Still Time to Contribute to a GreenGov

President Obama signed an executive order earlier this month instructing all federal agencies to develop plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by year 2020. The Department of Homeland Security is already a leader in this area, thanks in part to our Efficiency Review that Secretary Napolitano launched in March to make the Department a leaner, smarter agency better equipped to protect the nation.

As part of the Efficiency Review, the Department is already taking important steps to build a green culture. For example, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is configuring its computers to automatically shut down or stand by when they are not being used. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will use solar power to reduce energy usage at its new border patrol station in El Paso. And the new Coast Guard headquarters will be LEED-certified and incorporate a number of innovative, environmentally friendly design features.

There's no doubt there are many more ideas out there.

The President's GreenGov Challenge is a great way to help us find and implement them - at the Department of Homeland Security and across the federal government. Please visit www.WhiteHouse.gov/GreenGov to submit your ideas or vote on the most promising submissions by this Saturday, October 31st. Your voice will make a major difference in creating a more efficient and sustainable federal government.

Chris Cummiskey
Chief of Staff, Management Directorate