Bonneville Power is the first federal agency certified in
the City of Portland’s Sustainability at Work program
Portland, Ore. – The City of Portland's Bureau of Planning
and Sustainability recently recognized the Bonneville Power Administration’s
sustainability efforts at its corporate headquarters in Portland, Ore., making
BPA the first federal agency to achieve its Sustainability at Work gold
certification.
“Finding more earth-friendly, cost-effective ways to operate
is just another way we’re being a responsible steward and a good neighbor,”
said Larry Buttress, acting executive vice president, Internal Business Services.
The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability awards
its Sustainability at Work certifications to Portland organizations that create
a more sustainable workplace. “We’re impressed and grateful. BPA’s setting a
high bar in terms of gold certification,” says Michael Armstrong, the bureau’s
research and innovation manager.
BPA earned gold certification by completing 60 out of a
possible 74 actions related to initiatives such as education, transportation,
materials and waste, and energy and water use. The actions were verified during
an onsite visit by a Sustainability at Work adviser.
BPA formed a sustainability team in 2009 and began
implementing an action plan the following year that included conserving energy
and water, reducing waste and petroleum use, and installing a green roof. In
2012, the agency launched a successful printing reduction campaign. Beyond the
environmental benefits, the changes saved BPA about $400,000 in printer-related
costs over the previous year. Other notable accomplishments include electronic
recycling, electric vehicle charging stations in its motor pool and a number of
employee commuting options.
“Very few organizations have achieved at such a level,”
notes Paul de Block, Sustainability at Work adviser.
For a list of BPA’s gold certified achievements, see the
Sustainability at Work listing. To learn more about BPA’s program, read its
2012 sustainability report.
“This really is an achievement by Bonneville employees. A
lot of dedicated people turned our sustainability program from a grass roots
effort into an agency success story,” adds Buttress.
BPA’s next challenge is scaling up its sustainability
program to reflect its footprint across the Northwest. For 2013 and the
near-term, the agency will shift its focus from its corporate headquarters to
reducing energy, water and waste at its other facilities.
“We’re proud that Bonneville Power is headquartered here in
Portland and excited to see what they’ll continue to accomplish,” Armstrong
said.
In a city known for its commitment to clean air and water,
and promotion of a sustainable lifestyle, BPA is the first federal agency to be
certified by Sustainability at Work at any level. Thirty-eight Portland
organizations have achieved Sustainability at Work’s gold certification, including
Fluid Market Strategies, Portland Roasting Coffee, Travel Portland and Widmer
Brothers Brewing. Silver level organizations include Northwest Energy
Efficiency Alliance, Northwest Natural Gas Co. and Portland General Electric.
To see all of the certified organizations, visit the Sustainability at Work
directory. The certification is valid for three years.
About Sustainability at Work
Sustainability at Work provides free tools and expertise to
help businesses in Portland, Ore., achieve their goals. Businesses work with a
sustainability adviser who helps them create a customized plan and get
connected with program partners, which include the City of Portland’s Bureau of
Planning and Sustainability, Water Bureau, Bureau of Transportation, Bureau of
Environmental Services, Energy Trust of Oregon, Metro and Pacific Power. www.sustainabilityatworkpdx.com.
About BPA
BPA is a nonprofit federal agency that markets renewable
hydropower from federal Columbia River dams, operates three-quarters of
high-voltage transmission lines in the Northwest and funds one of the largest
wildlife protection and restoration programs in the world. BPA and its partners
have also saved enough electricity through energy efficiency projects to power
four large American cities. For more information, contact us at 503-230-5131 or
visit www.bpa.gov.
