Tennessee Valley Authority
TVA Sustainability OMB Scorecard
Making the Valley a desirable and healthy place to live, work, and play – today and for future generations
Introduction
Sustainability relates to what we do to protect and respect the interests of our current and future stakeholders; it is the convergence of our environmental, economic, and social performance. It includes everything from our protection of the shoreline to our preservation of reasonable rates, and from our commitment to employee well-being to our economic development efforts in the Valley. In short, it is a measure of our accountability to our internal and external stakeholder groups.
Sustainability drivers include TVA’s Vision for 2020, TVA’s Environmental Policy and Executive Order 13514 “Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance.” Sustainability is embedded in TVA’s Vision and TVA’s Environmental Policy. TVA’s Vision demonstrates sustainability through efforts to be a leader in cleaner air, greater energy efficiency, and responsibility in environmental stewardship. TVA’s Environmental Policy focuses on reducing the environmental impact of its operations, protecting public health and safety, and enhancing the Valley’s land and water resources. The goals of Executive Order 13514 are consistent with these goals from TVA’s Vision and Environmental Policy.
Details of executive order implementation
The Executive Order 13514 goals call for an integrated strategy towards sustainability by reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, increasing building energy efficiency, improving water efficiency, preventing pollution, eliminating waste, purchasing sustainable products and services, and improving electronic stewardship. Towards establishing an integrated strategy, TVA has set up a governance structure that includes the Sustainability Steering Committee and the Energy and Environmental Sustainability Committee. Projects to coordinate energy-saving and sustainability efforts throughout TVA are developed and prioritized by this governance structure that includes senior leadership and their representatives across all TVA organizations working collaboratively with the Environmental Sustainability Group in Environment & Technology.
TVA also participates in federal agency working groups focused on Energy and Water Management, Sustainable Buildings, Sustainable Acquisition, and Electronics Stewardship to help develop guidance to achieve goals set by Executive Orders.
Sustainability initiatives and achievements include:
- As required by the Federal Agency Climate Change Adaptation Planning Implementing Instructions, TVA released a Statement for Climate Change Adaptation (June 3, 2011) that commits the agency to addressing the impacts climate change may have on operations and assets through adaptation planning.
- On June 3, 2011, TVA issued an updated Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan under Executive Order 13514, titled “Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance.
- In 2010, TVA’s Environmental Sustainability Program reduced energy consumption by 12,448 MWh and reduced water consumption at TVA facilities by 3,686,298 gallons, which is equivalent to $785,674 saved.
- TVA’s buildings are now using less than 60,000 Btus/sf/yr, almost half the Federal Building inventory (110,000 Btus/sf/yr).
- The Knoxville Office Complex received from the EPA an Energy Star award for using on average 30% less energy than typical buildings and releasing 35% less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
- In collaboration with Supply Chain, Operations, and Environment & Technology, a policy has been developed to phase out the use of incandescent bulbs in buildings, plants, and field offices.
- Implementation of a Sustainable Acquisition Program, which will require all applicable TVA contracts to meet “green” standards (recycled content, Energy Star or Low Standby Power rating, are Bio-based, or are environmentally preferred).
- Between 1985 and 2005, TVA was one of a few federal agencies that met a federal 30% energy reduction goal for its standard buildings; Between 1990 and 2005, TVA was one of a few federal agencies that met a federal 20% energy reduction goal for its industrial buildings.