USACE announced the 2023 Environmental and Sustainability Award winners! USACE's Environmental and Sustainability Awards Program provides the opportunity to mark our significant contributions towards protecting and preserving our environment. Environmental stewardship is ingrained in our culture here at USACE. It is indoctrinated in our Environmental Operating Principles and illustrated through the many actions being taken across our Military, Civil Works and R&D missions. This year's winners exemplify the strength in our collective efforts across the enterprise to shape a sustainable future for current and future generations. More information about these outstanding winners will be provided in future Environmental Community of Practice SITREPs, The Corps Environment, and on the Environmental Community of Practice SharePoint.

The six awards are designed to recognize and reward excellence within the Corps in making the Nation sustainable. The six awards are modeled after the categories in the GreenGov Presidential Awards program.

The USACE Civil Works Program Strategic Plan "Sustainable Solutions to America's Water Resource Needs" for the years 2014 to 2018 is now available. The plan presents overarching strategies resulting from the five-year Civil Works Scenario-based strategic planning process. This strategic plan builds on the watershed-based systems approach introduced in the Civil Works 2004-2009 Strategic Plan by furthering Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), as the overarching strategy.

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center-Environmental Laboratory's Unmanned Aircraft Systems team has created a comprehensive map for a 700-acre installation. The UAS team has conducted numerous geophysical data collections and has utilized UAS for coastal monitoring applications, assessing plant health, identifying cracks in airfield pavements and other aerial applications.

HQUSACE Environmental Division distributes the monthly Environmental Community of Practice report for common situation awareness on environmental topics. The report is compiled from biweekly accounts from around USACE, including Environmental Division, Army Regional Environmental and Energy Offices, Environmental and Munitions Center of Expertise, divisions, districts, and other HQ directorates and offices.

The spring 2010 edition of the US Army Environmental Center's Environmental Update, a quarterly publication of Army environmental news, is now available at http://aec.army.mil/usaec/newsroom/update00.html.

The summer edition of the US Army Environmental Center's Environmental Update, a quarterly publication of Army environmental news, is now available at http://aec.army.mil/usaec/newsroom/update/sum09/sum09.html.

The 2010 summer edition of the US Army Environmental Center's Environmental Update, a quarterly publication of Army environmental news, is now available at http://aec.army.mil/usaec/newsroom/update/sum10/sum10.html.

USDA published a rule designating 30 additional product categories for preferred federal procurement, bringing the total number of product categories to 139. These 30 categories contain finished products that are made from the intermediate ingredients that have been designated. Additionally, many of these categories are made up of products that already participated in the Program's voluntary labeling initiative. By designating these product categories, USDA is taking a step toward merging the two initiatives of the Program, with an eye towards ultimately making all products certified through the BioPreferred Program qualify for preferred federal procurement.

As part of the USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Services, the USDA BioPreferred Program online catalog lists a range of supplies that are all certified biobased. This catalog will help you buy products that are derived from plants and other agricultural, marine, and forestry materials to support the business and economic development efforts of USDA Rural Development customers.

The USDA Forest Service announced it is now accepting applications for approximately $10 million in funding through the 2021 Wood Innovations Grant and the 2021 Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Grant. These grants seek to support local economies through wood products and wood energy innovations while reducing hazardous fuels and improving forest health.

USDA is taking steps to integrate climate change adaptation into USDA's programs and operations. These efforts will help ensure taxpayer resources are invested wisely and that USDA services and operations remain effective under current and future climate conditions.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a science-based, sustainable decision-making process that uses information on pest biology, environmental data, and technology to manage pest damage in a way that minimizes both economic costs and risks to people, property, and the environment. This is the first update since 2013 and is the culmination of a yearlong review by the Federal Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Coordinating Committee (FIPMCC), a joint effort that is coordinated by the Office of Pest Management Policy in the Office of USDA's Chief Economist with representatives of all federal agencies with responsibilities in IPM research, implementation, or education programs. These agencies include Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of the Interior (DOI), and Department of Defense (DoD).

USPS BlueEarth is a group of recycling programs coordinated by the US Postal Service® to support sustainability initiatives that make it easy for federal agencies and their employees to properly dispose of items, like empty ink cartridges and unwanted small electronics.

This May 2014 document was developed by VA's Office of Construction and Facilities Management in cooperation with other VA partners. The intent of the document is to consolidate the wide range of sustainable design requirements into one easy-to-navigate resource.

The Robert J. Dole Veterans Administration Medical Center in Wichita, Kan., has agreed to pay a $17,979 civil penalty to the United States to settle a series of hazardous waste violations on its campus. The penalty is the result of RCRA violations identified during an April 2010 inspection.

The Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Pollutant Loading Tool is designed to help you determine who is discharging, what pollutants they are discharging and how much, and where they are discharging. The tool calculates pollutant loadings from permit and DMR data from EPA's Integrated Compliance Information System for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (ICIS-NPDES). Data are available from the year 2007 to the present. Revisions to the tool include: weekly updates with the latest facility, permit, and DMR data from ICIS-NPDES; integration of EPA TRI wastewater treatment technology information and links to the TRU pollution prevention report; and more documentation on how to use the tool.

The 2015 symposium was the platform for releasing the new implementing instructions for EO 13693 as well as providing updates on numerous other sustainability efforts by Federal Agencies. See the website for a full list of presentations and speakers. The symposium was held on 10 June 2015 and hosted by the White House Council on Environmental Quality and George Washington University.

Videos are being accepted on a wide variety of topics including: low impact development, wetlands, marine debris, watershed management, water quality monitoring, polluted runoff, and other water-related topics. The videos should convey to the public easy, low-cost steps that individuals and communities can take to improve and protect the nation's streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, estuaries, and oceans. The contest will run until Earth Day, April 22, 2009.

Picerne Military Management, LLC, has agreed to pay a $24,900 civil penalty to settle alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act at Fort Riley, Kansas. Picerne Military Management is a civilian development, construction, and property management company that owns and/or operates approximately 20,000 housing units on seven Army posts throughout the U.S., including Fort Riley. By agreeing to the settlement, Picerne Military Management has certified that it is in compliance with the Clean Water Act. The consent agreement is subject to a public comment period before it becomes final. The public notice and consent agreement can be found online.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has been improperly managing and storing dangerous waste at its Seattle Bulk Mail Center in Federal Way. Washington Department of Ecology issued a $33,000 penalty for violations found during a 2024 inspection. At the Seattle Bulk Mail Center, leaking or damaged packages are set aside for disposal. If those damaged packages contain materials classified as dangerous waste, such as insecticides, propane, paints, or cleaning products, the facility is required to properly identify it, assess its hazards, and then safely store and dispose of the materials. Ecology inspections in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2024 all found deficiencies in how the center was identifying and storing packages containing dangerous wastes, along with other hazardous wastes from the facility's operations and vehicle maintenance. The amount of dangerous waste fluctuated but was significant at times; in 2022, USPS estimated that there were 9,195 pounds (4.6 tons) on site. While awaiting disposal, containers were often unlabeled and stored in crowded areas, increasing the risk of unintended chemical reactions that could pose a threat to human health and the environment. USPS has since corrected the violations that needed to be immediately addressed.

Is an online tool for Tracking Methane Emissions from Solid Waste. The Rocky Mountain Institute released the Waste Methane Assessment Platform, developed with the Clean Air Task Force and funding from the Global Methane Hub. WasteMAP is a tool to improve methane emissions transparency and help identify opportunities for mitigation of methane emissions from solid waste and is accompanied by a decision support tool.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed by the following organization to coordinate water efficiency research: the Alliance for Water Efficiency, the Plumbing Heating and Cooling Contractors, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, the International Code Council, and the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute. Sample projects that might be undertaken include drainline carry research for high efficiency toilets, non-water-using urinals, sizing of water efficient plumbing systems, and safe applications for re-use of water.

Water Resource Management and EO 13693 GSA and EPA invite all federal, state and local agencies, NGO's, and interested parties to the first meeting of the water resource management workgroup to learn of current programs, discuss challenges and identify potential collaborative efforts to meet the requirements of EO 13693. You can attend this meeting either virtually or in Lakewood, CO on February 24, 2016. See the attached flyer for details

EPA Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) connects communities to experts who help assess and implement solutions for their drinking water, sewage, and stormwater needs. EPA's free water technical assistance initiatives help communities identify their water challenges, develop plans, build capacity, and develop their application materials to access federal funding. The Tackling Emerging Contaminants initiative builds on EPA's robust suite of technical assistance programs and includes diagnostic water quality sampling and analysis, source water assessment, preliminary treatment design and evaluations, operational and sampling training, and identifying solutions to address emerging contaminants and PFAS contamination including community engagement and outreach support.

Since the launch of WaterSense in 2006, EPA and its partners have helped consumers save $14.2 billion in energy and water bills and 757 billion gallons of water from using WaterSense-labeled products. More than 2,900 water utilities, organizations, manufacturers, retailers, distributors, builders, and irrigation professionals certified through WaterSense programs have joined EPA to promote WaterSense-labeled products, programs, and new homes. Nearly 11,000 different models of toilets, faucets, showerheads, flushing urinals, weather-based irrigation controllers, and pre-rinse spray valves have been independently certified for performance and efficiency to earn the WaterSense label.

With the new, final certification system, EPA lays out the requirements for the process and procedures for the certification of all WaterSense labeled products, ensuring that only accredited bodies are licensed to certify them. This system took effect in April 2009, superseding an interim process in place since 2006. The criteria that plumbing fixtures must meet to earn the WaterSense label has not changed, and consumers and most manufacturers will not notice any difference in the certification process.

In addition to using no more than a half gallon per flush, urinals bearing the WaterSense label must meet EPA's performance requirements, ensuring they work as well or better than standard models.

Technical Preservation Services, of the National Park Service, has launched new web-based guidance, Green Roofs on Historic Buildings, with information on green roofs and how they are constructed, special considerations for installations on historic structures, and guidance for meeting the Secretary's Standards for Rehabilitation.

Learn more about new rules proposed by EPA, which will reduce emissions from boilers, process heaters, and solid waste incinerators. The webinar is 9 June 2010.

The Army's Region 10 Western Review contains summaries of current legislative and regulatory activity pertinent to military interests within EPA Region 10 states (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington).

The Army's Region 8 Western Review contains summaries of current legislative and regulatory activity pertinent to military interests within EPA Region 8 states (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming).

The Army's Region 8 Western Review contains summaries of current legislative and regulatory activity within EPA Region 8 states (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming), the Region 9 Western Review contains summaries within EPA Region 9 states (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Pacific Islands, and Nevada), and Region 10 Western Review contains summaries within EPA Region 10 states (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington).

The Army's Region 8 Western Review contains summaries of current legislative and regulatory activity within EPA Region 8 states (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming), the Region 9 Western Review contains summaries within EPA Region 9 states (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Pacific Islands, and Nevada), and Region 10 Western Review contains summaries within EPA Region 10 states (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington).

The Army's Region 8 Western Review contains summaries of current legislative and regulatory activity within EPA Region 8 states (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming), the Region 9 Western Review contains summaries within EPA Region 9 states (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Pacific Islands, and Nevada), and Region 10 Western Review contains summaries within EPA Region 10 states (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington).

The Army's Region 9 Western Review contains summaries of current legislative and regulatory activity pertinent to military interests within EPA Region 9 states (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Pacific Islands, and Nevada).

The Army's first-ever smart-charging micro grid powers four electric vehicles and has the ability to provide instant backup power to support three buildings for 72 hours, including the garrison headquarters. The pilot program is a prototype designed to help make the installation energy independent.

On December 15 the White House announced a new public-private water innovation strategy. This strategy includes an aggressive two-part approach by EPA and other federal agencies to address the impacts of climate change on the use and supply of the nation's water resources and calls on private sector and other stakeholder groups to help significantly scale up research and investment in water efficiency solutions. The Administration's new water innovation strategy calls for: • Boosting water sustainability and long-term water security by increasing use of water-efficient and -reuse technologies. • Promoting and investing in breakthrough research and development that will reduce the price, energy costs, and emissions requirements of new water supply technology to achieve "pipe parity" in the next decade. The strategy was announced at a Roundtable on Water Innovation held to engage with industry and public leaders to start building broader consensus on a path forward.The roundtable provided an opportunity for leaders from industry, academia, and federal, state, and local governments to discuss how an aggressive innovation agenda can help America meet the challenge of a constrained water supply and increase the resilience of businesses and communities in regions that will be affected by increasingly severe and lengthy droughts.

WASHINGTON, DC (September 9, 2010) – Continuing a commitment to lead by example, the White House today announced the release of Federal Agency Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans, which work to achieve the environmental, economic and energy goals called for in the Executive Order on Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance (Executive Order 13514) signed by President Obama on October 5, 2009. This announcement marks the first time agencies have developed and submitted Sustainability Plans, now available at www.whitehouse.gov/ceq. The full announcement is available here.

The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) today announced Federal winners of the 2011 GreenGov Presidential Awards for exceptional efforts to promote sustainability in agency operations. The eight winners, in six award categories, represent Federal agency teams and individual employees from across the country. The GreenGov Presidential Awards celebrate extraordinary achievement in the pursuit of President Obama's Executive Order (EO) 13514 on Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance.

The White House Council for Community Solutions was established on December 14, 2010 by Presidential Executive Order. The Council will focus on highlighting ways to enlist more Americans and leaders across sectors to help catalyze change in communities and have an impact in addressing our nation's important goals in education, youth development and employment.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) today announced eight Federal winners of the 2010 GreenGov Presidential Awards for exceptional efforts to promote sustainable operations at their agencies. The winners are Federal agency teams or employees from across the country.

On December 9, 2014, the White House held an event that brought together NASCAR, White House leadership, the U.S. Department of Transportation, tire manufacturers, and tire dealers to highlight common sense opportunities of properly maintaining tires, especially in regard to tire pressure. By enabling a driver to travel farther on a gallon of fuel, proper tire maintenance combined with the use of low rolling resistance tires could save a driver up to $80 per year, and avoid up to 560 pounds of annual carbon dioxide pollution, equivalent to nearly 600 miles of emission-free driving. For more information, please see the White House Fact Sheet (http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/12/09/fact-sheet-increasing-safety-and-efficiency-while-saving-money-pump) highlighting new executive actions and private sector commitments to increase awareness about tire safety and efficiency. You can also view the Department of Transportation's report, "Be TireWise: Save Money at the Pump, Increase Efficiency, and Protect Your Safety" at http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/tire_report_final.pdf.

You are invited to edit the wiki content and add information resources you find valuable.

The Energy Department recognized 30 winners across the federal government with the 2016 Federal Energy and Water Management Awards. These annual awards highlight federal agencies' commitments and accomplishments in leading the nation toward more sustainable energy, water and vehicle fleet use and saving taxpayer money and reducing pollution.Through their innovative efforts, winners--including staff serving the U.S. Air Force, Army, Army Corps of Engineers, Defense Logistics Agency, Marine Corps, and Navy; the Departments of Commerce, Health and Human Services, Interior, and Veterans Affairs; the General Services and National Aeronautics and Space Administrations; and the Environmental Protection Agency--netted an energy savings equivalent to removing almost 48,000 cars from the road for one year or eliminating the average annual energy use from almost 24,000 households.

DOE's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) has announced the winners of the 2017 Federal Energy and Water Management Awards. Winners will be invited to Washington, D.C., to receive their awards at a ceremony to be held on November 2, 2017. Click for the winners.

This year, 15 winners and 13 honorable mentions were selected from nearly 200 nominations in the areas of environmental management systems, pollution prevention, recycling, green product purchasing, alternative fuels, electronics stewardship and sustainable buildings. Recipients include representatives, teams, and programs from across the DoD and non-DoD agencies. The awards ceremony will be held on June 17, 2009, in the Natcher Auditorium of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in Bethesda, MD, to formally recognize the winners and their programs. See the attached press announcement for all the winners and honorable mentions.

More than 50 nominations were received for the FY08 Secretary of the Army Environmental Awards program. Judging was completed in December and winners have been announced. Winners will represent the Army in the 2009 Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards competition.

In the first year of the Biden-Harris Administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency took significant steps forward in tackling the climate crisis, advancing environmental justice, protecting the health and safety of communities across the country, and restoring scientific integrity.