SAVE Award 2011 Ideas

Going to a 40 hour work week with four ten hours days a 10/4 schedule would allow the same amount of work to get done to save money in all kinds of ways... in energy, gas (globally), highway congestion(in CONUS), lights, heating or cooling, janitorial services, security, possibly other arease as well. We just held a recent IG audit and the auditor asked if you had 1 single thing that could improve our organization what... more »

Maximum use of the DOE/FEMP ESPCs should be made mandatory (not just a recommendation) to conserve and produce as much energy as possible at all federal sites and buildings. The ESPCs provide “self-funding” and easily-authorized energy improvements but are grossly underutilized and largely unknown in the federal system. The ESPCs were established in the mid 1990s to help federal agencies, sites and buildings upgrade... more »

Many agencies, including ours at EPA’s Region 9, have moved to digitize documents, making it possible to retrieve reports and forms online. During our internship this summer, we recognized a way to improve government efficiency while reducing waste: making electronic tablets available for rent or checkout at the agency library/communications center.

We are cognizant that people will have different learning styles and... more »

Since the Federal Government has adopted the LEED certification program for all new construction buildings we need to assess the money that is being spent on outside consultants to achieve these ratings. We spend on average 40k to 80k per project to various firms and consultants that are LEED AP certified to submit these applications. I see green building as a step in the right direction not only saving money on energy... more »

There is currently a lot of "green" rhetoric coming from the government these days, and I think it should put its money where its mouth is. My plan would have the current funds being used for subsidies and tax breaks in the energy markets should be diverted towards the purchase of green technologies (ie. smart grid, solar panels, wind turbines, etc.) at federal complexes. A purchase of this size would drive down the... more »

Solar Roadways are quiet and clean (ideal for military bases, eliminates unsightly powerlines, ideal for charging electric cars, can be used in remote areas, much less pollution). Also, production would create lots of green jobs. This idea can also be applied to sidewalks, walkways, playgrounds, parking lots, etc... They melt snow and ice eliminating lots of snow removal and they illuminate roads. It would be a great... more »