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Remarks from the CSO
Welcome to the October 2024 edition of the Sustainability Spotlight! In September, the Sustainability Performance Office (SPO) hosted its second annual Sustainability Summit where more than 140 DOE senior leaders, program office leads, and site subject matter experts joined to share progress and plans to achieve net-zero emissions buildings (NZEB), carbon pollution-free electricity (CFE), zero-emission vehicles (ZEV), and climate goals.
During the Summit, we also had the opportunity to recognize our DOE Sustainability, High Performance Sustainable Building, and Green Fleet Award winners. Thank you to those who were able to attend the Summit. We look forward to seeing you all again and honoring even more sustainability champions in 2025!
On the ZEV front, DOE is leading the effort to electrify our federal fleet, securing the highest ZEV acquisition rate among federal agencies in FY 2024! While DOE has made significant progress regarding ZEV acquisitions and reducing water use intensity, there is still room for improvement in many areas, including reducing building emissions. For more information about DOE’s performance on our sustainability goals, please see the article about OMB’s recently released FY 2023 Sustainability Scorecard.
Lastly, please join me in congratulating Isabelle Heilman for her promotion as SPO’s new director. Having worked with many of you in the past, Isabelle brings a wealth of experience that will help DOE make even greater progress towards meeting our challenging sustainability and climate goals. I look forward to her leadership and vision as we continue this journey together.
With great appreciation,
Ingrid Kolb
Isabelle Heilman Becomes Director of SPO
Isabelle Heilman has been promoted to the Director of the Sustainability Performance Office. Isabelle joined the Department of Energy in 2019 as a Presidential Management Fellow and has also spent time at the USDA Forest Service and Department of State. Prior to entering government, Isabelle worked in the private sector and conducted research in Mexico with a Fulbright-Garcia Robles grant. She earned a BA in Environmental Economics and Politics from Claremont McKenna College and a Master of Public Policy from UC San Diego. In her new role, she will oversee the Department’s sustainability efforts, working with DOE programs to improve sustainability in accordance with statutory and executive order requirements.
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CUCE Selections at Hanford and WIPP
Since announcing the Cleanup to Clean Energy (CUCE) initiative in July 2023, DOE has made clean energy project selections at five DOE sites: Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina; Hanford Site in Washington; Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in New Mexico; Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) in Nevada; and Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in Idaho. Three of the sites, including SRS, NNSS, and Hanford, recently finalized realty agreements with developers to construct solar projects. SRS entered into leases with two developers to construct solar arrays that will generate 75 MW of power. NNSS entered into an easement for a solar project that will generate 200 MW annually. Most notably, Hanford entered into a realty agreement with Hecate Energy, LLC for 8,000 acres of land to construct a solar project capable of delivering up to one-gigawatt of clean energy. These actions represent a huge step in repurposing land once used for national security to produce clean energy.
Onsite CFE + Microgrids with Performance Contracts
Three DOE labs are preparing to develop onsite CFE with solar photovoltaics plus battery storage – and to create microgrids – using a combination of funding sources, including performance contracts, appropriated funds, and AFFECT grants. Fermilab is developing an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) ENABLE to combine traditional energy conservation measures (ECMs) like lighting, controls, transformers, and ZEV charging infrastructure into a single project along with its CFE. As part of the Net Zero Emission program, Sandia National Laboratories-California is developing an ESPC that will include CFE, upgrades to electric ground-source heat pumps, and implementation of ECMs. Finally, NREL is utilizing two ESPC task orders to implement CFE, ECMs, and electrification infrastructure. Together with a (non-performance contract) microgrid at INL, these projects are financing ECMs alongside CFE generation sources plus storage to create DOE’s first-ever microgrids, which will lead to significant advancements not only in CFE, but also in each site’s net-zero and resilience efforts.
Considering a project? Contact SPO with questions on technical or procurement support, project scope, or how to get started.
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Y-12 UESC Announcement
DOE/NNSA recently entered into a Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) with Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for a multi-year Utility Energy Service Contract (UESC) for energy efficiency, resilience, and clean energy improvements at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The UESC has a ceiling limit of $1 billion, the largest UESC in history. Initial funding (around $10M) for UESC Task Order (TO) #1 was obligated in September 2024. TO #1 scope includes HVAC, Air Handling Units, and Advanced Metering supporting the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory. TO #1 has a total value of around $31M and is expected to be completed in June 2027. Additional TOs are planned with various scopes leading to numerous site utility energy savings in the future.
NNSS Emergency Operations Center & Operations Command Center
NNSA Building 23-461 is a state of the art 13,000 square foot High-Performance Sustainable Building. It is the second of nine planned facilities that will form the new Mercury Campus at the NNSS. This building will support the Site’s Operations Command Center (OCC) and Emergency Operations Center (EOC), including support for Nye County Dispatch. The OCC/EOC provides essential services that enables the site’s National Security mission and is a critical resource that ensures the safety and security of the Site, its workforce, and the public.
This building features energy efficient lighting design, occupancy sensors, heat pumps, building controls, electric vehicle charging stations, renewable solar energy, water efficient fixtures, and Energy STAR appliances. Its integrated whole building design strategy greatly improves the efficiency of the center’s 24/7 operations when compared to its previous location built in 1966. The Green Business Certification Inc. provided third-party assessment of compliance in meeting the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings.
Zero Emissions Vehicles
DOE Excels in Electrifying its Federal Fleet
DOE excelled in electrifying its fleet in FY 23 and FY 24. From FY 22 to FY 23, DOE increased its light duty (LD) ZEV acquisitions by 115% and increased its number of charging ports by 67%. This progress is depicted on OMB’s FY 23 Scorecard. In the FY 24 vehicle ordering cycle, DOE continued to exceed in acquisition progress, with a LD ZEV acquisition rate of 71%, leading Federal agencies in the highest number of ZEV acquisitions. DOE also led Federal agencies in ordering the most medium duty (MD) ZEVs with 57 MD vehicle orders, 40 more vehicles than the next best agency. For FY 24, DOE ordered 582 ZEVs with ZEVs representing 42% of total FY 24 vehicle orders. Bravo to all the federal fleet managers who have made DOE a leader in electrifying the Federal fleet!
Argonne Optimizes EV Charging Through Smart Charge Management Platform
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) developed an electric vehicle charging platform, EVrez, that caters to the electric vehicle charging needs of employees on the campus and helps ANL oversee the management of charging stations. ANL’s EVrez mobile app allows drivers to reserve charging stations, allowing drivers who do not have personal charging stations at home the ability to charge at pre-determined times and for specific intervals at the ANL campus. Users of the app can input when they want to reserve the charging spot, how much energy they need, and the time by which they need it. The inputs from all users feed into a charge management system that generate charge schedules that consider the grid constraints, expected renewable energy output, and other factors so that drivers have the energy they need by their departure time. The graphics below demonstrate the peak power usage with and without EVrez.
Argonne is seeking partners to pilot and license its smart charge management platform. If you are interested in learning more about EVrez contact Jason Harper, jharper@anl.gov.
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Climate
Savannah River Site (SRS) Communication Tower Structural Analysis and Upgrade Project
The Savannah River Site (SRS), located near Aiken, South Carolina, was this year’s recipient of the DOE 2024 Outstanding Climate Resilience Project Award. SRS’s Communication Tower Structural Analysis and Upgrade Project is a phenomenal example of rapid recovery and long-term climate resilience planning. The 600-foot tower was erected in 1998 and supports approximately 2,000 radios for SRS emergency services including emergency response services. To ensure continuity of emergency operations, a $160,000 investment was made in the longevity of the tower with stronger internal bracing for the legs of the tower and the addition of four helical piers to reinforce the foundation. Once completed, the tower will be able to withstand 131 mile per hour winds and is expected to save more than $5 million in costs in the next decade. Congratulations to SRS!
Legacy Management Regenerative Grazing Study
The Office of Legacy Management (LM) initiated a collaborative three-year regenerative grazing project to study the impacts of grazing decisions and reclamation history on soil carbon concentrations at the Shirley Basin, Wyoming Disposal Site. Regenerative agriculture can result in storage, or sequestration, of soil organic carbon, making it a potential strategy to mitigate climate change. In 2023, the initial study results suggested that regenerative grazing management can potentially promote healthier vegetation and ecological systems by increasing plant diversity and provide an opportunity to store soil carbon.
Despite the relatively short data collection period, this study shows that regenerative grazing management can benefit agricultural producers, potentially increase plant diversity, and provide an opportunity to store soil carbon. In the long term, properly managed reclaimed lands, such as those at the Shirley Basin South site, can progress toward conditions similar to natural landscapes while contributing to local, regional, and global conservation. For more information, contact Diana Trettin.
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Announcements
SPO’s New Energy Hub Site
SPO can now be found on EnergyHub! We invite you to explore our new site and take advantage of the various resources such as our Building Electrification and Deep Energy Retrofits best practice guides. Both guides provide information on policy directives, alternative funding opportunities, and DOE site case studies. You can also find information on past award winners, read previous articles of the Spotlight newsletter, and see upcoming sustainability training and events.
DOE’s FY 2023 OMB Scorecard
Each year, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) publishes sustainability scorecards to share the progress federal agencies are making towards mandated sustainability targets. Highlights from DOE’s FY 2023 scorecard include:
- 52% of LD vehicle orders were ZEVs. This is huge increase compared to 24% in FY 2022 and 8% in FY 2021. DOE also added 384 charging ports, a 67% increase from FY 2022.
- A 40% reduction in facility water intensity from a FY 2007 baseline, including a more than 8% reduction from FY 2022.
- A more than 100% increase in federal investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, 14% of these projects are being accomplished through ESPCs.
Additionally, DOE was in the top 25% of federal agencies in CFE and ZEV acquisitions. The Department also exceeded statutory expectations for facility energy intensity reduction from a FY 2003 baseline. You can view DOE’s FY 2023 sustainability scorecard here.
Reporting Announcements
The Sustainability Dashboard is open for FY 2024 reporting! Sustainability data submission is due into the Dashboard by November 22 and the Site Sustainability Plan narrative is due by December 6, 2024.
SPO hosts Reporting Open Line Help Calls every Tuesday until December 3 from 3-4 pm EST. Visit the Dashboard’s Schedules page to add the training session and help calls to your calendar.
2024 Sustainability Summit Recap
DOE’s SPO hosted its second annual Sustainability Summit from September 10-12 at the James V. Forrestal Building in Washington, D.C. The summit built on the success of last year’s inaugural meeting and provided attendees with a collaborative platform to discuss sustainability ideas, efforts, and best practices.
Department leaders reaffirmed their commitment to sustainability and reminded staff of the importance of their work. These leaders were followed by three days of informative presentations and rich panel discussions on NZEB, CFE, ZEVs and climate resilience. Attendees participated in breakout sessions to further discuss E.O. goal areas. The Summit also included networking events and concluded with an award ceremony recognizing DOE sustainability champions.
Recordings and notes from the event can be accessed here. We look forward to seeing you in 2025!
Sustainability Awards Recap
The DOE Sustainability Awards acknowledge, reward, and promote exceptional sustainability practices at DOE sites and laboratories. At the DOE Sustainability Summit Ingrid Kolb presented awards in six categories: 1) Sustainability Champion, 2) Outstanding DER Projects, 3) Outstanding Net-Zero Building Project, 4) Outstanding ZEV Projects, 5) Outstanding CFE Electricity Projects, and 6) Outstanding Climate Resilience Projects. SPO also presented two Lifetime Achievement Awards to individuals who have dedicated a significant amount of time to making DOE more sustainable.
High-Performance Sustainable Building (HPSB) and Green Fleet awards were presented. To view all the 2024 award winners, visit the Sustainability Performance Office website.
Congratulations to all the winners for their commitment to Sustainability!
FEMP FEDS Spotlight Award Winners
FEMP recently honored three DOE employees who are working hard to implement exceptional resilient, efficient, and secure energy and water management practices and projects, while also helping DOE to achieve mission success. Congratulations to the individuals below for being 2024 FEMP FEDS Spotlight winners!
- Professional Achievement, Lisa Saurborn – Office of Legacy Management
- Future Leader, Jade Silver – Sustainability Performance Office
- Professional Achievement, Johnny Moore – DOE Oak Ridge Site Office
You can read more about the FEDS Spotlight here!
FEMP Energy and Water Management Award Nominations
SPO is accepting nominations for the FEMP 2024 Federal Energy and Water Management Awards until December 16. All nominations must be submitted through FEMP Central. If you have any questions about the nominations process, please contact Steve Bruno.
FY 2024 GreenBuy and GreenSpace Awards Nominations and New HelpShop
Have your site’s sustainable acquisition accomplishments recognized by submitting a nomination for the FY 2024 GreenBuy and GreenSpace Awards! Nominations are open from October 1 - December 31, 2024, through the Awards page on the DOE Sustainability Dashboard. Contact Shab Fardanesh (shabnam.fardanesh@hq.doe.gov) to set a HelpShop appointment for one-on-one help with sustainable acquisition and the GreenBuy/GreenSpace Award nomination.
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Do you have a story to share, or would you like to put a "spotlight" on a sustainability champion at your DOE site?
Send us an email at sustainability@hq.doe.gov
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