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Brookhaven National Labs - GreenLeaders
2010-00-19 


Energy conservation is nothing new to Brookhaven National Laboratory. BNL, a Department of Energy facility that conducts cutting-edge research to create solutions to our country’s energy and other critical needs, began addressing its own energy use during the oil crisis of the 1970s.

Since that time, eco-consciousness has hit every part of BNL’s operations, explains Mark Toscano, Energy Manager. “We’ve accomplished a 30% reduction in energy use since 1985 and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 41,000 metric tons per year.” That translates into an $8 million per year savings for taxpayers.

BNL’s wide-ranging efforts also include a Pollution Prevention Program that makes reducing its impact on the environment an integral part of its operating philosophy. “Through our efforts to reduce waste, purchase environmentally preferable products such as recycled paper, and conserve natural resources, we’ve not only saved millions of dollars and reduced our carbon footprint, we’ve also created a safer workplace,” says Peter Pohlot, BNL’s Pollution Prevention Coordinator.

Part of that program involved recycling all of BNL’s electronic equipment—computers, printers, and more— in an environmentally sustainable way. That effort resulted in an Excellence in Recycling award from the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive for 2008. 

BNL also participates in NuRide, a computer-based ride-sharing program in which employees can find partners in their neighborhoods for carpooling. And it’s greened its transportation further by using 15 small electric vehicles and 70 government fleet vehicles fueled by compressed natural gas. “Plus, our garbage truck and motor pool uses environmentally friendly vegetable oil, thanks to employees’ pollution prevention ideas,” says Pohlot.

Solar is the next wave, with a demo project to install solar-powered LED lights for the parking area in the works. “We are working with
LIPA to potentially locate a utility-scale photovoltaic generating project at BNL,” says Toscano, “which underscores our commitment to renewable energy.”

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