As the one of the largest energy consumers in the United States, the federal government has both a tremendous opportunity and clear responsibility to lead by example with smart energy management.

By implementing energy-efficient practices and using renewable energy resources at federal sites, agencies can save energy, taxpayer dollars, and demonstrate leadership with responsible, clean energy choices.

Agencies can purchase renewable power or renewable energy certificates (“green tags”) from a utility or other organization. By purchasing green power, your facility can obtain a percentage of its energy from renewable sources and help meet the federal renewable energy goal. Renewable power and renewable energy certificates can be good choices for facilities where onsite projects may be difficult or capital budgets limited.

The Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy program offers guidance for facility managers.

What Is Required?

• The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (20 pp, 539KB About PDF) requires federal agencies to improve energy efficiency in their facilities and consume renewable energy in amounts no less than:
  
  
  •  3.0 percent from fiscal year (FY) 2007 through FY 2009
    
    
  •  5.0 percent from FY 2010 through FY 2012
    
    
  •  7.5 percent from FY 2013 and thereafter
    
    
• The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 dictates actions federal agencies must take that will improve vehicle fuel economy and help reduce U.S. dependence on oil.
  


• Executive Order 13423 requires that agencies ensure that at least half of the statutorily required renewable energy consumed by an agency over a fiscal year comes from new renewable sources, and to the extent feasible, an agency implements renewable energy generation projects on agency property for agency use.

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What Actions Can I Take?

• Buy only ENERGY STAR compliant products.
  
  
• Install only energy-efficient lighting fixtures, electronic products, heating and cooling systems, windows, and other construction and building materials.
  
  
• Use onsite renewable technologies, such as:
  
  
  • Photovoltaic solar panels that convert sunlight directly into electricity.
    
    
  • Wind turbines that capture wind to turn rotors, which turns a generator and creates electricity.
    
    
  • Transpired solar collectors, which use sunlight to preheat air for heating purposes.
    
    
  • Solar hot water heaters that use the sun to heat water for domestic applications.
    
    
  • Small-scale hydroelectric power plants, where water flows over turbines that turn a generator creating electricity.
    
    
  • Fuel cells, which combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity and heat.
    
    
  • Ground-source heat pumps that transfer heat to the ground in summer and extract heat from the ground in winter.
    
    
  • Green power, which is electricity generated from renewable sources such as wind, geothermal, biomass, and landfill gas.

In addition to these options, agencies can purchase renewable power or renewable energy certificates (“green tags”) from a utility or other organization. Renewable power and renewable energy certificates can be good choices for facilities where onsite projects may be difficult or capital budgets are limited. By purchasing green power, your facility can obtain a percentage of its energy from renewable sources and help meet the federal renewable energy goal.

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Which Resources Can I Use?

EPA Resources

• EPA's Green Power Partnership provides technical assistance and recognition to organizations that demonstrate environmental leadership by choosing green power.
  
  
• Green Power: Tags vs. Delivered Product (3 pp, 216KB About PDF) explains the difference between green power as a “delivered product” and a “green tag.”
  
  
• Green Power Basics explains green power and options for purchasing it.
  
  
• EPA's Green Power Web Site gives an overview of the topic.

Other Federal Resources

• The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) is a Department of Energy (DOE) program that works to reduce the cost and environmental impact of the federal government by advancing energy efficiency and water conservation, use of distributed and renewable energy, and utility management decisions at federal sites. FEMP provides numerous resources to help agencies buy green power.
  
  
  • Renewable Energy describes the federal program, benefits and actions that federal agencies can take.
    
    
  • Renewable Energy Basics provides an overview of renewable resources such as biomass, geothermal, solar, and wind.
    
    
  • Introduction to Purchasing Renewable Power outlines three different methods for purchasing renewable power.
    
    
  • Guide to Purchasing Green Power, (50 pp, 1,017KB About PDF) is a comprehensive guide developed by DOE, EPA, the World Resources Institute, and Center for Resource Solutions.
    
    
• General Service Administration: Green Power information page presents an overview of the federal green power program.
  
  
• FedCenter.gov's Energy Web site includes tools related to renewable energy. 
  
  
• Energy Resources Sectionof the Joint Service Pollution Prevention and Sustainability Technical Library Web site is supported by the Joint Services, the Defense Logistics Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard.

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What Training Is Available?

• The Federal Energy Management Program Energy Training offers workshops on meeting federal renewable energy goals, including:

  • Project Financing and Evolving Energy Markets Workshop

  • Technical Assistance Workshops

  • Project Software Workshops

  • Regional Office and Other Workshops



• FedCenter.gov’s Training page lists environment-related federal and nonprofit courses, including those on energy efficiency and renewable energy. 

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How Is EPA Making Strides In Purchasing Green Power?

• EPA's Green Power Purchases - EPA was the first federal agency to purchase 100 percent green power.

• As part of its Executive Order 13423 goals, EPA plans to add at least one new facility a year to its list of facilities served by renewable power through 2010.

• EPA's Energy Conservation and Water Conservation programs ensure that the Agency uses natural resources efficiently when designing, constructing, and maintaining its facilities.

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What Are Other Agencies Doing?

Numerous federal agencies and facilities are purchasing renewable energy as part of the Green Power Partnership. To view a list of all the participating facilities, visit the partner listing and sort by organization type.

The Federal Energy Management Program offers news on what federal agencies and facilities are doing to improve their energy efficiency.

Agency-Specific Information

• Department of Defense: U.S. Air Force—The Largest Purchaser in the Green Power Partnership partner profile.
  
  
• Department of Energy - Green Power Partnership profile
  
  
• Greening the Department of the Interior (DOI) showcases energy management and other environmental programs at DOI. The site can also be reached from the DOI Environmental Policy and Compliance site.
  
  
  • Department of Interior - Energy Management Program Manual
    
    
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation Web page describes its accomplishments and activities.
  
  
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory - Learn about the latest research and developments in the areas of renewable fuels and electricity advancing national energy goals to change the way we power our homes, businesses and cars.
  
  
• Presidential Energy Management Award Winners recognizes individuals, groups and agencies for their outstanding contributions to saving energy at federal facilities.

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