How Rachel Chang’s Attention to Detail Put Her in the FEDS Spotlight

What does your work as an environmental engineer at NOAA look like?

NOAA has between 200 and 300 facilities, and I help ensure those facilities­ comply with environmental regulations and energy and sustainability requirements that come out of executive orders. That facility portfolio includes renovations of existing buildings and occasionally construction of new buildings too.

The FEDS Spotlight recognizes federal employees who “go above and beyond their typical responsibilities.” When did you spot an opportunity to go above and beyond, and what did that involve?

With my supervisor’s encouragement, I jumped at the chance to fill the energy and sustainability manager role on a temporary basis, because I felt I had the bandwidth to learn new things and develop my existing skills. Although I had had some exposure to energy and sustainability management in my previous position as a consultant, the work in the beginning kind of felt like drinking from a fire hose. Luckily, my predecessor left a pretty good paper trail, so I was able to figure out what we needed and how to take it one step further. Things constantly evolve, so there’s always something that could be done better.

So, did you focus on improving existing processes, or setting up new ones, or perhaps a little bit of both?

Both. Under the National Energy Conservation Policy Act and Executive Order 14057 (Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability), each agency has to deliver the annual sustainability and energy management data report.  The annual report requires us to report the agency’s energy and water usage using EPA’s ENERGY STAR^® Portfolio Manager.  Delivering the data report was one of the first things that I jumped to improve. Our reporting process is particularly difficult because NOAA has over 200 facilities that qualify for reporting, and there are many people with varying levels of understanding and involvement in gathering information throughout the year.  Over time, the quality of data can deteriorate due to staff turnover and changes in facility operations. With support and guidance from Michael Young at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Sarah Yardley at the Department of Commerce’s Office of Sustainability Energy and Environmental Programs, I helped to streamline and improve the reporting process and moved toward more accurate data reporting.  A special shout out to Michael and Sarah for tirelessly answering questions, troubleshooting, making suggestions, and providing ad hoc training sessions. In addition, a new opportunity arose for NOAA to engage in the Department of Energy’s 50001 Ready Navigator [a process for organizations to implement and maintain energy management business practices in conformance with the International Organization for Standardization 50001 global standard]. My supervisor [Jennifer Melton] and I were the first from our organization to participate in the 50001 program and also get one of our larger facilities to be involved.

How did receiving the FEDS Spotlight award impact you? 

When I attended the awards ceremony and listened to the keynote speakers, I felt really inspired, seeing the variety of things that people are working on through their different roles—what they’re doing is pretty impressive. Sometimes we get so focused on our piece of the puzzle, so being able to see the larger picture was very inspiring and makes me more hopeful for the future.

Are you still working on energy and sustainability management in addition to your environmental compliance duties?

I’ve stepped back a little bit since we have a full-time energy and sustainability manager now.  But I work closely with them, and we talk on a weekly basis to share our knowledge.

What motivates you to continue your work at NOAA? 

Our society is facing climate challenges on a daily basis, so I think that definitely keeps me motivated. I feel fortunate that I’m in a position where I can have an impact—however small—in terms of doing our project planning in a more sustainable way. I definitely appreciate being recognized with the FEDS Spotlight and I think that will spur me on to do more.