Agricultural and Food Policy
 Agri Outlook
Radio
Number 69
Policy: USDA Sustainable Operations Council for Efficient and Effective Use
of USDA's Energy and Resources. (1:58 minutes)
Audio/Video Script:
Dr. Bobby Coats
Extension Economist
University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture
USDA’s Secretary Mike Johanns on August 20, 2007 announced the creation of
the USDA Sustainable Operations Council for efficient and effective use of
USDA's energy and resources. I’m Bobby Coats Extension Economist University of
Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
The Sustainable Operations Council will work to meet USDA goals of
strengthening federal environmental, energy, and transportation management.
Secretary Mike Johanns said, "Many people may not realize that USDA's budget
is larger than the Gross Domestic Product of most nations in the world, and
manages more land than the total acreage of several U.S. states. This new
council helps all USDA's employees work together to operate, promote and use
sustainable operating practices so we save energy and practice effective use of
our resources."
USDA is the second largest landholder in the Federal government. USDA
occupies 89 million square feet of office and laboratory space;
operating over 23,000 buildings; and managing 193 million acres of land.
In addition, the Department procures over $4 billion per year of goods and
services and operates a fleet of over 46,000 motor vehicles plus other light and
heavy motorized equipment.
The objective is to operate USDA in a sustainable manner. This will benefit
the environment and help reduce the country's reliance on petroleum based
products.
This has been Bobby Coats Extension Economist University of Arkansas Division
of Agriculture.
Additional information about USDA's Sustainable Operations can be found at
http://www.greening.usda.gov.
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