Green Information Technology Strategic Plan - Departmental ...

In the United States alone, buildings account for 38% of all carbon dioxide emissions.
4.8
Design and Develop High Performance
Buildings
Description
Develop high-performance, sustainable buildings through
use of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED) certification standard; establish strategies for
sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency,
materials and resources selection, and indoor environmental
quality.
In the United States alone, buildings account for:
n 72% of electricity consumption.
n 39% of energy use.
n 38% of all carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions.
n 40% of raw materials use.
n 30% of waste output (136 million tons annually).
n 14% of potable water consumption.
Benefits of this program are:
n Reduction in life-cycle cost of facilities’ environmental
18
and energy attributes.
n Improvement in energy efficiency, water conservation,
and utilization of renewable energy.
n Provision of safe, healthy, and productive built
environments.
Success Measures
n LEED Certification on all USDA buildings
n Reduce energy bills.
n Reduced CO 2 emissions generated by building.
Metrics
n Percentage of USDA buildings with LEED certification.
n Carbon dioxide emissions generated by building.
n Reduction in energy usage due to LEED
Examples
implementation.
n RFID technology coupled with building control
systems.
n HVAC bypass technology to cool data centers when
outside temperatures are below 70 degrees.
n Employ renewable resources within the building.
n Utilize recycled materials in construction.
n Use toxic free paints, chemicals, etc.
4.9
Vehicle Fleet Maintenance
Description
This program focuses on: (1) reducing petroleum products
used for the operation of USDA vehicles to perform services
and/or to conduct duties necessary to achieve goals and
objectives of the Department; (2) decreasing fuel
consumption and increasing the use of alternative fuel
technology vehicles; and (3) promoting the use of costefficient
plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Success Measures
n Reduce vehicle miles traveled.
n Purchase higher fuel economy vehicles (smaller sized
vehicles, hybrid-electric vehicles and other advanced
technology).
n Employ the most “fuel-efficient” vehicle for the
required task.
n Employ efficiency strategies such as procuring low
rolling resistant tires, synthetic oil and other identified
technologies for USDA-owned vehicles.
Green Information Technology Strategic Plan