Coast Guard Training Center (TRACEN) Petaluma has received the Sustainability, Energy, and Environmental Readiness (SEER) Award for their comprehensive approach to facility-wide sustainability efforts for fiscal year 2019 in the large unit category. TRACEN Petaluma embarked on a yearlong effort to decrease environmental impacts, investigate cost saving measures, and adjusting landscaping and irrigation practices. Their efforts resulted in $300,000 saving per year in water utility costs.
The small unit category winner was Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) Key West and special recognition went to Base Cape Cod and Coast Guard Cutter Ibis. The SEER award recognizes programs, individuals and teams assigned to both afloat and ashore units, for superior performance in environmental and energy management.
TRACEN Petaluma
Often described as the future of the Coast Guard for its critical role in training the next generation of Coast Guard members, TRACEN Petaluma educates more than 4,000 Coast Guard men and women per year. It’s the Coast Guard’s largest West Coast Training Center located just west of Petaluma, Calif., and fosters a culture of innovation, environmental sustainability, and community partnership that will define the Coast Guard for years to come.
TRACEN Petaluma made outstanding contributions in the areas of biological and cultural resources management, the prevention/remediation of environmental damage, and the institution of best management practices in facility and hazardous material processes.
"I am proud of the professionals in Training Center Petaluma's Engineering Department and their efforts in earning the Coast Guard's Sustainability, Energy and Environmental Readiness Award," said Capt. Steve Ramassini, TRACEN Petaluma commanding officer. "Their hard work continues to be instrumental in keeping TRACEN Petaluma the best place to live, work, and train, now and well into the future."
Aids to Navigation Team (ANT), Key West
ANT Key West performed groundbreaking environmental work in defense of the sensitive Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The unit drastically reduced environmentally catastrophic groundings from 40 to zero by providing critical signage, warning boaters of key environmentally sensitive areas.
Base Cape Cod
Base Cape Cod achieved excellence in environmental management in the execution of their water quality, air quality, cultural and natural resource protection and waste management programs.
Coast Guard Cutter Ibis
Coast Guard Cutter Ibis achieved environmental excellence in recycling and best practices in sustainability by instituting cutter recycling and beach clean-up programs. The Ibis not only cut its waste stream in half, but also achieved a benefit of additional operational space created by the reduction of trash receptacles.
Congratulations to all the winners, and thanks to all the nominees of the FY19 SEER Awards.
Solicitation for FY20 SEER Award nominations will be accepted in March 2021. Sample nomination templates, previous SEER Award winners, and judging criteria can be found on the SEER Awards CGPortal site.