An industry report released on December 19 applauds the federal government's success in awarding energy-saving contracts that will save taxpayer dollars. Signed by President Obama in December 2011, a memorandum entitled "Implementation of Energy Savings Projects and Performance-Based Contracting for Energy Savings," challenged federal agencies, in support of the Better Buildings Challenge, to enter into $2 billion worth of performance-based energy efficiency contracts for federal buildings within two years. The report, which the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) drafted using data from companies involved in the initiative, found that more than $1.3 billion worth of projects were awarded by the end of 2013. Another $1 billion worth of projects are in various stages of the development pipeline, and there are expectations of an additional $200 million being awarded in early 2014. To continue this successful strategy for saving energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and saving taxpayer dollars, the Obama Administration is expanding its challenge beyond the original $2 billion goal. Agencies will work with the Energy Department's Federal Energy Management Program in early 2014 to identify a pipeline of additional project commitments to further reduce energy use through 2016. See the complete report.