Hampton/NASA Steam Plant wins energy, water management award

The Hampton/NASA Steam Plant has topped federal agencies across the nation by winning two highly competitive awards.

The plant was awarded the 2012 Federal Energy and Water Management Award as well as an award for its new sustainable headquarters building at NASA's Langley Research Center. The award is given each year by the U.S. Department of Energy to honor individuals and organizations contributing to efficient use of resources.

Both awards are a first for the Hampton/NASA Steam Plant and NASA Langley, only one of four NASA teams to win in the past 11 years.

The Hampton/NASA Steam Plant was built in 1980 and generates energy for Langley Research Center by burning trash from Hampton, NASA Langley, Langley Air Force Base and the Newport News shipyard. It operates using a 2,200-degree flame to fire a pair of boilers and creates steam used for heating and cooling and research at the Langley Research Center. The facility is run by city employees.

Last year, Langley Research Center began increasing use of steam produced at the Hampton/NASA steam plant while reducing the use of steam produced at Langley's fossil fuel-powered plant. This switch resulted in a 40 percent reduction in natural gas consumption and a financial savings of more than $500,000. Water consumption for steam production also dropped by 2 million gallons.

Awards will be presented to the winners of the 2012 Federal Energy and Water Management Awards at the Mayflower Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C. in October.

The Hampton/NASA Steam Plant is located at 50 Wythe Creek Road.

For more information, visit nasa.gov/centers/langley.

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