A BRIEFHISTORYOF

SUSTAINABILITY

ATNASAJOHNSONSPACE CENTER

1961

Johnson Space Center established 

Originally named Manned Spacecraft Center 1970

First Earth Day 

Proposed by Senator Gaylord Nelson after 

witnessing a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, 

California 

Images of Earth taken from the 1969 Moon Landing 

that frame Earth as an "isolated ecosystem floating 

in space" inspired the need for Earth Stewardship 

Manned Spacecraft Center

First Earth Day Logo

1973

Federal Energy Office created 

Replaced the Energy Policy Office created earlier 

in the year 

President Richard Nixon created the office in 

response to the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo 

Responsible for controlling of oil and gasoline 

Nixon encouraged lowering thermostats, reducing 

driving speeds, and eliminating unnecessary 

lighting at the domestic level 

Manned Spacecraft Center renamed to Johnson 

Space Center in honor of Lyndon B Johnson 1974

Federal Energy Administration Created 

Continued functions of fuel allocation, pricing 

regulation, energy data collection and energy 

supply expansion 

New offices were added that focused on 

petroleum allocation, energy conservation, energy 

data analysis 

1977

Department of Energy founded 

Founded by President Jimmy Carter 

Brought the Federal Energy Administration, Federal 

Energy Office, and several organizations together 

1986 JSC receives its initial Resource Conservation and 

Recovery Act (RCRA) Hazardous Waste Permit 

Led to the preparation of waste minimization plans 

1992

Energy Policy of 1992 signed into law 

Signed into law by President George H. W. Bush on 

October 24, 1992. It focuses on making the United 

States a cleaner energy and more energy efficient 

country. It required federal agencies to: 

Increase the use of alternative fuel vehicles in 

federal and state fleets. 

Reduce energy intensity of non-industrial 

facilities 10 percent by fiscal year 1995 and 20 

percent by fiscal year 2000, with a baseline of 

fiscal year 1985 (US EPA, “Federal Energy 

Requirement Archives”). 

George H. W. Bush signs Energy Policy of 1992

2000 Executive Order 13149 is signed 

Issued April 21, 2000 by President Bill Clinton. It 

required any federal agency with a fleet of 20 or 

more vehicles to develop a strategy to lower annual 

petroleum consumption by at least 20 percent with 

a baseline of fiscal year 1999 (US DOE, “E.O. 13149”). 

Bill Clinton signs Executive Order 13149

2003

Zero-Waste Pollution Prevention system installed in 

the JSC Photo Lab 

Eliminated largest hazardous waste stream at JSC, 

initially generated 5 million pounds of waster 

annually 

Free Range Bike Program started Zero-Waste Pollution Prevention System

2004

Ethanol Fueling Station opened 

Brought JSC into compliance with Energy Policy of 

1992 and Executive Order 13149 

Sustainability Partnership Team created 

Agreement between Engineering and Center 

Operations 

Purpose is to generate sustainability ideas and share 

responsibility at JSC 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ethanol Fueling Station
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005

On-site solar energy golf carts conversion 

Reduced need for carts to be plugged in to charge 

One cart is still in use today 

Energy Policy Act of 2005 is signed into law 

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 was signed into law 

by President George W. Bush on August 8, 2005. It 

requires that federal agencies reduce their energy 

intensity by two percent per year in their facilities by 

fiscal year 2015 starting in fiscal year 2006, and 

with a fiscal year baseline of 2005 (US EPA, 

“Federal Energy Requirements). 

Building 27 completed 

Astronaut Quarantine Facility 

First LEED Building at JSC 

16% energy savings 

57% construction waste diverted 

69% of non-roof areas have reflectance of at 

least 30% 

80% potable water reduction 

Attwater Prairie Chickens arrive 

Endangered species being protected and bred at 

JSC to preserve the population 

JSC teams with Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower 

Center 

Staff at the Wildflower Center designed 

sustainable landscapes for JSC's campus and 

Rocket Park 

Building 27

Prairie Chicken on JSC Campus

2007

Multi-Platform Renewable Energy System (MPRES) 

designed and installed at Aaron Cohen Child Care 

Center 

Energy is provided by surface-based PV arrays and 

wind turbines 

Hot water generated by solar thermal panel 

Ground Source Heat Pump installed 

Assists in providing a better understanding of PV 

array necessary for lunar surface exploration and 

demonstrate sustainable building principles 

Provides energy for educational opportunities at the 

Aaron Cohen Child Care Center. 

Executive Order 13423 is signed 

Executive Order 13423 was issued January 24, 

2007 by President George W. Bush. It combined 

previous energy-related executive orders, including 

the requirements of the Energy Act of 1992 and 

Executive Order 13149, and requires federal 

agencies to comply with the following: 

Reduce energy intensity by three percent per 

year by 2015 resulting in a total 30 percent 

decrease, with a baseline of fiscal year 2003; 

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions through 

energy intensity reduction; 

At least 50 percent of current renewable 

energy purchases must come from new 

renewable sources; 

Construct or renovate building in accordance 

with sustainability strategies; 

Reduce petroleum consumption in fleet vehicles 

by two percent per year through 2015 with a 

baseline of fiscal year 2005; 

Increase use of alternative fuel by 10 percent 

per year with a baseline of fiscal year 2005 (US 

EPA, “Executive Order 13423”). 

MPRES at the Aaron Cohen Child Center

George W. Bush signing Executive Order 13423

2008

Building 207A completed 

Gilruth Center 

20.4% Less energy 

34% Reduced Potable Water Usage 

44% Recycled Content 

50% Tradable Renewable Certificates 

84.4% Waste diverted from landfills 

91.5% Regional Materials 

Contractors' Environmental Partnership 

Electronics Recycling Event 

First of 5 electronic recycling events to recycle 

over 600,000 lbs of electronics after Hurricane Ike 

Led to electronic drop off at Ellington Field 

Construction on Building 20 begins 

Building 207A

2009

Construction on Building 20 ends 

First Platinum certified LEED Building at NASA 

29% Regional Materials 

30% Recycled Content 

40% Reduced Potable Water Usage 

57% Less energy 

96% Construction Waster Diverted 

100% Tradable Renewable Certificates Building 20
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Building 2N renovation completed 

Public affairs office 

10% recycled content 

56% reduced water usage 

78% regional materials 

85% construction waste diverted 

100% existing wall, floor, and roof elements 

maintained 

100% asbestos abatement in all interior space 

Executive Order 13514 is signed 

Executive Order 13514 was issued October 5, 2009 

by President Barack Obama. It requires federal 

agencies to: 

Reduce petroleum consumption in agency 

fleets of 20 or more vehicles by two percent 

annually through fiscal year 2020 with a 

baseline of fiscal year 2005; 

Ensure that all new construction, major 

renovations, or repairs or alterations of federal 

buildings comply with the Guiding Principles 

for Federal Leadership in High Performance 

and Sustainable Buildings; 

Ensure that at least 15 percent of existing 

agency buildings and leases of up to 5,000 

gross square feet meet the Guiding Principles 

by fiscal year 2015, and that the agency 

makes annual progress towards 100 percent 

compliance across its building inventory (US 

DOE, “Executive Order 13514”). 

Renewable energy system is installed at the 

Gilruth Recreational Center 

Solar water heater, (12) 4x8 foot solar thermal 

collectors 

Daylighting, collection of sky lights in roof to 

provide natural light in the gymnasium 

Building 2N

Barack Obama signs Executive Order 13514

Gilruth Center Daylighting

2010

Building 20 officially open 

Saves potable water by using condensation from 

air conditioning to water landscaping around 

building 

Ellington Airfield lighting renovated 

Light fixtures replaced with daylight harvesting 

fixtures 

Building 26 completed 

Columbia Center, Center for Human Space Flight 

Performance and Research 

21% Less Energy 

30% Regional Materials 

40% Reduced Potable Water Usage 

45% Recycled Content 

88% Construction Waste Diverted 

Building 29 renovation completed 

Originally the Weightless Environment Training 

Facility 

10% Recycled Content 

11.2% Less Energy 

29% Regional Materials 

31.5% Reduced Potable Water Usage 

75.7% Tradable Renewable Certificates 

80% Wood used harvested from FSC forests 

Replaced by the Neutral Buoyancy Lab in 1996 

Green Team formed 

Hosts sustainability competitions 

Informational booths and awareness pitches to 

various organizations 

Beetle Battles Competition 

Competition between organizations to reduce 

paper use during 4 week period 

BA won and reduced usage by 28% 

Renovation of Building 12 begins 

Ellington Airfield Renovated Lighting

Building 26

Beetle Battles Competition

2011

Solar Powered Street signs are installed 

Self-sustaining during the day 

300 area parking lot lights are installed 

Lights powered from solar outside lighting 

JSC substituted biobased cutting fluid for a 

petroleum product in 20 metal fabrication 

machines 

Saved $30,000 per year in waste disposal 

JSC vs Energy Vampires Competition 

Competition within JSC to focus on energy 

reduction 

Winners: B16 reduced energy by 16%, B241 

reduced energy by 26% Solar Powered Street Sign
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

Building 12 finished and opened 

240 solar panels installed 

Green Roof installed to help stormwater 

management 

Mall Pond Water Project 

Ponds in Mall area replumbed to recirculate 

instead of drain. 

Saves 10 million gallons of water per year Mall Pond Water Project

2013

Building 419 installed motion activated lighting 

Saved 76,190kWh in FY2013 

Coffee (and Tea) to Compost Program started 

Saved around 18.5 millions pounds of fertilizer 

Building 24 rerouted condenser water 

Saves 10 million gallons of potable water a year 

Building 12 received LEED Gold certification 

2% Renewable Energy Produced on site 

13% Materials used are recycled content 

44% Reduced Potable Water Usage 

95% Construction Waste Diverted 

100% Line of sight daylighting views 

JSC transformed an area with drainage problems 

into habitable wetland 

The 2200 square foot area had drainage problems 

and was difficult to mow. Within a few weeks, the 

wetland was thriving and now provides homes for 

local animals and plants. 

Flex Fridays introduced 

Has potential to save about 750 metric tons of CO 

per year 2 

Building 12

Habitable Wetland at JSC

2014

JSC replaced lighting and controls in Building 46 

Saved an estimated 364,000 kWh, enough to 

power 23 homes for a year 

Building 225 and 226 Demolished 

Building 226 was first building constructed at JSC 

in December 1962 

Bricks to be reused onsite with special signage to 

note their origin 

Invasive Chinese tallow tree removed 

Replaced with Coastal Prairie seeds 

Part of larger effort to rehabilitate native prairie 

and native forest onsite 

Controls for Building 40 Water Tower updated 

Ensures more efficient water use 

Successful Wood Recycling Pilot test 

Recycled 8,600 pounds of clean wood during 

decommissioning 

JSC implementing site-wide clean wood recycling 

program 

Incorporating air pollution control into designs 

JSC combined Heat & Power Energy Saving 

Performance Contract 

Building 24 Central Heating and Cooling Plant 

Boiler Replacement 

Building 48 Emergency Power System for Mission 

Control Repair Project 

Building 226 being demolished

Coastal Prairie view from Space Shuttle Atlantis

2015

JSC’s onsite renewables generated enough energy 

to power 30 homes for a year 

Sources include day lighting, geothermal heat 

pumps, wind turbines, solar panels, solar water 

heaters, solar powered parking lots 

Air conditioning improvements in Building 7, 9, and 

Expected to save 811,00kWh of energy a year, 

saving $65,000 annually 

Building 12 update 

Since August, the Green Roof on Building 12 has 

diverted over 7.5 millions gallons of storm water 

Four new recycling programs implemented 

Clean wood, x-rays, garnet from industrial water 

knives, oily wastewater from skimmers 

Diverted 50,000 pounds in first year 

Wind monitoring project with NREL 

Bird-Window Collision Program 

By 2015, this program has reduced strikes by 75%, 

which has saved hundreds of migratory birds’ lives 

Medium-fidelity Orion mock-up 

Constructed with the help of the JSC Redistribution 

and Utilization (R&U) Branch 

Recovering materials reduced costs by 90% 

Mock-up used for engineering-evaluation purposes, 

and eventually used for astronaut training 

Orion Mock-up

Building 12 Green Roof

46 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free Range Bike Program revitalized 

Efforts included repairing abandoned bikes 

Making bikes available to people on site 

Reused Rubber track 

50-meter-long track installed made from 100% 

recycled rubber 

Used to test simulated Mars surface Reused Rubber Track

2016

Construction of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) 

plants at Building 24 

Will provide consistent and efficient electricity 

generation 

Decreases overall energy usage and adds steam, 

chilled water, and other utilities 

Green Roof replanted 

Struggling non-native plants were replaced with 

native plants that are more acclimated to local 

climate 

New Building 21 to receive pre-certified 

emergency power generator 

Avoids need for performance testing to 

demonstrate compliance with air regulations 

First Annual Bike to Work day at JSC 

CHP at Building 24

2017

Building 21 completed 

Human Health and Performance Lab 

10th LEED Building at JSC 

Building 21

2018

Executive Order 13834 is signed 

Executive Order 13834 was issued on May 17, 

2018 by President Donald J. Trump and requires 

agencies to: 

Prioritize actions that reduce waste, cut cost, 

enhance the resilience of Federal 

infrastructure and operations, and enable 

more effective accomplishment of its mission. 

Implement waste prevention and recycling 

measures and comply with all Federal 

requirements with regard to solid, hazardous, 

and toxic waste management and disposal. 

Pollinator Pathways 

JSC teams with Houston Zoo 

Five gardens to form the first pollinator pathway 

from JSC to Exploration Green for monarch 

butterflies. Pollinator Pathways around JSC

2019

ARES team reuses equipment from R&U 

Medical Geology, Curation Microbiology, and 

Planetary Exploration Labs 

R&U provided lab benches, pumps, centrifuges, 

test electronics, and computers 

Significantly accelerated the remodel process ARES Lab 2020

JSC hosts NASA's first Plastic Free July Campaign 

Refuse, reduce, re-use, and re-purpose single-use 

plastics 

JSC works with NREL to complete NASA’s first 

Resilience Plan Assessment 

2021

Greening and Restoring Our World (GROW) ERG is 

established 

Gives JSC employees the opportunity to be more 

involved in sustainability projects 

Executive Order 14057 is signed 

Executive Order 14057 was signed and issued on 

December 8, 2021 by President Joseph R. Biden Jr 

and its ambitious plan includes: 

Leading the Nation on a path to net-zero 

emissions by 2050 

100% carbon pollution-free electricity (CFE) 

by 2030, at least half of which will be locally 

supplied clean energy 

100% zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) 

acquisitions by 2035 

Net-zero emissions from federal procurement 

no later than 2050, including a Buy Clean 

policy to promote use of construction 

materials with lower embodied emissions 

Net-Zero emissions building portfolio by 

2045 

Net-zero emissions from overall federal 

operations by 2050 

Plastic #5 added to JSC recycling stream Compiled by: Robert Rochel, Spring 2022 Intern 

NP-2022-05-008-JSC 

Brief History of Sustainability Timeline