The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Naval Weapons Station Earle to achieve a number of environmentally-beneficial goals. The agreement, signed by EPA and the U.S. Navy, commits the naval facility to participate in various EPA environmental stewardship programs, and promises technical assistance and support from EPA.
“With this agreement, the Navy is doing its part to create a cleaner, healthier planet, while saving taxpayers money in the process,” said Ariel Iglesias, Deputy Director of EPA Region 2’s Division of Environmental Planning and Protection. “The naval base is setting an example by signing this first ever green agreement between EPA and the military.”
Under its Memorandum of Understanding with EPA, Naval Weapons Station Earle has agreed to:
- Become an EPA Energy Star partner. The base recently initiated several activities designed to track and reduce energy usage. It will aim to achieve at least a 10% reduction in building energy consumption within the next five years, and to meet LEED silver requirements in new building construction projects.
- Join EPA’s WasteWise program and increase solid waste recycling and the re-use of industrial materials. EPA will provide technical assistance to improve the efficiency of current recycling programs on the base.
- Join EPA’s National Clean Diesel Campaign and Clean Construction USA program. Through this program, Naval Weapons Station Earle will promote and implement measures to effectively reduce emissions from vehicles and other internal combustion engines used in the operation of its facilities.
- Use water-saving WaterSense products, and consult with EPA’s Greenscapes program to further improve its sustainable landscaping, water conservation and stormwater management programs.
- Purchase environmentally preferable products to the maximum extent possible, consistent with the requirements of relevant Federal procurement programs. NWS Earle will also consider industrial material re-use for appropriate construction projects.
In addition, the base will continue to assess the feasibility of installing solar, wind and geothermal power sources for on-site renewable energy.
Naval Weapons Station Earle will submit a status report to EPA every six months. EPA will use this report to determine the environmental benefits associated with “green” activities on the base and provide feedback on ways to improve its environmental performance.
EPA has similar agreements in place with a number of major sports organizations, universities, hospital systems and real estate firms in New York and New Jersey. For more information on EPA green agreements, visit http://www.epa.gov/region02/greenteam.
