About
The Department of the Interior (DOI) issued the Sustainable Buildings Implementation Plan (DOI SBIP) in response to federal executive orders. In response, the National Park Service (NPS) developed the NPS Sustainable Implementation Plan (NPS SBIP) to improve the agency's policy and practice in the following five areas:
- Design and construction of buildings (new and renovated)
- Operations and maintenance of existing buildings
- Leasing practices for buildings
- Concessionaire operations and management of buildings
- Disposition of unneeded buildings
NPS Sustainable Buildings Implementation Plan (SBIP)
The NPS SBIP states that all new construction and major renovation of bureau buildings must comply with the Guiding Principles for Federal Leadership in High Performance and Sustainable Buildings, as set forth in the 2006 Federal Leadership in High Performance and Sustainable Buildings Memorandum of Understanding.
The NPS SBIP builds upon work that many parks have been involved in over the years to ensure their buildings are more sustainable - including the use of USGBC Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria to track and document the sustainability of their buildings. As of January 2014, 80 park buildings have achieved various levels of LEED certification.
Through implementation of the NPS SBIP, the NPS will achieve greater energy efficiency, reduce the consumption of natural resources, provide healthier buildings and workplaces, and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Additionally, to further demonstrate agency leadership in sustainability, the NPS will seek to incorporate the applicable Guiding Principles (GPs) in all projects of any size, including non-building projects.
Guiding Principles (GPs)
GPs represent an agreed upon set of sustainable buildings guidance between all Executive Branch Departments, including DOI. The five major categories of the GPs are:
- Employ integrated design principles
- Optimize energy performance
- Protect and conserve water
- Enhance indoor environmental quality
- Reduce environmental impact of materials
As of January 2014, 71 NPS buildings meet the GPs - of which 51 are greater than 5.000 square feet. An additional 122 buildings are considered as sustainable as possible, as they have met a minimal environmental impact standard.
Last updated: September 24, 2015