Introduction to DOE Order 436.1

Department of Energy (DOE) Order 436.1, Departmental Sustainability

DOE Order 436.1 replaced DOE Order 430.2B, Departmental Energy, Renewable Energy and Transportation Management, and DOE Order 450.1A, Environmental Protection Program, to incorporate and implement the new requirements of Executive Order (EO) 13514, Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance, EO 13423, Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management, and its Implementing Instructions, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the Energy Policy Acts of 1992 and 2005, and other related statutes, administrative and secretarial mandates and priorities. Portions of DOE O 436.1 are presented below.

Purpose

DOE Order 436.1 provides requirements and responsibilities for managing sustainability within the Department to:

1. ensure the Department carries out its missions in a sustainable manner that addresses national energy security and global environmental challenges, and advances sustainable, efficient and reliable energy for the future,
2. institute wholesale cultural change to factor sustainability and greenhouse gas reductions into all DOE corporate management decisions, and
3. ensure DOE achieves the sustainability goals established in its Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan (SSPP) pursuant to applicable statutes, regulations and Executive Orders, related performance scorecards, and sustainability initiatives.

The Order includes the following definition of sustainability from Executive Order 13514: "...to create and maintain conditions, under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations." The Order then states that for its purposes, "sustainability is broadly defined as those actions taken to maximize energy and water efficiency; minimize chemical toxicity and harmful environmental releases, particularly GHG [greenhouse gases]; promote renewable and other clean energy development; and conserve natural resources while sustaining assigned mission activities."

Applicability/Equivalency

DOE Order 436.1, except as noted below, applies to all Departmental elements responsible for the management and operation of the Department's facilities, fleets, or facilities construction and demolition or facility infrastructure improvements, including elements of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The Administrator of NNSA will ensure that NNSA employees comply with the Order's requirements and responsibilities. Nothing in the Order is to be construed to interfere with the NNSA Administrator's authority under section 3212(d) of Public Law (P.L.) 106-65 to establish Administration-specific policies, unless disapproved by the Secretary. Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs) and the joint Navy/DOE Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program operate under systems equivalent to the Order. PMAs submit requested information regarding resource use and emissions, and are encouraged to work closely with the Sustainability Performance Office (SPO) on assisting the Department in achieving the Departmental sustainability goals. The Deputy Administrator for Naval Reactors (Director) will implement and oversee requirements and practices pertaining to the Order for activities under the Director's cognizance, as deemed appropriate. The Director shall submit requested information regarding resource use and emissions.

Contractors

The Contractor Requirements Document of DOE Order 436.1 sets forth requirements applicable to contracts for the management and operation of the facilities and fleets or facilities construction and demolition or facility infrastructure improvements, or other contracts under which the contractor manages supply and service acquisitions for Government facilities, fleets or mission operations.

NOTE: The drivers, roles and responsibilities, and documents to be developed and implemented under this Order are discussed in the body of the training. For information on specific components for implementing the Order, return to the home page and select a bolded link in the figure or the index of terms.

The Sustainability Performance Office at sustainability@hq.doe.gov or Josh Silverman, Director, Office of Sustainability Support, josh.silverman@hq.doe.gov.