United States
Department of
Agriculture
File Code:
Route To:
Subject:
To:
1340
(1340), (7180)
Forest
Service
Washington
Office
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250
Date: October 18, 2005
President's Memorandum on Energy and Fuel Conservation Actions
Regional Foresters, Station Directors, Area Director, IITF Director, and WO Staff
The President has committed the federal government to doing everything possible to ensure that
sufficient supplies of natural gas, gasoline, and diesel fuel are available in the wake of hurricanes
Katrina and Rita. While this effort comes as a response to the hurricanes, it is very consistent
with our growing recognition that the Forest Service should be making every effort to reduce the
size of our environmental footprint.
The specific actions the Agency will take immediately are enumerated below. By November 30,
2005, we will provide each Region, Station, and the Area with baseline data to be used in
measuring these reductions:
1) All units are directed to reduce overall travel by 10%. This includes travel costs, miles
driven with Forest Service owned or leased vehicles, and fuel usage. Travel in support
of the relief efforts for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and other emergency response is
determined to be essential. All other travel is non-essential and Line Officers will need to
determine how units will achieve their overall reduction.
2) Each Deputy Chief is asked to limit the number and/or frequency of national meetings.
Region 9 has had great success with the use of video conferencing as a way to reduce
travel costs. We will explore the use of this technology for national meetings and
recommend that each of you look at their experience for local application.
3) Employees should be encouraged to telecommute, carpool, and use public transportation
in accordance with current Agency policy. Each Line Officer shall issue a memorandum
to unit staff stressing the importance of these activities, as well as the importance of
turning off lights, computers, and other equipment when it is not in use.
4) We are committed to evaluating the composition of our fleet. Fuels savings can be
attained in two clear ways, driving fewer miles or driving vehicles with better fuel
efficiency. The Washington Office Engineering Staff will lead this evaluation focusing
on fleet utilization and the appropriateness of the vehicles that make up our fleet. In the
meantime, each Regional Forester, Station Director or Area Director should scrutinize the
purchase of any new vehicle to ensure that its size is appropriate to its intended use.
5) We will look at opportunities to retrofit existing facilities for use of bio-fuels. This
technology has been proven and should be appropriate for many of our field sites.
Caring for the Land and Serving People
Printed on Recycled Paper
Regional Foresters, Station Directors, Area Director, IITF Director, and WO Staff
2
6) In compliance with USDA direction, indoor temperatures shall be maintained no lower
than 78 degrees for cooling and no higher than 68 degrees for heating. Please review and
follow all existing regulations related to operation of electrical equipment in an office
environment.
7) Work with local utility companies to develop peak load reduction plans for individual
facilities as appropriate.
8) Procure only Energy STAR rated equipment and products.
9) Require energy efficient systems in any new lease acquisition and work within existing
leases to replace inefficient systems with energy efficient systems. This should also
include any new construction of Forest Service owned facilities.
10) Review existing operating and administrative processes and energy conservation
programs to identify additional actions which can be implemented to conserve electricity,
fuel oil, natural gas, gasoline, and diesel fuel.
These are immediate action items that must be undertaken. USDA and the Forest Service are
developing a comprehensive plan for implementation. We have been asked to track our
progress. Reporting will be required for mid-year and final year-end closing. As mentioned
above, we are currently working with the Department to establish baseline criteria and that
information will be shared by November 30, 2005. In the meantime, please anticipate a request
to submit your accomplishments at mid-year.
These measures, when successfully implemented, will achieve the very laudable goal of reducing
our energy consumption. This goal is important not only as a response to the challenges posed
by Katrina and Rita, but also because it meets the on-going need to minimize the environmental
footprint of Forest Service operations and because it will help us to save valuable resources that
can be directed to higher priority work. I ask each line officer to pay attention to this effort.
Please contact Jacqueline Myers at (202) 205-1690 for additional information.
/s/ Sally Collins (for):
DALE N. BOSWORTH
Chief
cc:
Daniel Jiron
Robert Swinford
William F Hamele
Michael Harper
Stana Federighi