Federal Sustainability Success Stories / Electronics Stewardship, moderated by Cate Berard, US EPA
Panelists:
- Jeff Eagan, Program Manager, Federal Electronics Challenge, Department of Energy
- Holly Elwood, Electronics Stewardship Coordinator, Office of Environmental Policy and Assistance, EPA
- Johnny Lopez, Chief, IT Division, OUSD (P&R IM), Dept. of Defense
Holly Elwood opens, talking about EPA’s electronics product registry initiative. From the EPEAT website:
“EPEAT is a system that helps purchasers evaluate, compare and select electronic products based on their environmental attributes. The system currently covers desktop and laptop computers, thin clients, workstations and computer monitors.
Desktops, laptops and monitors that meet 23 required environmental performance criteria may be registered in EPEAT by their manufacturers in 40 countries worldwide. Registered products are rated Gold, Silver or Bronze depending on the percentage of 28 optional criteria they meet above the baseline criteria. EPEAT operates an ongoing verification program to assure the credibility of the registry.”
Johnny Lopez from the DoD is up next. He has integrated EPEAT into DoD’s lifecycle management of electronic assets. Another initiative he’s charged with is power management. By identifying “power vampires” (green lights on over night) in their office, they were able to reduce electricity consumption by 13%. They’ve also adopted a related continuous improvement program.
Jeff Eagan of the Dept of Energy is up now. First organization to obtain green status on electronic stewardship. (Federal Electronics Challenge winner). Used mixture of incentives and mandates to achieve Green IT success. Cradle to crave program: acquisition, use to disposal. 95% of purchases are EPEAT registered, most are silver, some are gold. 93% of end user seats are engaged in power management program. High equipment re-use, recycle rates [think he said 98%, don’t quote me].
Mentions new executive order, signed yesterday, mandating that US Federal Government agencies lead by example in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Panel Discussion
Holly Elwood speaks to EPEAT as an information source for IT acquisition, from silver and gold level specifications to contract language. New standards in development for TV and imagining devices.
In response to question on power management challenges, Johnny Lopez mentions the human factor. Getting people to remember to shutdown non-essential peripherals over night. CPUs are left up during the week for systems management purposes, everything is shutdown on the weekends. Monday morning restart is a little longer, but the payback is worth it.
Jeff Eagan echoes the human issue. The Department of Energy has automated switching computers off at set times, turn back on for systems management. A useful ally is the cyber security team. A shut off machine is a safer machine.
Jeff Eagan talks about the composition of Green teams – facility operators, environmentalists and IT. Looking forward to recycling standards for electronics equipment, standards are on the way. Mentions still deployed older technology that continues to serve its purpose and is better for environment. Not introducing new electronics. [wonder about the power / efficiency trade-offs]
Holly Elwood points out the Green Electronics Council as a green steward and resource.
Jeff Eagan shares that the new executive order has new standards for data center management.
A theme here is that everything starts with visibility. Johnny Lopez used a Watt’s Up power meter device. Ran tests with different combinations of on/off devices. Realized shutdown of CPU wasn’t worth productivity loss (30 minutes) on daily startup.
Cate Berard of the EPA mentions a new software program that combines power management, systems management and security. By coordinating these processes, the EPA can reduce energy consumption and provide better, safer, more consistent support for the people engaged in EPA’s mission.
Holly Elwood “the best way to green your product purchases is to not buy; extend the life of your existing products”. Looking at complete lifecycle – cradle to grave – extending life is better than buying new. [Answers my power efficiency question noted earlier].
In response to question, Holly Elwood points out the challenge of operating systems overriding machine set green standards. Interoperability issues might prevent an operating system from knowing that the imaging system is pre-set, and should remain set, to duplex.
This has been an interesting panel. Lots of good resources pointed out by the panelists. Certainly relevant beyond the government sector. Personally, I turn off my the power strips to my office’s power vampires every night. Good for the environment and my electric bill. [Sustainability starts with simple steps.]
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