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It may be a small first step, but the National Park Service is hoping the new Energy SmartPARKS program will take the agency on a journey to turn the nation's parks a different shade of green - energy efficient green.
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will help the National Park Service showcase sustainable energy practices and fulfill its mission of environmental stewardship.
With equal amounts of initial "seed money" from DOI and DOE totaling $1 million for 2009, the Energy SmartPARKS program hopes to eventually draw private sector support to spark a green energy future in the United States. The agencies are hoping the program will help show park visitors how to live Earth in a smarter, more sustainable way.
"This partnership will deploy energy efficient and renewable energy technologies throughout the national park system," said Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne. "We have the power to not only improve conditions in the parks, but also demonstrate for the public the impacts and benefits of green energy innovations."
Echoing that sentiment was Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman, who said that the nation's parks have always been an important way for Americans to learn about the environment, and now they can learn about energy use as well.
"Our national parks are a showcase of this country's natural beauty and historical significance," bodman said. "With this agreement, we're ensuring that these parks are also models of energy efficiency and clean energy technologies."
The Energy SmartPARKS program will make positive, tangible advancements by greening the parks and by reducing energy costs and carbon emissions, added Mary A. Bomar, director of the National Park Service.
"This is a great way to demonstrate our environmental leadership as we approach the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016," she said.
On the ground, parks will use funding from Energy SmartPARKS to deploy cutting-edge technology as well as traditional solutions, including projects that retrofit lighting systems; purchase electric utility vehicles; install solar panel systems; upgrade meters and thermostats; replace windows and furnaces; study the feasibility of wind power; and conduct energy audits. Lessons learned from these projects can be used in other national parks and in the homes of every American.
The Energy SmartPARKS program will also develop new, and expand existing partnerships with the private, non-profit, and academic sectors. These partners may help raise funds, identify projects, find technological solutions, and educate the public.
Six National Park Service properties in the West are on the list for "green" energy projects to be started or completed in 2009.
They are:
The National Park Service is developing an Energy SmartPARKS website, in partnership with DOI and DOE, to showcase its commitment to a green energy future in America. Visit www.nps.gov/energy in the coming weeks for more information.
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will help the National Park Service showcase sustainable energy practices and fulfill its mission of environmental stewardship.
With equal amounts of initial "seed money" from DOI and DOE totaling $1 million for 2009, the Energy SmartPARKS program hopes to eventually draw private sector support to spark a green energy future in the United States. The agencies are hoping the program will help show park visitors how to live Earth in a smarter, more sustainable way.
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Echoing that sentiment was Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman, who said that the nation's parks have always been an important way for Americans to learn about the environment, and now they can learn about energy use as well.
"Our national parks are a showcase of this country's natural beauty and historical significance," bodman said. "With this agreement, we're ensuring that these parks are also models of energy efficiency and clean energy technologies."
The Energy SmartPARKS program will make positive, tangible advancements by greening the parks and by reducing energy costs and carbon emissions, added Mary A. Bomar, director of the National Park Service.
"This is a great way to demonstrate our environmental leadership as we approach the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016," she said.
 |
The Energy SmartPARKS program will also develop new, and expand existing partnerships with the private, non-profit, and academic sectors. These partners may help raise funds, identify projects, find technological solutions, and educate the public.
Six National Park Service properties in the West are on the list for "green" energy projects to be started or completed in 2009.
They are:
- Arizona / Tumacacori National Monument. Replace 25 old single pane windows in two park buildings with high efficiency windows.
- California / Cabrillo National Monument. Replace three large, single-pane, aluminumframed windows on west side of visitor center administration building with energy efficient dualpane, tinted windows.
- California / Mojave National Preserve. Install off-grid solar array system at Zzyzx Desert Studies Center.
- Hawaii / Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Analyze outdoor lighting around developed areas in the park, and designing/installing new replacement lights where they are needed.
- Kansas / Fort Larned National Historic Site. Replace and/or retrofit lighting in the park's visitor center, museum, administrative office and maintenance shop.
- Minnesota / Pipestone National Monument. Purchase an electric powered utility vehicle for the park's Resource Management Division.
The National Park Service is developing an Energy SmartPARKS website, in partnership with DOI and DOE, to showcase its commitment to a green energy future in America. Visit www.nps.gov/energy in the coming weeks for more information.
