The United States Postal Service wants to go green. With the CO2 emissions associated with cargo planes and delivery trucks as well as the massive amounts of paper products flowing in and out of post offices nationwide, there are certainly ample opportunities for the USPS to curb its impact on the environment. 

Last week, at what the USPS is calling  an "unplugged event," the postmaster general told his army of blue-suited employees to care for the environment by taking personal responsibility. The tips he helpfully offered up included closing doors, turning down thermostats, and turning off lights.  In other words, he basically gave his 685,000 subordinates a 4th grade lesson in energy conservation.

To be fair, the USPS has more significantly committed to reducing energy use 30% by 2015 and has earned cradle-to-cradle certification for its packaging. Still, its efforts for the most part add up to a little more than foam peanuts. Really getting a green stamp of approval will take a little more work.

USPS's green page tells users that they can save money and reduce CO2 by taking fewer trips to the post office. They also brag about having "the largest civilian alternate fuel vehicle fleet in the nation." Unfortunately, that means ethanol.

I'm most intrigued, though, by the mysterious T3, a three-wheeled electric vehicle being tested for use in Florida, California, Texas and Arizona mentioned briefly in the press release above. I was completely unable to find pictures or further descriptions of what is likely a very funny looking car.

I know the Postal Service is trying, but I can't help thinking that the second largest American employer with the world's largest civilian fleet should be out front on GHG reduction. Of course, the USPS is part of the executive branch. Still, it has a great opportunity to demonstrate green principles in action to every household in America.