WASHINGTON, Aug. 20, 2007--Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the creation of the USDA Sustainable Operations Council for efficient and effective use of USDA's energy and resources.

"Many people may not realize that USDA's budget is larger than the Gross Domestic Product of most nations in the world, and manages more land than the total acreage of several U.S. states," said Johanns. "This new council helps all USDA's employees work together to operate, promote and use sustainable operating practices so we save energy and practice effective use of our resources."

Boyd Rutherford, Agriculture's assistant secretary for Administration, will chair the Sustainable Operations Council. The council is supported by working groups for energy management systems, energy efficiency, facilities, and transportation.

The Sustainable Operations Council works to meet USDA goals established in President Bush's Executive Order 13423, Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management. Additional information about USDA's Sustainable Operations can be found at http://www.greening.usda.gov.