Energy Conservation Services

Federal facilities managers can count on GSA to provide first class workplaces while ensuring environmental stewardship through energy conservation and environmentally responsible building design. The Energy Conservation Program offers strategic energy management programs that reduce utility costs and energy consumption by promoting optimal energy use without impacting tenant comfort.

Helping Client Agencies Meet Their Energy Needs

Federal customers look to GSA’s energy program to procure green and non-green power that is cost effective and environmentally responsible. GSA partners with investor owned utility companies, national associations, and nonprofit environmental organizations to disseminate information on energy related issues. To comply with energy executive orders the energy program:

• Provides guidance on the use of GSA’s area wide contracts with utility companies
• Aggregates the electric and gas requirements of its customers to procure utility services for them
• Studies energy usage and energy data for its customers
• Sponsors energy workshops with utility companies, national associates, and non profits organizations, which educate energy professionals about energy efficiency utility deregulation, energy security, and alternative financing mechanisms
• Provides advocacy at the regional level with other federal agencies

Examples of GSA’s achievements in energy efficiency in the Southeast Sunbelt Region include:

• The James H. Quillen U.S. Courthouse in Tennessee recently achieved “Silver” Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for existing buildings from the U.S. Green Building Council. The Greeneville, Tennessee courthouse built in 2000, was outfitted with LED lighting, water conservation, rain water re-capture, waste diversion, and other conversation features, helping it meet the rigorous sustainability standards established by the Council. The Southeast-Sunbelt Region salutes Property Manager Catherine Brasher for leading the effort toward certification.

• At the Charles E. Bennett Federal Building in Jacksonville, Florida, GSA’s integrated energy efficient design reduced energy consumption by more than 60 percent: nearly 24 billion British Thermal Units (BTUs), which could power 208 homes for one year. The project received a U.S. Department of Energy Federal Energy and Water Management Award.
• The John Duncan Federal Office Building in Knoxville, Tennessee underwent a comprehensive building re-commissioning. Improvements included the installation of a new building control system, lighting upgrades and motion sensors, reducing energy by more than 33 percent. GSA also implemented water management measures, including retrofitting restrooms with water-saving equipment, saving 400,000 gallons of water annually, and installing secondary water meters to reduce charges for water sewage and runoff. The building successfully attained an Energy Star rating of 94 out of 100 and qualified for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification. It also received a U.S. Department of Energy Federal Energy and Water Management Award in 2006.
• Received ENERGY STAR® Label designations for 11 buildings.
• Recycled over 1,471 tons of paper, aluminum, and other traditional recyclable materials. Additionally, another 109 tons of construction materials were recycled. The Southeast Sunbelt Region achieved a total cost avoidance of $115,312.

Federal employees can help lower energy consumption by turning off computers and other equipment at the conclusion of the workday, configuring computer equipment to enter power save mode after 10 minutes of inactivity, using task and office lighting purposefully, and reducing plug load (eliminating space heaters, personal refrigerators, and other such equipment).

The Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program offers an energy saving checklist for the office, and a facility energy checklist to reduce fuel costs.