The First Facility Management Blog

A new comprehensive guide for sustainable development in the federal government has earned an award from the Federal Planning Division of the American Planning Association. Titled “The New Sustainable Frontier – Principles of Sustainable Development,” the guide was published in September 2009 by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). Jonathan Herz, of the GSA’s Office of Governmentwide Policy, authored the publication with the assistance of Anica Landreneau of architectural firm HOK and Matthias Ruth of the School of Public Policy, University of Maryland.

The guide is being recognized as part of the GSA Sustainable Development Education Initiative, which was selected as the winner in the “Outstanding Sustainable Planning, Design and Development Initiative” category.

The authors of the 40-page guidebook—which includes a foreword by Ray C. Anderson, founder and chairman of Interface, Inc.—declared that: “Today’s world is decidedly not sustainable and neither are the Government’s operations. But both of them can be.” To that end, it provides specific principles for “How to live sustainably as a species on a finite Earth into the indefinite future.”

“The economy is a social structure within the greater ecosystem,” explain the authors. “The ecosystem is not subservient to the economy. Without a high quality of matter and energy to transform into goods and services, the economy is on a shaky foundation. We need to connect the laws of thermodynamics back to our economic and ecological decision-making.”

“Incremental change will not be sufficient,” the authors declare. “Existing policies, programs and rating systems must be examined in a closed-loop context; their limitations understood and their applicability reconsidered.”

To request a copy of this PDF, send an e-mail to tfm@groupc.com with the words, “Sustainable Frontier” in the subject line of your e-mail.

Available from Clean Air-Cool Planet is a publication created to help historic district commissions and other local organizations and facility managers make historic buildings more energy efficient. Clean Air-Cool Planet is a non-profit, New Hampshire-based organization dedicated solely to finding and promoting solutions to global warming.

This new guide, “Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Historic Preservation: A Guide for Historic District Commissions”, details in 40 pages ways to employ energy efficiency measures and renewable energy without detracting from the historic value of properties. Facilities discussed include community buildings and museums, as well as historic homes.

“A large proportion of the buildings in the U.S. are considered historic, whether they are officially designated or not,” said Anne Stephenson, Ph.D., who oversaw the preparation of the Guide. ”Unfortunately, there is a perception that those properties cannot or should not be made energy efficient.

“That’s an ironic attitude, considering that some of our more efficient and climate-wise building practices were common in colonial times,” Stephenson said. ”This guide revisits some of the lessons old buildings can teach us and provides a bridge over the perceived divide between preservationists and those concerned with climate and energy issues.”

Contained in the Guide:

• An introduction to local energy and sustainability committees for historic preservationists
• Specific ways for preservationists and local energy groups to work together
• Details about energy efficiency measures that protect historic value of properties
• Examples of successfully employed renewable energy applications within historic districts
• Answers to frequently asked questions from building owners and members of local energy committees
• Resources for further research and information

More than 15% of buildings in the U.S. were built before 1939, and most buildings constructed before 1850 were not designed to be heated or cooled with fossil fuels.

“By finding ways to make our historic buildings more efficient, we also make their preservation, and the preservation of our local history and culture, more possible,” said Clean Air-Cool Planet CEO and President Adam Markham.

The guide was researched and written by Meghan Giuliano and Virginia Way, two of Clean Air-Cool Planet’s 2009 Climate Fellows, over the course of the summer, when Way interned on Nantucket Island and Giuliano was based at Strawbery Banke museum for her research on efficiency and preservation.

Way’s work, “Sustainable Preservation, An addendum to Building with Nantucket in Mind” was formally accepted as part of the Historic District Commission guidelines for Nantucket Island, which is recognized internationally for preservation work. It appears in the CA-CP Guide as an appendix.

The Guide is available for download in the “For Communities” section of the Clean Air-Cool Planet Web site.

This past December, Armstrong World Industries named the National Security Agency (NSA) in Ft. Meade, MD as its 2009 Ceiling Recycler of the Year. Over the past 14 months, the government agency has recycled more than 400,000 square feet of discarded ceiling tiles. The award was presented to NSA at a ceremony at the National Cryptologic Museum, the NSA’s principal gateway to the public.

Steve Lopez, NSA deputy associate director for installations and logistics (left) accepts the award from Paul Corr, Armstrong regional vice president, commercial ceiling sales-east.

This Armstrong award recognizes companies and organizations that make significant environmental contributions through their recycling initiatives. Other recipients recognized for their recycling achievements have included General Motors, Nike, Pfizer, and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

NSA began recycling its old ceiling tiles in September 2008 as part of the Armstrong Ceiling Recycling Program. The program, established in 1999, is the nation’s first and longest running program of its kind. It enables facility managers to ship ceilings from renovation projects to an Armstrong ceiling plant as an alternative to landfill disposal.

Earlier EPA Recognition

The NSA was also recognized for recycling actions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in September 2009 wit the annual EPA, Region 3 [mid-Atlantic region), Environmental Achievement Awards program. Through the partnership of the Occupational Health Environmental and Safety Services (OHESS) organization, the Installations and Logistics organization (I&L), and the general workforce, more 11 million pounds (5,815 tons) of materials were diverted from landfills and recycled by the NSA Fort George G. Meade campus during the 2008 calendar year.

There are four broad classes of sources for the recycled material from NSA: Facilities-Related materials, Automated Data Processing Equipment (ADPE), Universal Wastes, and Employee-Derived Materials. The facilities-related recycled materials category contained the largest amount of recyclables at 3,278 tons. Most of these recyclables were derived from rehabilitation and construction projects. In addition to its ceiling tile recycling efforts with Armstrong World Industries, the NSA campus also recycled construction metal, paving millings, raised flooring cardboard, concrete and pavers, and cable reels and pallets.

Roof Express, a provider of roof asset management services based in Greenwood  Village, CO, has been approved as a vendor with the  U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and awarded a five-year contract, effective September 4, 2009. The contract is within the Facility Maintenance and Management schedule of the GSA.

“Roof Express has provided roof asset management services on over 4,500 buildings and 42 million square feet of roof area for the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Navy. We are currently implementing roof asset management services for an additional 2,000 buildings and 16 million square feet of roof area for the Air Force,” said Richard Rast, President of Roof Express. “We are excited to have secured a contract with GSA, and believe we are in a position to provide the best roof management consulting service available to the U.S. Government.

A project Roof Express has already worked on for the U.S. Navy involved surveying and providing recommendations on 6.5 million square feet and over 600 buildings in the Washington D.C. Naval District.

Under the GSA Schedules (also referred to as Multiple Award Schedules and Federal Supply Schedules) Program, GSA establishes long-term, government-wide contracts with commercial firms to provide access to over 11 million commercial supplies (products) and services that can be ordered directly from GSA Schedule contractors or through the GSA Advantage!® online shopping and ordering system. GSA Schedules offer customers direct delivery of millions commercial supply items and services at volume discount pricing, in addition to the potential benefits of shorter lead times, lower administrative costs, and reduced inventories.

“Roof Express has become a much needed liaison between our individual Air Force Bases and the Major Command by providing comprehensive roof surveys, data management, reports and training for our personnel. The online database housing our roof information is easily accessible to all levels for optimal decision making and the immediate implementation of critical projects,” said Barbara Wilt, ACC/A7OI, Command Structural Engineer. “We are thrilled that Roof Express is now an approved vendor, providing another contract vehicle that may allow us to reduce lead times and conveniently solicit their services.”

Cleanwise LLC, a division of Network Services Company, has been recognized by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) for contributing to its winning a 2009 Closing the Circle Award. The White House presented this award in June 2009 to the Postal Service for leadership in environmental stewardship.

Through its Green Purchasing Program, the USPS incorporates the evaluation of environmentally preferable products into purchasing decisions—along with price, quality and delivery standards. Cleanwise, which provides the USPS with janitorial supplies and services, was one of the first companies involved in the Green Purchasing Program and chaired its modeling team. Additional initiatives undertaken by Cleanwise to help the USPS included increasing the number of green items on the USPS contract by 400% and development of quarterly sustainability reports that measure waste reduction, source reduction, water savings, and other key metrics.

“We are proud of our participation in the Green Purchasing Program and our continuing successful working relationship with the Postal Service,” says Bob Mitchum, CEO and President of Network Services Company, the parent company of Cleanwise. “We look forward to continuing to leverage and grow our technology, expertise, and procurement partnerships to the benefit of the USPS.”

A few weeks earlier, the Postal Service honored Cleanwise with its Supplier Diversity Award and its Supplier Performance Award for 2008. In 2007 and 2006, the USPS also awarded Cleanwise its Supplier Performance Award, making Cleanwise the first supplier to win this award three years in a row.

This most recent Closing the Circle Award, signed by President Obama, is the 40th White House Closing the Circle Awards that the Postal Service has won since the program’s inception in 1995. Across the organization, USPS is integrating environmental business practices into daily operations. In FY 2008, USPS spent more than $88 million in the acquisition of environmentally preferable products, including remanufactured automobile parts, retreaded tires, recycled content paper products, custodial products, and Cradle to Cradle-certified shipping boxes and envelopes. (Cradle to Cradle is an environmental certification by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry, awarded to Priority Mail and Express Mail packaging and envelopes produced by Bell that have met 39 criteria for human and environmental health characteristics, including recyclability and manufacturing attributes.)

Network Services Company is a member owned organization of more than 75 member-distributors with combined global annual revenue of $15 billion.

New Hampshire Governor John Lynch announced last week that the state is now getting 25% of the electricity used by the majority of state government buildings from renewable sources.

The state competitively bid its state energy contract, looking at bids from both renewable and traditional fuel suppliers. As a result of that process, the State of New Hampshire has entered into a contract with ConEdison Solutions to provide wind power to the state. The wind power contract runs from July 1, 2009 to May 31, 2010.

“We can build a stronger economy and create jobs for our families by focusing on building a greener, more energy efficient economy and reducing our reliance on expensive fossil fuels,” Gov. Lynch said. “Today, the state is taking another step in our efforts to protect our economy and our natural resources by ensuring 25% of the electricity used by state government comes from clean, renewable wind power. We are again leading by example as we work to secure our energy independence.”

Gov. Lynch has set a goal of ensuring 25% of New Hampshire’s energy comes from renewable sources by 2025. In addition, the state is undertaking a Green Jobs initiative with funds from the state’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and economic stimulus that will include job training; low interest loans for businesses to become more energy efficient; upgrading the efficiency of state buildings; and helping citizens weatherize their homes to reduce their energy costs. (RGGI establishes a regional cap and trade program to reduce harmful carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. Since 2005, 10 northeastern states have developed and signed on to RGGI: New Hampshire, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.)

For this most recent wind energy initiative, ConEdison Solutions procures the wind power on behalf of the state from wind farms around the nation. As the generators produce electricity, they also issue renewable energy credits that confirm wind energy was created and delivered to the electricity grid.

“New Hampshire is setting an outstanding example for the rest of America through its significant purchase of certified wind power,” said Jorge J. Lopez, president and CEO of ConEdison Solutions. “We are proud to have been chosen to help the state achieve its clean energy goals.”

Eco Alternative Solutions, LLC is seeking 25 U.S. cities to participate in a no-cost, 90 day trial of its recently announced Integrated Solar Series (ISS), a solar powered LED street light system. The solar unit replaces the city’s current lighting system on 30 foot tall utility poles commonly used on residential and other streets.

Mono Crystalline solar power collects energy and converts and stores it into two recyclable, sealed lead acid batteries located in the rear of the unit. At dusk, the DC 12-volt five amp controller powers the white or yellow LED for 10 hours nightly and can maintain power for up to three consecutive nights of lighting per charge.

CEO Shane Chapin explains, “In a town with 50,000 lights the current monthly expense is about $215,400 based on running the lights for 10 hours per day. Switching to ISS generates average savings of about $158,400 a month. Cost savings depend on the available sunlight and we can assess the expected savings for each community.”

ISS lights have been tested over the last year and half, and additional field tests in different ambient conditions will take place during this trial period to ensure the product is an appropriate alternative.

Chapin said, “We examined the purchasing process in large scale conversions such as city street lights and are prepared to help through every step of the financial and energy assessment for cities that want to take advantage of the often confusing American Recovery Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Couple that with our financing options, that are customized to not exceed your current outgoing energy expense, and you have a winning scenario.”

Cities wishing to participate in the trial program can contact Eco Alternative Solutions in Springfield, IL by calling (217) 303-8255. (The company’s website is currently under maintenance.)

The state of Maine and the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE), a national carpet recycling group, have entered an agreement designed to increase the recycling of post-consumer carpet by diverting used carpet away from landfills and promoting the use of products that contain post-consumer carpet content. The agreement was signed by Maine Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner David Littell and representatives of CARE.

Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection Commissioner, David P. Littell, signs MOU with CARE Chairman Frank Hurd.

CARE is a voluntary, not-for-profit group formed by the carpet industry, government agencies, and others who have agreed to find ways to divert and reuse post-consumer carpet. Currently, approximately five billion pounds of used carpet finds its way into the nation’s landfills each year. Since 2002, CARE and its network of Reclamation Partners have helped divert over one billion pounds of carpet from landfills.

For its part, Maine will promote carpet recycling by seeking out reclamation opportunities for post-consumer carpet removed from government buildings and by using carpet pad under new carpet installations that is made from recycled carpet fiber. Made from cleaned and reprocessed carpet fiber, pad made from recycled carpet fiber is a safe and environmentally preferable choice.

“Used carpet is a bulky waste that is difficult and expensive to manage. Maine looks forward to adding the recycling of carpet to our efforts in developing alternatives to disposal in landfills,” said Commissioner Littell.

“CARE welcomes Maine into the growing fold of states willing to support CARE’s voluntary efforts to find market based solutions for the diversion of post-consumer carpet from landfills,” said CARE Board of Directors Chairman Frank Hurd.

Other Signatories

Other government departments that have signed on to this CARE MOU established in 2002 are:

• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
• Iowa Department of Natural Resources
• Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance
• South Carolina Recycling Market Development Advisory Council
• Washington State Department of Ecology
• Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
• Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
• California Environmental Protection Agency
• Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Georgia Department of Natural Resources
• North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Other signatories are:

• Northeast Recycling Council
• Lees Carpets
• J&J Industries, Inc.
• Mannington Commercial
• Carpet and Rug Institute
• C&A Floorcoverings, Inc.
• BP/Amoco Fabrics & Fibers Co.
• Shaw Industries
• Solutia Inc.
• Interface Americas Holdings, Inc.
• Center for Clean Products and Clean Technologies, University of Tennessee

SWN Communications Inc., a provider of emergency notification and other on-demand alerting and response services, recently announced that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has expanded its use of the New York City company’s Send Word Now for emergency communication across the organization. The NIH will extend its use of the SWN Alert Service across its main campus in Bethesda, MD and to NIH facilities in the Washington metropolitan area and around the country. The system will be used to communicate time-sensitive and critical events to 35,000 emergency response personnel, employees, contractors, and other users of the system.

Read TFM’s July 2008 coverage of emergency notification in “Getting The Message” by Columnist Tom Condon.

The NIH includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  The agency has used the Send Word Now solution since 2005 for urgent and emergency communication. This latest expansion will increase usage of the system organization-wide, enable rapid response in the event of a crisis, provide the ability to mobilize staff and emergency response resources during a critical incident and facilitate secure and auditable information exchange enterprise-wide.

“The National Institutes of Health joins a growing list of federal agencies that rely on Send Word Now for secure, reliable communication daily,” says Tony Schmitz, CEO of SWN Communications Inc. “Send Word Now has been battle tested by high-level federal agencies, and has passed stringent federal software security checks and independent audits. Our federal government clients look to Send Word Now to play an important role in supporting continuity of government planning, emergency management, regulatory compliance and protection of critical infrastructure.”

Among its clients, Send Word Now provides smart messaging platforms to the City of New York, Monster Worldwide, Inc., and the United Network for Organ Sharing.

* NIH Disclaimer: The NIH does not endorse or recommend any product, service, or enterprise.

It’s three years past the original completion date and $350 million over budget, but the subterranean Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, DC is now open to receive the approximately 3 million visitors who come to tour the U.S. Capitol Building each year. The 580,000 square foot facility, which opened yesterday, comprises three levels below ground and now serves as the starting point for a tour of the Capitol Building.

Emancipation Hall at the Capitol Visitor Center

Exhibition hall at the new visitor center

In years past, visitors have had to line up outside while waiting for their turn to walk through the hallowed halls of this U.S. landmark. Now, those people will be able to watch a short film, wander through exhibitions of historical documents and artifacts, and enjoy a climate controlled environment (which can be a nice thing during the chilly winter or steamy summer weather).

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid alluded to this fact himself during comments in the opening ceremony. Noting the effect of the Washington, DC summer climate on visitors—and the repercussions on the legislative occupants of the Capitol— he stated: “My staff has always said, ‘Don’t say this,’ but I’m going to say it again because it’s so descriptive because it’s true.” He then referenced House Minority Leader John Boehner’s earlier comments about the long lines of tourists that stream into the Capitol complex, and said: “In the summertime, because (of) the high humidity and how hot it gets here, you could literally smell the tourists coming into the Capitol.”

Thank goodness for effective air conditioning!

Project Information

Excavation on the Capitol Visitor Center began in August 2002 and was completed in the fall of 2003. Work on the building structure began late in 2003. A Certificate of Occupancy was issued in July 2008.

The architectural firm RTKL Associates Inc., which was already involved in developing perimeter security elements around the Capitol, was tasked to design the new Visitor Center. The design located the Visitor Center below the East Capitol Grounds, so as to enhance rather than detract from the appearance of the Capitol and its historic Frederick Law Olmsted landscape. (Eighty five trees were planted to revive Olmstead’s—a landscape architect—original design of tree lined paths leading visitors to the Capitol.)

In addition to the theaters and exhibition space, the new facility contains food service accommodations, an auditorium, gift shops, security, a service tunnel for truck loading and deliveries, mechanical facilities, storage, and additional space for use by the House and Senate.

Some notable facts about the building, as provided by The Architect of the Capitol:

65,000: The excavation for the Capitol Visitor Center required the removal of 65,000 truckloads of soil or 650,000 cubic yards of material.

15,000-20,000: Number of people expected to pass through the Capitol Visitor Center daily, during peak season.

26: Number of restrooms (compared to five public restrooms in the Capitol). The Visitor Center has 10 family restrooms as well.

23: Number of elevators in the Visitor Center and adjacent expansion areas.

530: Number of seats in the restaurant in the Capitol Visitor Center. There were no public eating spaces previously.

Heading up daily operations of the new Capitol Visitor Center is Terrie Rouse, chief executive officer for visitor services.

(Photos courtesy of The Architect of the Capitol)