Environmental Management

DOE Order 413.3B requires major capital projects (above $50M) to be “in accordance” with Berkeley Lab’s Environmental Management System (EMS) pursuant to DOE Order 436.1A.  The EMS is available online at Berkeley Lab's Environmental Management System. 

Project directors and project managers are required to consult with Environmental Services Group (ESG) personnel beginning at the CD-1 stage, but no later than CD-3, all the way through CD-4. 

Ultimately, the project design, construction, and operations phases will need to ensure compliance with environmental requirements including that environmental aspects associated with the project at Berkeley Lab are addressed by the EMS.  An environmental aspect is an activity, product, or service that can interact with the environment, either positively or negatively, including air emissions, water discharges, use of chemicals, and waste.

Project directors and project managers must consult with ESG staff to, among other things, address the following:

Site Contamination Alignment:  The project location and design must consider proximity and potential environmental impacts associated with contaminated soil, soil vapor, or groundwater.  In addition, demolition and decommissioning activities must also be in alignment with environmental health and safety regulations and those related requirements addressed in the EMS.

Construction:  During the construction phase, the project must minimize environmental impacts to stormwater, air quality, climate while minimizing the generation of construction and debris.

Operations and Maintenance:  The project must, among other things, follow the Work Planning and Control and Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) Division policies and procedures.  These address compliance with chemical management, waste management, stormwater and wastewater management, air quality emissions controls, greenhouse gas management, radiological controls, and biohazardous waste management.

Projects must contact the LBNL Environmental Management Program Manager (ems@lbl.gov) to begin the EMS evaluation process, during preparations for CD-1.  The Project will be required to submit a Letter of Conformance from the EMS Manager to the Project Director as part of CD-4 documentation.

Consult with Sustainable Berkeley Lab (SBL) staff to address:

Design:  The project must consult with SBL to ensure SBL is involved early in the project and prior to issuing the RFP for architectural design services and is part of the RFP selection process. SBL reviews DOE sustainability requirements for impacts to LBNL projects, including Executive Order 14057, which will affect DOE Order 413.3B projects reaching CD-1 ESAAB approval after January 31, 2022.  SBL also promotes green building initiatives to minimize environmental impacts, including reducing waste, energy, and water consumption and meet sustainability requirements in DOE O 436.1A.  LBNL Sustainability Standards for New Construction are best practices applicable to LBNL projects meeting or below the Order 413.3B threshold.

Construction:  During the construction phase, the project must minimize environmental impacts to stormwater, air quality, climate while minimizing the generation of construction and debris.