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Environmental Management

NREL's environmental management system provides effective environmental stewardship of its federally-owned sites and minimizes the environmental impacts of our activities. This page highlights NREL's efforts, including recent environmental awards.

The laboratory's environmental management efforts protect and enhance the vegetation, wildlife, and natural resources of our sites; comply with environmental requirements; and encourage continuous improvement in environmental protection.

Environmental Awards

Colorado's Environmental Leadership Program

NREL was accepted into Colorado's Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) in 2004, and is a Gold Leader. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's ELP recognizes facilities that voluntarily:

  • Exceed regulatory requirements

  • Implement environmental management systems (which focus on incorporating environmental considerations into normal management processes and improving internal environmental management effectiveness)

  • Work closely with their communities

  • Set three-year goals focusing on measurable results.

Learn more about this voluntary program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Federal Electronics Challenge

NREL was also accepted into the Federal Electronics Challenge (FEC) in 2008, and received a Silver-Level Award. The FEC recognizes federal facilities that voluntarily:

  • Manage electronic products in an environmentally green manner

  • Is in a partnership program between the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

NREL achieved the Silver Level by completing 23 projects, including:

  • Ensuring that NREL computer monitors ENERGY STAR®—rated and incorporate a "sleep" mode

  • Hosting an employee personal computer recycling program

  • Using an environmentally-friendly, third-party recycler.

To learn more about the award, please see the NREL FEC poster summary (PDF 4 MB). Download Adobe Reader. Learn more about this voluntary program at the Federal Electronics Challenge Web site.