Energy Management Program at Atlanta Postal Service Distribution Center

Abstract

The US Postal Service operates more than 38,000 post offices across the country and spends $350 million annually on utilities (1). Driven by President Clinton's 1999 Executive Order that mandates a 35 percent reduction in federal energy consumption by 2010, the Postal Service is aggressively pursuing energy savings (2). One long-range approach initiated in the Atlanta area is the implementation of MSE 2000, a structured management system for energy. MSE 2000 emphasizes training, development of standard operating procedures, energy monitoring, and team-based problem solving. Implementation activity at the Atlanta Bulk Mail Facility has included a gap analysis, selection of an implementation team, and initial training. During the first quarter of 2001, the energy manual, energy system work procedures and instructions, and energy team training will be completed. This will put the facility on target for formal registration of the management system in the third quarter of 2001. Improved operating and maintenance practices are expected to reduce energy usage by 5-10 percent, and the formal management system will help sustain the savings.