Save Award 2010 Ideas

When most agencies went to a Compressed Work Schedule (CWS), Friday's are not very productive (almost a ghost town). If all Federal agencies would go to a 4-10 work week the following savings could be realized: (1) heating/cooling and energy reduction of Federal buildings; (2) reduced maintenance costs of Federal buildings; and (3) less wear and of Federal, State and local highways.

In addition to the cost savings to... more »

LED-tubes are direct replacements for fluorescent tubes, but do not need ballasts. Thus, LED-tubes can be used in existing fluorescent fixtures (once ballasts are removed), and save about 75% electricity compared to the fluorescent tubes. There are numerous manufacturers, the LED-tubes have 4-6 times longer lifespan than fluorescent, and contain no mercury. The only downsides are: the upfront cost, which is substantially... more »

Encourage or require all federal employees to turn off all unnecessary lights, computer monitors, copiers, and printers when leaving at night.

Everything is relative. I suggest we provide relative comfort when setting thermostats for heating and cooling. If it's 100 degrees outside, then an A/C setting of 75 or 80 provides plenty of comfort. At 68 or even 70, that's too cold - and makes us want to put on a sweater in summer. In the winter, if the outside temperature is well below freezing, then a thermostat setting of 55 or 60 will feel plenty warm. If it's... more »

I suggest you...save several billion of dollars per year by Using Existing Social Security Offices to Administer New Health Care Plan:
In order to administer the new health care plan established by Congress, the government will have to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to set up a service network. It can take GSA 2 to 3 years to build out new office space. I suggest that we use the 1200 or so field offices already... more »

Shop at CostCo. Everything, including gasoline, is cheaper.

At DOI, during the Clinton Administration, we had a summer business casual and year round Friday business casual dress policy. Re-instituting such a policy government-wide could have significant energy savings as well as environmental benefits (less dry cleaning, less use of fossil fuels). I see my colleagues wearing formal business suits and setting their window units to 60 degrees to compensate for poor ventilation.... more »

I suggest you...make the day after Thanksgiving a federal holiday for all federal employees. Including the Friday after Thanksgiving, as part of the Thanksgiving holiday, will reduce the amount of money spent for utilities, guard services, janitorial and other support services. Some federal government entities provide services directly to the public and usually work with a "skeleton crew" the day after Thanksgiving.... more »

I suggest you...save money and conserve energy by using less lights in all government buildings during the daylight hours. Most government facilities have motion detectors for offices and hallways that only power down the lights when there is no movement detected, however, just becuase someone is physically present in an office building doesnt mean their location requires the use of overhead lighting. Most buildings... more »

Implement a 4 day work week every other week but maintain 40 hours per week and close offices one day per every other week to save energy in supporting operations as well as reduce gas consumption of employees going to work by 10% every two weeks.

Imagine the energy and cost savings if you moderated the temperature in federal facilities. Here at the USPTO, most people sit wrapped in blankets, shawls and jackets all summer long, because the air conditioning is SO COLD! By setting the air conditioning 5-10 degrees higher, you would not only see a huge cost and energy savings, but employees would be more comfortable and productive.

Allow employees to work 10-12 hour shifts. This will solve the difficulties of coverage, save gasoline, empower the employee to have an additional day off, and reduce time taken for attendance at weekday appointments outside the VA (i.e. doctors, dentists apts.). Not all employees need be on the same schedule, in other words, it is not necessary to close down the facility for that fifth day. However, more work would get... more »

I suggest you...Many other federal and state employers have now instituted ten hour work days to save on energy for the individual (20% savings on fuel) and allow employees a free weekday to schedule needed appointments outside of work without using sick leave. This would not mean the station closes that fifth day, only that not all workers are at all stations every work day. Energy in the offices would be saved as lighting,... more »

Install LED street lanterns along DOT infrastructure with motion detectors (i.e. shutting off street lights at night if there is no traffic on the road)

Use photocells or proximity sensors on escalators in all government facilities to save energy and reduce maintenance costs.