GSA Recognizes Hot, Cold Innovations in Sustainable Government

NASA Solar Power Facility, Smithsonian Chiller Plant Earn Real Property Innovation Awards

October 29, 2009 -- WASHINGTON — The nation’s largest solar power generation facility and a new, energy-efficient chiller plant earned top recognition today from the U.S. General Services Administration during its 13th annual Achievement Awards for Real Property Innovation.

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The event, at the American Institute of Architects headquarters in Washington, recognized cutting-edge innovation in federal real property management.

"As the largest consumer of energy in the U.S. economy, the federal government is taking the lead to reduce power, fuel, and water consumption while increasing recycling and other waste diversion efforts,” said Michael Robertson, Associate Administrator of GSA's Office of Governmentwide Policy. “By highlighting these exceptional models of sustainability, we are demonstrating what can be achieved through effective property asset management.”

The ground-breaking efforts in asset management and sustainability categories honored the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Smithsonian Institution, respectively. NASA won for its effort with Florida Power & Light Co. to create the nation’s largest solar power generation facility.

The Smithsonian Institution’s Fast-Track Energy Savings Performance Contract received top honors for its entry in the sustainability category. Together with Noresco LLC, the Smithsonian created a new energy-efficient chiller plant for the National Museum of American History.

Six federal agencies were among those vying for top honors in various categories including real estate policy, real property management, acquisition, construction, sustainable development, disposal, budget, performance, and public/private partnerships. Special recognition awards were also presented to Department of the Interior, the U.S. National Park Service and GSA’s Public Buildings Service, Great Lakes Region.

The Achievement Awards for Real Property Innovation are managed by GSA’s Office of Real Property Management, a division of the agency’s Office of Governmentwide Policy. This effort helps federal agencies promote the responsible development of domestic renewable energy, which, in turn, enhances U.S. energy supplies and improves federal real property stewardship as a whole.

For more information about GSA’s Office of Real Property Management and its innovative real estate and workplace initiatives, visit gsa.gov/realpropertypolicy.

Source: GSA