U.S. CEEM Members in Action: Energy Efficiency Strengthens Compliance with Executive Orders
A recent addition to U.S. CEEM, General Dynamics operates a number of Government Owned, Contractor Operated (GOCOs) facilities. GOCOs are arrangements in which the government owns a facility and maintains oversight of production, but the operations are managed by a private entity. The first GOCO was the Los Alamos National Laboratory, which was operated by the University of California for the Manhattan Project. Under such an arrangement, given that the facilities are federal property, adherence to additional federal mandates, including Executive Orders, is expected.
Being the world’s fourth largest defense contractor and a U.S. CEEM member, General Dynamics is conscious about the need to continuously improve its energy footprint. With manufacturing divisions concentrated in the areas of aerospace, combat, marine and information systems, General Dynamics manufactures products that are vital to the nation in multiple locations around the U.S. One of General Dynamics’ business units, Ordnance and Tactical Systems, has made strides towards more energy efficient production as a component of a broader expansion of sustainable practices throughout the company. The fact that its Scranton, PA operations, the operating contractor for The Scranton Army Ammunition Plant is pursuing certification in Superior Energy Performance (SEP) is an example of the company’s efforts toward greater sustainability.
Among the laws and directives relevant to federally owned facilities are several which concern energy efficiency. An example of this is Executive Order 13423, “Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management,” directs federal agencies to decrease energy use by three percent each year until 2015, and instructs agency heads to implement best practices with regard to energy use.
ISO 50001 and SEP as a Compliance Pathway
Implementation of ISO 50001 can help ensure compliance with such executive orders and aid in preparedness for future orders. According to Stephen Cannizzaro, Environmental & Facilities Engineer at General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Scranton, PA, operations, “conformance with ISO 50001 facilitated our compliance with EO 13423. We were able to leverage the documentation and accountability procedures required by the standard to serve our compliance effort with the EO.” “In addition, the effectiveness of our energy management team impressed leadership at Army Material Command (AMC). The success of the Scranton energy program prompted AMC to mandate that all of their facilities formulate their own energy management system and identify areas where energy intensity can be reduced.”
By implementing ISO 50001 and SEP, other GOCOs can replicate the success of the Scranton, PA, energy team and improve their ability to comply with future Executive Orders that may require federal facilities to improve energy efficiency. In fact, the energy management success of the General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Scranton, PA operations was recognized this past June when the plant received the prestigious Secretary of Defense Environmental Award for being a Sustainable Industrial Installation.
Alliance Industrial intern Nathan Robins contributed to this article.
