Federal Energy Management Program
 

Leading by Example 

with Smart Energy 

Management 

Implementing Smart Solutions 

The Federal Government, as the 

nation’s largest energy consumer, 

has a tremendous opportunity and 

acknowledged responsibility to lead by 

example. The Department of Energy’s 

(DOE) Federal Energy Management 

Program (FEMP) plays a critical role 

in this effort. 

FEMP facilitates the Federal 

Government’s implementation 

of sound, cost-effective energy 

management and investment practices 

to enhance the nation’s energy security 

and environmental stewardship. FEMP 

does this by focusing on the needs of 

its Federal customers, delivering an 

array of products grouped into project 

transaction services, applied technology 

services, and decision support services. 

Project Transaction Services 

Financing energy efficiency and renewable 

energy projects: Implementing energy 

efficiency, renewable energy, and 

water conservation projects requires 

significant funding. FEMP supports 

Federal agencies through the entire 

project development process, offering 

assistance in identifying, obtaining, 

and implementing alternative financing 

mechanisms. These alternative 

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Forrestal Headquarters building includes a 205-kilowatt 

photovoltaic (PV) system, providing up to 8% of the building’s electrical demand. The building uses 

40% less energy than the average office building and saves 28 million pounds of CO2 emissions 

and thousands of taxpayer dollars each year 

financing tools include Energy Savings 

Performance Contracts (ESPCs), Utility 

Energy Services Contracts (UESCs), 

Power Purchasing Agreements (PPAs), 

and various Federal and State Energy 

Incentives Programs. 

With assistance from FEMP, the 

Federal Government’s commitment 

to improving energy efficiency has 

accelerated and grown in recent years. 

Federal ESPCs facilitated by DOE 

now exceed $1 billion for the first time 

in the program’s history. The current 

pipeline is more than triple its February 

2007 size, and continues to grow. 

Applied Technology Services 

Designing, operating, and maintaining 

high-performance buildings: FEMP 

helps Federal agencies create and 

implement sustainable design, 

operation, and maintenance practices 

that incorporate energy efficiency, 

renewable energy, and waterconservation technologies. These 

practices span new construction and 

retrofit projects. FEMP services 

include energy audits, operations and 

maintenance assessments, laboratory 

design protocols, new technology 

reports, advanced metering, and 

guidance for procuring energy-efficient 

and renewable energy products. 

One program example is FEMP’s 

Laboratories for the 21st Century 

(Labs21) partnership with the 

Environmental Protection Agency 

(EPA), which reduces Federal 

laboratory energy use by $18 million 

annually. Another is the first-ever White 

House Memorandum of Understanding 

on Federal Leadership in High 

Performance and Sustainable Buildings 

and the issuance of the Guiding 

Principles for Sustainable Buildings. 

Evaluating and implementing energyefficient products: The Federal 

Government can reduce energy 

consumption and achieve enormous 

cost savings by purchasing energyefficient products. FEMP provides 

energy efficiency requirements, 

guidance, and cost calculators that 

help Federal agencies offset energy 

consumption costs through energyefficient product implementation. 

Federal buyers are required by the 

Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 

2005) to purchase products that are 

ENERGY STAR®-qualified or FEMPdesignated for energy-efficiency and 

low standby power. These products are 

in the upper 25% of energy efficiency 

in their class. 
Federal Energy Management Program
 

Larry Smith at the Harold Washington 

Social Security Center in Chicago used a 

combination of UESCs and ESPCs to install 

a solar electric system, upgrade lighting 

and HVAC systems, and install low-flow 

fixtures to reduce energy use by 20% and 

save 2 million gallons of water annually 

Implementing renewable energy 

technologies: Renewable energy from 

solar, wind, incremental hydro, ocean, 

biomass, and geothermal sources 

can provide energy for heating, 

cooling, and electricity. FEMP assists 

Federal agencies in developing and 

implementing these clean, secure 

energy resources to meet energy 

management regulations and goals. 

By using renewable energy resources, 

Federal agencies can meet energy 

management regulations, help 

conserve our natural resources, 

and increase the nation’s energy 

independence and security. 

Managing energy-efficient/alternativefuel vehicles: The Federal fleet 

currently consists of about 600,000 

domestic vehicles. While 20% 

(121,778 vehicles) can be powered by 

alternative fuel, legislation mandates 

ongoing reductions in fleet petroleum 

use through energy-efficient and 

alternative-fuel vehicles. 

FEMP provides guidance on and 

assistance for implementing and 

managing energy-efficient and 

alternative-fuel vehicle fleets. This 

includes helping Federal agencies 

meet new fleet management mandates, 

such as recent requirements for 

agencies to reduce petroleum 

consumption by 2% per year through 

fiscal year (FY) 2015 relative to a 

FY 2005 baseline and to increase 

alternative fuel use by 10% per year 

relative to the previous year. 

The 2009 Earth Day theme showcases “New 

Energy for America” as a means to stimulate 

our economy, protect the environment, and 

increase energy independence 

Decision Support Services 

Complying with energy legislation and 

regulations: FEMP regularly analyzes 

energy legislation and regulations 

to help Federal agencies comply 

with all applicable requirements. 

This assistance is delivered through 

interagency coordination, development 

of guidance documents, and assistance 

with annual reporting requirements. 

Executive Order (E.O.) 13423, 

Strengthening Federal Environmental, 

Energy, and Transportation 

Management, set new goals for the 

Federal Government, including a 

30% reduction in energy intensity, 

a significant increase in the use of 

renewable energy resources, and a 

16% reduction in water consumption 

by 2015. The Energy Independence 

and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 

codified the stricter goals of E.O. 

13423 into statute. 

To lead by example, DOE set 

aggressive goals in energy efficiency, 

renewable energy, and water 

conservation for its facilities to 

either meet or exceed Federal energy 

management legislation and mandates. 

Education and training on energy 

management: Federal agencies learn to 

implement energy-saving strategies, 

gain recognition for outstanding 

achievements, and keep current 

on the government’s progress in 

meeting energy management goals 

through FEMP training, services, and 

outreach. Programs include the FEMP 

Focus newsletter, the FEMP Web 

site, the EERE Information Center, 

“You Have the Power” awareness 

campaign, as well as training and 

events such as the annual GovEnergy 

conference. Recognition programs 

include the Federal Energy and 

Water Management Awards and the 

Presidential Awards for Leadership in 

Federal Energy Management, which 

have honored more than 1,000 Federal 

employees for outstanding initiative, 

perseverance, and creativity. 

For More Information 

Contact the EERE Information Center 

1-877-EERE-INF or 1-877-337-3463 or 

visit www.femp.energy.gov. 

Prepared by NREL, a national laboratory of the U.S. Department 

of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 

operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC. 

DOE/GO-102008-2718 • Revised May 2009 

Printed with a renewable-source ink on paper containing at least 

50% wastepaper, including 10% post consumer waste.