The Department of Commerce joined the international celebration of Earth Day at its Herbert C. Hoover (HCHB) Building on April 21, 2016.

We hosted several environmentally-focused organizations in the HCHB main lobby, where they shared information about their products and efforts that contribute to making a more sustainable planet.  Informational exhibits were open for all Commerce employees to learn more about the newest sustainable products, services, and technologies in the environmental, energy, and sustainability arenas.

We hosted the Department of Commerce's 9^th Annual Energy and Environmental Stewardships Award Ceremony in the HCHB Auditorium, where we recognized the outstanding contributions of 7 winning teams representing multiple Commerce Bureaus.  Ellen Herbst, the Department’s Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration, and Lisa Casias, Chief Sustainability Officer and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration, served as the awarding officials recognizing the innovative and creative efforts demonstrated by the award recipients who have integrated energy conservation and environmental excellence into their primary mission.

The Department of Commerce leads by example and has made environmental stewardship a pillar of its strategic plan.  In the years to come, the Department plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and facility energy intensity while increasing the quantity of consumed electricity derived from renewable sources through the application of performance-based energy savings contracts.  In conjunction with other initiatives--Trade and Investment, Innovation, Data, and Operational Excellence--these environmental drivers are paramount to Commerce leaders and pave the way for American businesses.

The Department’s expanded Sustainability Community has worked very hard to receive a very impressive Sustainability Scorecard from the Office of Management and Budget in 2015.  We are proud to report the Department is ranked 5^th out of all federal agencies in the category of sustainability.

Earth Day 2016 marks the 3rd Anniversary of the HCHB Green Store.  The concept is very simple.  Employees turn in excess office supplies to the Green Store. Other employees can then shop for free office supplies they need.  The concept is so popular; a line typically forms outside the door before the store opens.  In three years, the Green Store has resulted in over $450,000 in cost avoidance and savings.  Most importantly, it has diverted tons of materials from landfills.  The Department has seen a paradigm shift in the way people think about storing office supplies through the use of the Green Store to share office supplies with each other.

The Department of Commerce strives to challenge the status quo and demonstrate how sustainable practices continue to reduce our carbon footprint which makes us more resilient to change and improves our ability to create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity.