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Article | Argonne National Laboratory

Argonne wins 2016 IL Governors’ Sustainability Award

For the third consecutive year, Argonne National Laboratory has won a prestigious Governor’s Sustainability Award from the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC).

Argonne was one of 25 organizations honored by the ISTC for their commitment to sustainable business and operations. Facilities Energy Analyst Brenda Teaster (FMS-FIC), who completed the lengthy analysis and submitted the documentation, represented the lab at the awards ceremony held November 1 at the Union League Club in Chicago.

The competition—the premier sustainability event in Illinois—honors organizations that achieve excellence in such areas as waste reduction, energy and water efficiency, pollution reduction, transportation planning and more.

Argonne won recognition this year for its energy and water efficiency improvements and reduced pollution during fiscal year 2015, in some instances meeting its goals years ahead of schedule. Potable water use dropped 41 percent below baseline, over three times more than our 16 percent target and ten years ahead of the FY 2025 goal of a 36 percent reduction. The lab also exceeded its target goal of a 30 percent reduction in energy intensity, achieving a 35 percent reduction.

In 2012, in its first year entering the competition, Argonne won honorable mention.

Argonne finds itself in particularly good company in this year’s winner’s circle, along with such honorees as Abbott Laboratories, CDW, ComEd, the Field Museum, Marathon Petroleum and United Airlines. Argonne was one of 17 repeat winners.

Now in its thirtieth year, the ISTC is part of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The institute provides cutting-edge research and solutions to ensure sustainable economic development, enduring environmental quality and resource preservation for Illinois and beyond.