WASHINGTON, D.C. - EM continues to achieve cleaner air while reducing costs.
In fiscal year 2016, EM reduced its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 60 percent, exceeding a 50 percent target.
“EM field offices continue to cut life-cycle costs. These superb results testify to the hard work by numerous EM people and clearly show that focused efforts in many areas make a difference and add up to a greater sum total," said Andrew Szilagyi, director of EM’s Office of Infrastructure and Deactivation & Decommissioning. “As we keep pushing forward, our aim is to more fully integrate life-cycle cost reduction thinking into our decision-making. Bravo to our sites!"
The GHG emissions drop was due in large part to the Savannah River Site biomass cogeneration plants, which use biomass to produce electricity and steam. The reduction compares to removing 111,443 passenger vehicles from the roads for a year.
EM also lowered its energy use intensity by 39 percent and water use intensity by 6 percent; raised its renewable energy use by 33 percent; and ensured 99 percent of its computers, laptops and monitors have power management software to minimize energy use. These efforts led to an estimated $1.1 million cost reduction.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management
