Sanford Bishop: “I just want to speak to this amendment. The VA Green Management Program is a sustainability program that integrates…”

“I just want to speak to this amendment. The VA Green Management Program is a sustainability program that integrates energy and water conservation, environmental compliance, vehicle fleet management, sustainable building design and operation, greenhouse gas management, and climate change adaptation. Since its inception in 2007, the VA Green Management Program has reduced VA's energy costs from $504 million in 2010 to $459 million in 2014, despite significant growth in mission. Additionally, the Green Management Program has put in place energy performance contracts requiring no appropriated funds that will save VA over $9 million annually. Other significant achievements include it reduced VA energy use per square foot by 21 percent since 2003, reduced VA water consumption per square foot by 28 percent since 2007, increased VA's vehicle fleet to 55 percent alternatively fueled vehicles, and reduced VA-generated greenhouse gases 12 percent since the 2008 baseline. In the absence of the Green Management Program funding, a number of programs, processes, and projects will not be carried out. These activities save taxpayers significant amounts of money; improve indoor and outdoor environments at VA facilities for the benefit of veterans, for visitors, employees, and surrounding communities; and help assure the VA compliance with Federal laws, with regulations, with executive orders, Presidential memoranda. I would urge Members to oppose it.…”