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Southwest Ecodistrict
New federal buildings already meet stringent energy efficiency criteria, but sustainable planning requires a broader perspective.
The Southwest Ecodistrict will showcase how federal districts—buildings, the spaces around them, and their related infrastructure—can function as an environmentally low-impact unit.
The project will lay out strategies for staying within an annual rainfall and solar budget, with the eventual goal of becoming carbon neutral.
The project began in February 2010. Short- and long-term recommendations for improving the corridor will be ready in mid 2012.
In celebration of Earth Day 2012, NCPC will be showcasing information and plans for the Southwest Ecodistrict at the Department of Energy's Community Day on April 19 at the Forrestal Building in Southwest Washington.
A Peek at Progress - Federal Sustainability One Year Later
In 2009, President Obama signed Executive Order 13514, requiring federal agencies to measure, manage, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On October 20, 2010, NCPC gave a progress report on how federal agencies are stepping up, leading the way, and demonstrating innovation in order to meet the new requirements.
Featured speakers included Michelle Moore, Federal Environmental Executive with the White House Council on Environmental Quality; and Stephen Leeds, Senior Counselor to the Administrator with the U.S. General Services Administration.
See a video summary of the event >>
Green Urban Design
The 2009 Monumental Core Framework Plan envisions dozens of exciting urban design projects that provide opportunities for employing best practices in sustainability.
The center of the capital city can be a showplace for high performance buildings, green infrastructure, and energy efficient transportation.
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Reducing Greenhouse Gases
Executive Order 13514, signed by President Obama in October 2009, requires all federal agencies to establish and meet greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Helping Other Agencies
NCPC is revising its policies and review requirements pertaining to federal facility site selection, transportation planning, and building design. The new guidelines will help ensure that federal agencies meet their greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Pulling Our Own Weight
NCPC submitted its first Agency Strategic Sustainability Plan to the Council on Environmental Quality and the Office of Management and Budget in June 2010. This plan, which NCPC is required to update annually, sets targets for the agency’s reduction in greenhouse gases over the next ten years. NCPC is reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by limiting resource consumption on site. This includes switching to double-sided printing, using a water filtration system to discourage the use of water bottles, discouraging the use of plastic plates and utensils, and promoting recycling. The agency continues to seek ways to meet its reduction goals, from traveling to meetings on agency bicycles, to implementing water reduction and energy efficiency measures.
Other Federal Agency Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans are available on the White House website.
Related Materials
NCPC's Strategic Sustainability Plan
Comprehensive Plan:
Federal Environment Element
Monumental Core Framework Plan
Flooding Report
CapitalSpace
Video: Sustainability
Video: Office Sustainability |
