Credit Unions Commit to Environmental Responsibility

�National Credit Union Administration Board Chairman Debbie Matz today reaffirmed the agencys commitment to environmental responsibility on the 44th observation of Earth Day. "One of our top priorities at NCUA is being a responsible corporate citizen," Matz said. "Our greeNCUA initiative has promoted greater energy efficiency, waste reduction, and other efforts to reduce our environmental footprint. We have made significant progress over the years, including our latest efforts to obtain the ENERGY STAR certification. We encourage credit unions to make the same commitment to incorporating greater environmental awareness into their daily operations." One example of the NCUAs environmental stewardship is energy efficiency. Matz said NCUA is currently awaiting ENERGY STAR certification for its central office in Alexandria, Va. ENERGY STAR is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency voluntary program promoting energy efficiency. NCUAs headquarters met all four criteria necessary for certification: energy performance, thermal comfort, indoor air quality, and illumination levels. With an ENERGY STAR Performance Rating of 86 on a scale of one to 100, NCUA exceeds government standards. The General Services Administration requires federal agencies leasing space outside a GSA-owned property to be in a building with an ENERGY STAR Performance Rating of at least 75. On Earth Day this year, NCUA employees are participating in a recycling event to reduce electronic waste. The agency also provides a series of useful employee bulletins with information and encouragement to adopt various green habits, including bicycling to work and growing plants in their offices. Matz said NCUA continues to move from paper to electronic communications wherever possible. In the last year, the use of electronic communications has saved countless sheets of paper and greatly reduced environmental costs for mail delivery.