You say hello to them in the halls, elevators and cafeteria.  At first glance, they look like the colleagues you know and work with.  But, what you might not know is that some of these same people have a little green running in their veins.

Last December corporate resources’ section manager Arlene Kokuga unveiled at the Engineering and Capital Programs Committee a comprehensive package of eco-friendly initiatives called ‘The Business Process Sustainability Campaign.’ Although environmental stewardship is a core value embedded in the District’s very mission statement, the new effort identified gaps and opportunities to make Metropolitan’s corporate systems greener and more efficient.

“We define sustainability as meeting the needs of the current generation without compromising the resources for future generations,” the soft-spoken Kokuga explained. “Metropolitan’s commitment to sustainability is driven by our Board and General Manager who have identified four priorities:  resource stewardship, reliable high-quality supplies, workforce growth and development, and the day-to-day business process sustainability.  This last one is my area of responsibility.”

And a large umbrella it is.  In 2006, Assembly Bill 32 was signed into law calling for the state’s global warming emissions to be reduced to 1900 levels by 2020.  Metropolitan commissioned independent assessments of its ‘carbon footprint,’ or greenhouse gas output, and simultaneously shaped a plan to increase its renewable energy programs, reduce  green gas emissions and improve energy efficiency at both Union Station and out in the field.

Corporate Resources took up the challenge with a greener focus on procurement, energy conservation, facility management and waste reduction.  “We looked for an alignment of our values with our business practices,” Kokuga said.   

Mike Kolodisner, Corporate Resources’ unit manager, began that alignment by researching ways to make procurement policies more eco-friendly. 

“Today, we look for products that not only perform well, but are also available at a fair and reasonable price,” Kolodisner says.  He requests that all bids be submitted on two-sided recycled paper and notes any eco-friendly portion of a proposal count towards 10 percent of their evaluation.

“One thing I’ve learned is that green products may save you a lot more money in their total life cost and I like that we’re doing this.” 

Facilities Management Team Manager Tom Sanchez also finds that the greening of Metropolitan agrees with him.  Having been with the District for 27 years, he takes pride in keeping Union Station headquarters in tip top shape.   While energy efficiency has always been on Sanchez’ radar, he reports that the new conservation measures have yielded substantial results and may make the headquarters building eligible for a LEED certification — the  nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

“In 2006-07, we saved 920,116 kilowatts of electricity, 58,000 thermal (heat) units of gas and about $60,000,” reports Sanchez.   “For people like me who like to see the results of mechanical work, it’s nice when the bill comes in and you can compare it with previous months.”

Facilities management’s conservation measures have included changing the high wattage incandescent down lights to compact fluorescent lamps, installing small, eco-friendly microturbines on the roof, and staggering building plant equipment to reduce peak energy loads. “We’re using up our planet,” Sanchez says.  “These changes just make sense.”

This year also marked the roll out of Energy Star computers and monitors which annually save between $75-90 per unit, Kokuga said.

And then, there’s the subject of trees.  In 2006-07, it took a whopping 2,700 trees to satisfy Metropolitan’s appetite for 111 tons of stationery.   The goal for 2009 is to reduce paper consumption by 30 percent.  This effort would not only spare 1,100 trees, but also prevent the release of 190,000 pounds of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.  Greenhouse gases reportedly trap the heat (or infrared rays) and contribute to an increase in the temperature of the earth’s surface. 

To help engage Metropolitan employees in this push to green, Corporate Resources launched the bi-weekly e-newsletter “Our Legacy,” now in its eleventh issue.  Containing a broad overarching message combined with strategic, targeted messages, the newsletter aims to provide staff with tools that will help the agency become more eco-friendly. 

“Research shows us that 93 percent of Americans believe companies have an environmental responsibility,” says Kokuga.  “Another 83 percent say that they are more likely to buy from companies committed to environmentally safe products and practices.  But, you only have a 3-5 year window to prove yourself environmentally friendly.”

Metropolitan’s multiple efforts, both large and small will easily meet that target. And, as to be expected, some of the changes reflect an innovative flair.  Conversion of Metropolitan’s auto fleet to hybrids is almost 25 percent complete and the cafeteria has dumped plastic utensils in favor of cutlery made from 80 percent potato starch and 20 percent soy oil.

“The utensils do everything they’re supposed to do—they’re heat resistant, can be washed and reused, but will biodegrade after 180 days,” says Judy Holland, administrative assistant and contract administrator for the District’s cafeteria.   Styrofoam food containers also have been replaced by new paper ones.  A plan is also underway to only use non-toxic janitorial products.

Last, but not least, IT’s Section Manager Dave Edwards is readying to launch a remote network monitoring system able to correct technology glitches on District mountain tops without staff ever having to leave Union Station.  “This new system will allow us to save 6,000 gallons of fuel and prevent the release of 124,000 pounds of CO2,” reported Edwards.  Enhanced video and Web conferencing, now in the pilot stage, also will make interactive meetings possible and further reduce the need for travel.

“I believe that the combined efforts demonstrate our commitment to meeting the Board’s and General Manager’s goals,” said Kokuga.  “We can nurture a greener world through investment in innovation and market leadership.  The rush to green is on.”   

Click here to read about more "going green" in the field.

Click here to read how one employee is contributing to the green campaign.