GSA initiated a unique practice to make Energy 2004, the Federal Government’s first independently-certified green meeting and trade show by offsetting the emissions which the event caused.
The annual workshop and tradeshow, cosponsored by GSA’s Energy Center of Expertise with Departments of Defense and Energy, attracts over 1000 energy professionals. GSA arranged for Fuel Cell Energy, Inc. to donate its emission reductions for permanent retirement to the Cleaner and Greener Program of the non-profit Leonardo Academy. These emissions reductions offset the emissions created by the Energy 2004 event.
GSA first estimated the amount of pollutants the conference/tradeshow would generate based on its 1,010 attendees. The figures were verified by the Leonardo Academy. Emission reductions included:
- 1,367,499 pounds of Carbon Dioxide
- 605 pounds of Sulfur Dioxide
- 1,678 pounds of Nitrogen Oxide
- 311 pounds of Particulates (PM-10)
The amounts mentioned are based on a 3-day event with:
- 1,010 attendees
- 80,000 gross square feet of convention space
- 125,000 kWh used at the Convention Center
- 5,700 therms of natural gas
- 1,840,000 air passenger miles (using 56,120 gallons of kerosene)
- Driving 144,000 vehicle miles (using 2,060 gallons gasoline)
The emissions (carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide) generated by the attendees were offset by donations of clean power by an energy company that operates clean fuel cell power plants. In addition, the energy workshop itself contained dozens of sessions which advocated environmental responsibility and energy conservation. This initiative is in consonance with GSA’s efforts to be environmentally responsible in all its business practices. “Waste not, want not” was GSA’s philosophy for planning Energy 2004.
This innovative clean and green initiative was accomplished at no cost, and is easily replicated. GSA found a reputable nonprofit organization to certify that Energy 2004 qualified as a clean and green event. GSA then arranged for Fuel Cell Energy, Inc. to donate its own emission reductions in Nitrogen Oxide and Sulfur Dioxide, from electricity that the company generates at its clean-energy fuel cell plants. Each Kilowatt Hour generated by the company’s clean fuel cells was one less Kilowatt Hour that a coal-fired power plant had to generate.
The emissions generated by this 3-day conference were transferred to the Leonardo Academy’s Cleaner and Greener Program. Fuel Cell Energy, Inc. donated its emissions to the Leonardo Academy to offset Energy 2004’s emission. The cost to the government for creating this arrangement was negligible.
For more information, contact Mr. Brian K. Magden, GSA Regional Energy Coordinator, on 212-264-0591, or by email at brian.magden@gsa.gov.
