In addition to being Energy Action Month, October is also the beginning of the fiscal year (FY) for the U.S. Postal Service®. At the Office of Sustainability, we believe the new fiscal year is a great time to examine our past successes and plan for the future (see about.usps.com/what-we-are-doing/green/report/2016/).
The following are noteworthy achievements in FY 2016 and FY 2017:
n Energy intensity reduction. In 2016, the Postal Service™ reduced energy usage per square foot by 4.1 percent. We are on target to reduce energy intensity 25 percent by 2025. We will report our 2017 performance in the coming months.
n Water intensity reduction. In 2016, the Postal Service reduced water consumption per square foot by 50.8 percent since 2007. This is well above our goal of reducing our water intensity 36 percent by 2025.
n Renewable energy. In 2017, we completed one of our most ambitious renewable energy projects — the installation of a solar energy generation system at the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center (see link.usps.com/2017/07/18/solar-system/). Using approximately 35,000 solar panels covering 23 acres, our system generates enough energy to power more than 2,000 American households.
And we’re not done yet. In the coming months, we will evaluate and report our progress on energy and water reduction goals for FY 2017. In addition to planning more energy-saving projects, our future projects will build on past accomplishments such as:
n Renewable energy,
n Efficient lighting, and
n Heating and cooling optimization.
You can find information about these topics and more at usps.com/green.
We hope that learning about the Postal Service’s energy achievements has also inspired you to save energy. Here are some tips to save energy at home and at work:
n Program your thermostat to 65 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer. Always set the thermostat properly if you are away for the day.
n Maintain your heating and cooling units. Maintenance ensures optimal performance and can save you money on your utility bills.
n Save energy when doing laundry by air-drying your clothes.
n Turn off the lights when you leave the room.
Remember to do your part and be energy smart!
— Energy Initiatives,
Office of Sustainability, 9-14-17
