Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued its first Sustainability Plan, which includes agency actions to increase energy efficiency and to reduce its overall environmental footprint. The Plan is in response to President Obama's promise to "green" the Federal workplace via Executive Order 13514. The plan is now available at www.opm.gov/strategicplan/OPM_SSPP.pdf.

"OPM is tasked with recruiting, retaining, and honoring a world-class workforce for the American people," said Director John Berry. "There is no better way to honor government employees and all Americans than to ensure their communities are healthy and their resources are used wisely."

The vision of OPM's Sustainability Plan is for all of its business operations to be conducted with the least environmental impact possible. To make this a reality, OPM has set a goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020. Saving energy will also help OPM save money. Current initiatives that will aid OPM in achieving this goal include:

• Promoting flexible work arrangements that will lead to reduced building energy use and vehicle emissions;
• Providing all OPM employees with sustainability awareness training, which will include behavioral strategies to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption;
• Including basic recycling, energy conservation, and driving efficiency information during new employee orientation;
• Working with the Department of the Interior and the General Services Administration to begin a local farmer's market and community gardens.

"Environmental and financial sustainability are inherently linked," said OPM Senior Sustainability Officer Tina McGuire. "We don't have money or natural resources to waste, and the more efficient we can be, the more resources will be available for ourselves and future generations to live more prosperous, fulfilling, and enjoyable lives."