Natural gas is an affordable and reliable energy source. Federal facilities rely on natural gas for space and water heating, cooking, backup power generation, and even district heating. Understanding the state of your natural gas system, including both on-site infrastructure condition and utility infrastructure, is key to identifying the most impactful energy resilience solutions to ensure mission continuity. This training will provide an overview of natural gas infrastructure for facility resilience planning, including natural gas backup systems and demand flexibility systems that may result in energy cost savings and increased energy security.

Battery storage is a versatile onsite energy resource that can support an array of facility goals, such as reducing energy costs, protecting against utility outages, and facilitating load growth. This webinar will investigate two use cases in particular--survivability and flexibility--and demonstrate the role batteries play in both. Survivability will be discussed in the context of two microgrid case studies, one at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, and the other at the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center in Petaluma, California. Flexibility will be discussed in the context of pilot-scale demonstrations for this emerging use case that has particular value for large loads on an increasingly capacity constrained grid.

Hear directly from partners who have successfully implemented plug and process load (PPL) management strategies in their organizations. PPL strategies will span single-stakeholder, multi-stakeholder, and collaborative-stakeholder efforts, as described in the National Laboratory of the Rockies's Categorization Resource. Partners will highlight their approaches, results, key takeaways, and lessons learned and provide attendees with practical, actionable steps to reduce PPLs and achieve meaningful cost savings in their buildings.

An overview of state-of-the-art energy audit pathways for meeting Energy Act of 2020 (EA 2020) compliance and Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 432) comprehensive energy and water evaluation requirements, from remote analysis to onsite facility walkthrough and investment grade audit. Includes tools and processes, such as AuditBEM, that can be used to support EISA 432 and EA 2020 requirements.

Every federal workplace is full of energy-consuming products. But do you know how to ensure that you are requesting, purchasing, and installing energy-efficient products that can save you money? This training will provide an overview of the many products covered by ENERGY STAR® and FEMP designation and are mandated for federal acquisition. The training will translate the technical side of energy efficiency and acquisition into simple terms that you can use when requesting and buying things for your workplace. Topics will include identifying the products and equipment that use energy and subject to the efficient procurement requirements; understanding the required energy efficiency levels; identifying which products are compliant; and communicating with contracting officers as part of an acquisition team.

As electricity demand grows and federal facilities face increasing pressure to operate more efficiently and reliably, demand flexibility offers a practical pathway to reduce costs and enhance reliability across sites. In this training, participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of demand flexibility and guided through how agencies can start their demand flexibility journey. Real-world perspectives from federal agencies will illustrate approaches to assessing opportunities and planning for demand flexibility implementation at their sites. The training will also highlight how FEMP can support sites in integrating demand flexibility into routine operations.

The Science Inventory is a searchable database of EPA's research products. Science Inventory records provide descriptions of the product, contact information, and links to available printed material or websites.

Clean Currents 2026 is a water-power trade show and conference. The event brings together a broad cross-section of the water-power industry--including hydropower producers, project developers, manufacturers, consultants, government agencies, regulators, researchers, nonprofits, and financial organizations--to share knowledge, explore new technologies, and build professional connections. The program combines technical tours, workshops, seminars, plenary and concurrent educational sessions, exhibits, networking events, and outdoor activities, with topics spanning hydropower development and operations, pumped storage, marine energy, environmental protection, licensing and regulation, safety, cybersecurity, markets, modernization, and renewable-energy integration. Overall, Clean Currents is designed as an industry-wide forum focused on advancing hydropower and other forms of water power as reliable, flexible, renewable, and sustainable energy resources, while fostering collaboration and innovation across the sector.

This SERDP and ESTCP webinar focused on DoW-funded research efforts to improve energy efficiency through standardized frameworks and targeted knowledge transfer for advanced lighting controls and existing building commissioning, which can improve decision-making, consistency, and the identification of cost-effective energy saving opportunities.

Every ton of waste from industrial facilities represents paid-for raw material, energy, and labor that is being discarded – often accompanied by disposal fees. The most successful industrial operators view their waste streams as untapped value streams. Hear from leading industrial organizations on how they are re-capturing value from the reduction and reclamation of their waste streams.

In May, hundreds of organizations convened at the 2026 Better Buildings & Better Plants Summit in Arlington, VA. More than 50 engaging and interactive sessions covered the latest in emerging technologies, innovative strategies in energy and cost savings, and much more. Join this webinar for an opportunity to catch some of the partner presentations you may have missed from the 2026 Summit.

The training catalog features online and on-site training offered by the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP). Browse the calendar to see FEMP training, educational events offered by federal agencies, and federal working group meetings.

The DoW Applied Innovation Workshop brings together researchers, technology developers, policymakers, and defense end-users to showcase cutting edge science and technologies that support military installations, enhance warfighter capabilities, and drive force modernization. This event is hosted by innovation programs under the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Energy Resilience & Optimization (ODASW (ER&O)).

The ACP RECHARGE: Energy Storage Conference is an event that brings together leaders from across the energy storage and clean energy sectors to explore the technologies, policies, and market trends shaping the future of energy storage. The conference features expert-led educational sessions, networking opportunities, and an exhibit hall showcasing the latest innovations in energy storage. Attendees include manufacturers, developers, utilities, investors, policymakers, and technology providers working together to advance a more reliable, resilient, and affordable energy system.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) developed the Building Life Cycle Cost (BLCC) Programs to provide computational support for the analysis of capital investments in buildings. BLCC conducts economic analyses by evaluating the relative cost effectiveness of alternative buildings and building-related systems or components. Typically, BLCC is used to evaluate alternative designs that have higher initial costs but lower operating costs over the project life than the lowest-initial-cost design. It is especially useful for evaluating the costs and benefits of energy and water conservation and renewable energy projects.

ASCE2027 is the place for bold ideas and transformative solutions. Connect with top minds, explore future-focused innovations, and sharpen your expertise through deep dives into cutting-edge practices and tech. Reconnect with peers in exclusive institute hubs and engage with leaders across the full infrastructure spectrum--from engineers and planners to policymakers and social scientists.

The International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) Annual Conference and Technology Fair is a premier event focused on advancing sustainability, energy efficiency, and decarbonization in laboratories and other high-tech facilities. Scheduled for September 13–16, 2026, at Encore Boston Harbor near Boston, the conference brings together approximately 500 professionals--including laboratory owners, facility managers, architects, engineers, researchers, and sustainability leaders--to share innovative solutions and best practices. The program features more than 100 technical presentations, pre-conference workshops, facility tours, networking opportunities, and a Technology Fair with around 50 exhibitors showcasing products and services for sustainable laboratory design and operation. Key topics include energy-efficient building systems, green labs initiatives, operational optimization, emerging technologies, and strategies for reducing the environmental impact of research facilities while improving performance and resilience.

AEE World Energy Conference & Expo is the flagship event of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), bringing together energy, sustainability, and decarbonization professionals from industry, government, utilities, academia, and consulting organizations worldwide. Held annually in the United States, the conference serves as a platform for sharing practical solutions, real-world case studies, and emerging technologies that advance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable energy systems. The event features keynote presentations from recognized industry leaders, more than 140 technical sessions across multiple educational tracks, a large technology expo showcasing innovative products and services, professional training programs, and extensive networking opportunities. With attendees representing dozens of countries, AEE World is designed to help professionals move from strategy to implementation while earning continuing education credits and building global connections that support organizational and career growth.

Whole-Building Energy Modeling (BEM) is a multipurpose tool for energy efficiency, supporting design, operations, codes and standards, and research. This session aims to cover the various aspects associated with BEM in a practical but comprehensible way from the perspective of a practitioner. Besides the basic principles of BEM, such as the heat transfer in building systems and common energy modeling tools, this seminar also schematically illustrates the benefits of BEM in the design and operation of buildings for better energy performance. For beginners with limited experience on BEM, how to accurately and elegantly model the building energy system and its various components such as the envelopes, internal heat gains, central plant, and air distribution system is introduced from the perspectives of both engineering physics and hands-on experience.

The Data Center Energy Practitioner (DCEP) Program, developed by the U.S. Department of Energy and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, is a specialized training and certification program designed to help professionals improve energy efficiency in data centers. The training teaches participants how to assess and optimize major data center systems--including HVAC, air management, IT equipment, and electrical infrastructure--using DOE-developed software tools such as DC Pro and system-specific assessment tools. The program offers both "Generalist" and "Specialist" tracks, combining technical instruction with practical assessment methodologies to help practitioners identify energy-saving opportunities, reduce operational costs, and lower carbon footprints. Participants can complete training-only courses or pursue certification by passing exams that validate their expertise in conducting professional data center energy assessments.

This interactive training will educate learners about energy management best practices including the value of setting goals, developing a plan, identifying milestones, and documenting the tasks associated with those goals and milestones. During the training, you will discover why it's important to identify key stakeholders and core team members for each project or task and to get their support and buy-in. Identifying the drivers that motivate your team members and stakeholders will allow you to make use of their individual strengths. You will learn to tap into as many resources as possible to execute projects both efficiently and effectively. Using data to measure the progress of projects, move them forward, and communicate accomplishments to stakeholders, and collecting and analyzing data at regular intervals will help to identify problems early and correct them, as well as provide information to help justify future projects. During this training, you will also learn to reach out to people that you might not normally work with to be part of your team, and to communicate frequently with team members and stakeholders to help maintain a sense of ownership in projects. You will also learn the value of recognizing and rewarding the accomplishments of others, and that you don't have to go it alone. The key to successfully executing any project depends on delegating tasks and relying on your network of expertise to maximize efforts.

This 3.5-hour training course is a condensed version of the ESPC comprehensive course that is typically provided over a period of three days. The 3.5-hour course is often presented as a prerequisite course to other ESPC training, but also can stand-alone. Training sections cover a high-level understanding of what an ESPC is and how it is used to accomplish energy improvements, task order ordering procedures, contractor selection, risk and responsibility, measurement and verification, applicable financial schedules, pricing and financing aspects of the project, and post award contract administration including FEMP's Life of Contract services. This on demand training is organized into four modules that present an overview of the ESPC process during each phase of project development. Registration is open to all.

A bill to amend the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to include the installation of mechanical insulation property as an energy or water efficiency measure. (Congressional Record 16 April 2026 [Senate] Pages S1820-S1821)

The Federal Energy Management Program's (FEMP's) provides a variety of helpful resources to help federal agencies meet their energy management goals and requirements.

Starting in 2017, the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) introduced the FEDS Spotlight, a recognition program for federal agencies. FEDS Spotlight provides an opportunity for agencies to honor federal employees going above and beyond typical day-to-day responsibilities to achieve mission success while also cutting energy waste, reducing costs, optimizing performance, and advancing America's progress toward energy independence and security.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is reviewing its recent guidance related to the implementation of newly adopted provisions regarding Clean Energy for New Federal Buildings and Major Renovations of Federal Buildings (CER). While DOE reviews the CER implementation guidance, DOE is staying the compliance date for the newly adopted provisions in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). As of 20 April 2026, the compliance date for 10 CFR part 433, subpart B, and 10 CFR part 435, subpart B, published at 89 FR 35384 (1 May 2024), and stayed at 90 FR 18911 (5 May 2025), is further stayed until 1 September 2026. POC is Mr. Rick Mears, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation, Federal Energy Management Program, FEMP-1, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, 20585-0121, Phone: 240-278-5857, Email: RescindFossilFuelRestrictions2026FEMP0067@ee.doe.gov. (Federal Register 20 April 2026 [Rule] Pages 20868-20869).

This year, Ocean Energy Europe (OEE) and the Dutch Energy from Water Association (EWA) are teaming up to deliver a joint event on ocean energy in the Netherlands. An ICOE OEE joint event provides a unique opportunity for the sector to come together, network and do business, and hear the latest news and updates. The event will feature an exhibition hall, a conference program with several technology and policy tracks, as well as side events, networking events and a site visit featuring the most important Dutch ocean energy sites and companies.

JETC offers a unique mix of education, training, leader development, networking, innovation, collaboration, and more, drawing over 2,700 professionals from across the military engineering community, private industry, federal agencies, and academia. This premier annual event provides a venue for professionals in engineering and related fields to learn and collaborate in a joint environment that only SAME offers. This year's theme, "Innovate Forward," will spotlight the technologies, strategies, and partnerships shaping the future of engineering support for national defense and infrastructure resilience.

This annual event for Better Buildings & Better Plants partners and other key stakeholders provides the opportunity for professionals to explore emerging technologies and share innovative strategies to reduce energy, water, waste, costs, and more. Attendees take part in interactive sessions with industry experts and market leaders as well as multiple opportunities to network with peers. Each year, the Better Buildings & Better Plants Summit continues to host innovative session topics and feature speakers who are leading the way in energy savings.

This Engineering and Construction Bulletin (ECB) is for information only and all Army military construction (MILCON), sustainment, renovation and modernization (SRM) projects, and Civil Works vertical construction projects. The Buy American Act mandates that construction materials be sourced from the U.S. or designated countries to support domestic manufacturing and jobs. This policy is also a significant sustainability strategy, promoting local resilience, ensuring transparency in production standards, supporting recycling practices, and creating a positive community economic impact. Proper implementation requires considering the act during the design phase and verifying materials through submittal reviews and inspections to ensure compliance with contractual requirements.

A bill to amend the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to clarify ambiguous provisions and facilitate a more efficient, effective, and timely environmental review process. (Congressional Record 19 November 2025 [Senate] Pages S8238-S8239)

A bill to amend the Energy Conservation and Production Act to require the consideration of additional factors prior to updating revised Federal building energy efficiency performance standards. (Congressional Record 21 November 2025 [House] Pages H4894-H4896)

An information resource from the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) highlights various heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technologies with demonstrated energy and water savings that have the potential to be more broadly utilized across federal agencies.

A bill to direct Federal departments or agencies to implement certain definitions for the terms affordable, reliable, and clean energy. (Congressional Record: 17 October 2025 [House] Pages H4540-H4542)

This presentation will discuss how Green Labs programs are formed and will suggest several opportunities for energy, water and waste reduction in labs. Green Lab Certification will also be addressed. This presentation is the first of two in a series.

Following up on Part I of this two–part series, this on–demand webinar will explore how to optimize laboratories through training and procurement. Part I spoke to the changes that can lead to more sustainable operations. Part II will address how training and smarter procurement choices can increase the impact of those changes in the laboratory. My Green Lab, in partnership with the Federal Energy Management Program and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, has released a series of training videos around laboratory optimization. These videos cover energy, water, waste, and hazardous chemical use and may be used on their own or in conjunction with the Green Lab Certification program. My Green Lab has also recently launched an eco-label for laboratory products, called ACT. Created to provide information on the impact of laboratory products, the ACT label has been quietly revolutionizing the life science, industrial science, and healthcare industries.

This Energy Exchange recorded session* explores various energy modeling tools, technologies, and best practices. It discusses basic and advanced modeling techniques for existing buildings using popular tools such as building simulation software, spreadsheet analysis, and computational fluid dynamics. This session also demonstrates the pros and cons of different tools and models and how to apply best practices.

A bill to amend the Energy Conservation and Production Act to repeal certain Federal building energy efficiency performance standards. (Congressional Record 23 July 2025 [House] Pages H3641-H3647)

Report provides recommendations and best practices concerning fair and reasonable price determination in federal energy performance contracts (EPCs), which include energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs) and utility energy service contracts (UESCs). It reflects the experiences, lessons learned, and best practices of agencies implementing EPCs, and is consistent with FEMP's training on this subject. This is an update to the 2015 revision.

A bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to update the Federal purchase requirement to ensure the use of 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. (Congressional Record: 15 May 2025 [House] Pages H2101-H2104)

GSA is transitioning the SFTool website to a new high-performance building clearinghouse on the GSA website. Make sure to save your account information, including FEDSAT exams and Total Workplace Scorecard information, before the May 30 deadline. GSA divided the information into seven resource sections: energy, water, health, integrative design strategies, workplace strategies, procurement, and learning resources. Look for content from the "Green Procurement Compilation page" under the new "Procurement section".

A bill to amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act to provide the owner or operator of a critical energy resource facility an interim permit under subtitle C that is subject to final approval by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. (Congressional Record 29 April 2025 [House] Pages H1725-H1728)

The Department of Energy (DOE) is reviewing its recent guidance related to the implementation of newly adopted provisions regarding Clean Energy for New Federal Buildings and Major Renovations of Federal Buildings (CER). While DOE reviews the CER implementation guidance, DOE is staying the compliance date for the newly adopted provisions in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Effective 5 May 2025, the 1 May 2025, compliance date for 10 CFR part 433, subpart B, and 10 CFR part 435, subpart B, is stayed until 1 May 2026. POC is Mr. Rick Mears, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the Under Secretary for Infrastructure, Federal Energy Management Program, FEMP-1, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Phone: 240-278-5857. Email: cer-information@hq.doe.gov. (Federal Register 5 April 2025 [Rule] Pages 18911)

The FEMP Utility Program Navigator tool is a one-stop shop for finding relevant utility programs for your federal agency sites. This searchable database helps agencies navigate the complexities of utility offerings and identify cost savings opportunities by simplifying information about programs that meet their energy goals and statutory requirements.

Thousands of industry professionals engage with the top industry leaders and government officials who are working to bring jobs across the coasts, build vessels, drive manufacturing, meet growing demands for electricity along U.S. coasts, and grow all the economic benefits that come with offshore wind development.

Watch this webinar to learn about an energy efficiency pilot for older commercial buildings, a study approved by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in partnership with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Mesa (part of Google). They covered the main causes of energy use, how automated controls can save you up to 20% of energy, followed by an invitation to be a host site for this study

A bill to repeal certain executive orders. (Congressional Record 4 March 2025 [Senate] Page S1496)

Improving Process and Building Heating through Innovation and Energy Efficiency (Web-based, On Demand)

Discover how recent EPA rules are transforming the future of refrigerants, a significant source of emissions found in nearly every type of building. Participants learned how to identify, categorize, and track refrigerants in building portfolios and strategies to avoid leaks that generate fugitive emissions.

This eTraining will go in depth on the energy savings opportunities within the electrical system of the data center. This course will focus on efficient components and configurations of data centers, power conversions energy loss, and redundancy requirements for increased efficiency.

A data center houses computer servers, storage, and networking equipment as well as critical support infrastructure such as cooling and electrical systems. Data center operators are challenged to address key mandates: deliver reliable services, operate efficiently, and ensure resiliency and flexibility. The objective of this webinar is to make the US DOE Data Center Energy Practitioner (DCEP) training program better known to help reduce IT equipment and facility energy use and carbon footprint. The training program has a comprehensive set of training material, including software tools with what-if capabilities to reinforce and enhance the learning experience. The program issues, on behalf of DOE, certificates that he/she is a qualified DCEP to those who pass the exam(s) after taking the training. Qualified DCEPs completed training on performing energy assessments in data centers and passed exams demonstrating their proficiency in the use of the high-level online DC Pro Tool and selected in-depth Excel Assessment System Tools. The Federal Energy Act of 2020 provides statutory mandates for maintaining the DCEP program in collaboration with key stakeholders. The Energy Act also states that each federal agency shall consider having its data centers evaluated once every 4 years by practitioners certified pursuant to the DCEP program.

FEMP plays a key role in helping agencies understand and meet the federal building energy efficiency standards for agencies' new construction and major renovation projects. These standards include base building efficiency as defined in the CFR by subpart A of 10 CFR 433 and 10 CFR 435, commonly referred to as the "residential" and "commercial" rules, respectively. The Clean Energy Rule supplements both the base commercial and residential rules, transitioning new buildings and major renovations away from on-site fossil fuel derived energy consumption.

The FEMP Resilience team is excited to share a new opportunity for your agency's site personnel, energy managers, and resilience-focused working groups. The FEMP Resilience team is hosting a webinar this December to launch a new Mission Energy Resilience and Readiness Exercises (MERREs), also known as black start exercises, program offering. To help civilian agencies bolster resilience and contingency planning efforts, FEMP will provide training and resources to help you conduct your own MERREs. As part of this program, FEMP will be selecting a pilot agency site to receive FEMP assistance in conducting its own MERRE. If you'd like your site to be considered, email Epstein, Ethan Ethan.Epstein@hq.doe.gov to indicate your interest and be added to the list. Join this exciting new program's kickoff training to learn more and get your questions answered on December 5, 2024 | 2:00 to 3:00 PM (Eastern) Introduction to Mission Energy Resilience Readiness Exercises (MERRE).

Ongoing EVGrid Assist webinars bring in DOE and external experts to share information, highlight best practices and raise awareness about emerging research, solutions and approaches. This website provides prerecorded videos of webinars discussing EV grids.

The Department of Defense's Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) is seeking environmental research and development proposals for funding beginning in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. Projects will be selected through a competitive process. The Core Solicitation provides funding opportunities for basic and applied research and advanced technology development. Core projects vary in cost and duration consistent with the scope of the work proposed. The Statements of Need referenced by this solicitation request proposals related to the SERDP program areas of Environmental Restoration, Resource Conservation and Resilience, and Weapons Systems and Platforms. All Core pre-proposals are due January 7, 2025 by 2:00 p.m. ET. SERDP Executive Director will conduct a webinar on November 15 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET. offering valuable information for those interested in new SERDP funding opportunities.

On 7 October 2024, EPA published several new frequent questions about managing end-of-life solar panels under RCRA. Find out how to use knowledge or analytical testing to make a hazardous waste determination on solar panels, how the RCRA regulations apply to solar panels that are reused and recycled, how solar panels can be recycled, and more on our website.

The DOE announced that it has delivered on Congress's mandate to cut emissions from new or newly renovated federal buildings through the Clean Energy for New Federal Buildings and Major Renovations of Federal Buildings Rule. By meeting the requirements of the Rule, federal buildings will reduce pollution, improve air quality, create good-paying jobs, and take advantage of cost savings from using more energy-efficient equipment. These measures will help advance the adoption of cleaner, more efficient technologies for buildings that will lead the way to achieving President Biden's Federal Sustainability Plan goal of net-zero emissions from all federal buildings by 2045. This Rule, which implements the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007, requires federal agencies to phase out fossil fuel usage in new federal building construction or major renovation by achieving a 90% reduction in fossil fuel use for new projects started between fiscal years 2025 and 2029 and completely eliminating on-site fossil fuel usage in new projects beginning in 2030.

In this issue, readers will learn about many examples of the adoption of technology and systems that are reducing the Army's environmental footprint. Working closely with industry, the Army is introducing more efficient turbine engines, hybrid electric power plants, alternative energy generating systems, cleaner manufacturing, virtual technologies and other innovations.

FEMP plays a key role in helping agencies understand and meet the federal building energy efficiency standards for agencies' new construction and major renovation projects. These standards include base building efficiency as defined in the CFR by subpart A of 10 CFR 433 and 10 CFR 435, commonly referred to as the "residential" and "commercial" rules, respectively. This also includes the Clean Energy Rule for qualifying projects as defined by subpart B of 10 CFR 433 and 10 CFR 435. The Clean Energy Rule supplements both the base commercial and residential rules, transitioning new buildings and major renovations away from on-site fossil fuel derived energy consumption. Projects meeting the cost thresholds that trigger compliance with the Clean Energy Rule must also comply with both subparts A and B of the energy efficiency standards by first designing an efficient building (per subpart A) and then optimizing the design to reduce or eliminate on-site fossil fuel usage (per subpart B).

The Innovative Grid Deployment Liftoff report is focused on identifying pathways to accelerate deployment of key commercially available but underutilized advanced grid solutions on the existing transmission and distribution system to address near-term hotspots and modernize the grid to prepare for a wide range of energy futures.

DOE announced the second cohort of communities selected as part of the Communities Local Energy Action Program (Communities LEAP), a unique technical assistance initiative designed to help disadvantaged communities and those with historical ties to fossil fuel industries take direct control of their clean energy future. The 30 selected communities will receive a total of $18 million worth of technical assistance to create tailored community-wide action plans that reduce local air pollution, increase energy resilience, lower utility costs and energy burdens, and create good paying jobs.

This report describes the development of a method to assess battery energy storage system (BESS) performance that the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) and others can use to evaluate performance of deployed BESS or solar photovoltaic (PV) plus BESS systems. The proposed method is based on actual battery charge and discharge metered data to be collected from BESS systems provided by federal agencies participating in FEMP's performance assessment initiatives. Long-term (e.g., at least 1 year) time series (e.g., hourly) charge and discharge data are analyzed to provide approximate estimates of key performance indicators (KPIs).

The EPA requested FEMP technical assistance to evaluate feasibility of on-site solar photovoltaics (PV) and battery storage to support cost savings and decarbonization goals. Through this technical assistance engagement, a team of experts used NREL's REopt? web tool to evaluate the techno-economic viability of these technologies at nine EPA facilities, including Ada, Athens, Cincinnati-AWBERC, Corvallis, Fort Meade, Gulf Breeze, Montgomery, Narragansett, and RTP Main & National Computer Center. The analysis considered multiple ownership models, including direct purchase and third-party ownership/financing, as well as energy goals such as minimizing energy costs and achieving 50% renewable electricity annually. This technical assistance initiative identified five facilities where solar PV and battery storage could be cost-effective. It also provided insights into optimal system sizing and economic feasibility for these installations. Encouraged by these findings, EPA is now awarding a feasibility study for solar PV and battery storage at the Narragansett facility.

The Department of Defense's National Defense Center for Energy and Environment (NDCEE) is excited to announce the opening of proposals for demonstrations of environmental, safety, occupational health, and energy technologies from March 1st to April 1st. They welcome submissions from all DoD Services, inviting innovative technologies, processes, and strategies that enhance energy security, Warfighter protection, military operations efficiency, or reduce environmental impacts. NDCEE wants your help shaping the future of defense through initiatives that bolster national security, safeguard our planet, and contribute to a more robust, greener, and secure tomorrow.

For the first time, Pollution Prevention and Source Reduction Assistance Grants (between 2011 and 2022) have topped the one-billion-pound mark for reductions in hazardous materials and pollutants. In addition, cost savings of $2.3 billion resulted from companies buying fewer hazardous materials and shipping less hazardous waste, reducing regulated air emissions, treating less wastewater and buying less water, fuel and energy. Further success from these grants includes 20.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions and 31.9 billion kilowatt hour savings achieved mostly through energy efficiency and reduced use of energy.

Funding from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Supports Energy Conservation Measures at 31 Facilities, Saving Taxpayers $29 Million in the First Year and Drastically Reducing the Federal Carbon Footprint. DOE announced $104 million for energy conservation and clean energy projects at 31 Federal facilities--the latest step in President Biden's strategy to reestablish the Federal Government as a sustainability leader. The funding represents the first of three disbursements from the historic $250 million in funding for the program in President's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The EPA is adopting the Department of Energy's (DOE) Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Categorical Exclusion (CE) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to use in EPA's program and funding opportunities administered by EPA.

Guidance for Federal agencies to select the most cost-effective and energy-efficient lighting systems available. Use the guide as a roadmap and reference to select the best lighting system for your facility.

The Federal Energy Management Program works closely with agencies and partner organizations to coordinate interagency working groups. These groups focus on federal energy management and compliance with federal laws and requirements.

DOE's Building Technologies Office (BTO) announced its Building Energy Efficiency Frontiers & Innovation Technologies (BENEFIT) 2024 funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0003158). This funding opportunity will invest up to $30 million across nine topic areas to research, develop, and validate technologies with the potential to significantly advance building decarbonization. Since its inception in 2014, BTO has issued the BENEFIT funding opportunity announcement (FOA) to spur innovations that provide substantial improvements to building energy performance and occupant comfort. Technologies developed through BENEFIT 2024 will advance the state-of-the-art for HVAC equipment, lower the cost of building envelope and lighting retrofits, and make buildings more resilient to blackouts and extreme weather. Equitable decarbonization of the U.S. building stock is central to each topic in the BENEFIT 2024 FOA, emphasizing cost-effective, easy-to-deploy technology solutions, and community-oriented project partnerships.

The United States Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (USPVDB) provides the locations and array boundaries of U.S. ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) facilities with capacity of 1 megawatt or more. It includes corresponding PV facility information, including panel type, site type, and initial year of operation.

The Renewable Energy Potential (reV) model is a first-of-its-kind detailed spatial-temporal modeling assessment tool that empowers users to calculate renewable energy capacity, generation, and cost based on geospatial intersection with grid infrastructure and land-use characteristics. More specifically, this open-source research and modeling assessment tool allows users to explore regional and statewide renewable energy supply possibilities, identify options for connecting those energy sources to the grid, and evaluate how much those solutions can cost.

This is a web-based tool that enables users to explore aggregate energy use data from more than 150,000 commercial and multi-family buildings in the United States. The new Data Explorer tool will help building managers unlock potential savings based on the data from ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager®, the nation's largest energy benchmarking platform for commercial and multifamily buildings.

DOE published the "2023 Better Buildings Initiative Progress Report," which summarizes the achievements of DOE's Better Buildings public and private sector partners since the initiative's inception in 2011. The report shows that partnering entities, including more than 900 businesses, state and local governments, utilities, housing authorities, and other public and private organizations, to date have collectively saved $18.5 billion through efficiency improvements and cut harmful carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 190 million metric tons-- an amount roughly equivalent to combined annual emissions of 24 million homes. This report also includes the results of the Better Climate Challenge, an initiative that challenges major building portfolio owners and industrial partners to cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 50% within 10 years. In year one of the Challenge, partners have reported on nearly 1 billion square feet of buildings and 1,500 industrial plants. Through the Better Buildings Initiative, DOE aims to improve energy efficiency in the commercial, industrial, and residential sectors and accelerate cost-effective decarbonization solutions across the economy--supporting the Administration's efforts to lower energy costs for American families and businesses while addressing the climate crisis.

DOE announced more than $6.3 million for six research and development projects to improve fish passage and protection technologies and reduce the environmental impacts of hydropower on species and ecosystems. Fish passage and protection technologies provide a way for fish to navigate barriers such as dams and impoundments and provide river connectivity by enabling fish movement and migrations. These selections support an increasingly important role for hydropower in providing grid reliability as the United States transitions to a clean energy system with more variable resources like wind and solar. These projects were selected as part of the Water Power Technologies Office's Advancing Fish Passage and Protection Technologies funding opportunity. Learn more about this and other water power funding opportunities.

GSA has reported progress toward key sustainability goals in recent years across its buildings portfolio. In this report GSA's aggregated buildings portfolio data show it exceeded prior goals for energy efficiency, water efficiency, emissions reduction, and renewable electricity share in fiscal year 2021, however GSA officials cited lack of access to capital as a challenge it faces in meeting future federal sustainability goals. GSA officials said the scale and scope of the projects needed to achieve net-zero building emissions by 2045 will require resources beyond what has historically been available.

Registration is now open for FEMP 50, a special two-day celebration organized by the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) to commemorate 50 years of federal energy management. FEMP invite you to join them for a virtual training session on 12 and 13 September 2023. FEMP 50 is an opportunity for all energy and water management enthusiasts to come together, learn, collaborate, and celebrate the remarkable achievements made in the realm of federal energy management over the past five decades. This event will feature engaging training sessions, insightful discussions, and the chance to interact with leaders from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and FEMP.

DOE unlocked billions of dollars in private capital to improve the efficiency and sustainability of federal facilities. DOE competitively awarded contracts to 20 energy service companies (ESCOs) to provide Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) for federal agencies, marking the fourth generation of such contracts awarded by DOE since 1998. Energy and water infrastructure projects financed through DOE's ESPC indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract offer guaranteed cost savings for federal sites. With a ceiling of $5 billion per ESCO contract, they require no upfront government funding and are designed to pay for themselves over time. Federal agencies interested in initiating their next ESPC project are encouraged to contact the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) to get started. Stakeholders, including federal agencies, ESCOs, and the public can visit FEMP's ESPC program page to view the awarded contracts and access further information about ESPCs

DOE proudly announced the third round of signatories to the Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), demonstrating the ongoing commitment and collaboration between the public and private sectors in fostering innovative vehicle technologies.

Leading organizations share their experiences, successes, and challenges in their pursuit of low carbon emission strategies; partners focused on two or more buildings/plants over the course of two years. The design, implementation, and completion of the Better Buildings Low Carbon Pilot were instrumental in understanding the pathways being taken to reduce emissions from building and manufacturing operations.

The EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) ecolabel now includes criteria focused on reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses from the supply chain for solar panel production. EPEAT was developed using a grant from EPA and is owned and managed by the Global Electronics Council. It is the first global ecolabel to set threshold criteria for embodied carbon in photovoltaics. Embodied carbon refers to the amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the extraction, production, transport and manufacturing of materials.

The Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announced $250 million in funding from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help federal agencies implement net-zero building projects and set an example in sustainability as the nation works to transition to clean energy and combat climate change. More energy efficient buildings will also save taxpayers money. The funding program--Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT)--is part of the Administration's Investing in America agenda that is addressing the climate crisis in a way that creates good-paying jobs, grows industries, and makes the country more economically competitive.

The FEMP Facility Evaluation (Audit) Decision Tree 2.0 is a resource to identify suitable facility evaluation (audit) approaches to meet the federal comprehensive energy and water evaluation requirements codified in 42 United States Code 8253(f)(3)(A) and enacted by the Energy Act of 2020 Section 1002, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 Section 432, and earlier laws. This resource contains criteria and interactive features for selecting an appropriate type of evaluation (audit) for covered facilities. The Audit Decision Tree 2.0 is intended to be used in conjunction with the FEMP Audit Definitions, the FEMP Consolidated Facility Management Guidance (update in progress), and the best practices and expert judgment implemented by agencies to complete comprehensive energy and water evaluations and incorporate contracts (i.e., energy savings performance contracts or utility energy service contracts) at covered facilities.

This case study report describes a grid-interactive efficient building (GEB) renovation project at the General Services Administration's (GSA's) Oklahoma City (OKC) Federal Building, and demonstrates that GEB-ready strategies and technologies can be deployed across buildings with minimal investment. The case study showcases a leading example of a GEB project in the federal buildings space and provides key information on the project roles, processes, costs, and benefits. The findings from this successful GEB project can be used to help pave the way for additional GEB-ready retrofits in the future.

Checklist provides federal agencies with a standard set of tasks, questions, and reference points to assist in the early stages of battery energy storage systems (BESS) project development. The checklist items contained within are intended for use in procurement of commercial scale lithium-ion BESS, although they may be used more generally for other BESS technologies.

Metering for solar photovoltaics is critical for operations & maintenance, and systems without metering could present life-safety concerns. The new Metering for Federal Solar PV in Remote Locations resource highlights key considerations for remote sites, presents seven potential metering options, and provides information about how to identify the optimal option for a given site.

This edition highlights proactively considering the environment and acting accordingly, in support of Environmental Operating Principle #2. Content includes commentary from Mr. Edward Belk, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Director of Civil Works, sharing how the Civil Works mission is being advanced through environmental considerations and partnerships. This issue also features initiatives from across the Army environmental community that proactively consider the environment to shape a sustainable future for current and future generations.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released a report discussing their analysis quantifying the potential of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) as a widespread renewable energy option in the United States.

This webinar series is part of the DOE EVGrid Assist: Accelerating the Transition initiative. It aims to support decision makers by providing timely information on a wide range of topics important to the integration of electric vehicles and the grid.

This free web-based energy modeling tool Sketchbox™ enables organizations to conduct energy analysis for new construction and major retrofits of commercial buildings. The tool allows for early energy simulation to inform building design and improve building performance without adding cost.

The Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announced a new proposed rule to electrify and cut emissions from new or newly renovated federal buildings. Beginning in 2025, these facilities will be required to reduce their on-site emissions associated with the energy consumption of the building by 90% relative to 2003 levels. In 2030, the standard will fully decarbonize the on-site emissions in new federal buildings and major renovations. These measures will help advance the adoption of cleaner technologies for buildings that are necessary to achieving President Biden's goal of net-zero emissions in all federal buildings by 2045.

The goal of the Federal BPS is to eliminate scope 1 emissions from standard building operations for applicable facilities. The Federal BPS supports multiple goals and requirements of E.O. 14057, including reducing agency scope 1 GHG emissions (Sec. 202); achieving net-zero emissions across each agency's portfolio of buildings, campuses, and installations by 2045 (Sec. 205); and reducing facility GHG emissions by 50 percent by 2032, prioritizing improvement of energy efficiency and elimination of on-site fossil fuel use (Sec. 205). The Federal BPS provides guidance on deep energy retrofits and strategic equipment replacement in existing buildings, campuses, and installations to meet emission and energy reduction goals.

The November 2022 edition of The Corps Environment is now available and can be accessed online at: https://www.dvidshub.net/publication/issues/65712. This edition highlights providing environmental and economic benefits, in support of Environmental Operating Principle #3. Content includes commentary from Col. Matthew F. Kelly, commander of U.S. Army Environmental Command (USAEC), sharing his impressions after taking command and his focus on building upon USAEC's legacy. This issue also features initiatives from across the Army environmental community that are providing enduring environmental benefits around the globe.

The proper operation of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system within a commercial building is essential to providing a comfortable and healthy indoor environment for occupants. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that organizations can save 5-20% annually on energy bills simply by following operations & maintenance (O&M) best practices. This collection of resources can help building operators properly maintain HVAC systems to improve performance, save energy, and prolong the life of commercial HVAC equipment.

The United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service successfully deployed a solar-powered EV charging station at the Wolf Creek Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center to serve its five-vehicle fleet. The Job Corps Center is a residential campus situated in the remote Umpqua National Forest in Oregon's Cascade Range, which provides free education and job training programs for young adults. Due to the high financial cost of installing electric infrastructure in remote areas with limited access to the grid, the Forest Service chose to purchase a charging system that requires no grid connection..

The Federal Energy and Water Management Awards recognize individuals, groups, and agencies for their outstanding contributions in the areas of energy and water efficiency, resilience, and technology achievements; distributed energy; cybersecurity; and fleet management at federal facilities.

The study, done in partnership with the DOE and with funding support from the Office of EERE, is an initial exploration of the transition to a 100% clean electricity power system by 2035--and helps to advance understanding of both the opportunities and challenges of achieving the ambitious goal. Overall, NREL finds multiple pathways to 100% clean electricity by 2035 that would produce significant benefits, but the exact technology mix and costs will be determined by research and development (R&D), manufacturing, and infrastructure investment decisions over the next decade.

Energy & Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the winners of its 2022 Housing Innovation Awards, the highest honor builders can receive for constructing Zero Energy Ready Homes. These high-performance homes are so energy efficient--often 40 to 50% more efficient than typical new homes--that they can offset most or all the energy they consume with a renewable energy system. The Housing Innovation Awards recognize top builders of homes certified to DOE's Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) specifications, which set the federal government's highest bar for energy and environmental performance in new residential construction. This year's awards featured 26 homes across 18 states.

The Administration is launching coordinated actions to develop new floating offshore wind platforms, an emerging clean energy technology that will help the United States lead on offshore wind. This action will position the U.S. to lead the world on floating offshore wind technology. Globally, only 0.1 GW of floating offshore wind has been deployed to date, compared with over 50 GW of fixed-bottom offshore wind. America will seize this opportunity to be a frontrunner on floating offshore wind technologies, as part of President Biden's plan for a clean energy economy built by American workers.

This web tool helps federal facility managers and resilience planners understand the cost of an electric grid outage. Users enter site characteristics and critical load information into the tool, then estimate the types of outage costs they may incur--from immediate losses to costs that accumulate each hour the power is out. The FEMP-sponsored CDF Calculator provides essential data for those tasked with justifying the benefit of resilience investments for their facilities. The calculation baselines the cost of inaction to help facility managers understand the value of resilience solutions, such as redundant systems or enhanced energy security.