The Greening of NOAA

Julie Bedford, NOAA Office of Communications and
Will Freeman, NOAA Safety & Environmental Compliance Office

March 27, 2009 — As NOAA works hard to preserve and protect the environment, it also practices what it preaches. NOAA’s green buildings and ships, and other internal environmental efforts, contribute toward the greening of our nation. These efforts also save money, conserve valuable natural resources, and in many cases create a healthier work environment for NOAA employees.

NOAA's Green Buildings

Green buildings conserve energy, water, and natural resources, while reducing impacts on human health and the environment. NOAA’s green buildings can be found throughout the country. NOAA’s Satellite Operations Facility, an advanced weather operations and research facility in Suitland, Md., is just one of NOAA’s growing list of green buildings — it even has a green roof that limits rainwater runoff, provides insulation, and reduces the “heat island effect.” Other notable green buildings include NOAA’s West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center facility in Palmer, Alaska and NOAA’s weather forecast offices in Caribou, Maine and Key West, Fla. The Key West office received the Department of Energy’s 2008 “You Have the Power” award for sustainable building “Leadership.”  This site incorporates natural storm water runoff reduction, native plant restoration, landscaping water cisterns and gray water use for restrooms. The building incorporated recycled construction materials, cedar siding from a renewable growth forest, low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) furnishings and fixtures, energy efficient lighting, and natural day lighting.  On Feb. 13, 2008, this building also received a “Silver” award from the U.S. Green Building Council, whose LEED™ (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification program sets the standard for environmentally sensitive design in the U.S.

Chris Ostrom with the National Ocean Service received the Department of Energy’s 2008 “You Have the Power — Energy Champion” award for his outstanding efforts working with NOAA’s 13 national marine sanctuaries and one marine national monument to incorporate sustainable policies and practices into new construction and renovations, as well as day-to-day operations and maintenance.

NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries have been constructing green buildings since 2002.  Buildings at NOAA’s Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve in Alpena, Mich., and NOAA's Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary in Key West, Fla., were both built using sustainable building materials.  Last month, the Thunder Bay Sanctuary received a “Gold” LEED award from the USGBC. Energy conservation measures there include a geothermal heat pump system with estimated energy savings of 41 percent over a natural gas heating system. The Florida Keys Sanctuary will be the next sanctuary site to receive LEED certification. Many other NOAA buildings have also received similar DOE awards. A list of NOAA’s certified and projected LEED buildings is available online. 

NOAA is now working with DOE’s National Renewable Energy Lab to further improve energy efficiency at other NOAA facilities by conducting comprehensive energy assessments and providing technical energy efficiency reviews of new NOAA construction projects.

According to data collected in NOAA’s FY08 energy report to DOE, more than 40 energy/water improvement initiatives were reported by many  NOAA locations — further supporting NOAA’s overall greening efforts. Examples included: upgrading existing lighting with high efficiency lighting, water conservation improvements, sea water pump upgrades, signing onto Energy Star leases, and HVAC energy improvements.  Did you know that in a typical office you could save approximately $180 each year just by turning off your office computers, monitors, and lights before you leave for the day? Multiply that by the thousands of  people working at NOAA it adds up to  millions of dollar each year.

NOAA's Green Ships

Like green buildings, green vessels also help preserve and protect the environment. Thanks to innovations put in place by NOAA marine superintendent Dennis Donahue and the “Green Ships Initiative,” all three large diesel research vessels used by NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory now operate entirely on bio-based, vegetable products. The R/V Huron Explorer, R/V Shenehon and R/V Laurentian, all use 100 percent soy biodiesel for engine fuel, canola-based motor oil, and vegetable-based hydraulic oil for their deck crane, winches, transmission, and steering gear. Not only is this a cost effective way to help reduce environmental emissions, but it also has improved ship performance and crew health and safety. Furthermore, retrofitting the existing fleet of 30 to 50 year old ships — instead of purchasing new ones — led to additional cost savings. The vessels are the first in NOAA’s fleet to operate on 100 percent bio-based products and GLERL has already received two national level awards for this environmental effort, including the renowned White House Closing-the-Circle Award.

Other NOAA ships joining the greening effort include: NOAA Ships Rainier, Nancy Foster, Oregon II, and Thomas Jefferson — all of which use biodegradable hydraulic and/or lube oil (vegetable oil) in their engines, propellers and/or deck machinery. These are just a few examples of the many greening initiatives executed by NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations with many more on the way.

 

NOAA’s Ground Vehicle Fleet

NOAA’s vehicle fleet includes more than 400 flexible fuel vehicles, nine hybrids, and two compressed natural gas vehicles — that’s 24 percent of NOAA’s entire fleet of more than 1,700 vehicles ranging in size from sedans to van/minivans to pick-up trucks for hauling small boats. 

 

NOAA Recycling

According to FY08 data collected in NOAA’s annual recycling report to the Office of Management and Budget, NOAA diverted approximately 1,150 tons of recyclables from the nation’s landfills.  Nine NOAA locations also reported having active food and lawn debris composting programs further diverting 4.5 tons of organic material from the landfills. NESDIS data revealed that they had a recycling rate of 41 percent, which far surpassed EPA’s 35 percent minimum goal — OAR was second at 36 percent.

 

NOAA's Green Team

With federal mandates calling for the greening of government agencies, NOAA’s Green Team formed in May of 2007. The team’s mission is to provide guidance, tools, and direction for implementing innovative "greening" techniques within NOAA's facilities and operations. While many of NOAA’s green efforts originated years ago in numerous local and regional NOAA offices across the county, NOAA’s Green Team now serves to unite NOAA’s greening efforts.

To address specific greening programs, NOAA’s Green Team launched four sub-teams (bicycle commuting, carbon footprint reduction, electronic stewardship, and sustainable design). As of March 2009, 80 NOAA employees from all NOAA line offices had joined sub-teams. Others are encouraged to join, thus further supporting and strengthening the “One NOAA” vision.  

NOAA is dedicated to continuing its green efforts and is proud to both support and contribute to the nation’s environmental progress. NOAA’s greening efforts are yet another example of how NOAA is on the cutting edge of science, service and stewardship.