APTA Sustainability Commitment
Annual Progress Update
2012 Calendar Year
Signatory organization: Foothill Transit
Key contact name and contact details: Lauren Cochran Festner, Director of Maintenance and Vehicle Technology
Date: January 2, 2013
Approved Level: Silver
I. Achievement of Core Principles of the Commitment
Please describe how your organization has achieved each core principle and when. Add supporting documentation where relevant.
1. Making sustainability a part of our strategic objectives
Foothill Transit has taken several steps to ensure that sustainability is part a top down, strategically-approached program. From our board’s decision to apply (and be chosen) for the FTA (and Virginia Tech) EMS Implementation Program, to our commitment to having a 100% clean fuel fleet by 2012, we have woven sustainability into the fabric of our organization. A complete list of strategic objectives includes:
· Completed FTA Environmental and Sustainability Management System (ESMS) Program in 2012
· Contracted with ISO 14001 registrar for certification in early 2013
· RABQSA ISO 14001 Lead Auditor certified team member
· LEED AP certified team member
· First all-electric, zero emissions, heavy duty transit buses in service in 2010; currently developing acquisition plan for 9 more
· Agency goal: 100% clean-fueled fleet by 2012 (CNG and electric)
· LEED EBOM policies adopted at Administrative Facility (includes: No Smoking, Water Efficiency, Green Purchasing, Green Cleaning, and Solid Waste Management Policies)
· PV Solar installations at both operations and maintenance divisions
· Lighting upgrades at one operations and maintenance facility
· Energy efficient window upgrades at Administrative Facility
2. Identifying a sustainability champion within the organization coupled with the proper human and/or financial resources and mandates:
Foothill Transit has identified two Sustainability Champions, who head our newly-created (overarching) Green Team. The Green Team is representative of every department at Foothill Transit and is headed by Roland Cordero, Director of Facilities, and Lauren Cochran Festner, Director of Maintenance and Vehicle Technology.
3. Establishing an outreach program (awareness-raising and education) on sustainability for all of our staff
· Started “Spotlight on Sustainability” monthly messages for administrative staff.
· Conducted environmental awareness training for all team members at Arcadia Operations and Maintenance (O&M) facility. Will conduct same training for Pomona O&M facility in 2013.
· Participated in 2012 Dump the Pump.
4. Undertaking a sustainability inventory of our organization of the following indicators:
To be completed in 2013.
II. Additional Prerequisites:
a) Action items achieved in 2012:
Please list below the action items your organization has achieved that qualify as a prerequisite for the recognition level you are applying and include any supporting documentation. NOTE: it is not obligatory that action items are the same or similar to the list of examples given in the commitment, but they must be economic, social or environmental sustainability action steps that are/have been generally achievable in a short to medium-term time frame.
1. Implemented agency-wide Environmental Policy
2. Initiated ISO 14001 certification for Arcadia O&M Facility
3. Located future park and ride facility in urban center with good transit accessibility
4. Purchased Renewable Energy Certificates for Ecoliner electric bus charging
5. Reduced chemical usage at Arcadia O&M Facility (part of ESMS program)
6. Continued transit passes for team members
7. Focused on reducing paper at meetings
8. Reduced employee travel by offering “flex” work schedule for team members
9. Contract with DBE firms
10. Expanded programs for college student populations
11. Invested in training on ESMS practices
12. Ensured in-house expertise (LEED Green AP Certification, ISO 14001 Lead Auditor Certification)
b) Reductions achieved for selected indicators :
Please complete the table below and include supporting documentation on the scope of measurement and methodology used
To be completed 2013
III. Anticipated Achievements/Next Steps
Please give an indicative list of the additional goals you have set for your organization as part of the commitment to this recognition level.
a) Achievable Action Items in the next Three Years
· Put in place ISO 14001 at Pomona O&M Facility (ESMS)
· Sustainable procurement
· Reduce hazardous waste and chemical usage
· Reduce carbon footprint of meetings
· Adopt energy efficient purchasing policy
· Help customers become more sustainable
· Put sustainability on the agenda of regular staff meetings
· Establish resources and tools for employees