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ALEXANDRIA, Va. (April 22, 2016) – The National Credit Union Administration marked a year of numerous environmental accomplishments on Earth Day 2016, and Board Chairman Debbie Matz expressed confidence responsible environmental practices will remain part of the agency’s culture.

“One of NCUA’s goals is to be a good corporate citizen, and we make continuous efforts to reduce energy use and increase recycling,” Matz said. “This is part of our agency culture, exemplified by the greeNCUA initiative. It’s part of our annual performance plan, and I know that NCUA will keep making strides towards greater efficiency and reducing our environmental footprint.”

NCUA’s efforts to practice environmental stewardship in the past year included:

• Achieving the LEED Gold certification from the Green Building Institute for the agency’s central office;
• Recertification of the central office by Environmental Protection Agency with an Energy Star rating of 78 out of a possible 100 points;
• Implementation of energy-saving measures in the agency’s regional offices, including installation of more efficient lighting, heating and air conditioning, and other equipment; and
• Leasing laptop computers for staff with an Energy Star 6.0 certification.

NCUA employees observed the forty-seventh Earth Day on April 20 with an in-house clean-up and recycling event. At the 2016 National Exam Training Program Conference, which more than 900 agency staff attended, participants also were given the option to access information including registration, the training agenda, and transportation electronically instead of using printed materials. Throughout the year, NCUA provides employee bulletins with information about and encouragement to adopt sound environmental practices, and employees are urged to submit green suggestions to the agency.

Launched in the United States in 1970 and celebrated on April 22 around the world, Earth Day seeks to increase environmental awareness and promote responsible living.