LAS VEGAS - March 4, 2009 - The UNLV department of facilities management was recently honored by the Nevada Taxpayers Association with the Cashman Good Government Award, the highest honor for a public employee or program in the state of Nevada.

The annual award, given in recognition of efficient and effective use of taxpayer funds, was bestowed upon the department for maintaining consistent energy costs despite substantial campus growth, including nearly $11 million in cost savings since 2001.

Examples of the department's efficiency strategies include:

o Converting more than 855,000 square feet of turf to water smart landscaping, a savings of up to 45 million gallons of water each year
o Reducing water use by 45 percent per square foot, despite near constant campus growth
o Reducing electricity and natural gas use by 38 percent per square foot

The department was also recognized for maintaining the university's xeric demonstration garden and for its comprehensive recycling efforts through the UNLV Rebel Recycling Program - both models of sustainability for the community. Rebel Recycling, through its proactive campus outreach, was responsible in 2008 for recycling more than 697 tons of material - an average of 2.8 tons per work day.

The Cashman Good Government Award was established in 1997 by the Nevada Taxpayers Association in honor of the Cashman family for its community involvement and civic engagement. The selection committee is comprised of members of the Nevada Taxpayers Association.