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The Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) works to reduce the cost and environmental impact of the Federal government by advancing energy efficiency and water conservation, promoting the use of distributed and renewable energy, and improving utility management decisions at Federal sites.
With a giant wind turbine blade as a backdrop, the Army and local and regional institutions announced renewable energy purchases in Washington, DC. |
As the largest single energy consumer in the United States, the Federal government has both a tremendous opportunity and a clear responsibility to lead by example with smart energy management.
While the government has made considerable progress improving its use of energy, much more can be done to save energy, promote the use of renewable technologies, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
Energy management is one of the most challenging tasks facing today's Federal facility manager. Luckily, Federal agencies do not need to meet this challenge alone.
Chartered in 1973, FEMP helps agencies find innovative solutions to their most difficult energy challenges and address their full range of energy management responsibilities, including:
- New construction
- Building retrofits
- Equipment procurements
- Operations and maintenance (O&M)
- Utility management.
Benefits
A new 7.2-megawatt combined heat and power system for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Training Command (MAGTFTC), Twentynine Palms, California, was dedicated in 2003. |
FEMP's services benefit facility managers, federal agencies, and the nation in many ways. These services—
- Demonstrate federal leadership in smart energy management.
- Save taxpayer dollars through guaranteed cost savings.
- Renew and rejuvenate federal buildings and related infrastructure at minimal cost to agencies.
- Protect air quality and conserve water.
- Contribute to the nation's energy and economic security.
- Increase market demand for advanced energy technologies.
- Help to provide emergency power during outages.
- Enhance energy supplies and improve reliability through distributed energy resources.
- Free up resources for other agency needs.
- Educate federal workers and the public about smart energy choices.
Financing
Agencies need dollars to make projects happen. FEMP provides expert assistance to agencies seeking project financing through methods such as these:
- Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs)
- Utility Energy Services Contracts (UESCs)
- Rebates or
- Public benefits funds.
With ESPCs and UESCs, agencies can take advantage of private sector capital to fund energy- and water-saving equipment and renewable energy systems at Federal facilities. FEMP assists agencies throughout all stages of these contracts, from project identification to measurement and verification of savings. FEMP can also assist agencies in obtaining state- or utility-sponsored rebates for energy-efficient improvements, and in applying for public benefits funds set aside to promote energy efficiency.
Technical Assistance
FEMP helps agencies take advantage of advanced energy technologies like these microturbines, which are natural-gas combustion turbines that produce about 30-250 kilowatts each. |
FEMP helps Federal energy managers identify, design, and implement new construction and facility improvement projects. These projects can incorporate energy efficiency, renewable energy, distributed energy technologies, sustainable design practices, state-of-the art lighting, and water-saving technologies. FEMP provides unbiased, expert technical assistance in areas such as these:
- Energy and water audits for buildings and industrial facilities
- Peak load management
- Whole-building design and sustainability
- Renewable energy technologies
- Distributed energy resources
- Combined heat and power technologies and
- Laboratory design.
FEMP also provides analytic software tools for project screening to help agencies choose the most effective energy and water project investments. To learn from experts first-hand, Federal employees and others can enroll in FEMP's high-quality training programs. These technical workshops cover areas such as project financing, life-cycle costing, O&M, and sustainable design.
Outreach
FEMP's communications and recognition programs help to heighten Federal employees' awareness of the benefits of energy efficiency, and they reward exemplary energy leadership. Outreach efforts include:
- FEMP Focus newsletter
- FEMP's Web site and Information Clearinghouse
- You Have the Power campaign and
- Annual awards, workshop, and exposition.
Policy
Comprehensive SAVEnergy audits identify energy- and water-saving measures in federal buildings such as the Capitol in Washington, DC. |
The Energy Policy Act of 1992, recent Executive Orders, and Presidential Directives require Federal agencies to meet a number of energy and water management goals, among other requirements. For example, Federal agencies are called upon to reduce their energy use by 35% by 2010 in comparison to 1985 levels. Federal agencies rely on effective coordination and sound guidance to help them meet this requirement. FEMP reports agencies' progress annually, manages interagency working groups, and offers policy guidance and direction. Policy efforts include:
- Annual Report to Congress and the President
- Interagency Federal Energy Management Task Force
- Policy guidance and
- Legislative updates and tracking.
For more information about FEMP services, please consult other parts of this web site or contact:
Annie Haskins, Outreach Program
U.S. Department of Energy
Federal Energy Management Program
202-586-4536
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