Tennessee Valley Authority
TVA Sustainability OMB Scorecard
Making the Valley a desirable and healthy place to live, work, and play – today and for future generations
TVA requests your comments on the final 2012 TVA Climate Change Adaptation Plan. These comments will help guide the development of the 2013 plan. Please submit your comments by April 8, 2013. Click here for more information.
Introduction
Sustainability relates to what we do to protect and respect the interests of our current and future stakeholders; it is the convergence of our environmental, economic, and social performance. It includes everything from our protection of the shoreline to our preservation of reasonable rates, and from our commitment to employee well-being to our economic development efforts in the Valley. In short, it is a measure of our accountability to our internal and external stakeholder groups.
Sustainability drivers include TVA’s Vision for 2020, TVA’s Environmental Policy and Presidential Executive Order (EO) 13514 “Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance.” Sustainability is embedded in TVA’s Vision and TVA’s Environmental Policy. TVA’s Vision reinforces our commitment to sustainability through efforts to be a leader in cleaner air, greater energy efficiency, and responsibility in environmental stewardship. TVA’s Environmental Policy focuses on reducing the environmental impact of its operations, protecting public health and safety, and enhancing the Valley’s land and water resources. The goals of EO 13514 are consistent with these goals from TVA’s Vision and Environmental Policy.
Details of executive order implementation
The EO 13514 goals call for an integrated strategy towards sustainability by reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, increasing building energy efficiency, applying Sustainable Guiding Principles to new and existing buildings, improving water efficiency, preventing pollution, eliminating waste, purchasing sustainable products and services, and improving electronic stewardship. As part of an integrated strategy, TVA has set up a governance structure that includes the Energy and Environmental Sustainability Committee. This Committee made up of senior representatives across all TVA organizations coordinates energy-saving and sustainability efforts throughout TVA by reviewing proposed projects that meet sustainability goals and recommending them for funding by Senior Leadership.
TVA also participates in federal agency working groups focused on Energy and Water Management, Sustainable Buildings, Sustainable Acquisition, and Electronics Stewardship in order to learn about how other Federal Agencies are meeting goals, learn about the latest technologies and methodologies towards meeting them and to participate in the development of guidance for Executive Orders and legislation.
Sustainability initiatives and achievements include:
- TVA released a Statement for Climate Change Adaptation in 2011.
- In 2012, TVA prepared a Climate Change Adaptation Plan and will be hosting a 60-day public comment period on it. Comments will be considered in the 2013 Plan update.
- TVA updated its Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan on June 29, 2012, under Executive Order 13514.
- TVA ended FY 2012 with an 11.5% reduction in Scope 1 (combustion of fossil fuel) and Scope 2 (purchase of electricity) greenhouse gas emissions staying on track towards meeting is 17% reduction target by FY 2020.
- TVA ended FY 2012 with an agency renewable energy percentage of 7.9%, which exceeds the FY 2012 goal of 5% and the FY 2013 goal of 7.5%.
- In FY 2012, TVA surveyed nearly 4 million sq. ft. of covered facilities, which resulted in identification of nearly $11.5 million in energy and water improvements with a potential cost savings of $1.2 million per year.
- TVA continues to reduce energy use in its facilities through the coordination of energy management efforts and implementation of energy efficiency improvements. TVA ended FY 2012 with a 21.2 % reduction from 2003. TVA’s buildings are now using almost half the average energy use of all other Federal buildings.
- TVA ended FY 2012 with a 31% reduction in potable water use. This was achieved through a combination of implementing water improvements in its facilities, repairing leaks and closing its Muscle Shoals water plant.
- In FY 2012, TVA added 5 hybrid gas/electric vehicles, 1 electric vehicle, and 257 E85 vehicles to its fleet bringing the total number of hybrid vehicles to 51, electric vehicles to 5, and E85 vehicles to 720.
- TVA has developed a policy to phase out the use of incandescent bulbs in buildings, plants and field offices.
- TVA continued its Sustainable Acquisition Program, which will require all applicable TVA contracts to meet “green” standards (recycled content, Energy Star or Low Standby Power rating and Biobased or environmentally preferred).