DEPARTMENT OF THE
INTERIOR
ANNUAL REPORT ON ENERGY MANAGEMENT
FISCAL YEAR 2007
This report presents the Department of the Interior energy
data, progress toward meeting building energy reduction goals, and initiatives
taken in fiscal year 2007 to comply with mandated energy requirements, in
accordance with the National Energy Conservation Policy Act, the Energy Policy
Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) and Executive Order 13423, Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation
Management.
I. MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
A. Energy Management Infrastructure
1. Senior
Agency Official. The
Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget is
the Department of the Interior’s Senior Agency Official responsible for meeting
the goals of EPAct 2005 and EO 13423.
2. Agency Energy Team. Implementation of the Energy Management and
Conservation Program within the Department of the Interior (Interior) is the
responsibility of the Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget and
is delegated to the Office of Acquisition and Property Management through the
Deputy Assistant Secretary – Business Management and Wildland Fire. Interior’s Energy Management Team consists of
Senior Bureau Asset Management Officers who are responsible for managing Interior’s
real property assets. In addition, the
Departmental Energy Conservation Committee (DECC),
comprised of bureau representatives ranging from property management
specialists to engineers is a forum to communicate information regarding energy
management and water conservation issues, discuss best management practices,
and provides advice and recommendations to senior leadership on energy
management initiatives and policies as well as guidance on bureau energy
management operations.
Departmental organizations and
Bureaus with responsibility for energy and water management in Interior
facilities include the following:
·
Office of the Secretary, National
Business Center
·
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
·
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
·
Bureau of Reclamation (BOR)
·
Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
·
National Park Service (NPS)
·
U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS)
B. Management Tools
1. Awards.
Interior Bureaus take advantage
of incentive programs to reward their exceptional employees. In addition, Interior actively participates
in the Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program, “You Have the
Power” awareness campaign and Federal Energy and Water Management Awards
Program. Below are Interior’s FY2007
energy award recipients.
The BLM
was recognized by the Office of Management and Budget as a FY2007 Presidential
Award for Leadership in Federal Energy Management.
The BLM’s
Energy Management Team received a FY2007 Presidential Award for
Leadership in Federal Energy Management for implementing a unique partnership
with the Department of Energy and Johnson Controls, Inc. The partnership
streamlined the planning and engineering process of the Energy Savings
Performance Contract. It devised an innovative approach to the identification
and installation of energy conservation measures at hundreds of BLM
facilities throughout the United States. As a result of the initiative, these sites
are receiving $4.9 million of energy efficiency improvements with guaranteed
annual savings of nearly $400,000 and annual energy savings of 20 billion Btu,
enough energy for 285 typical households in the region.
Two Interior projects were
recognized by the Department of Energy’s FY 2007 Federal Energy and Water
Management Awards.
·
BLM’s
Trent Duncan received an Individual Award for Renewable Energy. The Award honors his leadership, expertise,
skill, and ingenuity in implementing renewable energy technologies and energy
management features during the renovation of the Cleveland-Lloyd
Dinosaur Quarry Visitor
Center, in Cleveland,
Utah.
These technologies include compact fluorescent lighting with occupancy
sensors, a high-efficiency evaporative cooler, a 3.7 kilowatt photovoltaic
system, and other sustainable features that together result in savings of more
than $24,000 per year in fuel costs and a 99 percent reduction in hydrocarbons
used by the facility. Mr. Duncan has
applied his experience and leadership in developing and implementing renewable
energy resources by mentoring others throughout the BLM
in the development and application of their own renewable energy systems.
·
FWS Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife Center and Administration Buildings in Sherwood Oregon,
was designated a Federal Energy Saver Showcase Facility. The facility exemplifies the principles of sustainable
design. Building materials were selected
for their low environmental impact. The
buildings incorporate numerous passive energy-saving features, including
daylighting and precast concrete wall systems with thermal mass and low
infiltration. The structures also incorporate superinsulated building
envelopes, cool roofs, low-emittance exterior windows, high efficiency
lighting, and high efficiency heat pumps and exhaust systems. Restoration of
the landscaping to its native setting eliminates the need for irrigation. This building is on target to qualify for a
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification.
One Interior facility received an
honorable mention from the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive FY2007
White House Closing the Circle Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement
to environmental stewardardship.
·
FWS Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge
Headquarters and Visitor Contact Station, Vermont,
received a Federal Energy Saver Showcase Award.
This facility showcases four types of renewable energy with a geothermal
HVAC system, a net-metered 15-kilowatt solar photovoltaic array and 10-kilowatt
wind turbine, and a stand-alone clean-burning EPA-approved wood stove used for
auxiliary heating. The renewable energy
systems produce enough power to operate 100% of the energy-efficient lighting
with occupancy sensors, computers, and miscellaneous plug loads of the
facility. The facility minimized its
impact throughout construction by avoiding construction waste, conserving
water, preventing pollution, and incorporating recycled and low-emitting
materials such as recycled composite lumber containing post-consumer recycled
plastic and post-manufactured recycled wood and salvaged barn timbers. The building’s southeast orientation, large
glazed windows, overhangs, super-insulated building envelope, and stone mass
walls take advantage of natural daylighting and passive solar heating and
cooling. Low-flush toilets and waterless
urinals, on-site wastewater treatment, and groundwater recharge through
wetlands demonstrate water conservation.
Three facilities were recognized
by the Department of the Interior FY2007 Environmental Achievement Awards. This award recognizes exceptional
achievements that conserve our Nation's natural resources. Areas of activity recognized by this award
include: environmental stewardship, waste/pollution prevention, recycling,
green purchasing, sustainable design/green building, minimizing petroleum use
in transportation, and environmental management systems.
·
BIA
First Mesa Elementary School serves
approximately 400 elementary students in Polacca, Arizona. As the first
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified school in Arizona, and the second for Interior, the school resolves a
variety of environmental issues that are important in this remote and arid
region. Careful collaboration between
client, architect, and contractor resulted in a facility that met and exceeded
the client’s needs and which achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design certification. The colors and
materials selected for the exterior of the building were chosen to complement
the surrounding natural environment and reflect traditional Hopi culture. The school boasts many environmentally preferable
features. No potable water is used for
irrigation. Fixtures, including sinks,
urinals and toilets, achieve more than 30 percent savings in water usage. All mechanical and electrical systems were
commissioned to maximize performance. Despite the remoteness of the site, the school
has initiated an aggressive recycling program. The school facility includes classrooms, media
center/library, a 600 seat gymnasium, administrative area, cafeteria and food
service facilities, an art/music classroom, play fields, playgrounds. A weather station and educational displays
throughout the building make the building a learning experience in itself.
·
NPS
Whitman Mission National Historic Site, Washington, has embraced the concepts of Environmental
Management Systems to holistically manage and operate the site with reduced
impacts on the environment. Whitman
Mission National Historic Site practices continuous improvement, identifying
and prioritizing activities and impacts, and developing actions to implement
goals and targets. In particular,
Whitman Mission National Historic Site’s achievements reduce their carbon
footprint, and set an example in combating global climate change. Thinking globally and acting locally is
demonstrated by the actions and projects completed in 2006. Whitman Mission National Historic Site’s
achievements include, a grid-tied photovoltaic
power plant on the park maintenance building, reducing park energy consumption
by 30 percent; diverting approximately 90.5 percent of total solid waste from
disposal to landfills, including composting organic materials; minimizing water
use in the park; for example, replacement of an old heating and cooling system
saved or 25 percent of the park’s total use; pilot testing and ultimately using
B20 in all diesel-powered equipment, reducing their annual fuel costs by 10
percent and making B20 biodiesel a cost-effective alternative fuel choice
parkwide.
·
BLM
Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry Visitor Center creates a green energy
independent building in remote Price, Utah. The Dinosaur
Quarry Visitor Center was recognized for demonstrated leadership, skill, and
ingenuity for the sustainable design features used in the renovation of the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry Visitor Center in 2005–2006. The
original 950-square foot building was increased by 1,500 square feet. Additional exhibit space, a small office, and
mechanical room were added to the original building. Off the grid, the center requires electricity
24 hours a day to power the building’s systems. They were able to meet the full energy need
for the building by installing a photovoltaic system. In fuel cost for a generator alone, the
photovoltaic system has a full payback period of 2¼ years. Energy efficient features ensure the
photovoltaic system can create enough power for the building. The annual emission savings are estimated at
6,265 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. Signage describes the principles of solar
energy and the unique components of the photovoltaic system to site visitors. BLM site
interpretation staff show interested visitors how the equipment generates and
uses solar energy. The design team
worked closely with each other, various stakeholders, and the construction
contractor to ensure that the building was constructed using a holistic,
sustainable approach.
2. Performance Evaluations. Interior recognizes the Energy Management
Program responsibilities of facility managers, energy managers, designers, and
its senior leadership through identification and incorporation of their responsibilities
in performance evaluations and position descriptions.
3. Training and Education. In FY2007, energy management training was
provided for 157 appropriate personnel.
During the reporting period, Interior energy managers provided information
to personnel on available energy management training and encouraged them to
attend as much training as operational requirements and funding permitted. Energy managers involved in building energy
efficiency and water conservation have attended workshops offered by DOE's
Federal Energy Management Program.
Several have also attended training offered by other organizations such
as Office of the Federal Environmental Executive, Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), the Association of Energy Engineers, American
Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, U.S. Green
Buildings Council, and public utilities, on topics such as green power
purchase, the LEED rating system, building insulation advances, and water
conservation. Interior energy personnel
attended on-site training and satellite broadcasts of the Federal Energy
Management Program’s (FEMP) courses on Metering Technologies, Energy Saving
Performance Contracts, and Utility Energy Savings Contracts as well as attend
the Department of Energy’s GovEnergy2007 Conference.
In FY2007, one Interior employee
attained accreditation as a Certified Energy Manager and two became LEED
accredited professionals.
Energy managers disseminated
relevant information concerning emerging technologies, alternative means of
financing, and energy efficient practices; and developed employee outreach
programs to educate building occupants about energy and water management
programs.
4. Showcase Facilities.
Interior continues to participate in DOE designated Federal Energy
Showcase Facilities to demonstrate new and innovative energy saving
technologies. Facilities that are
designated Showcase Facilities may incorporate energy and water saving designs
and improvements, renewable energy uses, as well as receive a high level of
non-Federal visitation which offers visitors the opportunity to learn from site
displays and implement similar projects.
(a) New Building Showcases.
In FY2007, one Interior facility was designated by DOE as Federal Energy
Saver Showcase Facility:
·
FWS Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife Center and Administration Buildings in Sherwood Oregon,
was designated a Federal Energy Saver Showcase Facility. The facility exemplifies the principles of
sustainable design. Building materials
were selected for their low environmental impact. The buildings incorporate numerous passive
energy-saving features, including daylighting and precast concrete wall systems
with thermal mass and low infiltration. The structures also incorporate superinsulated
building envelopes, cool roofs, low-emittance exterior windows, high efficiency
lighting, and high efficiency heat pumps and exhaust systems. Restoration of
the landscaping to its native setting eliminates the need for irrigation. This building is on target to qualify for a
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification.
(b) Demonstrations in Existing Facilities. Interior continue to showcase energy
efficiency at the following Showcase facilities:
·
FWS, Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge
Headquarters and Visitor Contact Station, Vermont,
showcases four types of renewable energy with a geothermal HVAC system, a
net-metered 15-kilowatt solar photovoltaic array and 10-kilowatt wind turbine,
and a stand-alone clean-burning EPA-approved wood stove used for auxiliary
heating. The renewable energy systems
produce enough power to operate 100% of the energy-efficient lighting with
occupancy sensors, computers, and miscellaneous plug loads of the
facility.
·
BLM,
Escalante Science Center at Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah,
was constructed to incorporate environmentally-sensitive, sustainable features,
including grid-tied photovoltaics and outstanding energy efficiency throughout
the facility. The Science
Center was awarded a LEED Gold
certification in May 2006.
·
FWS, Rhode Island
National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters and Kettle Pond Visitor Center, Charlestown, Rhode Island, is outstanding example of sustainable design that
achieves exemplary results benefiting the environment.
·
FWS, Parker River Visitor Center &
Administrative Headquarters, Newburyport, Massachusetts,
is an exemplary model of sustainable design.
·
FWS, Herbert H.
Bateman Educational and Administrative Center, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Chincoteague,
Virginia, was constructed using a holistic, sustainable approach.
·
NPS, White River Facility Operations Center, Mount
Rainer National Park, Washington, exhibits an off-grid photovoltaic array that is largest
in the Pacific Northwest.
·
FWS, John Heinz
National Wildlife Refuge, Tinicum, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania - the Refuge’s Cusano Environmental Education Center is a
model for efficient use of energy and water.
·
NPS, Cottonwood
Visitor Use Complex, Joshua
Tree National Park, California, exhibits energy efficiency and photovoltaic system.
·
NPS, North Manitou Island Visitor Center, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan, demonstrates photovoltaic installation and encourages
visitors to be more environmentally conscience.
·
NPS, Whitman Mission
National Historic Site, Washington, exhibits energy efficient construction
through lighting and lighting controls.
·
NPS, Zion Canyon Visitor Center, Zion
National Park, Utah, exhibits energy efficient construction and sustainable
design features.
·
FWS, National Conservation Training Center, West
Virginia,
incorporates passive solar energy strategies and energy efficient technologies.
·
FWS, Wichita Mountains
Visitor Center, Indiahoma, Oklahoma, demonstrates sustainable design features as well as
energy and water conservation technologies.
·
FWS, Prairie Learning
Center, Prairie
City, Iowa, incorporates sustainable design features as well as
energy and water conservation technologies.
·
BOR, Glen Canyon Dam
Visitor’s Center, Arizona, demonstrates energy efficient retrofits and water
conservation features.
·
BOR, Denver Federal Center, Building 67, Lakewood, Colorado, incorporates water conservation technologies.
·
BOR, Centennial
Job Corps Center, Nampa, Idaho, displays energy efficient and water conservation
technologies.
·
NPS, Golden Gate Club
at the National Park Service's Golden Gate National Recreation Area, California, exhibits energy efficient construction.
·
USGS, EROS Data Center’s Mundt Building, Sioux
Falls, South Dakota, exhibits energy efficient mechanical upgrades.
II. ENERGY EFFICIENCY PERFORMANCE
A.
Energy Intensity Reduction Performance
1.
Goal Subject Buildings.
In January 2007, Executive Order 13423 established energy reduction goal
of 3 percent annually relative to the FY2003 baseline such that the FY2007
energy intensity reduction goal was 6 percent.
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 established an energy intensity reduction
goal of 2 percent annual relative to FY2003 such that the FY2007 goal was 4
percent.
In FY2007, Interior's goal
subject building energy consumption was 73,184 Btu per gross square foot without
the renewable energy purchase credit.
This represents a total reduction in energy consumption per gross square
foot of 17 percent relative to the FY2003 baseline. Interior received credit for purchases of 354
billion Btu of renewable energy for its goal subject buildings, lowering the
energy intensity of these facilities from 73,184 Btu per gross square foot to
67,438 Btu per gross square foot which represents a 23 percent reduction
relative to the FY2003 baseline.
2.
Excluded Facilities. Interior
does not have excluded facilities.
3.
Non-Fleet Vehicle and Equipment Fuel Use. In FY2007, Interior used
1,814,800 gallons of auto gasoline, diesel, and propane for use in vessels,
heavy equipment, standby generators, all terrain vehicles, blowers, mowers,
outboard motors, and other small equipment not reported on-line via GSA’s
“Federal Automotive Statistical Tool” (F.A.S.T.). A total of 506,800 gallons of aviation gasoline
and jet fuel were used.
B.
Renewable Energy.
Interior is dedicated to
fulfilling the renewable energy goals of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 by
purchasing and generating electricity from renewable sources. In FY2007, Interior used 111,905 mega-watt
hours of renewable electricity from self–generation and through renewable
electricity purchases. This represents
18.2 percent of Interior’s total facility electricity use and exceeds the
Energy Policy Act of 2005 goal of 3 percent of facility electricity use. The use of solar and other renewable energy
sources is encouraged if the development of the resource is economically,
environmentally, and technically feasible.
1.
Self-Generated Renewable Energy. Interior
has implemented 1,692 on-site renewable energy projects including standalone
and grid connected photovoltaic systems, solar thermal (hot water) projects,
geothermal (ground source) heat pumps, new hydro generation projects and wind
related projects. During FY2007,
Interior Bureaus continued to inventory their respective on-site renewable
energy components. The Bureaus effort in
gathering the information for this inventory and resultant energy generation
contributed tremendously towards meeting the renewable energy consumption
goal.
In accordance with the
Department of Energy’s draft Renewable Energy Guidance, “new” renewable energy
is from projects placed in service after January 1,
1999. Under this definition, Interior
has a total of 439 new renewable energy projects which includes 407 new solar
projects, 26 new wind projects, and 6 new hydroelectric generation projects. These new projects generated 2,965 mega-watt
hours of electricity. The DOE draft
Renewable Energy Guidance did not provide a standard method to calculate new
hydroelectric generation. The Bureau of
Reclamation opted for a conservative approach and calculated the new hydroelectricity
by tracking the hours the upgraded turbines operated at its upgraded
capacity. Interior will work with DOE
and McNeil Technologies to develop a standardized method to capture new
hydroelectric generation. Interior has
1,054 “old” (in service prior to January 1999) renewable electricity projects
which generates 2,242 mega-watt hours of electricity.
Renewable
electricity projects implemented or studied in FY2007 include:
BIA
completed the installation of a 5 kW photovoltaic system at Alamo
Navajo Community School in Magdalena, New Mexico and a 2.5 kW
photovoltaic system at Jemez Day
School in Jemez
Pueblo, New Mexico.
The teaching staff at each of these schools is planning to incorporate these
renewable energy systems into their course curriculum. A 70 kW photovoltaic roof at Southwest
Indian Polytechnic Institute, New
Mexico is currently being installed and will
be operational in FY2008. The
Circle of Nations-Wahpeton Indian Boarding School in Wahpeton, North Dakota
is replacing the dormitory and administration building and will incorporate a
campus wide geothermal heating project.
BLM
renewable energy systems that went on line in FY2007 include: a new
photovoltaic water well pumping system in San Pedro Riparian National Conservation
Area. BLM
renewable energy installations currently under design or construction in FY
2007 included: the construction of the California Trails Center near Elko, Nevada,
which incorporates natural lighting, energy efficient feature, heating and
cooling provided by ground-source heat pumps (38 tons total), occupancy
sensors, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and minimal exterior and site lighting to
protect the night sky. Construction
completion is anticipated 4th quarter FY2008. Red Rock Learning Center at the Red Rock
Canyon National Conservation Area outside, Las Vegas, Nevada, will begin construction in FY2008. A major aspect of this project involves
utilizing alternative energy (through a 10kW photovoltaic array.) Other important aspects of the Visitor
Center project will emphasize sustainability and energy conservation. It will replace an existing visitor center
which has become overtaxed by the level of use it has received as Las
Vegas’ population and visitation has exploded in
recent years. LEED certification will also be sought for this building, and its
anticipated visitation by over 1,000,000 people per year will provide an
outstanding opportunity to showcase these principles. Infrastructure improvements are being
designed and constructed at the existing building complex in anticipation of
the new facilities, and these include a new wastewater treatment system designed
to provide reclaimed water for use in flushing toilets and irrigating
landscaping.
In
FY2007, FWS completed the installation of two photovoltaic systems at the San
Andreas NWR, New Mexico, a 1.8 kW and 2.4 kW grid-tied solar panels were
installed at the Refuge headquarters and parking facility. A 6 kW photovoltaic system was installed at
the Bitter Lake NWR Visitor Center, New Mexico.
A 10 kW photovoltaic system was installed at the Bosque del Apache NWR, New
Mexico. A net-metered, grid-tied 5.04 kW photovoltaic
system was completed at the Wilna Lodge at the Rappahannock
River NWR, Virginia
in July 2007. The system uses 28 Sharp
(180 W) single crystal (long life) panels in the solar array, which is mounted
on two seasonally adjusted pole mounts.
In addition, a 32 sq. ft. solar boiler from Thermodynamics provides
solar hot water.
In
FY2007, Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve partnered with the
University-National Park Energy Partnership Program to evaluate, design, and install a 1 kW photovoltaic system in the Reserve. In a partnership with the University
of Washington, the grid tied
photovoltaic system was mounted on the south facing roof of the library at the
Au Sable Institute. Channel
Islands National Park, California successfully obtained operating permit
for the Anacapa Island
main generator from the Ventura County Air Pollution District under the
California Airborne Toxin Control Measure allowing for the continued use of
B99.9 Biodiesel. This was allowed only because of the parks prior history of
use of biodiesel, which resulted in Anacapa
Island remaining petroleum
free. In addition, a roof mounted 5 kW
photovoltaic system was installed on Park headquarters. This system is grid
tied and operates a UPS system which
provided backup power for the phone switch, computer room and park dispatch
operations. Any excess power generation is “sold” back to the utility to reduce
the parks electric bill. The system components were funded by the hedge fund
and the system installed by park staff.
On Anacapa Island,
the existing 4.5 kW photovoltaic array was reconfigured and expanded to 7 kW to
provide additional power for the education broadcast system. The work of
reconfiguring the array, installing new panels, re-locating and installing new
inverters and batteries was accomplished by park staff. Southern California Edison
donated photovoltaic equipment to Death Valley National Park, California. This 20 kW system will offset a portion of
the electric load of the park’s visitor center at Furnace Creek. Two 5.6 kW photovoltaic systems were
installed at the John Day Fossil Beds National
Monument, Thomas
Condon Paleontology Visitor Center, Oregon. This system is net metered by Bonneville Power
Administration. Lava
Beds National Monument Visitor Center, California completed
the installation of a 7 kW photovoltaic system.
Two 5 kW and 7 kW photovoltaic systems were installed at the Joshua
Tree National Park. Whitman
Mission National Historic Site, Washington completed the installation
of a 3.6 kW photovoltaic system at the Visitor
Center. Manzanar National
Historic Site completed a solar
irrigation system for the historic orchards. Two studies are underway at Lake
Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada
and Alcatraz Island, California
with universities that point toward the construction of nearly 1,800 kW in new
photovoltaic systems.
USGS
has used photovoltaics in several small projects including photovoltaic outdoor
lighting, emergency call boxes and remote river gaging
stations. Approximately 10,000 gaging
stations are powered by photovoltaics.
Under
DOE definition of renewable thermal energy, Interior has implemented 199
geothermal heat pumps, solar hot water heaters, solar ventilation air
preheating, and biomass heating systems.
These non-electric renewable energy systems generate over 21,000 million
Btus, of which 59 projects are considered new and generate 12,928 million BTUs.
2.
Purchased Renewable Energy.
Interior continues to purchase energy from renewable sources. In FY2007, Interior purchased a total of 354
billion Btu of renewable energy.
BIA
and USGS purchased 85,076 megawatt-hours of renewable energy certificates
produced from wind and biomass
energy.
BLM
continued to purchase wind-generated renewable energy for its Moab Field
Office, as well as for the Escalante Science Center during
FY2007. These purchases were made under
the Blue Skies Program offered by the utility company, Utah Power and
Light. BLM
also purchase renewable energy at the National
Interagency Fire
Center in Boise,
Idaho through Idaho Power’s Blue Sky
Program. Total purchased renewable
energy was 1,553 megawatt-hours during FY2007.
BOR
and USGS purchased 31.3 million Btu of geothermal heat at the Snake
River Area West office building in Boise,
Idaho.
The geothermal heat (purchased hot water) is the primary heating source
for several buildings on campus.
NPS
purchased 16,806 megawatt-hours of renewable energy from its utility
provider. Independence National Historic
Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, purchased 28 percent of the
facility’s electricity use from Green Mountain Energy. John Day Fossil Beds National Monument,
Lewis and Clark National Historic Park, and Statue of Liberty National
Monument and Ellis Island purchased green power to offset 100 percent
of its facility electricity use.
The
National Business
Center purchased 509 megawatt-hours
of renewable energy from landfill gases and wind generated power for the Main
Interior Building through a GSA area-wide contract.
C.
Water Conservation
For
FY2007, Interior reports potable water consumption of 3,624 million gallons and
a cost of $10.9 million. This
establishes Interior’s water intensity baseline of 58.7 gallons per gross square
foot. Bureaus established a
baseline of potable water usage at owned buildings, report in millions of
gallons of per year, and focus conservation efforts on those buildings with the
highest use. Many of Interior’s
buildings do not have metered water consumption; Bureaus were encouraged to
provide estimates of the water consumption utilizing DOE draft guidance
document “Establishing Baseline and Meeting Water Conservation Goals of
Executive Order 13423” and Federal Water Use Indices provided on the FEMP
website.
Interior
continues to design and install low-flow or ultra low-flow plumbing fixtures in
all new facilities. Landscaping design
and construction has emphasized the use of native plant species, minimization
or elimination of artificial irrigation, and maximizing efficiency of necessary
irrigation, such as through use of drip systems, precipitation detection
systems, and optimal timing. Public
information related to drought and water conservation is available at many
facilities and is recognized as a Best Management Practice in the FEMP
guidance.
BLM
performed water audits at the National Interagency Fire Center, Boise Idaho
as part of an ongoing energy savings performance contract. BLM
continues its efforts to screen all facilities through study of water meter
records for the year. Several of the
largest water-consuming installations have been earmarked for study and
potential audits and retrofits.
FWS
has continued to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) wherever possible
in new construction and building retrofits.
All of FWS’ Federal Energy Saver Showcases have BMPs in place. In FY
2007, seven water conservation or domestic water development projects were
completed at a total cost of $920,800.
These projects include deferred maintenance projects for the delivery
and treatment of domestic water.
Modernization
of the Main Interior Building, under a GSA-funded contract, will be
fifty percent complete by the end of FY2008.
Work included under this contract, such as removal of sink closets in
offices, installation of low-flow commodes and urinals, and installation of a
closed loop heating and air-conditioning system, has resulted in water savings.
D.
Metering of Electricity Use
Interior
Bureaus are making progress in identifying and installing electric meters in
all appropriate buildings by October 2012.
All FY2007 Departmental metering plan milestones have been achieved.
Interior
issued Electric Metering Implementation Guidance, in March 2006, which
supplemented the DOE’s Guidance for Electric Metering in Federal
Buildings. The Interior guidance is
flexible to accommodate the diverse missions of the Bureaus yet provides a
solid framework for Interior specific information to be included in the Bureau
Electric Metering Implementation Plans.
Interior
Bureaus have reviewed existing building and energy consumption databases and
conducted site visits to identify existing metering infrastructure and
buildings appropriate for metering.
Interior Bureaus have requested funding to install advanced electric
meters through the Federal budget process.
Metering systems are being installed through new construction and major
renovations, energy savings performance contracts and utility company upgrades.
E.
Federal Building
Energy Efficiency Standards
Interior
requires all new designs to comply with the Federal Building Energy Efficiency
Standards of Section 109 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which requires
buildings be designed to achieve energy consumption levels that are at least 30
percent below the levels established in the 2004 90.1 ASHRAE Standard or the
2004 International Energy Conservation Code, as appropriate, if life cycle cost
effective.
Fifteen
new building designs were started in FY2007 which includes:
§
BIA, Keams
Canyon, Keams
Canyon, Arizona
§
BIA, Standing
Rock Elementary School,
Ft. Yates, North Dakota
§
BIA, Ojo Encino Day School,
Cuba, New
Mexico
§
BIA, Muckleshoot
Tribal School,
Auburn, Washington
§
BIA,
Pierre Dormitory, Pierre, South Dakota
§
BIA, Crow Creek Gymnasium, Stephan,
South Dakota
§
BLM,
Farmington Field Office, Farmington, New
Mexico
§
BLM, Fillmore
Field Office, Fillmore, Utah
§
NPS, Chalmette
Visitor Center,
New Orleans, Louisiana
§
NPS, Chickasaw
Museum and Cultural Center, Tupelo,
Mississippi
§
NPS, Joint Curatorial Storage Facility, Natchitoches,
Louisiana
§
NPS, Ranger Station, Hawai'I
National Park, Hawaii
§
NPS, Visitor
Use Cedar Pass
Lodge Cabins, Interior, South Dakota
§
NPS, Mott
Island Dormitory, Houghton,
Mississippi
§
NPS, Mongaup
Visitor Center,
Beach Lake, Pennsylvania
III. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
A. Life Cycle Cost Analysis
Interior
utilizes life-cycle cost analysis in making decisions about investment in
products, services, construction, and other projects to lower costs and to
reduce energy and water consumption.
Interior
actively manages a portfolio of capital investments in order to maximize the
return on investment to the taxpayer and Government at an acceptable level of
risk. Interior’s Asset Management Plan
outlines the process whereby Interior is moving from a current reliance on a
project-based review process to a life-cycle, asset-based portfolio management
process. Effective capital planning
within Interior requires improved long range planning and a disciplined budget
process as the basis for managing a portfolio of assets to achieve performance
goals and objectives with minimal risks, lowest life cycle costs, and greatest
benefits to the business of the bureaus and the Department overall.
Interior has developed and continues to refine its approach
to establishing a more consistent, structured,
performance-based, integrated approach to its Capital Planning Investment
Control (CPIC) process. As Interior’s portfolio-based approach
matures, the Department and the Bureaus will continue to improve their ability
to manage risks and returns of capital assets throughout their life cycle
necessary to ensure that Interior’s investments are well conceived,
cost-effective, and support strategic mission and business goals. The analysis of these investments is a living
tool that will be continually revisited, refined and updated. It is articulated in a business case, the extent
of which is commensurate with the cost and impact of the investment on the
organization and mission.
Interior
has incorporated language into the annual budget formulation guidance and into
Interior’s five-year deferred maintenance plan that identifies planned energy
projects and emphasizes life cycle costing.
Projects identified to be cost effective (10-year simple payback rule)
will be ranked in accordance with their payback and funded within resource
limitations. Bureaus will retire
inefficient equipment on an accelerated basis where replacement results in
lower life cycle costs.
B. Retrofits and Capital Improvement Projects
In
FY2007, Interior implemented $10.9 million in facility energy efficiency
improvements which accounts for 11 percent of facility energy costs.
In
FY2007, FWS implemented energy projects at 70 field stations. A sampling of these projects include: Phase
two of the power distribution system replacement and overhaul of the electrical
generator at Midway Atoll NWR; installation of low-e windows, high
efficiency heat pump, instantaneous water heater, and lighting retrofit with
occupancy sensors at the Anahuac NWR, Texas; energy and water
conservation measures were installed at McFaddin NWR, Texas which includes low-e
windows, high efficiency heat pump, instantaneous water heater, lighting
retrofit with occupancy sensors, low flow toilets with automatic sensors, and a
photovoltaic system; replaced heating system with high efficiency system at Muscatatuck
NWR,
Indiana; programmable thermostat, occupancy sensors and in-floor heating system
were installed at the Upper Mississippi River NWR,
Illinois; construction of the new Rapids Lake Environmental Education Center at
Minnesota
Valley NWR, Minnesota incorporates a geothermal heating and cooling
system, high efficiency lighting, low-e windows, super insulation, and
waterless urinals; a high efficiency heat pump and programmable thermostats was
installed at Boyer Chute NWR, Nebraska; hatchery mechanical room water
treatment components were replaced as well as windows and doors at the Green
Lake National Fish Hatchery, Maine; and installation of meters and
sub-meters at various locations.
GSA
awarded a contract for the replacement of nine air-handlers in the South
Interior Building, Washington, DC. The new air-handlers are powered by smaller,
more energy-efficient motors. Work on
the project started during the third quarter of FY 2007, and was completed late
in the fourth quarter.
USGS,
Columbia Environmental Research Center, Missouri
installed variable frequency drive and controls on the main well and repaired
and replaced leaking water valves at fish ponds and installed a high energy
efficient roofing system. At the Earth
Resource Observation Sciences Center, Sioux
Falls, SD, aging HVAC rooftop
units were replaced with energy efficient models. The Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle,
WA, installed a VFD on the cooling tower
motor, light timers, and repaired and replaced leaking water valves. At the Hawaii Volcano Observatory, multiple
portable air conditioning units were replaced with a single energy efficient
air conditioning unit. A summer sized dual-fuel
boiler was installed to reduce facility fuel consumption and emissions at the John
W. Powell Building, Reston, VA.
C.
Use of Performance Contracts
Energy Savings Performance Contracts
The
BLM began using Energy Savings Performance
Contracts in FY 2006 with a pilot project at the National Interagency Fire Center
and the BLM’s
Boise District Complex. BLM
awarded Phase Two of the ESPC task order to Johnson Controls, Inc. for 105
facilities across six BLM states in
FY2007.
While
the pilot was deemed a success, further innovation was needed to cost effectively
retrofit small remote facilities like campgrounds and fire stations that use
$1,000 to $3,000 of energy annually. BLM
recreation sites and fire facilities are typically located two or three hours
from the closest metropolitan area. In
addition, those small remote facilities at best would provide approximately
$1,000 of annual savings. How to cost
effectively equip those remote facilities with energy conservation measures is
the real challenge.
BLM
and JCI again partnered creating a new
approach to further streamline the ESPC process. During Phase 2, JCI
is visiting approximately 10 percent of BLM’s
field facilities (e.g., fire stations, recreation sites, wild horse and burro
facilities, air tanker bases, and visitor centers). Based on this sampling JCI
will propose energy and water conservation and renewable energy opportunities
for all BLM owned facilities (i.e., those
that use > $1,000 of electricity annually) in those six states. BLM and JCI
will then: 1) concur on the typical
conservation measures to be installed; 2) agree on the number of those measures
that will be installed; and 3) negotiate the payment schedule. The installation of those conservation
measures is where BLM and JCI
truly partnered. JCI
and its subcontractors will arrive at the small remote sites they have not
visited with a vehicle stocked with the typical conservations measures and
simply install them. A BLM
employee will verify the types and numbers of measures installed and submit
that verification to BLM’s central
engineering office for processing.
In
FY 2007, USGS, Great Lakes Science Center and the Eastern Region Branch of
Management Services had discussions with an ESCO to put an ESPC in place. The bureau anticipates an ESPC will be in
place in FY 2008.
Utility Energy Savings Contracts
Interior
signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Rural Utilities
Cooperative Finance Corporation in August 2007.
The MOU will promote the use of energy efficient, renewable energy, and
water conservation technologies and practices in Interior facilities serviced
by National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) electric
cooperative members. As a kick-off to
Interior and CFC working together, representatives from Interior, NPS and BIA
presented overviews to CFC electric cooperative members at a UESC Workshop held
during the annual CFC members meeting.
In addition, CFC sponsored a webcast to further educate and promote
UESCs among CFC’s membership and the opportunities that exists within Interior.
Several
possible project locations are being pursued which includes: BIA, Chinle Youth Correction Center, Chinle, Arizona; BIA, Choctaw Corrections Center,
Chowtaw, Mississippi; BIA, Sac & Fox Juvenile Detention Center,
Stroud, Oklahoma; NPS, Manassas National Battlefield, Manassas,
Virginia; NPS, Prince William Forest Park, Triangle, Virginia
FWS,
Patuxent
Research Refuge, Laurel, Maryland
is pursuing an UESC with PEPCO Energy Services and Washington Gas. Preliminary negotiations are ongoing.
D. Energy Star and Other Energy-Efficient Products
Interior selects Energy
Star, FEMP Designated, and other energy-efficient products when acquiring
energy-consuming products. Energy
efficient technologies include high-efficiency lighting and ballasts, exit
signs, energy efficient motors, and the use of packaged heating and cooling
equipment with energy efficiency ratios that meet or exceed Federal criteria
for retrofitting existing buildings.
BLM’s Guide
Specifications, which are tailored for use in construction projects nationwide,
are being converted for application of the American Institute of Architects (AIA)
MasterSpec system. Customization made
during FY 2007 and which will be completed in coming years includes specific
requirements and/or provisions related to minimum efficiencies of
energy-consuming equipment and motors, performance of systems related to
energy-efficiency and waste minimization and recycling at construction sites.
E. Energy Star Buildings
FWS,
Administration Building and Visitor Contact Station, Brunswick, Vermont, was recently listed as an Energy Star Building. Interior’s
Sustainable Buildings Implementation Plan has been drafted and will require any
new construction or rehabilitation of buildings to be consistent with industry
standard building ratings, such as LEED Green Building Rating System, and
measured by the Energy Star benchmarking tool.
F. Sustainable Building Design
and High Performance
Buildings
Interior is striving to be a government leader by implementing sustainability
policies that meet or exceed EO 13423 requirements and integrate the
five Guiding Principles into the design, construction, operations and
maintenance of Interior owned and leased buildings. Sustainable building design principles have
been incorporated into the siting, design, and construction of Interior
projects. Energy managers work closely
with their engineering, architect, and design offices to address energy
conservation retrofits and new building designs and ensure that buildings
comply with Federal energy laws and regulations. All cost effective, energy conservation
opportunities are analyzed for consistency with resource management
objectives. Energy conservation
efficiency standards are included as an integral part of all engineering design
and construction project technical specifications. In FY2007, Interior completed its final draft
of the Sustainable Buildings Implementation Plan. Recent projects include:
BIA
Pueblo Pintado School
in Cuba, New
Mexico, currently under design, is registered under
the USGBC LEED certification.
BLM
projects for which LEED certification is a goal include the Red Rock Desert Learning Center,
Nevada, Fillmore Field Office, Utah
and the Farmington Field Office, New Mexico. BLM’s
newly constructed Rawlins Field Office is awaiting LEED silver certification.
In FY2007, NPS and Xanterra
Parks and Resorts, Annie
Creek Restaurant and Gift Shop, Crater
Lake National
Park, achieved a LEED silver
certification. NPS projects currently
under design, construction or which have been registered with the USGBC include
the Curatorial
Storage Building in Big Bend National Park, Texas, the South
End Visitor Center, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina, Great
Falls Visitor Center Chesapeake and Ohio Canal NHP,
Virginia, Cabin Replacement at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area,
Pennsylvania, the Visitor Center at Grand Portage National Monument, Minnesota,
the Visitor
Center at Homestead National Monument of America, Nebraska, Central
High Visitor Center, Arkansas, the Visitor Center at Mount Rainier National
Park, Washington, and the Old Faithful Visitor Center in
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Beaver Meadows Visitor Center,
Colorado, Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, Mesa Verde Research and Museum
Collection Center, Colorado, Twin Creeks Science and Education Center,
Tennessee
G.
Energy Efficiency/Sustainable Design in Lease Provisions
All new leases will include a
preference for buildings that meet the goals of the Guiding Principles in the
selection criteria for acquiring leased buildings. Build-to-suit lease solicitations will
incorporate criteria for sustainable design and development, energy efficiency,
and verification of building performance in accordance with the Guiding
Principles
BLM leased projects
currently undergoing design for which LEED certification is being pursued
include the Grand Junction Field Office and Glenwood Spring Field Office
in Colorado as well as the Santa
Fe Field Office in New Mexico. The standard leasing solicitation will be
revised in FY2008 to require LEED certified facilities in addition to FY2007
revisions including standard provisions for all new leases to require energy
efficient (T-8 or better) lamps and light fixtures in all interior and exterior
lighting, use of occupancy sensors, and scheduled programmed controls or
daylight dimming controls for all lighting applications. The provisions also contain glazing,
cladding and thermal break requirements for windows, as well as compliance with
the International Energy Conservation.
Interior
continues to pursue projects that self-generate energy using renewable sources
(such as photovoltaics or wind turbines) or renewable energy thermal projects
(such as solar thermal, biomass, or geothermal) where life cycle cost
effective.
Following
are examples of distributed generation and off-grid generation that were
implemented in FY2007:
BLM
grid independent renewable energy systems include: 1.5 and 2.1 kW photovoltaic
systems were installed at Big Hatchet Radio Site, New
Mexico and Upton Well Radio Site, Oregon,
respectively. 1.7 and
3.6 kW photovoltaic well pumping systems were installed at Welch Well and Coyote
Well, Wyoming.
FWS
completed the installation of solar powered well pumps and solar panels at National
Bison Range, Montana
to provide water to bison during the winter.
A 10 ton ground source heat pump was installed at the Great
River NWR in Missouri as
part of an HVAC renovation.
The National
Renewable Energy Laboratory is studying how to convert three sites in NPS
Yosemite National
Park off diesel generators and over to
renewable energy.