Federal Government Exceeds $4 Billion Goal for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Investments
Today the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, with the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB), recognized 21 federal agencies during a White House event led by Christina Goldfuss, Managing Director of CEQ, and Shaun Donovan, Director of OMB. Over the last five years the agencies have awarded 340 projects, exceeding the President’s Performance Contracting Challenge goal, which will reduce energy spending in the federal government by $8 billion over the next 18 years and create more than 30,000 jobs.
The awarded projects surpassed the Challenge goal by $200 million in awarded value by the end of 2016. To meet the goal, federal agencies relied on the DOE’s contracting and technical expertise. In particular, DOE’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) provided assistance, guidance, and training to help agencies implement performance contracts and track their progress.
These successful contracts will help offset the costs of new equipment, maintenance, renewable energy, and other much-needed infrastructure upgrades—from new HVAC systems and LED bulbs to building automation systems and renewable energy installations.
“Innovative financing tools, such as performance contracting, allow the federal government to make much-needed upgrades to federal buildings that cut energy use and utility bills. And by partnering with the private sector to pay for up-front costs, these improvements come at no new cost to taxpayers” said David Friedman, Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “The department’s support of performance contracting enables immediate cost savings and creates jobs in both large and small American companies. By surpassing the Challenge goal, the federal government will continue to lead by example and demonstrate the enormous potential of renewable energy and energy efficiency.”
Building on the momentum of the president’s original challenge, in October 2016, the White House also announced the Next Generation Performance Contracting Challenge, which seeks $2 billion in additional energy performance contracts over the next three years, along with two billion gallons of water savings. The new challenge underscores the federal government’s commitment to leading the nation toward achieving more sustainable energy, water, and vehicle fleet use, while saving taxpayers money and reducing pollution.
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy accelerates development and deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and market-based solutions that strengthen U.S. energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality. Visit the FEMP website to learn more how the Energy Department enables federal agencies to meet energy-related goals.
Source:energy
