JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic was presented the Captain Pride Award for its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint during the 44th Annual Community Pride Award Luncheon May 13. The award is given to only the top 10 individuals, businesses, governments or civic organizations in the county.
"We are extremely pleased to be the recipient of this award and very proud of our 'green' team and our employees' collective efforts," said SSC Atlantic Executive Director Christopher Miller.
With more than 2,300 federal employees in the Charleston area and as many as 9,000 contractors across SSC Atlantic, many of whom are in Charleston, SSC Atlantic has offset its energy usage emissions by teleworking, increasing and promoting recycling, modifying fluorescent light ballasts and installing occupancy sensors in their buildings. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic also promotes carpooling by offering parking incentives, has digitized their monthly newsletter and quarterly magazine and replaced a gas-powered maintenance vehicle with an electric vehicle.
Other initiatives include an employee bicycle share pilot program and installing solar panels to charge golf carts. Additionally, SSC Atlantic has adopted a highway in the city of North Charleston and has participated in the Keep North Charleston Beautiful spring beautification project of the Park Circle Butterfly Garden.
Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic is aligned with the Chief of Naval Operations' and Secretary of the Navy's vision and goals for environmental stewardship. Goal Two of the center's strategic plan is to "continually decrease the environmental impact through operational practices that reduce, reuse, recycle and renew natural resources while meeting customers' requirements."
"We have already reaped significant energy savings while meeting this goal," said Mr. Miller.
He noted that lighting modifications have saved 1,160,640 kilowatt hours a year, 116 more recycling containers were purchased for all SSC Atlantic buildings, bicycles and solar-powered golf carts are being used by employees to move around SSC Atlantic campuses, reserved parking spots are offered for hybrid and carpool vehicles and involvement in Adopt-a-Highway (Virginia Avenue) and Clean Cities Sweep programs has increased.
The award is one of several presented by Community Pride of Charleston.
Sponsored by the Clemson University Extension Service and Charleston County, Community Pride of Charleston County is a diverse group of dedicated individuals, businesses and organizations who encourage and recognize those who take pride in their community through beautification and litter prevention efforts. For more than 40 years, Community Pride of Charleston has been recognizing individuals, groups, businesses, schools, agencies, municipalities and others who improve the community through beautification and other efforts.