U.S. General Services Administration
Going Green: Sustainability and Climate Updates from GSA
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GSA Blog Team
Post filed in: Sustainability
Post filed in: Sustainability
Addressing climate change is a triple win for America. For the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), tackling climate change means:
- Creating clean-energy jobs;
- Saving taxpayer money by reducing energy costs; and
- Building a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous future for the next generation.
Every day, we move forward, step by step, on these goals. Over the last several weeks, we have showed our commitment to sustainability through innovations and leadership announcements:
Three New Electric Vehicle Charging Pilots
GSA’s Center for Emerging Building Technology launched an Applied Innovation Learning Laboratory at the Denver Federal Center campus to test innovative zero-emission charging technologies. GSA was joined by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, BEAM Global, Fermata Energy, and WeaveGrid to plan three electric vehicle supply equipment pilots. These pilots will support GSA’s ability to deliver on the commitments listed in Executive Order 14057 Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability and make an all-electric federal fleet happen faster.
Sustainable Infrastructure Investment at LPOE in Washington State
On August 11, Administrator Robin Carnahan visited the Pacific Highway Land Port of Entry in Blaine, Washington. It will be modernized by the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These projects provide opportunities to incorporate sustainability features that will sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce buildings’ impact on the environment, and at the same time increase the federal government’s mission readiness by increasing its resilience to climate change.
GSA Administrator Issues Statement After Signing of the Inflation Reduction Act
Administrator Robin Carnahan issued a statement after President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law: “The Inflation Reduction Act will lower costs, create good-paying American jobs, and invest in sustainable technologies. GSA looks forward to working with our partners in government and industry to seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity to move the federal government forward to a cleaner, greener future that will provide better value for taxpayers and a healthier planet for the next generation.”
NASA, GSA Break Ground on New Flight Dynamics Research Facility
On August 17, NASA and GSA broke ground on the forthcoming Flight Dynamics Research Facility at the NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. The revitalization effort will reduce the Center’s footprint and transform the remaining infrastructure to be energy efficient, sustainable, and adaptable. These efforts will ensure Langley remains a critical research and development center for NASA and the nation well into the 21st century.
On 150th Anniversary, U.S. Custom House in Portland Models Energy Efficiency
On August 18, Administrator Robin Carnahan; Portland Mayor Kate Snyder; and representatives for Senator Collins, Senator King, Congresswoman Pingree, Governor Mills, and the Portland City Council celebrated the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Custom House in Portland, Maine. In 2003, GSA replaced a 30-year-old HVAC system in the Custom House with the first geothermal heat pump in GSA’s building inventory. This installation resulted in an emissions drop of 250,000 metric tons per year and an energy savings of nearly 30%, as well as reduced maintenance costs. Now, the building is one of GSA's top energy performers in New England.
GSA, EPA Kick Off Regional Climate Action Workgroups
Climate change preparedness and resilience planning between GSA and EPA got underway earlier this month with regional interagency workgroups. Kevin Kampschroer and Kimberly Patrick, GSA’s and EPA’s chief sustainability officers, kicked off the workgroups headed by the 25 regional leads. The workgroups will consider how to share charging infrastructure to support the adoption of zero-emission vehicles, water resource management and drought response, and other ways to coordinate on achieving Executive Order 14057 goals. The executive order sets expectations for convening the workgroups, including to involve the Department of Defense and other agencies.
Six Sustainable Paving Projects Completed in NY
As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, GSA has completed six sustainable paving projects at land ports of entry in New York state, all using GSA’s new environmentally preferred asphalt specification. This work repaired and resurfaced roughly 1 million square feet of asphalt pavement using GSA’s new environmentally preferred asphalt specification. The ports are located at Champlain, Chateaugay, Fort Covington, Massena, Mooers, and Overton Corners.
Facilities Management Award
GSA’s National Capital Region won a 2022 Facilities Management Award from the National Facilities Management Organization for National Excellence in Innovation for their work on the Regional Operations Center initiative. The ROC is a non-proprietary, GSA-owned solution that helps analyze post-occupancy building performance, which can be scaled to integrate additional buildings and incorporate new technologies. Post-occupancy building performance analysis is critical to operating and maintaining energy-efficient buildings, can reduce utility costs and protect the environment.
Visit GSA's sustainability priorities website to learn more.