The photovoltaic array on top of the U.S. Department of Energy headquarters. (Photo Credit: U.S. Department of Energy)

Earlier this year, EERE’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) provided key data and analytical support to the White House Council on Environmental Quality to determine the government-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target. As the scorekeeper for federal agency energy performance data, FEMP is uniquely positioned to project the government’s future path in a clean energy economy. In its support to the White House, FEMP assessed the GHG mitigation impact of achieving the key goals for 2025 contained in the Executive Order (EO) including:

  • 25% facility energy intensity reduction from 2015
  • 25% of facility energy use from clean energy sources and technologies
  • 30% renewable electricity goal
  • 30% reduction of vehicle fleet per-mile GHG emissions

The EO directs federal agencies to commit to reductions in 2025 of targeted Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions contributing to the government’s overall 40% goal. FEMP assisted more than 30 federal agencies in Determining Agency Reduction Targets with a tool that considers each agency’s baseline and current GHG emissions and then projects potential reductions based on the above goals. Agencies can further refine their estimates by inputting expected operational changes for 2025. A key contributor to the targeted GHG reductions is improving the energy efficiency in facilities. FEMP’s support of the President’s Performance Contracting Challenge of $4 billion in efficiency investment is a key driver of this critical goal. In 2014, the federal government reduced its targeted Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by more than 17%.

The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) works with key individuals to accomplish energy change within organizations by bringing expertise from all levels of project and policy implementation to enable federal agencies to meet energy related goals and to provide energy leadership to the country.

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) success stories highlight the positive impact of its work with businesses, industry partners, universities, research labs, and other entities.