WASHINGTON D.C. (BNO NEWS) – The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Friday released its Strategic Sustainability and Performance Plan (SSPP) as requested by an executive order signed in late 2009.

NASA released its plan to the White House Council on Environmental Quality and the Office of Management and Budget; as part of the government-wide effort to achieve goals without compromising the planet’s resources.

The space agency’s SSPP focuses on reducing greenhouse emissions, preventing pollution, increasing water use efficiency and constructing and maintaining high performance, sustainable buildings.

NASA’s plan follows Obama’s executive order to increase federal effectiveness in pursuing green goals and includes guidance for evaluating such effectiveness and providing updates and reviews.

The Executive Order also required federal agencies to set a 2020 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target, increase energy efficiency, reduce fleet petroleum consumption, conserve water, reduce waste, support sustainable communities, and leverage federal purchasing power to promote environmentally-responsible products and technologies.

As the single largest energy consumer in the U.S. economy, the Federal Government spent more than $24.5 billion on electricity and fuel in 2008 alone.

NASA is committed to a policy of sustainability that will be part of the work practices and mindset of the entire agency,” said Olga Dominguez, assistant administrator for the Office of Strategic Infrastructure at NASA.

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