NREL Joins EPA Program
Lab Part of National Environmental Performance Track
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently was accepted into the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Environmental Performance Track (NEPT) program.
One of 39 new members from 22 states, the Lab was recognized for its impressive record of environmental management and performance. NREL's successful Environmental Management System (EMS), which is supplemented by the Lab's Sustainable NREL (SN) program, was recognized for its continuous environmental improvement.
The NEPT program recognizes facilities that voluntarily exceed regulatory requirements, implement environmental management systems (which focus on incorporating environmental considerations into normal management processes and improving internal environmental management effectiveness), work closely with their communities, and set three-year goals focusing on measurable results.
"The National Environmental Performance Track rewards exceptional progress," said EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt. "We recognize these facilities as environmental leaders because their business models are delivering environmental results beyond what is expected or required."
The 344 members, who come from 43 states and Puerto Rico, represent a diverse cross-section of the economy — electronics, medical and chemical products, machinery, transportation equipment, pharmaceutical, and wood products. Each membership lasts for three years, and participants must submit annual performance reports outlining their progress during that period.
As part of this program — and in conjunction with Sustainable NREL — the Lab will focus on four key areas (all based on a 2000 baseline):
- Reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases by 10%
- Reduction of total water use by 5%
- Reduction in emissions of carbon monoxide by 15%
- Reduction in total energy use by 3%
Bob Westby, Sustainable NREL program lead, sees NEPT as a natural fit for the Lab's mission — NREL defines sustainability as "a simultaneous and balanced pursuit of economic viability, environmental health, and public responsibility over the long-term, through appropriate investment decisions and operating practices."
Performance Track members demonstrate in their daily operations that economic prosperity and environmental protection go hand in hand. "In our Sustainable NREL efforts, we've always emphasized that science and sustainability can coexist," said Westby. "The goals within this program continue to reinforce that belief — we can fulfill our mission, but meet these goals as well."
NREL's plan to meet these goals (already under way through the Sustainable NREL program) will be achieved through a series of targeted approaches. In 2000, for example, NREL agreed to purchase 10% of its annual electric power from wind — the Lab hopes to continue this green power purchase and possibly add to it.
The Lab also will build on its Water Efficiency Plan, which already has led to installation of low-flush toilets and waterless urinals, as well as retrofitting faucets with low-flow alternatives. NREL also hopes to build on the number of alternative-fuel vehicles currently in its fleet.
SN also has emphasized power-management practices for PCs and deployed a site-metering project to measure energy use in all its buildings. All of these efforts — and others under development — will help meet goals already designated by SN, as well as the Performance Track program.
NREL's Environmental Management System also is officially "validated" through this NEPT recognition. By having its EMS accepted into Performance Track, NREL fulfills a Department of Energy (DOE) order requiring an integrated EMS by 2005. NREL selected the NEPT program for validation, primarily because of the EPA program's alignment with the Lab's "sustainability" approach.
One of the goals of SN is to meet and exceed "executive" and/or DOE orders in the area of sustainability. According to the Lab's ES&S Director Randy McConnell, NREL already has achieved all EMS implementation targets established by DOE. "The deadline for achieving these targets is December 2005, which means we are well ahead of the regulatory schedule," McConnell said.
Lab management recognizes that these EMS goals are in sync with activities being pursued under Sustainable NREL — especially regarding energy- and water-use reductions, as well as controlling air emissions. In all of these areas, staff involvement is the key to success.
"I am proud of the successes achieved through our EMS initiatives, as well as our Sustainable NREL program — we already have exceeded many sustainability goals set by DOE," said NREL Director Richard Truly. "But I'm also confident that this program, in coordination with ongoing Sustainable NREL efforts, will help us achieve even more."
For more information on the National Environmental Performance Track, please visit National Environmental Performance Track. NREL also recently was named to Colorado's Environmental Leadership Program by the state's Department of Public Health and Environment. As the first laboratory to join Colorado's distinguished list of companies and organizations, NREL was recognized for its voluntary and significant environmental achievements.
