Celebrating Earth Day at the Technical Center
By Ginger Cairnes
Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s environmental problems were proliferating to an extreme. Air pollution was linked to diseases, fish were being killed in highly polluted waters, and toxic chemicals in waters and at factories were bursting into flames.
U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson (WI), and then Harvard law student, Denis Hayes, both became pro-active regarding this problem. Thousands of schools, universities, and environmental groups as well as members of Congress, government officials and activists soon joined their efforts throughout the U.S. On April 22, 1970 a demonstration was held that became known as “Earth Day”. The movement continues today. April 22, 2005 was the 35 th anniversary of Earth Day.
Is a once a year event enough to demonstrate how our lives can impact the environment? The Technical Center’s Environmental Management System (EMS) group highlighted Earth Day with a display in the atrium. In conjunction with this display, they invited Technical Center employees to learn about the EMS in place at the Center.
What is the purpose of an EMS? An EMS is a “tool and framework that allows an organization to consistently control the effects its operations or processes may have on the environment and to continually improve its business practices”. EMS groups are required by Executive Order 13148, “Greening the Government through Leadership in Environmental Management”. EMSs should be implemented at agency facilities by December 31, 2005.
Among issues of importance is the conservation of energy. Employees were invited to t our the National Airport Pavement Test Facility’s domed Advanced Daylighting System (ADS-600) that runs on energy using a cell that tracks the sun’s position in the sky during the day and reflects the brightest portion downward. This increases performance and further saves on electric power.
In another effort to save energy and help keep our environment clean, Motor Fleet Manager Marfred Clark, spearheaded the move to lease the Tech Center’s first hybrid vehicle (Ford Escape Hybrid) from the U.S. General Service Administration (GSA). This vehicle, automatically switches between pure electric and pure gasoline power to maximize efficiency and performance. The vehicle was on display in the atrium during Earth Day. Although the vehicles are priced a bit higher than some standard vehicles, the tax incentives, decreased fuel consumption, near zero emissions, and possible rebates are worth the extra cost. Marfred states that, “I am very excited about the effort, and I’m sure that this is a positive move for the future.”
Also on display was a Global Electric Motorcar (GEM) as well as a vehicle that runs on all natural gas. Natural gas is a low emission fuel and alternative to gasoline, diesel, and propane. This model refuels by using a “vehicle-refueling appliance”(VRA) that hooks up to a natural gas line. Such vehicles start at about $17,000 with an additional cost of about $7,000 for the VRA. The GEMs, an all electric, zero-emissions vehicle made by Daimler Chrysler is ideal for short maintenance trips around the base. The use of smaller size vehicles with less weight also helps save energy.
A few of the other areas on display were the American Wetlands and Recycling in Atlantic County. Paper recycling bins were provided for employees.
By highlighting the importance of Earth Day and displaying that “we are about more than just aircraft”, the Environmental Engineering Group hopes that all employees will be advocates to support a safe and healthy work environment at the Center.
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