The Federal Energy and Water Management Awards recognize individuals, groups, and agencies for their outstanding contributions in the areas of energy efficiency, water conservation, and the use of advanced and renewable energy technologies at federal facilities. Winners of the 2011 Federal Energy and Water Management Awards include the following.

Contracting (Individual)

Ronda Ford
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service
Beltsville, Maryland

Ronda Ford introduced new and innovative contracting methods to the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) that saved millions of dollars. She led the agency's first multi-site energy savings performance contract (ESPC) award covering all 12 ARS locations in Texas and will save $480,000 annually upon completion. This work helped ARS implement 27 other energy conservation measures at five Texas locations outside the ESPC, estimated to save an additional $34,000 savings per year. Under Ms. Ford's leadership, ARS started its first utility energy service contracts (UESCs), with two contracts awarded representing $644,000 in investment and six more in progress. She trains and advises other contracting officers in ARS Facilities Division on how to do ESPCs and UESCs to expand their use. She also implemented an interagency agreement with Bonneville Power Administration, taking advantage of generous incentives to accomplish energy upgrades at laboratories and greenhouses in 10 locations in the Northwest.

Exceptional Service (Individual)

Rose Forbes
U.S. Air Force
Massachusetts Military Reservation
Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Rose Forbes serves as the lead environmental engineer for the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment Installation Restoration Program at the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR). As an informal joint base, the MMR had no centralized means to manage its energy-related programs. Ms. Forbes created and chaired the MMR Energy Committee, bringing together Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, and other base organizations to implement energy efficiency projects and increase the use of renewable energy. Her efforts led to the installation of Cape Cod's first utility-scale wind turbine in FY 2010, which will offset 30% of the program's energy consumption. Installation of two additional 1.5 megawatt turbines this fall will bring the program to 100% on-site renewable energy and offset greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of more than 6,600 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. Ms. Forbes also coordinated with the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration on a project that used more than 29 million gallons of treated groundwater for irrigation in FY 2010.

Michael Miller
U.S. Air Force
Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington

For 20 years, Michael Miller served as the energy management control system (EMCS) operator at Fairchild Air Force Base. During this time, he led the funding, design, and execution of three ECMS system upgrades to a modern direct digital control system totaling $7.1 million. The systems monitor 14,100 data points and trend 4,700 parameters for 103 buildings covering 3.4 million square feet. Mr. Miller personally oversaw the collection of data points and sequences of operation from the 1980s legacy systems to ensure proper programming. He demonstrated leadership and commitment throughout the upgrade effort to set the standard for facility managers and building occupants. He implemented new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning maintenance procedures that utilize the EMCS system to identify and repair problems, saving time and energy by minimizing trips into the field. In FY 2010, actions taken as a result of the ECMS upgrades saved 30 billion of the more than 75 billion Btu in total energy savings for the base.

Clifford Richardson
U.S. Air Force
Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico

Clifford Richardson, Kirtland Air Force Base energy manager, personifies the Air Force's commitment to efficiency and waste reduction. In FY 2010, his team completed five projects under an existing energy savings performance contract (ESPC) that will save more than 13 billion Btu on top of previous savings of 202 billion Btu per year. The projects included installing window film, solar reflective roofs, and a pool solar thermal heating system; replacing chillers; upgrading propane to natural gas; and re-commissioning heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units. In its vehicle fleet, Kirtland already accomplished 39% of fossil fuel reduction having upgraded 75% of its fleet with flex-fuel vehicles, displaced 45% of petroleum consumption with E-85, and replaced 98% of diesel fuel consumption with biodiesel. Mr. Richardson also initiated the detection and repair of 34 water leaks in 108 miles of pipeline saving 174 million gallons annually. In FY 2010, he arranged for funding to construct a city reused water storage tank and distribution system for base irrigation, potentially saving another 62 million gallons per year. Under Mr. Richard's leadership, Kirtland saved a total of 215 billion Btu and 241 million gallons of water in FY 2010 alone.

Sharon Parshley
Department of the Navy
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Kittery, Maine

Sharon Parshley has been the energy manager at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNS) for the past 18 years. She played an instrumental role in overseeing the implementation of projects under the $79 million PNS energy savings performance contract (ESPC). Under her leadership, PNS was one of the first Navy commands to take advantage of the ESPC when the funding tool was still new to agencies, and Ms. Parshley was involved in all stages of the process including project planning, energy service company (ESCO) selection, project commissioning, and measurement and verification. She continues to monitor ESPC project performance to identify deficiencies and address changes. Three phases of projects including 11 megawatts of cogeneration and heating upgrades, lighting, and compressed air infrastructure save more than 96 billion Btu, 25 million gallons of water, $14 million in costs, and 42,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. Additionally, in FY 2010, Ms. Parshley oversaw a pilot awareness competition that provided a $25,000 prize to the winner, helping make her energy awareness program one of the most successful in the Navy.

Brian Costlow
U.S. Department of Energy
Washington, D.C.

Brian Costlow first joined the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in 1988. As the current director of the DOE Office of Administration and the sustainability lead for DOE Headquarters, he has consistently worked to optimize sustainability improvements within DOE's two Headquarters facilities in Washington, D.C., and Germantown, Maryland. Mr. Costlow has led numerous cross-cutting team efforts, including installing DOE's first Headquarters 66,000 square foot cool roof; installing a solar array that tests multiple photovoltaic materials and generates 235 megawatt-hours annually; and awarding a $26.2 million energy savings performance contract (ESPC) estimated to save $59.5 million in avoided costs. The ESPC will save water at the Germantown complex and reduce energy consumption at the D.C. facility by more than 20% annually through LED exterior lights, steam trap repairs, a variable air volume system retrofit, and a centralized chiller plant. Mr. Costlow's efforts to reduce DOE Headquarters' executive fleet by more than 35% and ensure that more than 75% of the fleet are alternative fuel vehicles saved more than 5,000 gallons of petroleum in FY 2010.

Michael Dunn
U.S. Department of Energy
Argonne National Laboratory
Argonne, Illinois

Michael Dunn has managed Argonne National Laboratory's energy program since 2007, and in FY 2010 volunteered to create and run the lab's sustainability program. Mr. Dunn developed and manages Argonne's Energy Savings Reinvestment Program of in-house energy projects. As of FY 2010, this program has reinvested $500,000 in new energy conservation projects. He also worked on setting up demand response programs to cut demand during peak summer months, and in FY 2009 and FY 2010 Argonne demonstrated load shedding capability resulting in more than $475,000 in savings. Through a series of FY 2010 water recycling projects, his team saved more than 27 million gallons of potable water and $68,000 in avoided costs. He has overseen the implementation of two major energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs) totaling more than $11 million in investment. Mr. Dunn and his team also worked hard to tackle culture change through a series of efforts including a sustainability website and idea exchange, an employee contest to promote green commuting practices, and numerous presentations to employees, community leaders, and local schools.

David Guthrie
U.S Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Arlington, Virginia

David Guthrie is the energy coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Energy Management Program. Over the past 10 years, Mr. Guthrie turned the FWS Energy Management Program into a Federal leader through his highly creative and exceptional managerial and technical skills. Mr. Guthrie single-handedly developed the FWS building energy and water consumption reporting database, and continues to maintain and update it in accordance with new mandates. He also trained regional energy managers, obtained thousands of dollars in technical assistance from outside organizations, drafted the FWS carbon mitigation plan, submitted 27 winning nominations for DOE's Federal Energy and Water Management Awards, and helped obtain millions of dollars in Green Energy and Recovery Act funding for conservation projects. To make the FWS facilities more sustainable and energy efficient, he has conducted extensive outreach efforts to promote new workplace behaviors through websites, articles, and presentations at internal and external conferences, training sessions, and meetings. His results-oriented, customer-focused actions have helped FWS save millions of Btu of energy and millions of gallons of water.

David Johnson
U.S. General Services Administration
Public Buildings Service
New England Region North Service Center
Manchester, New Hampshire

Property Manager David Johnson's efforts to incorporate energy and water efficiency measures into the Norris Cotton Federal Building made it one of the most sustainable buildings in the General Service Administration's (GSA) New England Region portfolio. Numerous projects he initiated are now considered best practices to be utilized throughout the region. To increase awareness and improve the energy and environmental efficiency, Mr. Johnson developed an interagency green team that sponsors projects and events that include participation of the janitorial and maintenance staff as well as building tenants. Through a comprehensive audit and revamping of the building's previous waste management program, the building now diverts an average of 20 pounds of compostable material per month from landfills and has a recycling rate of more than 70%. Due to his efforts, the facility is also the first in the region to institute on-site composting, diverting more than 11,000 pounds of recyclable materials from the solid waste stream. Mr. Johnson also conducted his own internal audits of the lighting control and building automation systems that resulted in savings of 847 billion Btu, 97,000 gallons of water, and more than $16,000 in costs in FY 2010.

Robert Rossbacher
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Salem and Beckley VA Medical Centers
Salem, Virginia

Robert Rossbacher takes a proactive and programmatic approach to energy management. Serving as the energy manager for Salem and Beckley Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers, he led both facilities to 7% reductions in energy intensity and greenhouse gas emissions in FY 2010 from the prior year. Mr. Rossbacher adheres to the tenets of cultural energy management change within his facilities, continually involving and educating all maintenance, engineering, and other departmental personnel in energy efficient practices. In fact, most of the savings achieved at the Beckley location in FY 2010 are attributable to the education of maintenance staff. Mr. Rossbacher serves as a resource for other energy managers in the region by providing expertise in the areas of lighting and advanced metering. He also displayed leadership by securing funding and executing advanced metering and retro-commissioning projects before they were funded nationally by the VA. The successful retro-commissioning project at Salem VA Medical Center serves as a model for other facilities. His efforts in FY 2010 saved 26.5 billion Btu, and two exterior LED lighting projects are currently underway that will save an additional 2.3 billion Btu per year.

Program (Team)

Scott Bly
Bradley King
Pernell Rush
Julian Vaiana
U.S. Air Force

Air Force Space Command
Vandenberg Air Force Base, California

The Vandenberg Air Force Base energy conservation program uses a combination of tailored management approaches, energy efficiency projects, and aggressive energy awareness and training efforts to achieve results. Vandenberg went above and beyond Federal metering requirements by installing meters on substation circuits to identify "ghost loads." The system uses a combination of base wide area network (WAN), wireless transceivers, and fiber optics to communicate with more than 400 advanced electric, gas, and water meters across 6.6 million square feet of space. Vandenberg's tireless efforts led to a local area network (LAN)-connected energy management control system that, when combined with the automatic meter reading, will allow the base to participate in aggressive demand response programs. Vandenberg is also leading the Air Force's LED streetlight initiative, installing nearly 10,000 fixtures that save about $1 million annually. These efforts, along with building retrofits to lighting, motors, frequency drives, and controls, reduced energy intensity by 145 billion Btu in FY 2010, a 4.4% reduction from the prior year and 14% over three years. This equates to more than $3 million in annual energy savings and more than 166 thousand metric tons of avoided greenhouse gas emissions.

Steve Dumont
Mark Hunt
John McDuffie
William Turnbull
Steven White
U.S. Air Force

Air Combat Command
Langley Air Force Base, Virginia

The Air Combat Command (ACC) team implemented a broad strategy to decrease energy demand while increasing its supply. Using the power purchase agreement (PPA) process developed for Nellis Air Force Base (AFB) and subsequently adopted as the Air Force standard, the team installed a 14.5 megawatt photovoltaic (PV) array at Davis Monthan AFB in FY 2010. These two projects generate 63 million kilowatt-hours, more than 25% of the entire Air Force renewable energy goal. ACC also developed an initiative to reuse excess solar panel equipment, installing small PV arrays at 14 other ACC bases. Looking to the future, ACC developed partnerships with two Department of Energy national laboratories in FY 2010 to assess renewable energy opportunities at every ACC base and explore developing 10 to 20 megawatts of geothermal resources at Mountain Home AFB. Through its audit and capital investment programs, ACC also awarded 67 energy conservation projects valued at $44 million in FY 2010 that saved more than 793 billion Btu. These and other projects saved a total of $4.4 million in energy costs and 353,240 metric tons of carbon dioxide.

Colonel Kevin Trayer
Lieutenant Colonel Eric Lepchenske
Major Philip Morrison
Tony Hart
Rick Turcotte
U.S. Air Force

Air Mobility Command
Scott Air Force Base, Illinois

In FY 2010, Headquarters Air Mobility Command (AMC) and the AMC Aviation Fuel Efficiency Office (FEO) successfully led a Mobility Air Forces (MAF) energy conservation effort resulting in unprecedented savings. MAF is the largest single user of aviation fuel in the Air Force, accounting for 62% of Air Force and 39% of Department of Defense aviation fuel consumption in FY 2010. The team worked to adapt strategies and management practices for the entire fleet of MAF aircraft, pursing conservation measures in anticipation of future missions that will place increasing demand on aviation fuel energy resources. To meet a goal of 10% fuel use reduction by 2015, the AMC instituted policy changes and innovative data collection methods across the full spectrum of MAF operations. In FY 2010, notable advances were achieved in aircraft performance, including increase of delivered cargo on combat flight missions, which reduced overall aircraft flight hour consumption rates. These strategies saved almost 48 million gallons of jet fuel and $131 million in FY 2010, and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 515,335 metric tons annually.

U.S. Air Force
171st Air Refueling Wing
Pennsylvania Air National Guard

Coraopolis, Pennsylvania

The Aviation Energy Efficiency Program at the Pennsylvania Air National Guard's 171st Air Refueling Wing is regarded as the benchmark aviation efficiency program in the Air National Guard (ANG) and the Air Mobility Command (AMC). Through a comprehensive management system, the base was able to leverage its investment in human capital into significant aviation fuel savings. The program looked critically at aircrew practices, mission and training validation, optimized scheduling, and aircraft utilization. By seeking out fuel-efficient training opportunities during long-range planning and mission development, the base reduced its average training flight duration by 14% in FY 2010 from FY 2006, reducing fuel used in gallons per hour by 10%. The combined effect resulted in a 22% reduction in gallons of fuel consumed on a typical flight, saving 1.5 million gallons in FY 2010. In addition, these efficiencies resulted in a 9.2% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of more than 1,100 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. The program provided data collection tools, initiatives, and training programs to numerous Mobility Air Force wings to help them achieve similar success.

Barbara Palincsar
Steve Webster
Kenny Youn
U.S. Department of Defense
Defense Logistics Agency
Installation Support at Columbus

Columbus, Ohio

The Defense Logistics Agency Installation Support at Columbus energy management team (DS-FC) cultivated comprehensive strategies that translate into real policy and infrastructure change to tailor energy saving concepts to the specific needs of its customers. The team also established an excellent climate of internal energy awareness and conservation by implementing efficiency guidelines into daily activities and providing easy and effective ways for employees to contribute. The program cornerstones include installation of energy-efficient equipment, implementation of aggressive energy conservation technologies like computerized HVAC scheduling and free cooling systems, policies ordering the shutdown of lights and HVAC equipment when not in use, and energy education programs involving base employees. As a result of its multi-faceted program, in FY 2010 DS-FC reduced energy consumption by a record 7%, water consumption by 6.9%, and vehicle fuel use by 29% all from the prior year, for combined cost savings of almost $347,000. These efforts will reduce equivalent carbon dioxide emissions by more than 39,000 metric tons annually.

Jezabel Avilés
Lawrence Fratis
Paul Hahn
James Knudson
U.S. Department of Defense
Defense Logistics Agency

Fort Belvoir, Virginia

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)-Energy team helped overcome obstacles to Federal agency participation in demand response programs by instituting a "master agreements" program in FY 2009 allowing Department of Defense sites to contract with independent curtailment service providers (CSPs). Since most Federal sites are unable to accept checks, DLA-Energy also negotiated with the site electric utilities to have proceeds assigned directly from the CSPs to facility electric accounts. Energy management initiatives, such as demand response, do not directly save substantial electricity, but act to conserve our limited fiscal resources and free up energy budget dollars to invest in other energy management projects. The creation of this ready mechanism to participate in demand response programs resulted in unexpectedly high Federal participation and savings. Within two years, 45 agreements were signed representing almost 170 megawatts of enrolled curtailment capacity. In FY 2010 alone, almost $4.7 million was saved through commitments to reduce electric load through short-term load reduction or the use of emergency generators. Life-cycle cost savings are estimated at more than $81.6 million.

U.S. Marine Corps
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

Beaufort, South Carolina

Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort is recognized for its top-down commitment to energy, water, and fossil fuel conservation reflected by the command policies, outstanding leadership, and adequate resource allocation encouraging strong program performance and an energy efficiency culture. In FY 2010, the base completed phase III of an energy savings performance contract (ESPC) focusing on initiatives to improve building efficiency and expand installation of geothermal heat pumps and solar hot water heating. The renewable energy projects alone provide more than 4 billion Btu in annual thermal and electrical generation, representing 2.4% of base energy consumption. Overall, MCAS Beaufort's program reduced energy consumption by more than 10 billion Btu in FY 2010, nearly 23% from the FY 2003 baseline and more than 6.5% from FY 2009. Savings of 5.5 million gallons of water represent a 39.5% reduction in water intensity from the FY 2007 baseline and 7.7% from FY 2009. This equates to savings of more than $136,000 in energy and water costs in FY 2010 and avoidance of more than 23,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

Erik Boyer
Michelle Brooks
Tom Osborn
Kathryn Patton
Dick Stroh
U.S. Department of Energy
Bonneville Power Administration

Seattle, Washington

The U.S. Department of Energy's Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Energy Smart Federal Partnership (ESFP) helps identify and fund energy and water efficiency projects for the Federal Powered Irrigation Districts (ID) in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The IDs are not Federal entities, but receive reserve water and power at very low rates through an agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR). ESFP worked with the BOR to contract directly with the IDs to access this untapped energy efficiency market. Through master agreement awards, 10 ESFP provided technical support and financial incentives to complete large-scale canal improvement projects at five IDs in the Columbia River Basin in FY 2010. Canal lining projects and installation of variable frequency drives helped save an estimated 16 billion Btu of electrical energy and more than 2 billion gallons of water annually from reduced pumping. These projects result in more efficient use of hydropower, reducing the region's reliance on fossil fuels.

Project (Team)

Department of the Army
Fort Drum, New York

Fort Drum Mountain Community Homes (FDMCH) is a partnership created between the Department of the Army and Acts Lend Lease. The partnership is through the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, designed to provide privatized development of military family housing and asset, property, and maintenance management for the military families stationed at Fort Drum. FDMCH utilized the New York State Research and Development Authority's ENERGY STAR® Certification program to complete construction of 917 new energy efficient and environmentally sound homes in FY 2010. The FDMCH project is the largest ENERGY STAR development in New York state history. The homes include greater insulation; energy-efficient windows, equipment, lighting, and appliances; and water conserving low-flow fixtures. Operations, construction, and residential services incorporated recycling, user education, and a solid maintenance program to ensure continued energy savings. The homes will save approximately 32 billion Btu and more than $568,000 in gas and electricity costs annually over comparable leased housing.

U.S. Marine Corps
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

Twenty Nine Palms, California

In FY 2010, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGC) employed several strategies to meet and exceed Federally-mandated goals. Most notable, MCAGCC achieved 9.2% in renewable energy production through the implementation of photovoltaic systems totaling 2.6 megawatts (MW), utilizing a power purchase agreement to install 1.5 MW. Together, the systems are estimated to save about $350,000 per year. MCAGCC expects to have more than 10 MW installed by the end of FY 2012 toward achieving a net zero installation. MCAGCC also completed a project in FY 2010 exploring development of a closed loop geothermal system. These and other measures, including chilled water conversion and energy management control systems upgrades, contributed to FY 2010 savings of more than 56 billion Btu and 448 million gallons of water, equating to reductions of about 15% and 62% respectively from FY 2009. MCAGCC efforts saved more than $1 million in costs and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equaling more than 1,900 metric tons of carbon dioxide.

Bob Demyanovich
Chris Drury
Chris Sample
Peter Sanford
Richard Trimble
Department of the Navy
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) and Intermediate Maintenance Facility

Bremerton, Washington

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) made particularly effective use of an often underutilized and low cost solution to saving energy. In FY 2010, the team achieved continuous commissioning of buildings through the assignment of a resource efficiency manager. Savings were realized predominantly through rescheduling of air handling units, exhaust fans, and heating coils for single shift or daytime operation versus continuous 24/7 operation. Additionally in FY 2010 a systematic steam, water, and air waste reduction program was implemented to detect and repair leaks. With an investment just over $303,000, these projects avoided more than $750,000 in energy costs and saved more than 70 billion Btu and 11.5 million gallons of water as compared to FY 2009. The efforts will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by almost 3,000 metric tons annually. Also in FY 2010, PSNS & IMF purchased more than 9,600 megawatt-hours of wind power from Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) at no cost using available credits available under BPA's Conservation Rate Credit program.

Captain Scott Adams
Commander Patrick Hochstein
Michael Maloney
Gordon Mitchell
James Mugg
Department of the Navy
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest
Naval Base Point Loma

San Diego, California

Naval Base Point Loma (NBPL) represents a model of efficient teamwork and an organizational culture committed to driving a future of greater energy independence. To sustain the program's momentum, NBPL completed a wide range of photovoltaic (PV), solar thermal, energy and water efficiency, and low-cost/no-cost energy measures in FY 2010 that will save more than 11 billion Btu and 23 million gallons of water annually. Five new PV projects generate 529 megawatt-hours of renewable electricity per year, and a new solar pool heating system provides 350 million Btu of thermal energy, meeting 1.6% of the base's electricity requirements. Expansion of effective irrigation controls and practices reduce potable water consumption by 20% with no impact on mission, health, safety, quality of life, or base appearance. These and other projects completed in FY 2010 help the base achieve a reduction in energy intensity of more than 32% below its energy baseline and more than 36% below its water baseline. NBPL's program is a key part of the Navy Region Southwest energy program, which emphasizes close communication and sharing of information on programs, projects, emerging technologies, and lessons learned.

Marsha Browning
Liz Dawson
Tom Eagle
Libby Herland
Tony Leger
Debbie Long
Susan Russo
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge

Sudbury, Massachusetts

Every aspect of design and construction of the 5,879 square-foot visitor center at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge exemplifies sustainability. The building includes passive solar architecture, a cool roof, daylighting, low-e glazed windows, energy-efficient fluorescent and LED lighting, occupancy sensors, a 6.3-kilowatt grid-tied solar photovoltaic array, and a 12.5-ton ground source heat pump, all resulting in energy performance 30% better than an average building. The 19 megawatt-hours of renewable power generated offsets 13.1 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. Construction materials were recycled, and low-VOC emitting carpets, paints, and adhesives provide a healthy indoor work environment. Low flow plumbing fixtures and waterless urinals conserve 3,000 gallons of water per year. Outside, use of native plants, a "no mow" lawn, stormwater containment, and porous pavement help further reduce building water use to more than 20% below current standards. The knowledge gained by this project will be shared and applied to 66 other field stations, and will help the Fish and Wildlife Service move toward net-zero buildings for every project.

Kathleen Burchett
Rick Coleman
Chuck Gess
Eric Jordan
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Great Falls, Montana

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Mountain-Prairie Region completed the region's first hybrid solar photovoltaic (PV)/wind energy system at Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge in FY 2010. The grid-tied system includes 15.4 kilowatts of pole-mounted single-axis adjustable solar PV panels and a 10 kilowatt horizontal axis wind turbine. The integrated system accomplished a 93% decrease in purchased electricity consumption for the headquarters building and a 33% reduction in energy intensity from the field station's FY 2003 baseline. This equates to a cost savings of approximately $4,000 per year, an energy savings of 121 million Btu, and a reduction in greenhouse gases of 25 metric tons annually. Already super-insulated and sustainably designed, the headquarters facility also completed a lighting retrofit in FY 2010 to install T-8 fluorescent lights and electronic ballasts, occupancy sensors, and LED exit lights. This project serves as a model illustrating the feasibility of renewable hybrid solar PV/wind energy systems and educating other Fish and Wildlife Service facilities about this technology.

Doug Damberg
Jim Burby
John Bradley
Mendel Stewart
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Newark, California

The 9,000 square foot San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters Complex was renovated in FY 2010, incorporating sustainable design measures that reduced energy consumption by 52%. Energy conserving features include double-glazed, light-bronze tinted, low-e windows and doors with innovative thermal-break frames, expansive spray foam wall and ceiling insulation, LED and T-8 fluorescent lighting and electronic ballasts, occupancy sensors, daylighting, and ENERGY STAR appliances. The propane-fired boiler was replaced with a 6-ton ductless air-source building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system with heat recovery of the exhaust air. A solar-thermal collector with an interior heat reservoir provides 100% of the domestic hot water, and low-water-use plumbing fixtures save 5,000 gallons per year. The project saved more than 350 million Btu in FY 2010 and more than $34,000 in energy costs. The complex has become a showcase facility, ushering in more than 60,000 visitors each year to enjoy the benefits of this green building.

Diane Breithaupt
Jesse Maestas
Mary Myers
Tony VanWinden
Monica Vigil
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Coast Guard
Training Center Petaluma

Petaluma, California

In FY 2010, the U.S. Coast Guard used a power purchase agreement (PPA) to install an 875 kilowatt solar photovoltaic array at Training Center Petaluma. This innovative funding vehicle allows the Coast Guard to purchase renewable energy at a contracted rate for 25 years with no upfront development costs and no responsibility for system operation and maintenance. First conceived in FY 2006, the Coast Guard team worked through several legal and contract challenges before identifying potential solutions and issuing a project solicitation in FY 2008. More than 5,200 solar panels now cover four acres and are expected to produce between 1.5 and 1.7 million kilowatt-hours annually to handle 60% of the site's electric demand. The project is the largest ground mounted PV installation in the Coast Guard, as well as the first successful PPA in the Department of Homeland Security. The Coast Guard anticipates saving $1.6 million in energy costs over the life of the PPA while preventing more than 18,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from entering the atmosphere.

Matt Evans
Samuel Hagins
Daniel Martin
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
West Texas VA Medical Center

Big Spring, Texas

The Engineering Service Section at the West Texas Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center completed a renewable energy project in June 2010 for solar photovoltaic (PV) covered parking. This innovative PV design, a more sustainable alternative to both roof and ground-mounted PV systems, is significant as it is the first project of its kind constructed at a VA medical center. The system is rated at 180 kilowatts and generates approximately 255 megawatt-hours of energy annually. It is also easily expandable and virtually maintenance free. Depending on the time of year, the system subsidizes the medical center's commercial power between 5% and 10%. The project will save a minimum of $30,000 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 176 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. The PV system's high reliability and solid performance has already led the way for PV covered parking at 25 other VA medical centers and the Kirtland Air Force Base outpatient clinic.

Rose Forbes
Mark Ivory
Paul McFarland
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
National Cemetery Administration
Massachusetts National Cemetery

Bourne, Massachusetts

In FY 2010, the Department of Veterans Affairs Massachusetts National Cemetery, Air Force, Environmental Protection Agency, and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection partnered on a project to use 100% reclaimed water to irrigate the cemetery grounds with water from the adjacent Otis Air National Guard Base contaminated groundwater filtration system. The filtration system uses six recovery wells to remove chlorinated solvent contaminated groundwater, filters it through activated carbon, and then returns it to the aquifer. Use of the reclaimed water eliminated the need for 30 million gallons of groundwater withdrawal from the aquifer annually, resulting in a 10% increase in public water availability. Total savings will be approximately 1.8 billion gallons of water over the life of the system. This project far exceeds Executive Order 13514 potable water reduction requirements of 26% 10 years ahead of schedule and is a unique example of cooperation between three Federal agencies and one state agency to reduce potable water use.

Dennis Gerdovich
Johnathan Reiker
Cindy Van Bibber
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
National Cemetery Administration
Fort Bliss National Cemetery

El Paso, Texas

The Department of Veterans Affairs Fort Bliss National Cemetery previously relied on the heavily over-utilized Hueco Bolson Aquifer for irrigation water. The existing water sources were often insufficient in summer, resulting in a poor landscape appearance. The project, aiming to reduce potable water use and find irrigation alternatives in the desert climate, replaced 60 acres of irrigated turf with xeriscaped areas of low water use turf, drought-resistant ground covers and trees, and water conserving mulch, resulting in one of the largest xeriscaping conversion projects on record. The new and improved irrigation system also uses a highly efficient drip/bubbler irrigation system, watering only at the location of the plant. The project reduced water use at the cemetery by 90%, saving 56 million gallons of water per year, and reduced irrigation energy use by 47%. The project saved more than $400,000 in water, energy, and maintenance costs in FY 2010. Five cemeteries located in arid regions of New Mexico and California are currently being evaluated for xeriscaping based on the project's success, and two new cemeteries were designed using features of the Fort Bliss project.