The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) honored federal energy champions selected for recognition on October 17, 2024, in Washington, D.C.
Honorees were selected by agency leaders and peers as federal champions who are working hard to implement exceptional resilient, efficient, and secure energy and water management practices and projects, while also helping their agencies to achieve mission success.
Congratulations to the 2024 FEDS Spotlight honorees!
Innovator | Individual | Tyler Cooper
Tyler Cooper has led the planning and development of the first-of-its-kind major national deep energy retrofit energy savings performance contract (ESPC) that will encompass the whole Denver Federal Center. This initiative impacts 21 buildings, adding an additional 12 megawatts of photovoltaics, modernizing infrastructure with emerging technologies and building a centralized geothermal plant to heat and cool almost all buildings on the campus. This project plan will reduce grid-supplied energy by 75%.
Professional Achievement | Individual | JD Dennis
JD Dennis has had an outstanding career and service in sustainable project development and strong collaboration efforts to assist General Service Administration regions in obligating the $700 million in Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) investments. He's managed historic investments in facility infrastructure, efficiency, and sustainability made possible by the IRA. Since Dennis took the helm of the $3.375 billion IRA program, his work ethic, team leadership, and meticulous attention to detail have been extraordinary. In a short time frame, Dennis and his team have produced dozens of detailed policies, standard operating procedures, reports, and analytical tools that provide the backbone of the highly complex and ambitious IRA investment program.
Professional Achievement | Individual | Jennifer Hawes
Jennifer Hawes has led an intragovernmental team focused on environmental procurement to develop a proposed rule regarding sustainable procurement that will update the Federal Acquisition Regulation. The rule was successfully published on August 3, 2023, by the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council in the Federal Register. This effort will have a long-term effect in many areas, including net-zero planning, smart federal facilities, performance contracting, and, chiefly, sustainable procurement and project development. Hawes went above and beyond to get the proposed rule drafted and passed through numerous reviews by multiple federal agencies before it was published.
Professional Achievement | Team of Two | Manuel (Manny) Docurro and Rafael Salas
Manny Docurro and Rafael Salas's professionalism, leadership, and coordination resulted in the successful completion of the design and implementation period of NASA Kennedy Space Center's (KSC's) most complex energy savings performance contract to date. Docurro and Salas tirelessly led the construction management and project management of the KSC Utility Energy Service Contract (UESC) Phase 1. With a $19.5 million investment value, this project bundled diverse energy conservation measures to provide annual energy and maintenance savings of $1.4 million, add electrical power resilience, increase efficiency, and enhance energy security across 22 facilities by upgrading critical equipment past its useful life. Their efforts significantly contributed to KSC's goals for net-zero buildings operations and carbon-pollution-free energy by enabling water savings of 2.3 million gallons per year and energy savings of 28.3 billion British thermal units per year, including generating nearly 3,000 megawatt-hours per year of clean energy for KSC.
Innovator | Individual | Chris Wilson
Chris Wilson, a general engineer in the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Facilities Division, is piloting the use of new technology coupled with best practices in laboratory sustainability design. During the past year, he championed the deployment of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling on a $50 million laboratory design project to optimize ventilation placement within lab spaces. The impact of CFD used in the design iteration process both validated and improved the effectiveness and efficiency of the lab ventilation design. The process improved vent placement and reduced excessive cooling (saving costs and energy during the summer months) while also improving air change effectiveness, especially during the winter months (maintaining safety). This was an energy and safety win-win that has led ARS to pursue greater adoption of CFD as a tool in its design processes.
Innovator | Individual | John Palmer
John Palmer, energy manager at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), implements change from the bottom up. In less than two years at NIST, he opened a dialogue with other federal agencies about collaboration efforts for conservation and sustainability on NIST's joint campus in Boulder, Colorado. Within NIST, Palmer was a cofounder of GreenNISTers, a group striving to implement energy and sustainability efforts within the scientific community. This grassroots effort has blossomed to over 85 individuals in less than a year. Palmer is also collaborating with the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Green Lab program and pursuing energy savings performance contract opportunities at NIST campuses.
Innovator | Team of Two | Christine Smith and Alyssa Fullerton
Christine Smith and Alyssa Fullerton have embodied innovative leadership by pursuing new pathways to achieve net-zero emissions and enhance climate resilience at two climate research facilities in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration portfolio, the Mauna Loa and American Samoa Atmospheric Baseline Observatories. Both facilities are situated in remote locations susceptible to power interruptions, and both facilities conduct critical climate measurements that inform global climate knowledge and policy. Identifying an urgent need for enhanced resilience at these facilities, Smith and Fullerton coordinated with experts at National Renewable Energy Laboratory and partnered with the Department of Commerce's Office of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Programs to develop grant nominations for DOE's Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies Program.
Professional Achievement | Individual | Kirk Phillips
Kirk Phillips, director of the Air Force Office of Energy Assurance (AF OEA), has developed a unique governance model for a planning-to-execution project pipeline, merging two energy organizations into a cohesive team focused on achieving Department of the Air Force energy objectives and accelerating project timelines. In fiscal year (FY) 2023, AF OEA exceeded goals by providing 56 mitigating energy plans to priority installations, addressing twice the gaps per installation compared to FY 2022, and pioneering a first-of-its-kind pairing of funding from the Energy Resilience Conservation and Investment Program (ERCIP) with an energy savings performance contract (ESPC) and a utility energy service contract (UESC) on two projects worth $98 million. In addition to these efforts, Phillips led a response team to Anderson Air Force Base in the wake of Typhoon Mawar to develop energy resilience projects and requested a $1 billion in congressional funding to ensure mission assurance in the U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) theater.
Phillips also created an innovation cell that initiated a multifuel generator prototype capable of running on natural gas, ammonia, and hydrogen, eliminating the need for costly equipment replacements. The innovation cell's strategies have accelerated project execution, reduced federal spending, and mitigated up-front costs through innovative third-party financing mechanisms, including the Finance First and Energy-as-a-Service prototype business models.
Professional Achievement | Individual | Seema Aziz
In her role as installation energy policy and programs analyst, Seema Aziz is spearheading a transformational technical initiative to transform the Department of the Air Force's (DAF's) nontactical vehicle fleet. She pioneered a novel charging-as-a-service model to accelerate the transition, funding more than $16 million in prototype contracts. Aziz is also spearheading a $100 million water project at Mountain Home Air Force Base with state of Idaho partners to secure surface water for critical missions at the base and preserve a declining aquifer, ensuring groundwater access for the region. Her achievements also include executing $640 million in energy projects and distributing $31 million in Resilient Energy Savings Resource Vault funds, which are enhancing DAF resilience.
Professional Achievement | Individual | Michael Zapata
As division chief for energy program execution at the Air Force Office of Energy Assurance, Michael Zapata oversees a $2 billion portfolio of energy projects, including ERCIP-, UESC-, ESPC-, and Energy-Sustainment-funded initiatives across all Air and Space Force installations. With 36 years of experience, Zapata has supervised engineering support for 21 ESPC and 3 UESC projects valued at more than $1 billion, ensuring energy resilience for critical mission capabilities. Zapata's leadership, innovative solutions, and management of millions in energy and water projects have significantly enhanced the energy resilience and sustainability of Air and Space Force installations, ensuring mission readiness.
Professional Achievement | Individual | Rodrigo Villarroel Walker
Rodrigo Villarroel Walker manages programs critical to the Army energy portfolio, including the Army Energy and Water Reporting System and the Army Annual Energy Performance and Resilience Report, while serving as general engineer for the Department of the Army. His efforts include developing enterprise wide guidance and implementing training tools that enable army energy managers to successfully respond to and comply with the Army Climate Strategy. Walker also collaborates with key stakeholders across agencies to improve critical data collection processes that support Department of Defense and congressional mandates. Leveraging his prior energy management experience, Walker advocates for energy managers, fosters peer engagement, and tears down barriers to advance installation resilience.
Innovator | Individual | Craig Shumate
Craig Shumate serves as the program manager for the Energy Resilience Conservation Investment Program (ERCIP) in the Headquarters U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. For the past four years, Shumate has provided exceptional program management and oversight for all Army ERCIP projects, from planning and design development through construction completion. Shumate leveraged his experience in managing military construction projects to establish and implement several processes, which led to significant improvement in the ERCIP. His effort consists of cross-service collaboration to install advanced planning procedures and change management techniques with proven success. Shumate exceled in managing competing program requirements and challenges to ensure the Army maintains a superior record of project execution.
Professional Achievement | Individual | Mark Smith
Mark Smith is an Energy and Utilities Engineer with the Army Materiel Command, Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM) Sustainment Directorate located at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama. In the last 33 years Smith has played a key role in guiding 32 Army Installations with the development and execution of their ERCIP and Resilient Energy Funding for Readiness Modernization Program. Smith has actively engaged in supporting Sustainment Directorate installations with performance contracting execution, including energy savings performance contracts and utility energy savings contracts. Smith's leadership has assisted IMCOM headquarters with defining metrics, analyzing data, and the prioritization of all Army energy program project submissions.
Professional Achievement | Individual | Roman Benitez
Roman V. Benitez serves as the deputy director for Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton's Facilities Operations branch. Currently, Benitez is also the acting installation energy manager. In his dual role, he has been instrumental in fostering a base wide commitment to long-term energy resilience and has provided outstanding leadership by moving the needle on several long-term projects. Benetiz has been a key factor in facilitation and collaboration with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). Upon completion, the DIU project will provide charging for government and privately owned vehicles and includes the installation of 46 level 2 charging stations and necessary electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure upgrades. Marines, sailors, families, and civilians who work and live at Camp Pendleton will be able to charge personally owned EVs and government EVs simultaneously.
Future Leader | Individual | Amra Brightbill
Amra Brightbill has made significant progress on several collaborative efforts to improve Marine Corps Base Hawaii's (MCBH's) energy resilience during her first year as installation energy manager. An enhanced use lease effort, in concert with the local utility, will provide energy resilience to MCBH in times of utility grid outage and/or power quality events while providing renewable energy and climate benefits. Brightbill also has championed EVs and supporting equipment, helping drive EV charging station projects forward and speed up fleet electrification efforts. With dedication and adaptive thinking, Brightbill exhibits the necessary characteristics and skills to help push energy resilience efforts forward for MCBH and the U.S. Marine Corps.
Professional Achievement | Individual | Hunho Kim
As the Marine Corps Base Quantico Utility Energy Management Section Head, Hunho Kim has provided outstanding leadership to improve the base's energy resilience, reduce energy consumption, and provide more sustainable facility infrastructure. Kim has worked tirelessly over the past several years to execute a complex $24 million utility energy service contract, which was completed in September 2023. The project provides 3.2 megawatts of new on-site generation, repairs and upgrades to existing advanced metering infrastructure, retrocommissioning, lighting and water conservation upgrades, and operations and maintenance support for demand management and resilience activities. Additionally, Kim has demonstrated consistent commitment to numerous ongoing efforts and pilots that bring multiple internal and external stakeholders and U.S. Marine Corps leadership together to work to solve installation energy and water challenges.
Professional Achievement | Individual | M. Nikki Hunt
On behalf of Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Nikki Hunt and, the Navy Real Estate Contracting Team has successfully negotiated and awarded an enhanced use lease (EUL) at CNIC, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii - Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam (JBPHH), potentially valued at over $1.2 billion. JBPHH will receive significant in-kind consideration investments to mitigate energy security gaps identified and analyzed in the JBPHH Installation Energy Program Summary.
Through the Navy's Shore Type Command (TYCOM) energy project selection process (EPSP), the JBPHH EUL will mitigate aging energy and utility systems while enhancing critical infrastructure at JBPHH in exchange for land use by Ameresco, which recently developed, owns, and is now operating 42 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaics and 168 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery energy storage systems (BESS) through subject EUL at West Loch Annex (site 6). Future EUL investments are planned for a 100-MW firm generation plant at JBPHH (site 2) and a 6-MW solar PV and 30-MWh BESS (site 5).
Professional Achievement | Individual | Janice Torres
On behalf of CNIC - Commander, Janice Torres and Navy Region Southwest (CNRSW) continues to advance electrification efforts in coordination with CNIC, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southwest, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), and the California Energy Commission, including implementing electric vehicle support equipment (EVSE) aligned to CNIC's 2019 EV Workplace Charging Policy in support of privately owned and government-owned vehicles. Specifically, Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) served as the location for the first Navy/CNIC DIU EVSE pilot, developed, funded, and contracted in 2021 by CNIC N4 Energy to study the impacts of energy, utilities, transportation, cybersecurity/authority to operate (ATO), billing, and sustainability.
In July 2024, the Navy-DIU pilot was commissioned at NBSD with 14 level 2 and level 3 charging systems, including energy management and billing systems. By leveraging DIUs contracting authority, the Navy's Shore TYCOM (CNIC) will expand this pilot globally to standardize the Navy's EVSE implementation within a cybersecure/ATO and sustainable framework. These efforts (and other efforts) will help the Navy transition to electric transportation fleets while also ensuring all employees with EVs are fully supported across all Navy installations and regions.
Innovator | Individual | Christina Lehn
On behalf of CNIC and CNRSW, Christina Lehn from Naval Air Station Lemoore has become the Navy's energy innovation champion through her involvement in the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) Treasure Hunt, which involved in-depth coordination and identification of targeted facilities using the Navy's Shore TYCOM Installation Energy Program Summary (IEPS) and the IEPS Tool suite. She developed a 40-person team with installation and industry experts working to reduce energy consumption and identify energy efficiencies. This effort focused on energy-related training on plug loads; lighting; energy audits; compressed air; water assessments; thermography; building envelope; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning; and building automation systems related to FEMP's operations and maintenance best practices. These efforts have identified future submissions for CNIC's EPSP with annual Navy Shore TYCOM (CNIC) IEPS submissions with anticipated savings of $1 million annually.
Additionally, Lehn recognized a significant opportunity to develop a real estate EUL to utilize 11,000 acres of existing leased agricultural land, working to enhance energy, water, and resilience IEPS metrics and closing critical energy security gaps. Active cultivation of these lands has been monumental in reducing bird air strike hazard safety risks and promoting operational mission assurance. Furthermore, she leads all EVSE planning and workplace charging infrastructure to align to CNIC's 2019 EV Workplace Charging Policy and promotes energy awareness training with the local community targeting youth ages 6–12.
Professional Achievement | Individual | Lisa Saurborn
Lisa Saurborn, general engineer and sustainable building advocate, has been involved in planning several high-profile projects for the Department of Energy (DOE). She is working on a design for the Grand Junction Field Support Center project that includes Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for the sustainable repair of the building. Saurborn was instrumental in the effort to secure an Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies funding grant for a feasibility study that includes advanced deep energy retrofits, building automation systems, geothermal heat pumps, electrification, on-site renewable energy, LED lighting, and water conservation. The project encompasses installation of solar panels, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and new electric heat pumps to replace gas-powered units.
Future Leader | Individual | Jade Silver
In her first year as a federal employee at DOE, Jade Silver has become a critical piece of DOE's progress toward meeting Executive Order (EO) 14057's ambitious goal to achieve 100% zero-emission light-duty vehicle acquisitions by 2027. Through Silver's leadership and collaborative relationships with DOE program offices, the department has issued a formal memorandum to promote zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) acquisitions and the installation of electric vehicle supply equipment across the complex, as well as a memorandum promoting sustainable practices for official travel. Apart from her ZEV portfolio, Silver also manages the outreach program for the Sustainability Performance Office, including the 2024 Sustainability Summit, an internal meeting to share best practices and discuss challenges to achieve sustainability goals.
Professional Achievement | Individual | Johnny Moore
Johnny Moore of the DOE Oak Ridge Site Office led the development of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between DOE and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a separately organized agency within the DOE, and the Tennessee Valley Authority to meet the targets set out in the Carbon-Pollution-Free Electricity requirements of EO 14057. The MOU was signed in December 2023. Moore is also leading the development of the roadmap for electric power needs for DOE and NNSA's federal facilities located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Innovator | Team of Two | Richard Dandasan and Jonathan McNamara
Richard Dandasan and Jonathan McNamara of the Portland Area Indian Health Service (IHS) worked to implement the first-in-the-nation agreement with local Tribal utility Yakama Power to supply renewable solar energy to its healthcare facilities. The duo worked closely with Yakama Power management and the Department of Energy to finalize the contract in December 2023.
This agreement marks the first time a federal agency has contracted to purchase renewable solar energy directly from a tribal utility. The agreement's scope covers roughly 30% of the Yakama Power solar farm (72.2 kilowatts). It is estimated to generate 1,810 megawatts of clean energy for IHS over the 20-year agreement, which equals nearly 7% of the IHS Yakama Service Unit's annual energy consumption. This agreement took persistence, outside-the-box thinking, interagency cooperation, and local and leadership support.
Innovator | Individual| Charles Schaeffer VI
The Kansas City Human and Animal Food Laboratory's Total Diet Study ships and receives several large coolers filled with food samples every month to laboratories in other states. Traditionally, these samples have been shipped with plastic bubble wrap for protection during transit. Charles Schaeffer, laboratory support assistant, reviewed a video clip for paper substitute packing material that expands like an accordion. Schaeffer researched the product and determined it was suitable for a green alternative to the bubble wrap. The material is more efficient, easier to use, and costs much less. In addition, standard curbside recycling services cannot recycle film plastics such as bubble wrap, which can take up to 1,000 years to degrade in a landfill. Conversely, the paper rolls are made from 100% recycled material and can easily be recycled or composted. It is small solutions such as this one that add up to make a big difference, and Schaeffer is working to increase the use of this material in other facilities throughout the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Professional Achievement | Individual | Elizabeth (Beth) Koprowski
Elizabeth Koprowski has served as the environmental program manager under the Occupational Safety and Environmental Programs (OSEP) Unit within the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Headquarters for more than 10 years and, more recently, as OSEP's assistant unit chief.
Beth currently provides headquarters-level support for several ongoing efforts to further reduce emissions, including plans to initiate operations of five new on-site solar photovoltaic arrays in Fiscal Year 2025–2026 totaling 1.7 megawatts. Koprowski was also involved with efforts leading to reductions in energy use intensity (EUI) at the FBI, which achieved a 16% decrease in EUI across its portfolio of facilities under her direction.
Professional Achievement | Individual | Edward Mead
Edward Mead led key actions related to the FBI's pursuit of decarbonization and resilience requirements under EO 14057 in the past year. Mead developed an approach to ongoing commissioning of FBI buildings, initiating a Tiger Team of FBI engineers and facility managers involved with commissioning and recommissioning to develop standards for ongoing commissioning to maintain building compliance with the Guiding Principles for High Performance and Sustainable Buildings, continually improve energy performance, and reduce GHG emissions. Through the work of the Tiger Team, the FBI is enrolling a number of engineers in the Army Corps of Engineers Construction Engineering Research Laboratory training for existing building commissioning. Mead is also serving as the project liaison for a potential utility energy services contract with Dominion Energy to pursue infrastructure projects for the campus, decarbonization, and energy resilience measures. The measures will reduce the FBI's on-site emissions while also improving resilience, potentially incorporate on-site renewable energy, and further both the Department of Justice's and FBI's progress in meeting EO 14057 requirements.
Professional Achievement | Individual | Edward Miller
Edward Miller is the most consistent and involved member of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) team. He maintains the bureau energy tracker and has a complete handle on the ATF's energy needs and consumption. Miller has worked very hard to keep up with the reports and provides valuable input for the annual reports and strategic plans. Miller has numerous good ideas for projects that would reduce energy consumption. He is the key player on the ATF team, which considers his efforts indispensable.
Professional Achievement | Team of Two | Michael Scarpino and Heather Richardson
The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation was established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Under the leadership of Michael Scarpino and Heather Richardson, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe) has provided extensive technical and programmatic support to the joint office. Volpe has supported the joint office in working with federal, state, and local officials, as well as private industry, to plan and promote a convenient, reliable, affordable, and equitable national electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure charging network. Volpe developed and released Charging Forward: A Toolkit for Planning and Funding Urban Electric Mobility Infrastructure. The toolkit serves as a one-stop resource to help urban communities scope, plan, and identify ways to fund EV charging infrastructure, and complements the Rural Electric Mobility Toolkit, which was updated in 2023. Volpe also developed a series of briefings for joint office leadership on various EV charging solutions for multifamily housing residents.
Future Leader | Individual | Ramya Tella
Since joining DOT in June 2022, Ramya Tella has made an immediate and lasting impact on the agency's Sustainability Program. Tella has been instrumental in establishing the first-ever departmentwide International Organization for Standardization 50001 Energy Management System Program. Her dedication and leadership to implement a structured energy improvement program that leads to deeper and sustained savings will serve as the foundation for future energy successes for many years at the department. Additionally, Tella created a novel dashboard that integrates detailed acquisition and public greenhouse gas emission disclosure data for program managers. The pairing of disparate data systems has created a "picture" of DOT vendors that provide mission-critical services while monitoring their environmental footprint. By doing business with these vendors, the department is taking steps to secure its supply chain and ensure it continues to provide a safe, secure, and efficient transportation system into the future.
Innovator | Individual | Kenyon Dupre
Kenyon Dupre led a team of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) staff in completing International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 50001 Cohort training at nine Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) facilities. Training took place over a seven-month period of instruction that included monthly field work, with an additional three months to meet the requirements of certification. This program has added to the successes of data-driven planning and development of local VA energy programs and has enhanced the use of the VA's recently installed iPerformance data analytics. Dupre has also presented with the Department of Energy on the use of ISO 50001 and the VA MidSouth Healthcare Network successes to prospective sites wanting to complete the ISO 50001 training and earn the certification.
Professional Achievement | Team of Two | Chris Albright and Rick McKittrick
For decades, Rick McKittrick and Chris Albright have been stalwart champions of sustainability in the Federal government and have contributed substantially to the VA's success in reducing its environmental impact through energy and water efficiency and fleet operations.
For the past 39 years, at both the Department of Defense and the VA, McKittrick has worked to improve mission delivery and quality of life for airmen, soldiers, and veterans by making federal facilities more resilient and energy efficient. As the Energy Manager for VISN 19 within the Veterans Health Administration, and now at the Healthcare Environment and Facilities Program national office, McKittrick has spearheaded programs such as ISO 50001 Ready for eight VA medical centers, as well as the award of seven energy savings performance contracts, to lower the energy and water impact of federal operations. This year, McKittrick has been instrumental in assisting the VA in the development of electrification plans and the implementation of broad-reaching energy and water management policies.
Albright has worked at the VA for 33 years, including the Healthcare Environment and Facilities Program, where he has been a program lead since 2008. He's implemented VA policies and assisted the VA's Energy, Environment, and Fleet Program Service in pursuing VA's many sustainability goals. More recently, he has taken the reins of the Veterans Health Administration fleet program, focusing on the transition to zero-emission vehicles and the necessary charging infrastructure to support an electrified fleet.
Future Leader | Individual | Allison Thompson
Allison Thompson has dramatically impacted federal sustainable purchasing practices to reduce energy, health, and materials impacts. She led the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) work on building operations for food and cafeteria services that reduce the energy and greenhouse gas emissions associated with food packaging. Her work with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to update their Subsistence Prime Vendor contract prioritized reusable food service ware and climate-friendly food procurement across 171 VA medical centers, 160 Veterans Canteen Service Operations, and more than 135 other government agency facilities. She also led the assessment of food service ware standards and ecolabels for potential inclusion in the EPA's Recommendation of Specification, Standards, and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing.
Additionally, Thompson leads a new EPA Pollution Prevention grantee community of practice for reducing single-use plastic and per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances in food ware and packaging linked to cancers, impacts to the liver and heart, and immune and developmental damage to infants and children.
Innovator | Team of Two | Shawn Wood and Luna Oiwa
This dynamic EPA team is leading the charge to reduce climate, energy, and environmental impacts by advancing building deconstruction and reuse research, policy, and outreach. As advances in operational carbon and renewable energy grow, cutting embodied carbon is the key to net-zero buildings. The team has worked with federal, state, and local colleagues; academia, businesses, and nonprofits to advance safe salvage and reuse. Reuse can directly reduce new materials production and transportation life cycle impacts.
Wood and Oiwa developed the solicitation language, guidance, and training on salvaged materials for EPA's $250 million Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials grant program, resulting in nearly $30 million in grant selections for groundbreaking building material reuse embodied carbon projects. This team serves as a federal catalyst for net-zero buildings by reducing built environment embodied carbon.