GovEnergy 2008

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The Premier Energy Training Workshop and Exposition for Federal Agencies!

"Greening" the Meeting in 2008


Emissions Reduction Credits

For the sixth year running, GovEnergy has plans to obtained emissions credits to offset the environmental impact of its energy conference.

Green electricity produced by the highly efficient power plants counterbalances pollution that would be created by generating the same amount of electricity by traditional means. For this year's show in Phoenix, emission credits will offset over 6,700 pounds of sulfur dioxide (1,060 percent); 2,373 pounds of nitrogen oxides (100 percent); over 960 tons of carbon dioxide (100 percent); and more than 23 times the mercury pollution to be discharged into the atmosphere from energy related to the conference, including utilities, travel, meals, lodging, and other show-related activities.

Emissions reduction credits (ERCs) are created through the use of cleaner fuels, highly efficient power generation systems and increased application of renewable energy sources – thus offsetting pollution created by power generation elsewhere.  By creating a market for the credits, experts predict ERC trading will help foster development of cleaner, more efficient technologies and reduce environmental pollution.

Blocks of ERCs may also be prohibited from additional buying and selling (and thus "retired" from trading).  Removing them from the market in this manner effectively reduces the amount of pollution discharged into the atmosphere by halting their ability to be used further as offsets. 

With one of the largest crowds ever expected for this year's show, the GovEnergy planning team decided to set aggressive emissions offset goals similar to previous events.  Its first zero-emission event, held in Rochester NY, won the Government Services Administration (GSA) Best Practice Award for Sustainable Development.  It also earned the 2005 GSA Achievement Award for Real Property Innovation for the way it achieved its low environmental impact.

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Additional Ways We are "Greening" This Year's Event


In addition to receiving emissions reduction credits, here are additional ways we are "greening" this year's event:

  • Encouraging our attendees to register on-line;
  • Selecting a city that offers low-cost, frequent transportation between the hotels and airport;
  • Encouraging arriving passengers to share rides;
  • Selecting hotels close to the conference center, so you don't have to travel to get to your training sessions;
  • Utilizing green housekeeping principles (e.g., signage that encourages guests to re-use towels and permit housekeepers to change bed linens less often);
  • Using e-mail to confirm registrations;
  • Using our govenergy.gov website for updates;
  • Offering exhibitors the option to use a paperless system to track leads;
  • Requiring the convention center to minimize use of disposable cups, plates, and condiments;
  • Not setting water glasses at meals if we are already serving a cold beverage (water is always available by request);
  • Analyzing prior years' meal functions to better estimate food requirements;
  • Asking attendees if guests will be attending the closing luncheon to better estimate our food requirements

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