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The Peace Corps is reducing the square footage - and associated energy use - at its headquarters by 10 percent through more efficient space design
The Peace Corps is reducing the square footage - and associated energy use - at its headquarters by 10 percent through more efficient space design. And it has cut down on electricity consumption by 16 percent at the Washington headquarters by shutting down HVAC systems on weekends and holidays.
The Peace Corps is reducing the square footage - and associated energy use - at its headquarters by 10 percent through more efficient space design
Ten Ways the Feds Are Leading the Green Charge
How exactly is the U.S. federal government leading by example on reducing greenhouse gas emissions? A collection of reports lists a zillion specific items, from double-sided printing to thousands of solar panels.
By Emily Badger
President Obama issued an executive order last October requiring every government agency to spell out how it plans to "lead by example" in environmental sustainability. He wanted to hear about waste management and water use, smart meters in federal office buildings and alternative-fuel vehicles in public fleets.
The Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans were finally due last week, and embedded in the dense documents - no one should print these things, even on recycled paper - are hundreds of small ideas. The relatively obscure Corporation for National and Community Service, for one, is promising to set all its printers to double-sided default mode and to check the tire pressure every time a government vehicle leaves the lot.
The federal government is the largest consumer of energy in the U.S. economy, and the president is aiming for a 28 percent reduction in direct greenhouse gas pollution by 2020. But will all the ideas add up? Here's a look at what many departments have in mind.
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The Peace Corps is reducing the square footage - and associated energy use - at its headquarters by 10 percent through more efficient space design. And it has cut down on electricity consumption by 16 percent at the Washington headquarters by shutting down HVAC systems on weekends and holidays.
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Headlines: September, 2010; Peace Corps Headquarters; Energy
When this story was posted in January 2011, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
Support Independent Funding for the Third Goal
The Peace Corps has always neglected the third goal, allocating less than 1% of their resources to "bringing the world back home." Senator Dodd addressed this issue in the "Peace Corps for the 21st Century" bill passed by the US Senate and Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter proposed a "Peace Corps Foundation" at no cost to the US government. Both are good approaches but the recent "Comprehensive Assessment Report" didn't address the issue of independent funding for the third goal at all.
Memo to Incoming Director Williams
PCOL has asked five prominent RPCVs and Staff to write a memo on the most important issues facing the Peace Corps today. Issues raised include the independence of the Peace Corps, political appointments at the agency, revitalizing the five-year rule, lowering the ET rate, empowering volunteers, removing financial barriers to service, increasing the agency's budget, reducing costs, and making the Peace Corps bureaucracy more efficient and responsive. Latest: Greetings from Director Williams
Join Us Mr. President!
"We will double the size of the Peace Corps by its 50th anniversary in 2011. And we'll reach out to other nations to engage their young people in similar programs, so that we work side by side to take on the common challenges that confront all humanity," said Barack Obama during his campaign. Returned Volunteers rally and and march to the White House to support a bold new Peace Corps for a new age. Latest: Senator Dodd introduces Peace Corps Improvement and Expansion Act of 2009 .
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