Message form the chair of the USACE Strategic Sustainability Committee
I’m ecstatic to say the first ever USACE Sustainability Awards Program was a huge success. Even though the awards are new to the Corps, our efforts to become more sustainable are not. For much of the past decade, we have sought ways to make our missions, facilities and operations sustainable.
In 2001, the Corps formally institutionalized sustainability with the adoption of our Environmental Operating Principles. Moreover, the Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan (SSPP) released in 2010 changed the way the Corps approaches new projects and manages its existing infrastructure and mission activities. The SSPP is the Corps’ response to the Obama administration’s 2009 Executive Order 13514, “Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance,” which requires all federal agencies to meet energy reduction and environmental performance criteria. The Sustainability Plan will contain 8 sustainability goals – all supporting the EO’s requirements. The Corps is transforming its business and environmental practices to bridge today’s requirements with tomorrow’s needs.
These awards help identify the great work our people are doing in the sustainability area in support of our organization and our customers and in accordance with Goal 3 of our Campaign Plan – delivering effective, resilient, sustainable solutions. These awardees are an example of how we will continue to use innovation, dedication, and hard work to balance mission requirements with sustainability responsibilities. They are testament to the Corps’ resolve to be good stewards of all of our resources.
I challenge each of you to learn from the activities highlighted in this year’s Sustainability Award Program, to put these best practices to use, and to share these stories and your own success stories with others. Sustainability efforts cannot be successfully accomplished by one MSC or activity – it takes an integrated effort by all, and a command emphasis, to ensure we move toward our sustainability goals and advance the Corps form “Good to Great”
We’ve made great progress – now let’s keep up that momentum. Remember, sustainability starts now…with you!
