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White House Releases DOJ Sustainability Plan

By Andrew Ramonas

The Justice Department will work to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions over the next 10 years, according to a plan released by the White House Thursday.

The DOJ plans to lower by about 16 percent the amount of greenhouse gas it releases and the emissions generated from the production of electricity and steam for its facilities. The department also intends to reduce by about 4 percent greenhouse gas emissions from sources like employee travel and waste disposal.

President Barack Obama ordered federal agencies last year to develop sustainability performance plans.

“[The] DOJ will work to meet or exceed the requirements of [the presidential order], as outlined in the following Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan,” Assistant Attorney General for Administration Lee Lofthus wrote in the DOJ plan. “Through its annual strategic and budget planning processes, DOJ will continue to commit the human and financial resources necessary to increase energy efficiency; measure, report, and reduce GHG emissions from direct and indirect activities; conserve and protect water resources; eliminate waste; leverage acquisition to foster markets for sustainable technologies, products, and services; design, construct, maintain, and operate high-performance sustainable buildings; and strengthen the vitality and livability of the communities in which DOJ facilities are located.”

A major target of the DOJ’s sustainability efforts will be the Bureau of Prisons, which accounted for about 88 percent of the department’s energy consumption in fiscal 2009.

The Bureau of Prisons has started and will continue to initiate projects that will increase the use of solar and wind power, and those that decrease electricity and water consumption. The bureau will also continue to help inmates equip themselves with the skills necessary to hold “green” jobs in prison and after incarceration.

“BOP is not the only DOJ bureau working to achieve sustainability through its mission, but it is the largest,” the report said. “Other bureaus and DOJ components will integrate [sustainability] goals into their missions through [Environmental Management Systems], sustainable strategies, and other initiatives.”

Full post as published by Main Justice on September 09, 2010 (boomark / email).