Sept. 26, 2012 - The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) today announced the winners of the 2012 GreenGov Presidential Awards, honoring federal agency teams and individuals who are taking innovative approaches to curbing waste, reducing energy use and saving taxpayer money in federal agency operations. The GreenGov Presidential Awards celebrate extraordinary achievement in the pursuit of President Obama's Executive Order on Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance (Executive Order 13514). The awards highlight federal civilian and military personnel, and agency teams, facilities, and programs that exemplify President Obama's charge to lead by example. The award winners were honored by senior Administration officials at a White House ceremony on Monday.

The Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield was named in the Building the Future award category. It has incorporated sustainability into forward-thinking policies and daily operations, achieving significant, quantifiable accomplishments. The airfield has reduced water intensity, increased waste diversion, reduced energy intensity, and helped protect more than 28,000 acres of surrounding wildlife. These milestones have been accomplished through partnerships with local governments and communities, and an intensive outreach campaign.

"Reducing waste, curbing energy use and saving money through sustainability measures in Federal operations is good for our communities, and good for agencies' bottom lines," said Nancy Sutley, Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality. "The winners of the GreenGov Presidential Awards exemplify how the federal government is leading by example, and are demonstrating how smart energy and sustainability decisions reduce costs, curb pollution and improve working environments."

CEQ solicited nominations for the 2012 awards from the federal community. A panel of judges that included federal and local sustainability leaders reviewed the nominations and recommended the award finalists to the President.