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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
APRIL 1995: CONSERVING ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
PUBLIC INFORMATION SERIES
PUBLISHED BY THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Conserving Energy and the Environment
At this 25th anniversary of Earth Day, April 22, 1995, the Department of
State reaffirms its strong commitment to making the earth both energy-
efficient and environmentally sound. The Department has developed strong
energy and environmental management programs for its buildings within
the United States and its embassies abroad. These programs not only save
energy, the environment, and money; they also serve as models for others
to emulate and help promote U.S. technology in these fields in the rest
of the world. To develop more innovative programs, the Department's
energy and environmental professionals must closely cooperate with
employees, the private sector, and other agencies.
ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
The U.S. Department of State purchases energy for about 300 facilities
in the U.S. and overseas--60 million square feet (about 10 times the
size of the Pentagon) of floor area. This energy is used to provide
lighting, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and other standard
building services. The total obligation for utilities is about $60
million per year. Both the magnitude of energy consumption and the
potential energy savings have prompted initiatives to achieve energy
conservation in these facilities. The Department aggressively pursues
energy conservation initiatives in the extensive facilities under its
control.
Domestic Program
The Department of State has developed an energy management and
conservation plan designed and implemented to meet energy management
goals for FY 1995-2000. These require 10%-20% reductions in energy
consumption from the 1985 baseline levels to the extent that these
measures are cost-effective in accordance with current regulations.
Among the steps taken to implement the Department's plan are to:
-- Record and analyze energy consumption figures for all domestic
Department of State-owned and -operated properties where the Department
pays utilities on an ongoing basis;
-- Manage ongoing energy retrofit projects with high energy savings in
many of the Department's federally owned properties;
-- Incorporate energy conservation technologies in new domestic building
construction projects;
-- Prioritize all State Department domestic facilities for conducting
energy surveys;
-- Encourage the General Services Administration (GSA) to include
energy-efficient and economically advantageous equipment retrofits when
negotiating leased buildings for the Department's use;
-- Adopt procurement policies and procedures, including the use of life-
cycle, cost-estimating techniques in acquiring energy-efficient supplies
and services that are cost-effective and environmentally safe
alternatives to petroleum consumption;
-- Develop baseline standards for energy-efficient temperature
parameters during summer cooling (74o-76o F) and winter heating (68o-70o
F) seasons; and
-- Identify and implement energy conservation opportunities, which
include the installation of motion sensors, energy-efficient fluorescent
tubes and electronic ballast, LED bulbs for all exit and elevator signs;
and installation of efficient motor drives on air-handling equipment,
roof replacement, and weather-sealing projects for the main State
building. In particular, the Department participated in the Potomac
Electric Power Company's rebate program and saved $1.6 million.
Overseas Program
The Bureau of Administration, Office of Foreign Buildings Operations
(A/FBO), actively pursues a coordinated, cost-effective energy
management program for overseas buildings and facilities. FBO supports
this program by:
-- Identifying energy reduction opportunities through energy surveys;
-- Conducting life-cycle, cost-analysis of all energy management
opportunities to verify effectiveness;
-- Designing and constructing major energy projects;
-- Implementing applicable energy projects based upon availability of
resources;
-- Establishing follow-up procedures to assist posts with implementation
and ensure that operation and maintenance procedures are continued;
-- Improving operations and maintenance procedures;
-- Implementing no-cost and low-cost efficiency measures;
-- Conducting energy-efficient building retrofit and capital
improvements; and
-- Procuring energy-efficient goods and products.
FBO has identified diverse energy conservation projects at 30 Foreign
Service posts with potential energy cost-savings of more than $1.4
million per year. These are targeted primarily at areas where the cost
of electricity and fuel are extremely high. Embassy New Delhi is the
most recent example of a major upgrade project. The projects identified
for overseas posts involve one or more of the following:
-- Modernizing and upgrading heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning
equipment (HVAC) such as boilers and chillers;
-- Re-lamping the embassy buildings and residences with energy-efficient
lighting systems; and
-- Modifying various architectural items, including upgraded windows,
thermal insulation, loading-dock modifications, and other building-
envelope improvements.
To provide additional support to these efforts to become more energy-
efficient, FBO provides energy conservation devices--motion-sensor
lighting controls, power-factor correction devices, and compact
fluorescent lights. FBO also works with the Department's Regional
Procurement and Supply Office in Bonn, Germany, to provide energy-
efficient alternatives in every product category; most importantly, in
lighting, heating, and air-conditioning.
Future Activities
The Department of State plans to incorporate energy-efficient products,
using new technology, in all new construction design efforts. One
notable example is the new Berlin Embassy, where design competition is
now underway. This embassy will showcase U.S. energy capabilities and
technology. Among the many energy-efficient features under consideration
are a new sulfur lamp system that will produce a high-quality white
light, natural gas-powered fuel cells to generate very clean
electricity, and low-flow faucets and toilets.
Some U.S. embassies are located in the world's best wind-energy resource
areas. FBO aims to establish two wind project demonstrations in the near
future. Additionally, the Department built small solar-energy systems in
Nicosia, Cyprus and Sanaa, Republic of Yemen, and is exploring the
possibility of pilot programs using an economical photovoltaic system.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
The Department of State has made clear progress in the areas of energy
efficiency, recycling, and other environmental practices such as
limiting the output of ozone-depleting substances. The Department has a
special responsibility to lead by example in environmental management
around the world. The actions taken at embassies can promote effective
environmental management by industries, agencies, and communities in
other countries.
Reducing Air, Water, and Soil Pollution
The Department of State strongly supports the reduction of pollutants in
the air, water, and soil. Both domestically and wherever possible
overseas, the Department adheres to the Clean Air Act and works
diligently to reduce such workplace hazards as asbestos,
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), lead in
paint, radon, and underground storage tanks.
Asbestos. To eliminate asbestos hazards, the Department initiated the
1988 Environmental Services Program. The wide use of asbestos in
construction during past decades has required a multi-year program to
identify asbestos-containing materials. Thus far, the Department has
surveyed 44% of all U.S. embassies overseas and has abated the most
serious hazards in 32% of them. For each of the surveys, the Department
generated an Asbestos Management Plan, a room-by-room asbestos report,
and a computer-aided design management package. Where feasible, these
plans were sent to posts for use in managing asbestos in place. The
Department also addresses all asbestos hazards when a major renovation
takes place or when emergencies require it. This occurred in Bonn
following an unusual flooding and in Moscow after heating pipes
ruptured. Kits containing the needed equipment and supplies to conduct
small asbestos repairs also are sent to selected posts.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). In pursuit of clean air, reducing global
warming, and ozone depletion, the U.S. banned the use of carcinogenic
CFCs in nonessential aerosols in 1978. Because protection of the ozone
layer is possible only if all countries participate, the U.S. has urged
worldwide restriction of CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances. This
effort led to a succession of landmark international agreements,
including the 1987 Montreal Protocol, which established international
agreement to address global warming problems, and a later U.S. decision
to ban production of CFC refrigerants by the end of 1995. CFC
refrigeration systems generally are found in the large centrifugal
chillers that provide air-conditioning to large facilities. The
Department' s main building in Washington, DC, is scheduled to undergo a
complete physical rehabilitation under the GSA's major renovation
program. Plans for the first phase of this renovation include
replacement of all chillers with those not containing CFCs.
Continued concern about global warming and ozone depletion also has
resulted in an intensified effort to reduce dependence on CFC
refrigerants at U.S. embassies around the world. The Department has a
multi-staged program to reduce leakage of CFCs either by tightening the
systems or by using a different fuel. One-half of 16 major chiller
systems in posts like Moscow or San Salvador will be upgraded in 1995.
The remaining half will be upgraded in 1996.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs). The State Department undertook a major
transformer replacement program, with multi-year funding, that changed
PCB-containing electrical transformers to ones containing a cooling
medium that is carcinogen free. PCBs have been removed from all federal
buildings in the U.S., and the PCB Abatement Program essentially is
complete at U.S. embassies. Twenty-four posts had been identified, as
having one or more PCB-contaminated transformers installed in the
electrical system. Of these, 16 posts have had contaminated transformers
removed, and the projects have been completed. The other nine sites are
either closed or in the process of having the PCB-contaminated
transformers removed. No additional PCB-contaminated transformers have
been identified within the past calendar year.
Other aspects of the Environmental Management Program include addressing
problems of radon contamination, lead in paint, pesticides, water
quality, and leakage from underground fuel tanks. The Department's
ongoing program to deal with these issues is designed to:
-- Mitigate the hazards of radon to indoor air quality by identifying
facilities containing excessive amounts of radon and either ventilating
the spaces more completely or removing the contaminated earth;
-- Institute an all non-leaded paint policy overseas, with priority
given to residential dwellings with children;
-- Identify ways to reduce pesticide problems; and
-- Develop design standards for double-containment and monitoring
systems in underground fuel storage tanks to avoid soil and ground water
contamination.
Future Efforts
The Department is proceeding with its existing Environmental Management
Program, which includes continuing CFC reduction and asbestos abatement,
upgrading underground fuel storage tanks on all major renovation and new
construction projects, and upgrading the remaining tanks on a first-
buried, first-upgraded basis.
Waste Reduction
In May 1990, the Department of State initiated a vigorous recycling
program that continues to grow and flourish. The program initially
focused on the collection of two grades of office paper but quickly
expanded its efforts to include collecting a third grade, newspaper,
aluminum cans, glass bottles, and polystyrene material.
The large quantities of these materials that have been recycled have
considerably reduced the amount of trash and debris entering the waste
stream. In 1994, the main State building recycled almost 330 tons of
mixed paper and more than 63,000 pounds of aluminum cans and glass
bottles. The GSA rated the Department's recycling effort "outstanding"
in 1994, noting that the Department of State "has become a pillar in the
recycling community, and other government agencies should emulate
Department of State programs."
In addition to fully supporting the recycling effort at their worksites,
Department employees at the main building actively support the cafeteria
contractor's efforts at recycling by separating their used polystyrene,
plastics, and paper materials in the food service areas. In 1994, the
cafeteria contractor collected 25 tons of used polystyrene through the
cooperation of its Department of State customers.
The Department is expanding its domestic recycling program. It expects
to receive a medium-sized baler for compacting corrugated solid waste in
the near future and also is purchasing a large baler for compacting
purposes at its shipping and receiving warehouse in Franconia, Virginia.
It also is studying recycling options for used carpeting, yard and
construction debris, and steel products to limit types and amounts of
potentially recyclable materials that currently are transported to
landfill sites.
Part of the Department's commitment to enhance its recycling program
includes the purchase of recycled and environmentally oriented products
such as copier paper, pens, pencils, machine cartridges, and computer
paper. The State Department prints materials for public distribution on
recycled paper. It also is disseminating a rapidly increasing amount of
foreign policy information via electronic, rather than hard-copy,
dissemination. For example, over the Department of State's Foreign
Affairs Network on the Internet, an average of 21,000 documents are
disseminated electronically every week, with no use of paper.
Overseas posts face greater challenges in recycling, depending on their
location. They must first start with a feasibility study to answer such
questions as whether local trash companies have the storage and disposal
capabilities to support recycling or what kinds of recycling programs
exist in a particular city. Embassy Paris is the notable recycling
success for overseas posts, and serves as a demonstration to American
commitment to conserve natural resources. In cooperation with the
recycling program of Paris, which will become mandatory by the year
2002, the embassy has recycled nearly 25 tons of paper and more than 600
pounds of aluminum cans. Other U.S. posts in the early stages or
studying the prospect of recycling include Rome, Tegucigalpa, Jeddah,
Auckland and Wellington, Mexico City, and the Hague.
COOPERATIVE EFFORTS
The Department of State recognizes that energy and environmental
conservation can be achieved best in cooperation with other government
agencies as well as the commercial and nonprofit private sectors and
with other nations. To this end, the Department works closely with
various entities in the U.S. and overseas. Primary U.S. Government
associations include the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments,
Environmental Protection Agency, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, and Tennessee Valley Authority. The Department of State
works very closely with the Department of Energy in developing plans for
new construction, major upgrades, and pilot programs.
In this cooperative environment, the Department also
-- Has personnel serving on various Federal Energy Management program
committees in support of Department of Energy and Environmental
Protection Agency programs;
-- Shares information at various national and international energy
conferences with major utilities, government agencies, non-governmental
agencies, and manufacturing companies;
-- Complies with those foreign laws that are more stringent than those
of the U.S.--Sweden, Netherlands, Germany;
-- Hires U.S. consultants to design and upgrade domestic and foreign
facilities; and
-- Uses its CFC and PCB replacement programs to enhance the transfer of
technology overseas by U.S. manufacturers.
TRAINING
An integral part of the Department's energy and environmental management
programs is developing knowledge and awareness among its employees--as
professionals and as consumers. The Department staffs energy managers
who have had specific training, testing, and certification in energy
conservation, and who coordinate all domestic and overseas energy
projects. Other building management employees are trained in energy
management principles and in implementing appropriate operating
guidelines. Overseas, FBO personnel train post personnel in various
areas so they can perform energy and environmental conservation
functions such as making emergency asbestos repairs; reducing the
release of hazardous refrigerants; installing new water-treatment
systems for correct use that prevent damage to "higher technology"
systems; detecting, preventing, and treating scale buildup on existing
piping systems; and testing water for use in HVAC systems.
Although the energy and environment professionals are responsible for
managing their programs and for taking the lead in conservation, it is
not their responsibility alone. In order to have an effective
conservation program, each and every Department of State employee must
be involved in the process. The Department uses various ways to
stimulate employee interest and support within the main State building.
These include:
-- An in-house, on-line TV network;
-- Posters located on designated bulletin boards; and
-- Literature such as hand-outs, Department notices, and the employees'
State magazine.
Literature, such as State magazine, also carries the conservation
message to overseas embassies, many of which have sought the
Department's guidance to initiate recycling programs. Some--such as
Nicosia, which is organizing an environmental conference with its host
community; Buenos Aires, coordinating activities with the UN Information
Center, local non-governmental organizations, and other embassies; Santo
Domingo, engaged in recycling, tree-planting, and energy and water
conservation; and the American Institute in Taiwan, planning a trial
cleanup that will include both American and local community groups--are
using the 25th anniversary of Earth Day as a vehicle not only to develop
awareness among embassy personnel, but also to demonstrate to their host
nations America's commitment to energy and environmental conservation.
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