VA Receives 2011 Presidential Award for Environmentalism

VA Receives 2011 Presidential Award for Environmentalism

Department Wins Lean, Clean, and Green Award

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs received a top award from the White House for its programs to protect the environment and conserve energy.

“This honor was achieved through the hard work and innovative thinking of the men and women at VA who are committed to protecting the environment,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “

Called the “Lean, Clean, and Green Award” by the White House, it recognizes VA’s outstanding achievement in its transportation fleet, energy efficiency and renewable energy development.  The award was presented at the White House yesterday as part of the GreenGov Presidential Awards.  

Four VA employees attended the ceremony to represent the department’s successful sustainability efforts: Michael Johnson, capital assets manager, VA Southwest Health Care Network; Robert Rossbacher, energy manager, Salem, Va., and Beckley, W. Va., VA medical centers; Dennis Gerdovich, landscape architect, National Cemetery Administration; and John Park, energy team lead, VA Green Management Program.

VA’s award was one of six category winners selected from among 230 submissions from a variety of federal government agencies.

VA won for its ongoing programs, policies, and actions that focus on energy and water efficiency, pollution prevention, innovative fleet management, and high performance buildings in health care and other facilities. VA harnesses the participation of employees at all levels, resulting in promoting and recognizing green practices in daily activities and decisions.

“VA has built its strategy for meeting sustainability goals at the Department-level while encouraging local facilities to address sustainability with creativity, customized to their location and resources, as evidenced by the multiple submissions from VA,” said a statement from the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

VA’s environmental goals include increasing renewable energy consumption to 15 percent of annual electricity usage by 2013, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2020, and increasing reliance on alternative fueling capabilities. 

VA has invested over $300 million in renewable energy projects since 2009 and 50 percent of VA’s vehicle fleet is capable of running on E-85 and bio-diesel. 

“VA’s careful stewardship of our environment enable more resources to be provided for direct service to Veterans,” said Shinseki.

Additional  information on these on-going projects and more can be found at www.green.va.gov.

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