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Why is D4 turning green?

It started with an idea to save money and save the planet.  And we all know it's the right thing to do......District 4 is going green. But what does that mean?

A team in District 4 started to look for ways to reduce consumption of energy, fuel, and waste at the district.  This means dollars in the bank that the district can put on the roads instead of on the utility and fuel bills.

At the same time statewide MoDOT began looking at ways to "Stretch Your Power" with energy conservation efforts.  So the team looked at what the state suggested, and realized we were doing most of that. Check out Stretch Your Power for those suggestions.

Taking it to the next level, we looked at Tracker to see how we compared to the other districts. D4 has the highest cost of utilities and the most consumption of fuel.  Seeing the need to improve, we are challenging all district employees to help us lower fuel and energy consumption by 10% this fiscal year.

Efforts have already begun, but we need everyone's help to achieve our goal.  Join us in saving money and the environment at D4 by going green.

Name the Campaign

We have issued the challenge, but we need a battle cry.  Help us name the campaign to improve our conservation efforts.  Do you have a creative and catchy idea? Then send it in to Kristy Hill. 

The Green Team will look over all the suggestions.  We may edit, merge or otherwise combine entries for the final campaign name, but any who submitted part of the name will receive a free MoDOT shirt.  So start thinking and send us your best ideas.

Meeting the Challenge!

With a goal to lower energy consumption by 10%, the Green Team is looking for a variety of ways to do this.  Already, employees have seen several changes as part of this challenge.

• All areas of the District Office have decreased the number of florescent bulbs in the overhead light fixtures. Testing for lighting levels, we still maintain safe levels of lighting for work and save energy.
• Encourage the use of desk lights for additional lighting. These lights can be moved in a variety of directions, and provide light as needed at each cubicle. They are also more energy efficient than the overhead lights. Remember, please be sure to turn them off at night.
• Light sensors in most district buildings.  These sensors help to reduce the waste of having lights on when no one is there.  Additional light sensors have been ordered for the district office cubicle areas to ensure lights are staying on while work continues.
• The use of more energy efficient lights in the district garage.
• Implementation of the idling policy, so that we do not waste fuel idling at construction zones.
• Automatic idling switches are being installed in many of our fleet machines
• The ability to turn computers off at the end of each day.  This helps us conserve energy as well.
• A review of fleet vehicle usage that resulted in fewer state vehicles being driven to employee's homes.

Throughout the year we will continue to find ways to reduce consumption. If you have ways to save energy, please send your suggestions to the Green Team.

Do You Know Someone Green?

Do you know someone who excels at saving energy at MoDOT? Have they had a great idea,or do they go above and beyond to conserve everyday? If so, we want to know! You can nominate fellow employees for the Green Award.

Help us recognize those who save most. Those employees who lead the way in thinking of new ways to be more efficient, to use less energy, and who work everyday to save energy and dollars for the District.

Anyone can nominate a fellow employee for the Green Award.  Those selected for the award will receive a gift from the District (up to a $40 value).  Submit the Being Green Award Nomination below and recognize those who save more in District 4. Return nominations to Sharon Taegel in the District Office.