Sustainability

Overview

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) strives to protect, sustain, and improve the natural and man-made environment of our Nation, and is committed to compliance with applicable environmental and energy statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders.  Sustainability in SWD will support the Army and the nation in achieving our energy security and our goals will reduce energy dependence, increase energy efficiency and adopt renewable and alternative energy sources.

Mission

The mission of USACE is to provide vital public engineering services in peace and war to strengthen our Nation’s security, energize the economy, and reduce risks from disasters.  In achieving this mission, the USACE must contribute to the national welfare and serve the public by providing quality and responsive services to the Nation, the Army, and other customers in a manner that is environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable, and that focuses on public safety and collaborative partnerships. Our central goals in SWD are to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, potable water consumption, and the vehicle fleet without significantly impacting overall mission standards.

Consistent with this mission, SWD supports US Army Corps of Engineers, “Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan FY 2011 - FY 2020" dated June 3, 2011 and the 10 Goals approved by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and White House Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ).

Actions

SWD is improving energy efficiencies at our projects by using hybrid vehicles, native vegetation, geothermal in lieu of traditional HVAC, wind turbines, and more efficient pumps to meet our sustainability goals.