC 

achieves renewable energy through photovoltaic (PV) lighting at Buildings 3418 and 4120. The Agency’s renewable 

energy goals will be achieved by:

• Increasing SSC’s renewable energy generation through solar farms.

• Pursuing Agency funding opportunities to expand SSC’s solar energy footprint.

• Investigating cost effective geothermal and CHP applications.

• Increasing employee awareness of the uses of renewable and clean energy.

• Maintaining an ongoing synergistic atmosphere within the SSC SWG, including discussions with utility

partners.

A solar water heater outside B-1104 is used to lower 

energy costs associated with domestic heating.

Photovoltaic and LED light poles in parking lots. 

Pictured here are B-4124 and B-8000 parking lots.
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3.4 WATER USE EFFICIENCY AND MANAGEMENT

Goal Description

NASA has set the goal of a 0.5 percent reduction of water intensity in FY 2021 from FY 2020.

3.4.1 SSC Strategies and Actions

The Center will strive to meet or exceed the Agency’s water use efficiency and management goals while maintaining 

water quality standards. The Center will also act in accordance with stormwater management guidance provided by 

the Agency. These objectives will be achieved by:

• Gathering information and educating employees on water usage at SSC.

• Reducing the demand on the water system by focusing on the primary water users and developing specific

projects to reduce their water utilization at the point of consumption.

• Reducing flushing through water distribution system alterations. Installed a series of five (5) automatic

flushing systems on SSC’s potable water distribution system. This installation by SSC’s Certified Water

Operators reduces the amount of water flushed at the hydrants, while keeping the chlorine residual

higher at the dead-end lines and far reaching parts of SSC’s potable water distribution system.

• Maintaining the ongoing synergistic atmosphere within the SSC Water Working Group, including discussions

with utility partners.

• Continuing to upgrade potable water systems. Phases 2 and 3 of Potable Water Contract are in progress.

Phase 2 includes replacing old, outdated artisan wells with new pumped wells. The declining nature of

the wells indicates that this replacement is required to ensure a reliable and efficient supply for the

potable water system, reducing undetected leaks. Phase 3 supports an installation of new Smart Meters

at some buildings.

• Reducing overall portable water consumption. As of Quarter 2 FY 2021, SSC recorded a 69.4% reduction in

water consumption intensity from its baseline in 2007. The SSC Electrical Standard requires all new

construction to install DWMs, providing ease of access for monitoring and maintenance.
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3.5 FLEET MANAGEMENT

Goal Description

SSC aims to improve fleet and vehicle efficiency and management. This includes determining the optimum fleet 

inventory by eliminating unnecessary or non-essential vehicles.

3.5.1 SSC Strategies and Actions

The Center will strive to meet or exceed the Agency’s fleet management goal by tracking fleetwide average GHG 

emissions and replacing existing vehicles that are nearing the end of their service life with more fuel-efficient 

vehicles. SSC will achieve these objectives by:

• Replacing existing vehicles nearing the end of their service life with more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Procuring more hybrid and electric vehicles. SSC currently has charging stations at the Test Complex to

power golf carts. Currently, SSC has approximately 277 GSA vehicles, 20-25 of which are hybrids, and

plans to acquire more hybrid vehicles in the future. These hybrids feature a city fuel efficiency of 43 miles

per gallon.

• Promoting ridesharing to meetings. Whether government-owned vehicles are taken for travel or a day

meeting, carpooling is encouraged. SSC currently has four (4) van pools available for employees to rideshare. In total, 38 passenger vans are available on site for employee ride sharing use.

• Increasing the use of telecommunications and software for conducting online meetings.

• While the effects of COVID-19 have impacted the ability to ride-share and carpool, GHG emissions have

been greatly decreased due to the limited amount of personnel on site. Additionally, fuel savings have

resulted from the minimal travel to and from work of teleworking personnel.

Hybrids offer fuel efficient travel and carpooling around site.
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3.6 SUSTAINABLE ACQUISITION

Goal Description

NASA ensures that environmental performance and sustainability factors are considered to the maximum extent 

practicable for applicable procurements in the planning, award, and execution phases of acquisition. The goal for FY 

2021 is to have 18% of contract actions and 20% of obligations qualify as sustainable.

3.6.1 SSC Strategies and Actions

The Center will strive to meet the outlined Agency acquisition goals by assessing current systems to identify potential 

process improvements that will ensure bio-preferred/bio-based products and services are procured. This will be 

achieved by:

• Increasing sustainable purchasing awareness and providing practical resources for environmentally

preferred products and services.

o NASA Direct: The Procurement Office follows the requestor’s certification on Section 3

(Environmental/Sustainable Acquisition) of NF 1707 (Special Approvals and Affirmations of

Requisitions.) An Environmental Management representative reviews each NF1707 prior to it

reaching the Procurement Office.

o S3 (Facilities Contractor): S3 Buyers are trained to recognize and understand green/sustainable

acquisition purchases. However, it is the requestor’s responsibility to request and/or identify an

item that can be purchased as green on the purchase requisitions. If the requestor determines that 

purchasing an item as green is not cost effective or incompatible, the requestor is responsible for

contacting the S3 Environmental Department for a formal waiver, which is then completed,

attached to the purchase requisition, and, if approved, flowed down to the buyer.

• Monitoring acquisitions in order to measure environmentally preferred procurement progress.

• Implementing the SSC asset management software to capture green purchases as soon as a requestor

makes a purchase (in the Work Order, Purchase Request, and Purchase Order) and control formal waivers.

• Modifying SSC acquisition process to help requestors identify sustainable goods and services.

• Reviewing contracts to ensure they contain applicable sustainable acquisition clauses.

• Reviewing and updating purchasing processes, policies, and programs where needed to ensure federally

mandated sustainable products and services are included in all relevant acquisitions.
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3.7 POLLUTION PREVENTION AND WASTE REDUCTION

Goal Description

SSC aims to advance waste prevention and pollution prevention (P2). The Center’s goals are to annually divert at 

least 50 percent of non-hazardous Construction and Demolition (C&D) debris; divert at least 50 percent of nonhazardous solid waste, including food and compostable material; and pursue opportunities for net-zero waste or 

additional diversion. The vast majority of SSC’s P2 efforts are achieved through composting and the recycling of 

materials at an offsite facility.

3.7.1 SSC Strategies and Actions

The Center will continue to strive to meet the Agency’s P2 and Waste Management goals. SSC will achieve this by:

• Exploring creative diversion methods to dispose of excess property.

• Identifying waste streams and evaluating reduction opportunities in accordance with SSC’s Hazardous

Materials, Hazardous Waste, and Solid Waste Plan.

• Exploring waste-to-energy systems for possible SSC applications.

• Exploring compostable and organic material recovery approaches. Activities include composting of wood

waste and vegetative debris, which is used as mulch throughout SSC.

• Adopting best practices for solid waste diversion. Waste diversion and pollution prevention efforts have

increased the life expectancy of the SSC onsite landfill by nine (9) years (as of 2/15/18).

• Continuing outreach and educational efforts at SSC, emphasizing personal responsibility for waste

diversion. Federal goals relating to waste diversion and the responsibility of employees at SSC in meeting

those goals are communicated through environmental awareness events such as Earth Day,

Orbiter/Lagniappe publications, broadcasts on television monitors in public areas and elevator postings,

and other avenues.

• Installed more than 20 water bottle filling stations on site to prevent plastic water bottle waste.

• Procured aerosol can crusher, which minimizes hazardous waste and increases scrap metal recycling. This

device depressurizes aerosol cans, allowing them to be safely recycled and avoid the landfill.

Recycling is the first step to providing a green and sustainable

environment for all the wildlife at SSC.
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3.8 ENERGY PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS

Goal Description

SSC looks to implement performance contracts for its buildings and set annual targets regarding performance

contract implementation.

3.8.1 SSC Strategies and Actions 

SSC completed its first UESC with Mississippi Power Company on the High Pressure Industrial Water (HPIW)

system. This SSC UESC has a projected payback of six (6) years. The scope of work included:

• The replacement of the HPIW system jockey pump with a high-efficiency pump and motor system.

• This project was unique because it was more of a process type of project than a standard facility type of

project.

• The project also included the replacement of leaking valves and the bypass of leaking pipes underground.

• This was a Rocket Propulsion Test (RPT) funded project.

SSC is implementing a $2.2 million UESC in FY21 that is HQ-funded and has an estimated payback of 10 years. The 

scope of work includes:

• Site-wide utility upgrades to LED lighting.

• New chiller installation at E Complex Test Operations Building.

• New chiller installation at Propulsion Test Office Building.

• Site-wide energy management control upgrades to the HVAC systems.

B4400 UESC Implementation: Installation of a high-efficiency pump and motor assembly.
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3.9 ELECTRONICS STEWARDSHIP

Goal Description

SSC promotes electronics stewardship and ensures procurement preference for environmentally sustainable 

electronic products. SSC aims to establish and implement policies to enable power management, duplex printing, 

and other energy-efficient or environmentally sustainable features on all eligible agency electronic products. The 

center also employs environmentally sound practices with respect to the Agency’s disposition of all agency excess 

or surplus electronic products.

3.9.1 SSC Strategies and Actions

SSC will continue to meet Agency goals in electronic stewardship. The two main 

approaches are procurement of ENERGY STAR® equipment and through an Electronic 

Equipment Diversion Plan.

The SSC Sustainable Acquisitions Plan promotes and enforces the requirement to 

purchase ENERGY STAR® products. This is achieved through outreach programs and 

internal training.

The Electronic Equipment Diversion Plan provides a policy process and infrastructure 

that diverts all electronic equipment from disposal in a landfill. This is achieved by: 

• Designating a property custodian for each building at SSC

who is responsible for bringing all electronic equipment

that is ready for redistribution, reuse, or recycling to the

redistribution center. Each device that enters the

redistribution center is tagged for redistribution, reuse,

or recycling.

• Ensuring that no electronics are permitted in the SSC

landfill.

• Managing all decommissioned laptops and computers by 

ensuring they are wiped clean, shredded, and recycled.

This applies to both NASA-owned and Contractor-owned

computers.

All old electronics are transported to the Michoud Assembly 

Facility, where they are recycled through the UNICOR 

recycling program.

B-2 Test Stand at the SSC Test Complex.
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3.10 CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE

Goal Description

SSC strives to evaluate climate change risks and vulnerabilities as they relate to habitat change. These changes will 

be directly correlated to future land use capabilities for Centers and risk to infrastructure will be assessed. NASA will 

continue to develop and apply a robust local adaptation workshop process at its installations by partnering to help 

other agencies and local communities benefit from the adaptation expertise it continues to develop.

3.10.1 SSC Strategies and Actions

The SSC Records Retention Center was designed after Hurricane Katrina and constructed to provide an environment 

for safely storing SSC records at a central location that could withstand hurricane force winds without a high level 

of risk to the material and personnel. The functional building also provides protection of the material from fire, 

water, and manmade threats. Furthermore, the Emergency Operations Center was built after Hurricane 

Katrina. It was designed to withstand extreme winds and with a 100-year flood plan in mind. 

The test area can use the HPIW generators to switch over and provide power to critical facilities if needed. 

Additional generated power can then be provided back to the grid. 

SSC has an Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan to monitor and protect the abundant natural resources 

in its area. Those natural resources include plant life, wildlife, wetlands, soils, and timber. All projects at SSC are 

coordinated through NASA Environmental Management to ensure impacts to natural resources can be thoroughly 

assessed, eliminated, or minimized. 

A-2 Test Stand in the SSC Test Complex.
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3.11 SHORT-TERM SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

Over the next 5 to 10 years, the SWG will continue to develop goals, strategies, and actions that will support the SSC 

SP, NASA’s Sustainability goals, and other Federal mandates. This includes but is not limited to:

• The new Engineering Operations facility will be a net-zero compatible, high performance, sustainable

building.

• Further use of UESCs.

• Further development of Energy Service Performance Contracts (ESPCs).

• The Navigation Locks located at the South Entrance are currently experiencing leaking, which is causing the

canal pumps to run often to regulate the water level. With the help of the Army Corp of Engineers, a plan

to remedy this situation has been put into action. Through the implementation of this plan, SSC can save

approximately 20,000 kW of energy.

• Optimization of Admin Area Central Utility Building.

SSC strives to meet and exceed all goals set forth by NASA to become a more sustainable and energy efficient center.
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3.12 LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

Working toward the future, 10 years and beyond, the SWG will continue to promote, maintain, and pioneer 

sustainable practices in all activities at SSC. Key to the success of this vision is an interdisciplinary, collaborative 

approach that fosters the commitment of civil servant and contractor personnel from across the Center. 

Long-Term Sustainability Plan goals include but are not limited to:

• Building a Central Campus that consolidates several buildings and services into an efficient and walkable

campus.

SSC occupies 14,000 acres and houses more than 40 federal and state agencies, 

academic institutions, private organizations, and technology companies. 
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SECTION 4 CONCLUSION

The SSC Sustainability Plan lays the foundation for realizing SSC’s vision to promote, maintain, and pioneer 

sustainable practices in all its activities by incorporating goals, strategies, and actions that support this vision, NASA’s 

SSPP goals, and other Federal mandates. In summary, the SP charts a course that will help SSC: 

• Reduce GHG emissions.

• Design, build, and maintain sustainable buildings, facilities, and infrastructure.

• Use increasing amounts of clean and renewable energy.

• Improve the Center’s water conservation position.

• Improve fleet and vehicle efficiency and management.

• Purchase sustainable products and services.

• Minimize waste and prevent pollution.

• Implement performance contracts for Federal buildings.

• Manage electronic equipment and data centers responsibly.

• Pursue climate change resiliency.

As we embark on our mission of sustainability, employees at all levels must be responsible and accountable for 

integrating sustainability into their day-to-day activities. With everyone’s commitment and strategic sustainability 

decision making, SSC will continue to ensure that NASA resources are neither diminished nor wasted, thus 

preserving our ability to perform our mission – today and into the future. 

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) principles were followed 

in the design and construction of SSC’s LEED Gold Building.
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APPENDIX 1 SUSTAINABILITY WORKING GROUP HIERARCHY

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

SSC Sustainability Program Manager: 

Advocates for sustainable practices throughout Center management.

SSC Sustainable Environment Management System Steering Committee: 

Directs the overall strategy and implementation of the Sustainability Plan. The Committee also manages the 

efforts of the sustainability goal Point of Contact (POC) and goal champions.

APPENDIX 2 ACRONYMS

BTU/GSF British Thermal Units per gross square feet 

C&D Construction and Demolition

CHP Combined Heat and Power

DEM Digital Energy Monitor

ECM Energy Conservation Measures 

EO Executive Order

ESPC Energy Service Performance Contract

EUI Energy Use Index

FCE Facility Comprehensive Evaluations

FY Fiscal Year

GSA General ServicesAdministration

GHG Greenhouse Gas

HQ Headquarters

HPIW High Pressure Industrial Water

HVAC Heating,Ventilation and Air Conditioning

LED Light-emitting Diode

LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design 

NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NF NASA Form

O&M Operations and Maintenance

P2 Pollution Prevention

POC Point of Contact

PUE Power Usage Effectiveness

PV Photovoltaic

RPT Rocket Propulsion Test

SA Sustainable Acquisition

SSC John C. Stennis Space Center

SRIP Sustainability Report and Implementation Plan

SP Sustainability Plan

SWG Sustainability Working Group 

UESC Utility Energy Service Contract

WCM Water Conservation Measures
Study No.: 7140-20-006

2021 SSC Sustainability Report

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APPENDIX 3 REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

Energy Independence and Security Act 2007

Energy Policy Act of 2005

Executive Order 13834, Efficient Federal Operations

Executive Order 13990, Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the 

Climate Crisis

High Performance Sustainable Building Guiding Principles

NASA Strategic Sustainability Plan

NPD 1000.5B, Policy for NASA Acquisition

NPD 6000.1D, Transportation Management

NPD 8500.1C, NASA Environmental Management

NPD 8820.2D, Design and Construction of Facilities

NPD 8831.2E, Maintenance and Operations of Institutional and Program Facilities and Related Equipment

NPR 3600.2A, NASA Telework Program 

NPR 6200.1 D, Transportation Management

NPR 8530.1B, NASA Sustainable Acquisition

NPR 8553.1B, NASA Environmental Management System

NPR 8570.1A, NASA Energy Management Program

NPR 8580.1A, Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act and Executive Order 12114

NPR 8590.1A, Environmental Compliance and Restoration Program

NPR 8810.1A, Center Master Planning

NPR 8810.2A, Master Planning for Real Property

NPR 8820.2G, Facility Project Requirements

SCWI 8500-0003-ENV, SSC Sustainable Acquisitions Plan

SSC is aligning its environmental practices in a manner that preserves, enhances, 

and strengthens NASA’s ability to perform its mission indefinitely.