Lead by

Example

Guide

Clean Energy

Strategies, Resources, and 

Action Steps for State Programs

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

June 18, 2009
If this document is referenced, it should be cited as:

U.S. EPA State Clean Energy and Climate Program 

(2009). Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide: Strategies, Resources, and Action Steps for State Programs. 

Prepared by Joanna Pratt and Joe Donahue, Stratus 

Consulting, Inc. <http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/

energy-programs/state-and-local/index.html>

For more information, please contact:

Niko Dietsch 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Office of Air and Radiation 

Climate Protection Partnerships Division 

Tel: (202) 343-9299 

E-mail: dietsch.nikolaas@epa.gov

2 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | 
Executive Summary

State governments can achieve 

substantial energy cost savings 

across their facilities, operations, and 

fleets through clean energy Lead by 

Example (LBE) programs. 

They can also demonstrate energy and environmental 

leadership, raise public awareness of the benefits of clean 

energy technologies, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, improve energy supply and 

reliability, and foster markets for environmentally preferable products. The LBE Guide provides information to 

assist state governments as they develop and implement 

effective LBE programs to achieve their clean energy 

goals. It presents strategies, resources, and tools state 

decision makers can use throughout the process. 

EPA and other organizations recognize leading by 

example as a key policy option for states seeking to 

achieve their clean energy goals. For example, the 

importance of LBE programs is documented in the 

the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency “Vision for 2025” report. The Vision identifies LBE as a 

critical component of achieving the long-term goal of 

all cost-effective energy efficiency by 2025. Goal Six 

of the Vision’s ten implementation goals is to develop 

state policies such as LBE for pursuing robust energy 

efficiency practices. 

Background

State governments across the country are achieving 

significant energy, environmental, public health, and 

ExECutivE Summary | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 

ChAPtER onE 

introduction

ChAPtER two 

Potential lBE activities and measures

ChAPtER thREE 

Establish the lBE Program Framework

ChAPtER FouR 

Screen lBE activities and measures

ChAPtER FivE 

Develop lBE Program

ChAPtER Six 

track, Evaluate, and report on Progress 

DocUmEnt maP
financial benefits through a variety of clean energy policies and programs (U.S. EPA, 2006). One of these clean 

energy strategies is “leading by example,” which involves 

implementing clean energy policies and programs in 

buildings, facilities, operations, and fleets under their 

control (U.S. EPA, 2006). State governments are finding 

that such Lead by Example (LBE) programs produce 

substantial energy savings while offering a range of 

other benefits, including: demonstrating leadership and 

the economic competitiveness of clean energy; reducing 

emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and air pollutants; increasing fuel diversity; improving energy system 

reliability; fostering markets for clean energy products, 

services, and technologies; and promoting sustainable 

alternatives to conventional practices. 

To help states achieve these benefits, EPA has developed the LBE Guide. States can use the LBE Guide to 

initiate or expand an LBE program with the objective 

of establishing a comprehensive LBE program across 

their buildings, facilities, operations, and fleets. A 

comprehensive program typically (1) offers greater 

benefits due to its broader scope, (2) increases the 

cost-effectiveness of LBE activities, due to economies 

of scale from bundling individual activities, (3) garners 

political support by appealing to a variety of constituencies, and (4) increases the visibility of LBE activities.

The LBE Guide is an important next step in EPA’s efforts to assist states as they develop clean energy portfolios. It extends and supports two other recent state 

policy assistance documents:

■ EPA’s Clean Energy-Environment Guide to Action,

which describes and provides information on sixteen 

clean energy policies, including LBE (U.S. EPA, 2006). 

■ The National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency (Action 

Plan), which is a private-public initiative designed 

to overcome barriers to energy efficiency. The Action 

Plan’s implementation framework – the Vision for 

2025 – defines implementation goals for achieving all 

cost-effective energy efficiency by 2025. This document 

recognizes LBE programs as an important component 

of this goal, and uses the presence of a strong state LBE 

program as an indication of progress towards achieving 

this goal (NAPEE, 2006, NAPEE, 2007). 

The LBE Guide outlines: 

■ The value of clean energy LBE programs and activities,

■ A set of LBE activities that states are successfully 

implementing,

■ A process for developing, implementing, and tracking a 

comprehensive LBE program that includes one or more 

of these LBE activities, and

■ Key strategies, resources, and tools for states to use 

during this process. 

Throughout the LBE Guide more than 120 sidebars and 

case studies are provided. These examples describe specific instances in which state and local governments are 

pursuing and implementing LBE programs. Additional 

What is Clean Energy?

Clean energy includes demand- and supply-side resources that 

are less polluting ways to meet energy demand. Clean energy 

resources include:

Energy efficiency – refers to using less energy to provide the 

same or improved level of service to the energy consumer in an 

economically efficient way. Energy efficiency measures include 

a wide variety of technologies and processes, and can be 

implemented across all major energy-consuming sectors. 

Renewable energy – energy generated partially or entirely 

from non-depleting energy sources for direct end use or 

electricity generation. Renewable energy definitions vary by 

state, but usually include wind, solar, and geothermal energy. 

Some states also consider low-impact or small hydro, biomass, 

biogas, and waste-to-energy to be renewable energy sources. 

Renewable energy can be generated on site or at a central 

station.

Combined heat and power (CHP) – also known as 

cogeneration, CHP is a clean, efficient technology that 

improves the conversion efficiency of traditional energy 

systems by using waste heat from electricity generation to 

produce thermal energy for heating or cooling in commercial 

or industrial facilities. CHP systems typically achieve 60% to 

75% fuel use efficiencies, which is a significantly higher than 

those of conventional power plants.

Clean distributed generation (DG) – refers to non 

centralized—usually small-scale—renewable energy and CHP.

For more information, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency’s (EPA’s) Clean Energy Web site (http://www.epa.gov/

cleanenergy) and the ENERGY STAR Web site (http://www.

energystar.gov/). 

The LBE Guide and Local Governments

While this Guide is designed primarily to assist states 

in planning, implementing, developing, and operating 

comprehensive LBE programs, many of the approaches 

described here can also benefit local governments. Like states, 

municipalities are involved in developing LBE programs for 

clean energy, although specific program activities and issues 

may differ. This Guide provides both examples of how certain 

state activities are relevant to local governments and several 

cases in which local LBE activities can inform state activities. 

2 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Executive Summary
state and local examples are presented throughout the 

text. The structure of the LBE Guide and a selection 

of some of the state and local examples highlighted 

in each chapter of the Guide are summarized in Table 

ES-1, and a brief summary of the key elements of the 

Guide is provided below.

The Value of Clean Energy LBE 

Programs

The LBE Guide describes a series of activities and 

strategies that states can adopt to capture significant 

energy, environmental, economic, and other benefits. 

An overview of these benefits is provided below, along 

Table ES-1 LBE Guide: Organization and Contents

Chapter Contents and Supporting Information Selected State and Local Examples

Chapter 1: Introduction

Contents: 

Describes the overall benefits of LBE programs and outlines the 

LBE process.

WI: Efficient Buys Program – VendorNet 

Montgomery Co., MD: Wind Power Purchases

CT: Demand Response Program

CT: Developing a State LBE Program

Chapter 2: LBE Activities and Measures

Contents:

Introduces important background information on benefits and 

implementation issues associated with six key types of LBE 

activities. The information and examples provided in this chapter 

can help inform decisions at multiple stages in the LBE program 

development process, described in subsequent chapters.

Supporting Information:

Appendix B: State and Local Clean Energy LBE Programs: 

Examples, Tools, and Information Resources

VA: Energy Efficiency Policy and Advisory Council 

CA: Benchmarking State Facilities

MN: State Sustainable Building Guidelines

NY: “Green and Clean” State Buildings 

MA: Environmentally Preferable Product Procurement 

CT: Green Power Purchases

NJ: Aggregated Green Power Purchase 

IL: State Agency CHP Activities

UT: Solar Power Demonstration 

CO: Water Conservation in State Agencies 

CT: Demand Response Program 

Chapter 3: Establishing the LBE Program Framework

Contents:

Describes the first steps in establishing a framework for a 

comprehensive LBE program, including selecting an LBE team and 

other key participants, obtaining high level support, setting goals, 

and initiating the program.

Supporting Information:

Appendix A: State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans 

Initiating LBE Programs

Appendix C: Resources for Implementing LBE Programs

Establish LBE Team and Obtain Support 

MA: LBE Champions 

GA: Gaining Support for LBE Program

CT: Nonprofit Organization Participation 

Set Clean Energy Goals 

CA: Benchmarking Initiative 

NY: “Green and Clean” State Buildings and Vehicles 

Establish Mechanisms to Implement the LBE Program 

SC: Energy Efficiency Act

WA: King County Model LBE Program 

ExECutivE Summary | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 
Chapter Contents and Supporting information Selected State and Local Examples

Chapter 4: Screening LBE Activities and Measures

Contents:

Provides information on assessing LBE activities and measures to 

create a portfolio of LBE activities and measures.

Supporting Information:

Appendix B: State and Local Clean Energy LBE Programs: 

Examples, Tools, and Information Resources 

MI: Energy Reduction Strategy-Financial Criteria

MA: Sustainability Program – Selection Criteria

UT: Screening Energy Efficiency Options 

VT: State Agency Energy Plan 

WI: Wisconsin Energy Initiative 

NV: Energy Conservation Plan 

Chapter 5: Developing a Comprehensive LBE Program

Contents:

Discusses key design and implementation issues for states to 

consider as they develop their LBE programs. 

Supporting Information:

Appendix C: Resources for Implementing LBE Programs 

Appendix D: Resources for Funding LBE Programs 

Appendix E: Resources for Conducting Communications and 

Outreach for LBE Programs 

Appendix F: Resources on Technical and Financial Assistance to 

Local Governments

Appendix G: State LBE Programs and Contacts

Integrate Individual Clean Energy Activities into a Program 

CA: Solar Schools Program 

Finance the LBE Program 

VT: Procurement Policy

CO and CA: Resources about ESCOs

NH: Building Energy Conservation Initiative

IA: Iowa Energy Bank

IA, SC, CT: States Developing Ways to Share or Retain their Energy 

Savings

Conduct Communications and Outreach: Building and Maintaining 

Support for an LBE Program 

CO: State Employee Incentives 

VT: Emphasizing the Benefits of Clean Energy

Provide Technical and Financial Assistance to Local Governments 

CA: Technical Assistance in Buildings

NY: Product Procurement Assistance 

OR: Energy Audits and Design Reviews 

PA: Energy Management Plan Assistance

TX: Schools and Local Government Program 

Chapter 6: Tracking, Evaluating, and Reporting LBE Program Progress

Contents:

Provides information on how to track, evaluate, and report on the 

performance of LBE programs and activities.

Supporting Information:

Appendix H: State LBE Tracking Tools and Resources

Appendix I: M&V Protocols and Guidance

Appendix J: Resources for Reporting the Results of LBE Programs

WY: Energy Conservation Improvement Program: Measurement 

and Verification Plan Guidelines

MA: Data Collection Approach – Energy and CO2 Intensity 

GA: Energy Tracking System 

NY: Energy Utilization Index 

CA and NY: State Applications of the IPMVP

CA: Evaluation, Measurement, and Verification of the 2004-2005 

San Diego Local Government Energy Efficiency Program

Table

4 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Executive Summary
with Table ES-2 that describes the specific benefits of 

six key LBE activities highlighted in this Guide. 

■ Demonstrate leadership. Through good energy management, state governments can proactively address the 

nation’s energy challenge while also being fiscal responsible. Through their direct actions and by sharing their 

approaches, state governments can help raise awareness 

of clean energy opportunities, help develop markets for 

clean energy technologies and services, make technical 

and financial resources available for local clean energy 

activities, and help develop and implement programs 

that directly assist constituents. 

■ Reduce energy consumption and costs. Combined, state 

and local governments spend more than $11 billion 

annually on energy costs, which can account for as 

much as 10% of a typical government’s annual operating budget (U.S. DOE, 2007a). State governments can 

implement a variety of LBE activities that reduce these 

costs. If a state government that spends 10% of its operating budget on energy reduces its energy consumption by 20% – a goal which many states have adopted 

– it can reduce operating budget costs by 2% and create 

significant operating budget flexibility. 

■ Reduce air pollutants and GHG emissions. By implementing LBE activities, state governments can reduce 

emissions of GHGs and air pollutants (e.g., sulfur and 

nitrogen compounds) associated with conventional 

energy generation from fossil fuels. 

■ Foster markets for energy-efficient products and encourage economic development in local and regional 

communities. LBE activities can support development 

of in-state markets for clean energy products, manufacturers, and services. Investing in energy efficiency and 

clean energy can also provide an economic stimulus to 

the local economy. Across the nation, energy efficiency 

and renewable energy technologies and services are 

estimated to have led to the creation of 8.5 million jobs 

in 2006, with state government spending on energy efficiency responsible for about 64,000 of these jobs (U.S. 

DOE, 2004; ASES, 2007). 

■ Offer improved energy supply reliability. Many LBE 

activities can reduce energy demand (kW) and mitigate 

energy supply constraints during peak periods. Reducing peak demand makes sense from a financial perspective (i.e., due to higher peak energy demand costs and 

the potential for incentive payments from utility programs) and improves reliability across the transmission 

and distribution system. Reducing demand can also 

reduce energy prices, which is a special concern in 

areas where sales-volume-sensitive gas prices have been 

steadily increasing. According to one estimate, for every 

1% reduction in national natural gas demand, natural 

gas prices decrease by 0.8% to 2% (Wiser et al., 2005).

■ Offer greater energy price certainty. State government 

LBE activities can provide more reliable energy services and help governments hedge against uncertainties 

associated with future fossil fuel-based energy costs 

and availability (U.S. EPA, 2006; U.S. EPA, 2004a).

■ Promote sustainable alternatives to conventional practices. By implementing other energy and environmental 

activities that complement LBE clean energy activities, 

states can achieve secondary energy savings benefits. 

For example, coordinating LBE activities with waste 

management, water treatment, and other state programs 

can lead to energy savings due to the energy implications of recycling, solid waste reduction, water conservation, and landscaping strategies (Choate et al., 2005). 

■ Provide other benefits. Clean energy LBE programs can 

sometimes produce additional benefits, including:

■ Improved indoor air quality and productivity in 

energy-efficient and green buildings.

■ Increased asset value in energy-efficient buildings.

■ Reduced maintenance costs in energy-efficient 

buildings.

LBE Goals and Activities

Many states are pursuing clean energy across their 

buildings, facilities, operations, and fleets. As a result, 

they are reaping significant energy, environmental, and 

economic benefits. These activities are being implemented through executive orders, legislation, plans, 

and policies to establish one or more LBE goals across 

their facilities and/or fleets. Examples of state-specific 

LBE goals referenced in this Guide are summarized on 

Table ES-3. These goals can:

■ Encompass all of a state’s buildings and operations,

■ Encompass some or all of a state’s buildings, 

■ Address some element of a state’s buildings and/or operations, such as new construction or energy-efficient 

product procurement, and/or

■ Address state fleets and fuel use.

Executive Summary | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 5
Table ES-2 Potential Benefits of LBE Activities

Activity Potential Benefits

Improve Energy 

Efficiency in 

Government Facilities

Improved energy efficiency in government facilities can decrease energy consumption by 35% in existing 

buildings and 50% in new and renovated buildings, thus reducing energy costs and GHG and air pollutant 

emissions (U.S. EPA, 2004b; 2005a; U.S. DOE, 2007b). 

Reducing state government energy consumption by 20% overall (a common state goal) can reduce the 

average state government’s annual energy bills by as much as $16 million and save nearly 1.2 trillion Btu 

annually in energy use (ACEEE, 2003).

The potential for reducing GHG and air pollutant emissions from state facilities is substantial: energy use 

in commercial (including state government buildings) and industrial facilities accounts for nearly 50% of 

U.S. GHG emissions (U.S. EPA, 2008b). Fossil fuel combustion for electricity generation accounts for high 

percentages of CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions, which can be reduced through improved energy efficiency in 

state government facilities (U.S. EPA, 2008a).

Approximately 60% of expenditures to improve energy efficiency in state facilities is for labor costs, meaning 

that energy efficiency activities can increase local employment opportunities (U.S. DOE. 2004).

$1 spent on improved energy efficiency in a building can result in a $2 to $3 increase in the building’s value 

(U.S. EPA 2004b). 

Integrate Energy 

Efficiency and 

Renewable Energy 

Measures in Green 

Buildings

Incorporating energy efficiency into green building designs (i.e., by following ENERGY STAR guidelines) 

can reduce energy costs by as much as 50% compared to conventional buildings, producing annual energy 

savings of about $0.50 per square foot (U.S. EPA, 2008n; U.S. EPA, 2006l).

Use of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and environmental measures in green buildings can:

Reduce GHG emissions.

Enhance biodiversity and ecosystem preservation.

Reduce construction and demolition debris and other waste streams. 

Produce secondary energy saving benefits through water efficiency, recycling, and other activities that 

require significant amounts of energy.

Procure EnergyEfficient Products

State governments spend on the order of $11 billion on energy bills annually. A state energy-efficient product 

procurement program can save up to 10% of a state’s electric utility bill (LBNL, 2002, Harris et al., 2004; U.S. 

EPA, Undated; U.S. DOE, 2007a).

ENERGY STAR-qualified products typically use 25% to 50% less energy than conventional products and, in 

some cases, can offer energy cost savings of up to 90% compared to conventional products (U.S. EPA, 2007c; 

2008). 

A typical state or local government that purchases a basket of ENERGY STAR-qualified products (including 

computers and monitors, vending machines, exit signs, copiers, and traffic signals) can reduce energy costs 

by more than $200,000 per year, equivalent to lifetime savings of $1.5 million (U.S. EPA, Undated).

By procuring these ENERGY STAR products, a state can achieve annual CO2 savings of about 1,900 tons, 

equivalent to life-cycle savings of about 16,500 tons (U.S. EPA, Undated).

Purchase Green Power Purchasing green power avoids use of conventional fuels, thus reducing statewide GHG emissions and other 

environmental impacts (U.S. EPA, 2008s). For example, purchasing 100 million kWh of green power can avoid 

emissions of about 78,000 metric tons of CO2, equivalent to removing 14,000 passenger vehicles from the 

road (U.S. EPA. 2008c).

States that purchase green power from their utility reduce exposure to volatile fossil fuel prices (U.S. EPA, 

2004b; NYSERDA, 2003).

Generating green power can lead to local job creation for state and local governments. For example, the 

manufacture, construction, installation, and maintenance of 1 MW of solar photovoltaics, which is sold as 

green power, requires and sustains 22 jobs (Apollo Alliance, 2007).

6 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Executive Summary
Activity Potential Benefits

Use Clean Energy 

Supply Technologies

Generating clean energy can be cheaper than purchasing electricity through the grid. 

Generating clean energy supply can substantially reduce statewide GHG emissions and other environmental 

impacts (U.S. EPA, 2008s).

Combined heat and power (CHP) systems are generally 40% more efficient than separate heat and power 

generation systems, thus requiring 40% less source energy and reducing state wide energy costs (U.S. EPA, 

2007b).

Implement Other 

Energy-Saving 

Opportunities

Demand response (DR) programs aimed at lowering system peaks can reduce energy costs and produce 

revenues for state governments through incentive payments from utilities and electricity grid operators.

Water efficiency measures preserve a valuable natural resource while potentially saving a significant amount 

of energy. Nationally, water supply and wastewater treatment account for nearly 1% of total electricity 

generation (U.S. EPA, 2008d). 

Improvements in water efficiency in state facilities through the installation of metering and monitoring 

systems can decrease annual energy consumption by 10% (Watergy, 2002). 

State recycling programs can result in significant energy savings – diligent recycling can conserve 70% to 

90% of the energy required to produce products from virgin materials (Choate et al., 2005). Recycling 1 ton of 

office paper saves 10.2 million Btu and recycling 1 ton of aluminum cans conserves 206.9 million Btu (Choate 

et al., 2005).

Descriptions of each of these LBE activities are provided in Table ES-4, Six Key LBE Activities and Selected State Examples Included in the Guide.

Table ES-2 Potential Benefits of LBE Activities (cont.)

Executive Summary | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 7

To achieve these goals, states are implementing LBE 

activities that fall into one of six categories. These 

activities and a selection of the state examples provided 

in this Guide are summarized in Table ES-4. The six 

categories are:

■ Improve energy efficiency in government facilities.

■ Integrate energy efficiency and renewable energy measures in green buildings.

■ Procure energy-efficient products.

■ Purchase green power.

■ Use clean energy supply technologies.

■ Implement other energy-saving opportunities.

Beyond these six stationary-source energy efficiency 

and clean energy supply LBE activities, there are opportunities for states to lead by example in the transportation sector. The LBE Guide does not address these 

transportation activities. However, information about 

EPA’s transportation programs, policies, regulations, 

and tools, is available in the EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality Planning’s State and Local Transportation Resources Web site (http://www.epa.gov/

otaq/stateresources/index.htm). 

Establishing a Lead By Example

Program

States can use the LBE Guide to initiate or expand an 

LBE program toward the objective of establishing a 

comprehensive LBE program across all their buildings, 

facilities, and operations. The steps involved in the 

LBE process, and specific actions states can undertake 

to achieve each of the steps are illustrated in Table ES5. These steps include:

■ Establish the LBE program framework, which includes 

selecting the LBE team, establishing the business case 

for the program and obtaining program support, 

setting LBE goals, and establishing the mechanisms 

required to initiate the program.

■ Screen LBE activities and measures.

■ Develop a comprehensive LBE program. 

■ Track, measure, and report on LBE program progress.
Table ES-3 Examples of LBE Goals and Targets for State LBE Programs

State/Title Goal or Target

Overall LBE Energy Savings 

Virginia

Executive Order 48

Establishes a goal for state agencies to reduce annual energy costs by 20% by 2010. State-owned 

facilities over 5,000 square feet are required to be designed consistent with LEED and ENERGY STAR

rating systems.

Improve Energy Efficiency in Existing and New Government Facilities

New Hampshire

Executive Order 2005-4

Requires the state to reduce energy consumption in state facilities by 10% in accordance with the 

ENERGY STAR Challenge.

Integrate Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Measures in Green Buildings

Washington, D.C. 

Green Building Act of 2006

Requires all publicly-owned and publicly financed buildings to be designed to meet LEED-Silver 

certification standards for environmental performance and earn 75 points on the EPA energy 

performance rating system, using the ENERGY STAR Target Finder tool.

Procure Energy-Efficient Products

Colorado

Executive Order 0012 07

Requires Department of Personnel and Administration to develop policies for state agencies to 

purchase ENERGY STAR-qualified equipment.

Use a Clean Energy Supply

Wisconsin 

Wisconsin Act 141

Requires the Department of Administration to set renewable energy purchase goals for six agencies 

with an overall goal that renewable energy account for 10% of state energy purchases by 2008 and 20% 

by 2012.

State Fleets and Fuel Use

Georgia 

Executive Order 2.28.06.02

Directs state agencies to increase employee commute miles saved by 20% through compressed and 

alternating work schedules and teleworking.

8 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Executive Summary

Best practices for developing and implementing successful and cost-effective programs, which are based on 

state LBE experiences, are provided in Table ES-6. 

LBE Guide Tools and Resources

The LBE Guide provides a set of tools and resources to 

assist states in developing and implementing their LBE 

programs. These include:

■ Preliminary Assessment Tools. An important task when 

developing an LBE program is to screen potential LBE 

activities and measures to determine which ones are 

most likely to help meet state goals. This can involve 

evaluating a building’s energy performance, tracking 

GHG and air pollution emissions, and calculating 

energy and financial savings. Key tools for states to use 

when assessing LBE options are summarized in Table 

ES-7. States can use these tools when:

■ Assessing building performance.

■ Developing emissions inventories.

■ Estimating potential energy savings.

■ Assessing financial costs and benefits.

■ Additional Resources. The LBE Guide provides a wealth 

of additional resources for states to use as they develop 

their LBE programs. These resources are identified and 

described throughout the Guide and are summarized, 

by subject area in the appendices. Table ES-8 presents 

a summary of some of the key resources, organized by

LBE Guide chapter. 
Table ES-4 Six Key LBE Activities and Selected State Examples

Activity Summary of Activity

Selected Examples 

Provided in Guide One State Example

Improve 

Energy 

Efficiency in 

Government 

Facilities

State and local governments are 

responsible for more than 16 billion 

square feet of building space for 

a total energy cost of about $11 

billion (U.S. DOE, 2007a). Energy 

use in state government facilities 

can consume operating budgets 

and account for as much as 90% 

of a state government’s GHG

emissions (Massachusetts, 2004). 

Improving energy efficiency in state 

government-owned and leased 

facilities through a comprehensive 

energy management approach 

can lead to significant energy, 

environmental, economic, 

and other benefits. States are 

demonstrating annual savings on 

the order of $1 million – $15 million 

dollars, depending on efficiency 

programs and goals.

WI: Wisconsin Energy Initiative 

VA: Energy Efficiency Policy and 

Advisory Council 

CA: Benchmarking State Facilities 

MI: State Facilities Energy Savings 

Plan 

MT: 20 x 10 Initiative

NH: ENERGY STAR Challenge 

Participant

OR: Building Commissioning 

Program 

WA: Building Commissioning 

Program 

NC: Sustainable Energy Efficient 

Buildings Program 

CO: Energy Management and 

Integrated Energy-Efficient Design 

in K-12 Schools

Wisconsin used ENERGY STAR tools 

and resources to systematically 

replace lighting fixtures in state 

buildings for its “Wisconsin Energy 

Initiative” which resulted in $7.5 

million in annual energy cost 

savings and an emissions reduction 

equivalent to the emissions of 

20,000 vehicles in one year. The 

state next pursued comprehensive 

whole-building retrofits in 60 

million square feet of office space 

at a cost of $35 million which are 

expected to yield $11 million in 

annual cost savings with a payback 

period of less than four years. 

(NASEO, 2006). 

Integrate 

Energy 

Efficiency and 

Renewable 

Energy 

Measures 

in Green 

Buildings

The planning, design, and 

construction process for new 

and renovated buildings offers 

opportunities to combine energy 

efficiency and renewable energy 

design features with other measures 

that have environmental and 

health benefits (e.g., selecting 

sustainable sites, using recycledcontent materials, and landscaping 

to reduce water and energy use). 

These energy efficiency and 

renewable energy measures are key 

ways to reduce GHG emissions and 

decrease the carbon footprint of 

new and renovated state facilities. 

NY: “Green and Clean” State 

Buildings 

AZ: Green Building Policy for Public 

Buildings

HI: Lead by Example Initiative

MN: State Sustainable Building 

Guidelines 

MA: LEED-Plus Standard

NM: Lead by Example Initiative 

PA: High Performance Green 

Building Program 

PA: Cambria State Office Building

OR: Portland Green Building Policy 

WI: Sustainable Facilities Guidelines/

Standards

WI: Department of Natural 

Resources Buildings

DC: Washington, D.C. Green 

Building Policy

In New York, state agencies are 

required by executive order to 

follow LEED guidelines for the 

construction of green buildings 

and to strive to meet the ENERGY

STAR building criteria for energy 

performance. Several of New York’s 

state agencies have partnered 

to develop sustainable design 

guidelines, including HighPerformance Design Guidelines 

for state college and university 

buildings (NYSERDA, 2001; 2005).

Executive Summary | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 9
Activity Summary of Activity

Selected Examples 

Provided in Guide One State Example

Procure 

EnergyEfficient 

Products

Energy-efficient product 

procurement can be a cornerstone 

of a state or local government’s 

energy management strategy 

and can be particularly helpful 

for fostering the development of 

in-state markets for clean energy 

products. Energy-efficient product 

procurement can target products 

as they are replaced, with many 

energy-efficient products having 

little or no cost premium. For 

example, many ENERGY STARqualified electronics and office 

equipment products can be 

purchased with no cost premium, 

but produce significant energy cost 

savings

MA: Environmentally Preferable 

Products Procurement 

NY: New York City Energy-Efficient 

Product Procurement

In FY 2001, Massachusetts spent 

$92.5 million on environmentally 

preferable products. The cost 

savings from the program surpassed 

$544,000, with savings from 

energy-efficient office equipment 

alone accounting for $270,000 

(Massachusetts, 2003). 

Purchase 

Green Power

Green power is electricity produced 

from renewable sources (e.g., wind, 

solar, biogas, biomass, low-impact 

hydro, and geothermal resources) 

that causes no man-made 

GHG emissions, has a superior 

environmental profile compared 

to conventional power generation, 

and was built after January 1, 1997.a 

By choosing to purchase green 

power, state governments reduce 

reliance on fossil fuel-based energy 

(U.S. EPA, 2004a; 2007d) and help 

reduce GHG emissions, reduce 

vulnerability to conventional energy 

price volatility, and improve energy 

supply reliability. The price premium 

for green power that covers the 

increased costs of adding green 

power to the power generation 

mix varies across the country. In 

2006, the national average was 

about 2¢ per kWh (Bird et al., 2007). 

Techniques such as aggregated 

purchasing can lower this premium 

significantly.

ME: Aggregating Green Power 

Purchases 

PA: Green Power Purchase 

Commitment

CT: Green Power Purchases

NJ: Aggregated Green Power 

Purchase

MD: Montgomery County Wind 

Power Purchase

In Maine, the governor’s 2003 

energy agenda established a 

goal for the state government 

to purchase at least 50% of its 

electricity from renewable power 

sources, using energy efficiency 

measures in state buildings to offset 

the cost of the renewable energy. 

This goal was originally met by a 

contract agreement committing 

over 800 state agency accounts 

under one service agreement. Maine 

has now increased its renewable 

energy purchase to 100% (DSIRE, 

2007). 

Table ES-4 Six Key LBE Activities and Selected State Examples (cont.)

10 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Executive Summary
Activity Summary of Activity

Selected Examples 

Provided in Guide One State Example

Use Clean 

Energy Supply 

Technologies

States are implementing clean 

energy generation –such as onsite renewable energy generation 

and clean DG and CHP – to 

provide a clean energy-supply 

alternative that reduces GHG and air 

pollutant emissions, hedges against 

conventional energy price volatility, 

improves energy supply reliability, 

and can sometimes reduce energy 

costs. 

AZ: Army Aviation Training Site Solar 

Farm

VA: Solar Power at New State 

Facilities 

UT: Solar Power Demonstration

OR: Solar State Buildings

CA: Solar Technology at State 

Facilities 

MA: Renewable Energy Initiatives

IL: State Agency CHP Activities

NJ: Solar Power in Public School 

District

CA: Solar Power at a University

OH: CHP at Ohio University 

TX: CHP at the University of Texas

WI: CHP at the University of 

Wisconsin

MN: CHP at a Wastewater Treatment 

Facility

Arizona developed a solar farm to 

supplement its energy use at the 

Army Aviation Training Site. The 

$196,000 photovoltaic system 

produces 31 kW of electricity, which 

has reduced grid-based electricity 

purchases by 113,000 kWh, or 31%, 

and saves the department $20,000 

in annual energy costs (AZDOC, 

2006; Arizona, 2007).

Implement 

Other EnergySaving 

Opportunities

Demand response (DR) programs 

and environmental activities such 

as recycling, water efficiency, and 

sustainable landscaping strategies 

can also result in significant energy 

cost savings. 

CT: Demand Response Program

MA: State Sustainability Program

CO: Water Conservation in State 

Agencies 

MA: Water Consumption Reduction 

Goal

As an example of a state DR

program, the Connecticut Office 

of Policy and Management (OPM) 

administers a Demand Response 

Program that coordinates demand 

response activities of eleven state 

agencies. OPM works with these 

agencies to reduce peak electrical 

loads during period of high demand 

by transferring loads to distributed 

generation equipment and reducing 

non-essential electrical loads. These 

actions enable ISO New England, 

the regional grid operator, to avoid 

installing additional infrastructure 

that would otherwise be needed to 

meet demand. As compensation, 

ISO New England provides OPM

approximately $300,000 quarterly, 

through third-party contractors. 

This payment is allocated to 

the participating agencies for 

reinvestment in clean energy 

projects (Connecticut OPM, 2008).

a

 January 1, 1997 is the accepted date marking the beginning of the voluntary green power market.

Table ES-4 Six Key LBE Activities and Selected State Examples (cont.)

Executive Summary | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 11
Table ES-5 Summary of the LBE Implementation Process

LBE Activities 

and Measures

Establish the LBE Program Framework

Screen LBE 

Activities and 

Measures

Develop a 

Comprehensive 

LBE Program

Track, Evaluate, 

and Report on 

LBE Program 

Progress

Establish LBE 

Team and 

Obtain Support

Set Clean Energy 

Goals

Establish 

Mechanisms to 

Implement the 

LBE Program 

See Chapter 2 See Sections 3.1–3.3 See Section 3.4 See Section 3.5 See Chapter 4 See Chapter 5 See Chapter 6

Possible Actions

Improve energy 

efficiency in 

buildings. 

Integrate energy 

efficiency and 

renewable 

energy measures 

in green 

buildings. 

Purchase 

energy-efficient 

products.

Purchase green 

power. 

Use a clean 

energy supply.

Implement other 

energy-saving 

activities.

Possible Actions

Identify lead and 

supporting LBE 

clean energy 

agencies.

Identify key 

personnel.

Identify and 

obtain high-level 

support.

Identify other 

key agencies 

and grvoups to 

help shape and 

implement LBE 

programs

Possible Actions

Develop energy 

consumption 

baseline.

Assess state 

context.

Set state LBE 

activity goals.

Overall energy 

savings and GHG

emission targets.

Existing building 

targets.

New building 

targets.

Energy-efficient 

product 

procurement 

goals.

Renewable 

energy targets.

Energy-efficient 

procurement 

goals.

State fleet and 

fuel use targets.

Possible Actions

Governor issues 

an executive 

order.

State legislature 

enacts LBE 

legislation.

State establishes 

LBE program 

through state 

planning process.

State energy 

office initiates 

LBE program.

Other 

organizations 

adopt programs 

that support or 

influence the 

state’s adoption 

of an LBE 

program.

Possible Actions

Screen LBE 

activities and 

measures from 

the universe of 

LBE activities.

Develop 

assessment 

criteria.

Estimate costs 

and benefits.

Select and 

implement LBE 

activities and 

measures.

Possible Actions

Integrate 

clean energy 

opportunities.

Determine 

program 

financing.

Conduct 

communications 

and outreach. 

Provide technical 

and financial 

assistance 

to local 

governments.

Share 

information and 

access federal, 

state, and local 

LBE resources.

Possible Actions

Develop tracking, 

evaluation, and 

reporting plan. 

Establish 

baselines.

Conduct 

benchmarking.

Track energy 

use, emissions, 

and savings. 

Conduct impact, 

process, and/or 

market effects 

evaluations.

Report progress.

Revise program 

based on results.

12 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Executive Summary

References

■ACEEE. 2003. Energy Efficiency’s Next Generation: 

Innovation at the State Level. Report E031. November. 

Available: http://www.aceee.org/pubs/e031full.pdf. Accessed 1/15/2007.

■Arizona. 2007. The Executive Budget: Fiscal 

Year 2007. Available: http://www.douglasaz.gov/

StateInformation/2007DetailBook.pdf. Accessed 

3/20/2007. 

■Arizona DOC. 2006. State Agency Annual Energy Usage Report. Arizona Department of Commerce. June 

2006. Available: http://www.azcommerce.com/doclib/

energy/stateagency_energy_progress_report-7.01.06.

pdf. Accessed 3/19/2007. 

■ASES. 2007. Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: 

Economic Drivers for the 21st Century. November 

2007. Available: http://asesprot.org//images/stories/

ASES-JobsReport-Final.pdf. Accessed 7/11/2008.
Table ES- 6 Elements of a

Successful LBE Program

Build a strong LBE team. ■ A successful LBE 

program starts with a team that is committed to identifying the mix of activities, 

measures, and approaches best suited to 

the individual state. The process of building 

a strong team includes identifying a state 

agency to lead the LBE effort and selecting 

team representatives, from this and other 

state agencies, who can offer a range of 

expertise and perspectives (e.g., on facility 

management, energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainability, environment). 

Partners from outside state government can 

also provide valuable input to the LBE implementation process and/or serve as program 

champions in the community.

Secure high-level support. ■ The support of 

top-level leadership is critical to an LBE program’s success. Approaches for building and 

maintaining support include involving policymakers in the early stages of the process, 

identifying one or more LBE team members 

with access to key decision-makers, and 

clearly articulating the value of the LBE 

initiative.

Establish goals. ■ Set clear, quantifiable LBE 

goals (through executive orders, state laws, 

the state planning process, or other state 

initiatives) to ensure that stakeholders understand the expected outcomes, provide 

for ease of measurement and reporting, and 

demonstrate the feasibility of establishing 

clean energy initiatives.

■ Develop an energy baseline. To ensure that 

LBE goals are measurable and achievable, 

base them on actual past and current state 

energy consumption data and on projected 

consumption. This requires collecting state 

energy consumption data and information 

on issues that affect energy use (e.g., the 

number, square footage, and condition of 

state facilities; fleet size; and current clean 

energy technologies). 

■ Screen LBE options based on energy savings and other criteria. Develop screening 

criteria to determine the LBE activities and 

measures to include in the LBE program. Key 

criteria include expected energy savings, 

financial issues (e.g., payback periods and 

life-cycle costs), environmental benefits, 

economic benefits, visibility, and feasibility.

■ Implement a systematic approach to energy efficiency. The most cost-effective 

approach for improving energy efficiency 

in state buildings is to follow the systematic process detailed in the ENERGY STAR

Guidelines for Energy Management. Ideally, 

it is best applied across a portfolio of government buildings. If resources are limited, 

states can apply the process as a “pilot” in 

one or a few buildings and use the results 

to advocate for further energy efficiency in 

additional state buildings. A systematic approach to efficiency is a critical element of a 

comprehensive LBE program.

Take advantage of available financing ■

mechanisms. A range of financing strategies is available to states for LBE initiatives. 

Because these activities compete for limited 

financial resources with many other programs, it is helpful to use multiple financing options (e.g., municipal least-purchase 

agreements, revolving loan funds, aggregated purchases). In some cases, states need 

to modify their rules to ensure that agencies 

have access to a broad range of financing 

mechanisms (e.g., performance contracting) and accounting methods (e.g., life-cycle 

cost accounting).

Conduct communication and outreach. ■

States can demonstrate leadership and 

obtain on-going LBE support from state 

agency personnel, the public, and other 

community stakeholders by conducting 

communication and outreach activities that 

articulate the benefits of their program and 

encourage participation in, and support for, 

the program. 

■ Learn from local, state, and federal sources. Many state and municipal governments 

have implemented LBE programs. Staff from 

these agencies – as well as the LBE plans, 

model policies, and guidance they have 

developed – are key LBE resources. In addition, federal programs provide resources on 

designing and implementing LBE activities. 

For example, the ENERGY STAR program 

provides guidance and tools for incorporating energy efficiency in existing and new 

buildings.

Evaluate, report on, and update the LBE ■

program. It is important to periodically 

evaluate the state’s LBE efforts and report 

on the results of these assessments. Based 

on evaluation results, states can expand successful (and potentially successful) activities 

and revise or eliminate unproductive LBE 

activities.

■Bird, L., L. Dagher, and B. Swezey. 2007. Green Power 

Marketing in the United States. NREL/TP-670-42502. 

Available: http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/

resources/pdfs/42502.pdf. Accessed 3/28/2008.

■Choate, A., L. Pederson, J. Scharfenberg. 2005. Waste 

Management and Energy Savings: Benefits by the 

Numbers. Prepared by ICF Consulting for U.S. EPA. 

Available: http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/UniqueKeyLookup/TMAL6GDR3K/$File/

Energy%20Savings.pdf. Accessed 3/19/2007. 

■Connecticut OPM. 2008. Demand Response Program. 

Available: http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.asp?a = 

2994&q = 389740. Accessed 5/16/2008.

■DSIRE. 2007. Maine Incentives for Renewables and 

Efficiency. Database of State Incentives for Renewables 

and Energy Efficiency. Available: http://www.dsireusa.

org/library/includes/incentive2.cfm?Incentive_Code = 

ME08R&state = ME&CurrentPageID = 1&RE = 1&EE 

= 1. Accessed 3/19/2007.

ExECutivE Summary | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 
Table ES-7 Preliminary Assessment Tools

Tools/Organization Description URL/Source

Tools for Assessing Building Performance

Portfolio Manager (ENERGY

STAR)

Enables states to rate their facilities’ energy performance ■

and identify priority opportunities.

Assists states in applying for the ENERGY STAR label for ■

facilities scoring 75 or higher.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c = evaluate_performance.

bus_portfoliomanager

Target Finder (ENERGY STAR) Allows states to assess the design of new buildings and ■

compare simulations with existing buildings, based on data 

provided. 

Helps set energy performance goals and receive an energy ■

rating for design projects.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c = new_bldg_design.bus_

target_finder

Small Business Calculator 

(ENERGY STAR)

Estimates a facility’s energy intensity and potential energy ■

cost savings from upgrades.

http://www.energystar.gov/

index.cfm?c = small_business.

sb_calculate

Life-Cycle Cost Program 

(National Institute of Standards/

Technology)

Enables states to evaluate alternative designs that may have ■

higher initial costs, using a life-cycle costing method.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/

femp/information/download_

blcc.html

Emission Inventory Tools

Clean Air and Climate Protection 

Software (National Association 

of Clean Air Agencies)

Tracks emission reductions and forecasts emissions from ■

proposed reduction measures.

Develops government baseline inventory. ■

http://www.cacpsoftware.org/

Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies 

Calculator (U.S. EPA) 

Translates GHG reductions into terms that are easier ■

to conceptualize. States can also use the calculator “in 

reverse.” 

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/

energy-resources/calculator.html

e-GRID (U.S. EPA) Allows states to obtain information on power plants. ■

Develop emissions inventories for buildings. ■

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/

egrid/index.htm

State Inventory Tool (U.S. EPA; 

under development)

■ Enables states to develop GHG emissions inventories http://www.epa.gov/

climatechange/wycd/stateand 

localgov/analyticaltools.html

Emissions Forecasting Tool (U.S. 

EPA; under development)

Enables states to forecast business-as-usual emissions ■

through 2020

http://www.epa.gov/

climatechange/wycd/stateand 

localgov/analyticaltools.html

Energy Saving Tool

Community Energy Opportunity 

Finder (Rocky Mountain 

Institute)

Helps identify potential community benefits resulting ■

from energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy 

opportunities.

http://www.energyfinder.org

Financial and Economic Analysis Tool

Cash Flow Opportunity 

Calculator (ENERGY STAR) 

Calculates the amount of equipment that can be purchased ■

using anticipated savings. 

Compares costs of financing and waiting for cash. ■

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/

business/cfo_calculator.xls

14 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Executive Summary
Table ES-8 Key Resources for Developing an LBE Program

Chapter 2: LBE Activities and Measures

Databases

Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy http://www.dsireusa.org/

DOE State Energy Program http://www.eere.energy.gov/state_energy_program/topic_definition_

detail.cfm/topic = 115

Best Practices Resources

EPA ENERGY STAR Building Upgrade Manual http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=business.bus_upgrade_manual

EPA Clean Energy-Environment Guide to Action http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/state-and-local/

state-best-practices.html

EPA Clean Energy-Environment State Partnership Program 

Technical Forum 

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/state-and-local/

state-forum.html

EPA ENERGY STAR Guidelines for Energy Management http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = guidelines.guidelines_index

National Governor’s Association Center for Best Practices http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.50aeae5ff70b817ae8ebb8

56a11010a0/

Chapter 3: Establishing the LBE Program Framework

Examples of State Plans and Guidance for Implementing LBE Programs

Connecticut Leading by Example Report http://ctclimatechange.com/StateActionPlan.html

Connecticut Climate Change Web site http://www.ctclimatechange.com/rbf_rept.html

Maine Clean Government Web Site http://www.maine.gov/cleangovt/

Massachusetts State Agency Sustainability Planning and 

Implementation Guide

http://www.mass.gov/envir/Sustainable/pdf/ss_guide_web.pdf

New York “Green and Clean” State Buildings and Vehicles 

Guidelines for Executive Order 111

http://www.nyserda.org/programs/State_Government/

exorder111guidelines.pdf

State Executive Orders for Initiating LBE Programs

Massachusetts Executive Order 484 http://www.mass.gov/Agov3/docs/Executive%20Orders/Leading%20

by%20Example%20EO.pdf

Virginia Executive Order 48 http://www.governor.virginia.gov/initiatives/ExecutiveOrders/pdf/EO_48.

pdf

Resources for Implementing LBE Programs

California Local Energy Efficiency Program Workbook http://www.caleep.com/workbook/workbook.htm

National Governors’ Association Securing A Clean Energy 

Future Initiative 

http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.751b186f65e10b568a2781

10501010a0/?vgnextoid=f080dd9ebe318110VgnVCM1000001a01010aRC

RD&vgnextchannel=92ebc7df618a2010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD

Chapter 4: Screening LBE Activities and Measures

California Local Energy Efficiency Program Workbook http://www.caleep.com/workbook/workbook.htm

Massachusetts State Agency Sustainability Planning and 

Implementation Guide

http://www.mass.gov/envir/Sustainable/pdf/ss_guide_web.pdf

Colorado Greening Government Planning and 

Implementation Guide

http://www.colorado.gov/greeninggovernment/guide/Guide.pdf

Executive Summary | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 15
Chapter 5: Developing a Comprehensive LBE Program

EPA ENERGY STAR Innovative Financing Solutions: Finding 

Money for Your Energy Efficiency Projects 

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/COO-CFO_Paper_final.pdf

New York “Green And Clean” State Buildings and Vehicles 

Guidelines

http://www.nyserda.org/programs/State_Government/

exorder111guidelines.pdf

Green California Web site http://www.green.ca.gov/default.htm

Colorado Greening Government Web site http://www.colorado.gov/greeninggovernment/index.html

Chapter 6: Tracking, Evaluating, and Reporting LBE Program Progress

EPA Model Energy Efficiency Program Impact Evaluation 

Guide

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/documents/evaluation_guide.pdf

LBNL Measurement and Verification Documents http://ateam.lbl.gov/mv/

California Technical, Methodological, and Reporting 

Requirements for Evaluation Professionals

http://www.calmac.org/publications/EvaluatorsProtocols_Final_

AdoptedviaRuling_06-19-2006.pdf

DOE Impact Evaluation Framework for Technology 

Deployment Programs

http://www.eere.energy.gov/ba/pba/km_portal/docs/pdf/2007/impact_

framework_tech_deploy_2007_main.pdf

New York Executive Order No. 111 “Green And Clean” State 

Buildings and Vehicles Annual Energy Report

http://www.nyserda.org/programs/pdfs/execorder111finalreport7-03.pdf

Table ES-8 Key Resources for Developing an LBE Program (cont.)

16 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Executive Summary

■Harris, J., M. Brown, J. Deakin, S. Jurovics, A. Khan, 

E. Wisniewski, J. Mapp, B. Smith, M. Podeszwa, 

A. Thomas. 2004. Energy-Efficient Purchasing by 

State and Local Government Triggering a Landslide 

Down the Slippery Slope to Market Transformation. 

ACEEE Summer Study. Available: http://www.dc.lbl.

gov/LBNLDC/publications/Energy%20Efficient%20

Purchasing%20By%20State%20and%20Local%20

Government.pdf. Accessed 3/19/2007. 

■Huang, J., H. Akbari, and H. Taha. 1990. The windshielding and shading effects of trees on residential 

heating and cooling requirements. Proceedings of 

American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air 

Conditioning Engineers, February 1990, Atlanta, GA. 

Also Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Report 

LBL-24131, Berkeley, CA.

■Hull. 2008. Hull Wind. Available: http://www.hullwind.org/. Accessed 1/29/2008. 

■

■Kats, G., L. Alevantis, A. Berman, E. Mills, and J. 

Perlman. 2003. The Costs and Financial Benefits of 

Green Buildings. A Report to California’s Sustainable 

Building Task Force. October 2003. Available: http://

www.ciwmb.ca.gov/GreenBuilding/Design/CostBenefit/Report.pdf. Accessed 4/27/2007.

■LBNL. 2002. Potential Energy ,Cost, and CO2 Saving 

from Energy-Efficient Government Purchasing. Available: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/pdfs/government_purchasing.pdf. Accessed 10/8/2007.

■Manwell, J. F., J. G. McGowan, A. Rogers, A. Ellis, 

S. Wright, M. Brown, J. MacLeod. American Wind 

Energy Association. 2003. Wind Turbine Siting In An 

Urban Environment: the Hull, MA 660 kW Turbine, 

Conference Proceedings.

■Massachusetts. 2003. Program Assessment for the 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Environmentally 

Preferable Products Procurement Program. Final 

Draft. Available: http://www.mass.gov/Aosd/docs/

EPP/EPP%20Program%20Assessment%20Final%20

Report%20Dec02.doc. Accessed 1/15/2007.
■Massachusetts. 2004. Massachusetts Climate Action 

Plan. Available: http://www.newamerica.net/files/MAClimateProtPlan0504.pdf Accessed 7/14/2008.

■NAPEE. 2006. National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency. Available: http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/

energy-programs/napee/resources/action-plan.html. 

Accessed 4/17/2008. 

■NAPEE. 2007. National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency: Vision for 2025. Available: http://www.epa.

gov/cleanenergy/documents/vision.pdf. Accessed 

4/17/2008. 

■NASEO. 2006. Case Studies. Available: http://www.

naseo.org/tforces/energystar/casestudies/. Accessed 

1/12/2007.

■Renewable Energy Research Lab (RERL). 2006. University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Wind Power on 

the Community Scale: Community Wind Case Study, 

Hull. Available: http://www.ceere.org/rerl/about_wind/

RERL_Case_Study_Hull_Wind_One.pdf. Accessed: 

6/30/08.

■U.S. Census Bureau. 2008. Federal, State, and Local 

Governments; Table 1. State and Local Government 

Finances by Level of Government and by State: 2005-

06. July 2008. Available: http://www.census.gov/govs/

estimate/0600ussl_1.html. Accessed: 7/14/2008.

■U.S. DOE. 2004. Additional Financing Sources and 

Considerations. Available: http://www.eere.energy.gov/

buildings/info/plan/financing/additional.html. Accessed 4/17/2008. 

■NYSERDA. 2001. New York State. Executive Order 111 

Web site. Available: http://www.nyserda.org/programs/

exorder111.asp. Accessed 12/12/2006.

■NYSERDA. 2005. Executive Order 111 Annual Energy 

Report. Available: http://www.nyserda.org/programs/

pdfs/execorder111finalreport11-05.pdf. Accessed 

2/28/2008.

■U.S. DOE. 2006. The Green Power Network. Green 

Power Markets. http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/markets/index.shtml. Accessed 4/30/2007. Note: 

Updated from U.S. DOE. 2006a.

■U.S. DOE. 2007a. State Energy Program: Projects by 

Topic — What Are State and Local Government Facility Projects in the States? Available: http://www.eere.

energy.gov/state_energy_program/topic_definition_detail.cfm/topic = 115. Accessed 4/17/2008.

■U.S. DOE. 2007b. Benefits of Whole-Building Design. 

Available: http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/highperformance/design_approach.html#benefits. Accessed 

2/26/2008. 

■U.S. EPA. 2004a. Guide to Purchasing Green Power. 

Available: http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/buygreenpower/guide.htm. Accessed 7/6/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2004b. Building Upgrade Manual. Available: 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = business.

bus_upgrade_manual. Accessed 1/12/2007. 

■U.S. EPA. 2005a. EPA State Clean Energy-Environment 

Technical Forum. Call #11: High Performance Green 

Buildings: Public Sector Opportunities for Cost-Effective Energy and Environmental Benefits. November 10. 

http://www.keystone.org/spp/documents/12_8High%20

Perf%20Green%20Bldgs%20Background_Final.doc

■U.S. EPA. 2005b. Waste Management and Energy Savings. Avaialble: http://epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/

waste/downloads/Energy%20Savings.pdf. Accessed 

4/18/2008. 

■U.S. EPA. 2006. Clean-Energy Environment Guide to 

Action. Policies, Best Practices, and Action Steps for 

States. Available: .. Accessed 4/10/2008.

■U.S. EPA. 2007a. Clean Energy: Air Emissions. Available: http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-and-you/

affect/air-emissions.html. Accessed 1/23/2008.

■U.S. EPA. 2007b. CHP Efficiency Benefits. Available: 

http://www.epa.gov/chp/basic/efficiency.html. Accessed 

8/8/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2007c. 2006 ENERGY STAR Achievements 

in Brief. Available: http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/pt_awards/2006_Achievements_Overview.pdf. 

Accessed 2/21/2008. 

■U.S. EPA. 2007d. What is Renewable Energy? Available: http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/whatis/renewableenergy.htm. Accessed 7/25/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2008. Key Benefits of ENERGY STAR Products. Available: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c 

= bulk_purchasing.bus_purchasing_key_benefits. Accessed 1/23/2008.

■U.S. EPA. 2008a. Air Emissions. Available: http://

www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-and-you/affect/airemissions.html. Accessed 3/28/2008.

Executive Summary | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 17
■U.S. EPA. 2008b. Green Choices Grow with ENERGY 

STAR Qualified Buildings. Available: http://yosemite.

epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/1ef7cd36224b56578525735

9003f533f/1e156a04a68baa30852573ed005bea4e!Ope

nDocument. Accessed 5/8/2008.

■U.S. EPA. 2008c. Greenhouse Gas Equivalences Calculator. Available: http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/

energy-resources/calculator.html. Accessed (at former 

location - Climate Technology Cooperation Gateway 

http://www.usctcgateway.net/tool/): 12/14/2006. 

■U.S. EPA. 2008d. Water and Energy: Leveraging Voluntary Programs to Save Both Water and Energy. March. 

Prepared for the Climate Protection Partnerships Division. Available: http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/

publications/pubdocs/Final%20Report%20Mar%20

2008.pdf. Accessed: 7/18/2008.

■U.S. EPA. Undated. ENERGY STAR in Local and 

State Government — Good for Your Budget and the 

Environment. Available: http://www.energystar.gov/

ia/business/bulk_purchasing/Govt_FactSheet.pdf. Accessed 4/17/2008.

■Watergy. 2002. Watergy: Taking Advantage of Untapped Energy and Water Efficiency Opportunities 

in Municipal Water Systems. Available: http://www.

watergy.org/resources/publications/watergysummary.

pdf. Accessed 4/19/2007. 

■Wiser, R., M. Bolinger, and M. St. Clair. 2005. Easing 

the Natural Gas Crisis: Reducing Natural Gas Prices 

through Increased Deployment of Renewable Energy 

and Energy Efficiency. Lawrence Berkeley National 

Laboratory. Prepared for U.S. DOE. Available: http://

www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/sabl/2005/February/assets/Natural-Gas.pdf. Accessed 3/19/2007. 

18 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Executive Summary
Chapter one

Introduction

Many state governments are 

pursuing clean energy Lead by 

Example (LBE) programs to save 

energy and money and reduce 

greenhouse gas emissions across 

their facilities, operations, and fleets.

These LBE programs also demonstrate leadership on 

energy and environmental issues, raise public awareness of the benefits of clean energy technologies, improve air quality, improve energy supply and reliability, 

and foster markets for environmentally preferable 

products and services.

The LBE Guide provides information to assist state 

governments as they develop and implement effective 

LBE programs to achieve clean energy goals. It presents 

strategies, resources, and tools that state decision makers can use throughout the process.

State governments across the nation are pursuing clean 

energy policies and programs to help meet the growing 

demand for energy and to address the environmental, 

public health, and financial challenges associated with 

conventional energy generation and use. Advancing 

clean energy can provide many benefits including 

reduced energy costs, lower emissions of air pollutants 

and greenhouse gases (GHGs), increased fuel diversity, 

and improved reliability and security of the energy 

system (U.S. EPA, 2006b). 

A key strategy for state governments is implementing 

clean energy activities and measures in their facilities, 

Chapter One | Clean energy Lead by example Guide 

What is Clean Energy?

Clean energy includes demand- and supply-side 

resources that are less polluting ways to meet energy 

demand. Clean energy resources include:

Energy efficiency – refers to using less energy to 

provide the same or improved level of service to the 

energy consumer in an economically efficient way. 

Energy efficiency measures include a wide variety of 

technologies and processes, and can be implemented 

across all major energy-consuming sectors. 

Renewable energy – energy generated partially or 

entirely from non-depleting energy sources for direct 

end use or electricity generation. Renewable energy 

definitions vary by state, but usually include wind, solar, 

and geothermal energy. Some states also consider lowimpact or small hydro, biomass, biogas, and waste-toenergy to be renewable energy sources. Renewable 

energy can be generated on site or at a central station.

Combined heat and power (CHP) – also known as 

cogeneration, CHP is a clean, efficient technology that 

improves the conversion efficiency of traditional energy 

systems by using waste heat from electricity generation 

to produce thermal energy for heating or cooling in 

commercial or industrial facilities. CHP systems typically 

achieve 60% to 75% fuel use efficiencies, which is a 

significantly higher than those of conventional power 

plants.

Clean distributed generation (DG) – refers to non 

centralized—usually small-scale—renewable energy and 

CHP.

For more information, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency’s (EPA’s) Clean Energy Web site (http://www.epa.gov/

cleanenergy) and the ENERGY STAR Web site (http://www.

energystar.gov/). 
operations, and fleets. These “lead by example” (LBE) 

programs frequently include actions such as:

■ Improving how buildings are operated and maintained 

to maximize energy efficiency,

■ Procuring energy-efficient products, and 

■ Purchasing green power.

In addition to the energy, environmental, and financial 

benefits of LBE programs, states are demonstrating 

leadership on clean energy issues and documenting 

the economic feasibility of clean energy strategies. This 

helps to develop markets for clean energy technologies 

and services, raises awareness of clean energy opportunities, and promotes the adoption of clean energy 

measures in other sectors of the state economy. 

To pursue these benefits, states may need to overcome 

several persistent market barriers that limit investment 

in clean energy programs. These barriers include:

■ Limited knowledge about clean energy or LBE 

programs, 

■ Limited high-level and agency-level support,

■ Insufficient funding, and 

■ Insufficient staff availability. 

The Lead by Example Guide is designed to help states 

overcome these barriers. It provides a compilation of 

information to assist governments in developing their 

LBE programs, including step-by-step guidance, examples of successful state and local LBE programs, and 

resources and tools targeted at key LBE activities. An 

overview of the LBE Guide is presented in this section 

and includes:

■ Background on the importance of LBE programs as 

part of state clean energy efforts, 

■ The key LBE activities that state governments are successfully implementing,

■ The major benefits associated with LBE programs, and 

■ An overview of how the Guide is structured and the 

LBE program development and implementation process, and 

■ A list of the state and local government examples provided in the LBE Guide.

1.1 LBE is a Critical 

State Clean Energy Policy

Leading by example is a key policy option for states 

seeking to achieve clean energy goals. The LBE Guide

is an important next step in EPA’s efforts to assist states 

as they develop clean energy strategies for their own 

facilities and operations. It extends and supports two 

other recent state policy assistance documents:

■ EPA’s Clean Energy-Environment Guide to Action, 

which describes and provides information on sixteen 

clean energy policies, including LBE (U.S. EPA, 2006). 

■ National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency (Action 

Plan), which is a private-public initiative designed to 

overcome barriers to energy efficiency. The Action 

Plan’s implementation framework – the Vision for 2025 

– defines ten implementation goals for achieving all 

cost-effective energy efficiency by 2025, recognizes LBE 

programs as an important component of this goal, and 

uses the presence of a strong state LBE program as an 

indication of progress towards achieving this goal (see 

text box on page 1-3) (NAPEE, 2006, NAPEE, 2007). 

The Vision also highlights the value of LBE strategies 

as an option for leveraging purchasing power, control 

of significant energy-using resources, and the high visibility of public facilities to demonstrate clean energy 

technologies and approaches that lower energy costs 

and reduce emissions. It further stresses that strong 

LBE programs involve establishing goals and processes 

necessary for program implementation and periodic 

reporting on progress. 

The LBE Guide is offered as a tool to assist states and 

local governments in making progress towards their 

goals, consistent with the goals and recommendations 

of these documents.

The LBE Guide and Local Governments

While the LBE Guide is designed primarily to assist states 

in planning, implementing, developing, and operating 

comprehensive LBE programs, local governments can also 

benefit from the Guide. Like states, municipalities are also 

actively involved in developing clean energy LBE programs, 

although specific program activities and issues may differ. 

While this Guide focuses on how states can develop LBE 

programs, it also highlights examples of local LBE activities that 

states can adopt and describes how certain state activities are 

relevant to local governments. 

20 Clean energy Lead by example Guide | Chapter One
1.2 What State 

Governments Can Do 

State LBE activities typically fall into one of the following areas: 

1. Improve the energy efficiency of existing and 

new government-owned and -leased facilities. 

State governments operate many facilities, including 

office buildings, public schools, colleges, and universities, which consume large amounts of energy. These 

governments are responsible for more than 16 billion 

square feet of building space and spend more than $11 

billion annually on building energy costs, which can 

account for as much as 10% of a typical government’s 

annual operating budget (U.S. DOE, 2007). Improving 

energy efficiency in these structures can substantially 

reduce energy consumption, decrease GHG and air 

pollutant emissions, and lead to economic and other 

benefits. In addition, states can assist local governments, which can, in turn, reach out to assist their 

communities in improving building energy efficiency. 

2. Integrate energy efficiency and renewable energy 

measures in green buildings. The planning, design, 

and construction process for new and renovated buildings offers opportunities to integrate energy efficiency 

features with additional measures that achieve environmental and health benefits (e.g., purchasing green 

power, developing on-site renewable energy, selecting 

sustainable sites, using recycled-content materials, 

and landscaping to reduce water and energy use). 

Implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy 

measures are key ways to reduce GHG emissions and 

decrease the carbon footprint of new state facilities. 

By making this link between energy efficiency, renewable energy, and climate change, states are in a better 

position to achieve results and gain support for their 

programs.

3. Procure energy-efficient products. Energy-efficient 

product procurement can be a cornerstone of a state’s 

overall energy management strategy. State and local governments spend $50 to $70 billion a year to 

purchase energy-related products, and could save a 

combined total of more than $750 million annually 

through energy-efficient product procurement (CEE, 

2004; Harris et al., 2004; U.S. DOE, 2006.) This can be 

particularly helpful for fostering the development of 

in-state markets for clean energy products. 

The National Action Plan for Energy 

Efficiency and Vision for 2025: Achieving all 

Cost-Effective Energy Efficiency by 2025

The National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency (Action 

Plan) recognizes that improving energy efficiency in 

our homes, businesses, schools, governments, and 

industries – which consume more than 70% of the 

natural gas and electricity needs in the country – is 

one of the most constructive, cost-effective ways 

to address our nation’s energy challenges. The 

Action Plan, developed in July 2006 by more than 50 

leading organizations representing key stakeholder 

perspectives, describes policy recommendations for 

creating a sustainable, aggressive national commitment 

to energy efficiency through gas and electric utilities, 

utility regulators, and partner organizations.

In 2007, Action Plan leaders defined a vision that 

provides the framework for implementing the Action 

Plan. This Vision establishes a goal of achieving all 

cost-effective energy efficiency by 2025; describes 

ten implementation goals for states, utilities, and other 

stakeholders; describes what 2025 might look like if the 

goal is achieved; and provides a means for measuring 

progress. The ten Vision goals are:

1. Establish cost-effective energy efficiency as a highpriority resource.

2. Develop processes to align utilities incentives equally for 

efficiency and supply resources.

3. Establish cost-effectiveness tests.

4. Establish evaluation, measurement, and verification 

mechanisms.

5. Establish effective energy efficiency delivery 

mechanisms.

6. Develop state policies to ensure robust energy efficiency 

practices.

Key step: Develop and implement lead-by-example 

energy efficiency programs at the state and local levels.

7. Align customer pricing and incentives to encourage 

investment in energy efficiency.

8. Establish state of the art billing systems.

9. Implement state of the art efficiency information sharing 

and delivery systems.

10. Implement advanced technologies.

Web site: http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/documents/

vision.pdf

Chapter One | Clean energy Lead by example Guide 
4. Purchase green power. Green power is electricity produced from renewable sources (e.g., wind, solar, biogas, 

biomass, low-impact hydro, and geothermal resources) 

that is produced with no man-made GHG emissions, 

has a superior environmental profile compared to conventional power generation, and was built after January 

1, 1997.1 By choosing to purchase green power, states 

can reduce reliance on conventional fossil fuel-based 

energy, which can help stabilize energy prices and 

reduce GHG emissions. Increased use of green power 

can also provide economic benefits and improve national security.

5. Use clean energy supply technologies. Clean energy 

generation technologies, such as on-site wind and photovoltaic (PV) systems and clean DG and CHP, provide 

a clean energy alternative to conventional fuels that 

reduces the amount of energy lost in transmission from 

source to site, thereby reducing total energy demand, 

and lowers emissions of GHG and air pollutants. Increasing use of clean energy supply can also help state 

governments hedge against volatile fossil fuel-based 

energy prices. 

6. Implement other energy-saving opportunities. 

Implementing other environmental activities, such as 

recycling, water efficiency, and sustainable landscaping 

activities, frequently has the secondary effect of reducing energy use. For example, using products made 

from recycled or renewable materials through nonenergy-intensive methods can prevent unnecessary 

depletion of natural resources and reduce the energy 

required to manufacture new products and dispose 

of used ones. Improving the efficiency of water and 

wastewater treatment systems can reduce the amount 

of energy needed to convey, treat, and distribute water. 

In addition, some states are reducing energy costs and 

improving energy system reliability by incorporating 

demand response activities as part of their strategic approach to energy management. These activities involve 

changing electricity use patterns in order to reduce demand during times of peak energy use or when electricity system reliability is uncertain. States can sometimes 

earn additional revenue through payments from utilities and grid operators as compensation for the system 

reliability benefits of their demand response activities.

These LBE activities are described in more detail in 

Chapter 2: Lead By Example Activities and Measures

and Appendix B: State and Local Clean Energy LBE 

Programs: Examples, Tools, and Information Resources. .

Beyond these six stationary-source energy efficiency 

and clean energy supply LBE activities, there are 

opportunities for states to lead by example in the 

transportation sector, which in some states (e.g., 

California) can account for more than 50% of the state 

government’s energy expenditures. State LBE transportation policies and initiatives include increasing the 

use of alternative fuels, purchasing efficient vehicles 

for state fleets, developing a fueling infrastructure for 

Wisconsin Efficient Buys Program—

VendorNet System

The Wisconsin VendorNet system serves as the purchasing 

authority for the state. Additionally, VendorNet allows for 

cooperative purchasing by counties, cities, school districts, 

and utility districts. These entities are provided with access 

to state bids and contracts through a common Web site that 

is monitored by the Department of Administration’s Energy 

Division staff. Staff members work with purchasing agents to 

specify ENERGY STAR-qualified products, where available.

Source: Harris et al., 2004; Wisconsin, 2008.

Montgomery County, Maryland—

Wind Power Purchase 

In 2004, Montgomery County, Maryland represented a group 

of six county agencies, 11 municipalities, and a neighboring 

county in completing the largest ever local government 

purchase of wind energy. The agreement with Washington Gas 

Services and their wind energy supplier, Community Energy, 

Inc., is for more than 38.4 million kWh annually over two years, 

representing 5% of the group’s aggregate energy demand. 

The deal will produce significant environmental benefits. The 

emissions avoided through this purchase include over 19,000 

metric tons of CO2 (equivalent to 36 million miles not driven) 

and 43 tons of NOx (equivalent to 2.9 million trees).

Sources: Montgomery County, 2006; U.S. EPA, 2007.

Connecticut Demand Response Program

The Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM) 

administers a Demand Response Program that coordinates 

demand response activities among eleven state agencies. 

OPM works with these agencies to reduce peak electrical 

loads during period of high demand by transferring loads 

to distributed generation equipment and reducing nonessential electrical loads. These actions enable ISO New 

England, the regional grid operator, to avoid installing 

additional infrastructure that would otherwise be needed to 

meet demand. As compensation, ISO New England provides 

OPM approximately $430,000 quarterly, through third-party 

contractors. This payment is allocated to the participating 

agencies for reinvestment in clean energy projects 

Source: Connecticut OPM, 2008.

22 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter One
alternative fuel vehicles, and encouraging commuting options such as ride-sharing and mass transit. 

For more information about EPA’s transportation 

programs, policies, regulations, and tools, visit the EPA 

Office of Transportation and Air Quality Planning’s 

State and Local Transportation Resources Web site 

(http://www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/index.htm) 

(U.S. EPA, 2006b; U.S. EPA, 2006c).1

1.3 Benefits of LBE Programs

Clean energy LBE programs can produce significant 

energy, environmental, economic, and other benefits 

for state governments. Specifically, LBE activities can 

help states to: 

■ Demonstrate leadership. Clean energy LBE programs 

can educate policymakers and stakeholders and raise 

public awareness about the multiple energy, environmental, and economic benefits that clean energy offers. 

Governments that practice good energy management 

are demonstrating a proactive approach to addressing 

the nation’s energy challenge while practicing fiscal 

responsibility. 

■ Reduce energy consumption and costs.2

 State governments have implemented a variety of clean energy LBE 

activities that are saving energy. In many buildings, 

energy efficiency upgrades can reduce energy costs by 

35%, while designing new and renovated buildings to 

achieve superior energy performance can lead to energy 

savings of as much as 50% when compared to conventional buildings (U.S. EPA, 2008b; U.S. EPA, 2004). 

ExampleS: In North Carolina, from fiscal year (FY) 

2002 through 2006 the North Carolina Utility Savings 

Initiative for State Facilities saved the state an estimated 

$53 million through a number of energy investments, 

including energy efficiency measures that saved almost 

$900,000 for switching to LED traffic lights and $3 million for incorporating a bundle of energy efficiency measures recommended by the State Energy Office (North 

Carolina, 2007). 

In New York, an executive order in 2003 directed 

state facilities to achieve a 35% reduction in energy 

1 January 1, 1997 is the accepted date marking the beginning of the voluntary 

green power market.

2 Throughout the LBE Guide, energy savings resulting from clean energy LBE 

programs and activities are expressed in terms of total dollars (i.e., energy cost 

savings in $) and/or kilowatt hours (i.e., energy savings in kWh), depending 

on the source of information.

consumption by 2010 relative to 1990 levels. By the end 

of FY 2001/2002, state agencies had reduced energy consumption by 9%, saving $52 million in FY 2001/2002 

alone (New York, 2003). 

■ Reduce GHG emissions and air pollutants. Energy 

use in commercial and industrial facilities account 

for nearly 50% of all U.S. GHG emissions (U.S. EPA, 

2008b). By implementing clean energy activities to 

decrease their use of conventional fossil fuel-based 

energy, state governments can reduce their emissions 

of GHGs and air pollutants (e.g., sulfur and nitrogen 

compounds, ozone precursors, particulate matter) associated with fossil fuel combustion. 

Example: A 660 kW wind turbine at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, which supplies 25% of the 

academy’s electricity demand, help avoid 556 tons of 

GHG emissions (Massachusetts EOEA, 2006).

■ Foster markets for energy-efficient products and encourage economic development in local and regional 

communities. Clean energy LBE activities support the 

development of in-state markets for clean energy products, manufacturers, and services (e.g., energy service 

companies, renewable energy equipment installers, and 

energy-efficient product manufacturers). In addition, 

investing in energy efficiency and local clean energy 

typically provides a greater economic stimulus to the 

local economy than traditional energy purchases, 

particularly when that energy comes from out of state. 

Energy cost savings resulting from energy efficiency 

are also available to reinvest and further spur local 

economic development. State governments can provide 

Assessing the Multiple Benefits of Clean Energy 

EPA is currently developing guidance for state energy, 

environmental, and economic policy makers on assessing the 

many benefits of clean energy. This guidebook will address 

energy savings, energy system benefits, environmental quality 

and related human health benefits, and economic benefits of 

clean energy. While they are sometimes reported in qualitative 

terms, these benefits can also be estimated using computer 

simulations of a state’s economy (e.g., job creation, reduction 

in trade deficits), public health models (e.g., reductions in 

asthma), and other analytic tools.

Assessing the Multiple Benefits of Clean Energy, will describe 

each type of benefit; present methods, tools, and resources for 

estimating each type of benefit; and provide information on 

how states can use the results to build support for their clean 

energy programs. 

Source: U.S. EPA, Forthcoming.

Chapter One | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 23
a starting point for broader implementation of these 

clean energy technologies and practices. 

■ Offer improved energy supply reliability. Many LBE 

activities are designed to reduce demand or enhance 

distributed supply during periods of peak demand. 

Reducing demand at peak demand times is sensible 

financially (i.e., due to significantly higher on-peak 

energy or power demand costs) and improves transmission and distribution system reliability. 

Example: Twice during the summer of 2002, the New 

York State Public Service Commission (PSC) requested 

state entities to curtail their energy demand during the 

day to help avoid brownouts and blackouts. Agencies 

were able to reduce peak load by approximately 100 

MW during these times of strain on the electric grid. The 

PSC load-curtailment campaign is an important component of the state’s efforts to assure reliable electric service 

for all New Yorkers (New York, 2003).

■ Offer greater energy price certainty. Using a clean energy supply can provide more reliable energy services 

and help government energy consumers hedge against 

uncertain future energy costs and availability (U.S. 

EPA, 2006b). 

Example: Electricity from renewable sources provide 

100% of state government needs in Maine, making state 

government less susceptible to price volatility that may 

accompany future constrained supply of conventional 

fossil fuels (DSIRE, 2007). 

Reducing demand for conventional energy can also 

reduce energy prices, which is a special concern in 

areas where sales-volume-sensitive gas prices have been 

steadily increasing. According to one estimate, for every 

1% reduction in national natural gas demand, natural 

gas prices decrease by 0.8% to 2% (Wiser et al., 2005). 

■ Promote sustainable alternatives to conventional 

practices. By implementing other energy and environmental activities that complement LBE clean energy 

activities, states can achieve secondary energy savings 

benefits. For example, coordinating LBE activities with 

waste management, water treatment, and other state 

programs can lead to energy savings due to the energy 

benefits of recycling, solid waste reduction, water 

conservation, and landscaping strategies. In terms of 

recycling, the amount of energy saved from recycling 

one ton of office paper or one ton of aluminum cans is 

equal to more than 10 million BTU and nearly 207 million BTU, respectively (Choate et al., 2005). 

Example: In North Carolina, reported purchases of 

recycled content office paper by state agencies totaled 

$12 million in 2005. This effort conserved 115,000 trees 

and reduced the CO2 equivalent of 900 cars while saving enough BTUs to supply energy to 900 homes (North 

Carolina DENR, 2005).

■ Provide other benefits. Clean energy LBE programs 

can sometimes produce additional benefits, including:

■ Improved indoor air quality and productivity in 

energy-efficient and green buildings. Energy efficiency 

upgrades can improve occupant health by enhancing 

indoor air quality. Installing energy recovery ventilation equipment, for example, can reduce infiltration 

of air contaminants from outdoors while significantly 

reducing HVAC energy loads (U.S. EPA, 2003). One 

study on building performance found that the average reduction in illness as a result of improving air 

quality in buildings is approximately 40% (Carnegie 

Mellon, 2005). 

Enhanced indoor air quality along with welldesigned lighting, greater use of daylighting, and 

comfortable heating, cooling, and ventilation, can 

improve employee comfort and reduce fatigue, accidents, absenteeism, turnover, and health costs—all 

of which can contribute to employee morale and productivity (U.S. EPA, 2008). Use of environmentally 

preferable building materials in green buildings can 

also help improve indoor air quality.

■ Increased Asset Value in Energy-Efficient Buildings. Improving energy efficiency can increase a 

building’s lifetime and overall value. EPA estimates 

that for every $1 spent on energy efficiency improvements, a building’s value increases by $2 to $3 (U.S. 

EPA, 2004). In addition, energy-efficient products often have longer lifetimes than conventional products. 

■ Reduced Maintenance Costs in Energy-Efficient 

Buildings. Because energy-efficient products may 

require less-frequent maintenance or replacement, 

cost savings over the lifetime of the product can be 

significant. Reducing the number of times a product 

needs to be replaced can be especially important 

when replacement involves handling valuable or 

antique items, which can be found in many state 

government facilities (U.S. EPA, 2004).

24 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter One
1.4 Overview of the 

LBE Guide and the LBE

Implementation Process 

States can use the LBE Guide to initiate or expand 

an LBE program with the objective of establishing a 

comprehensive LBE program across their buildings, 

facilities, and operations. They can use the LBE Guide 

for guidance on both simple and more complex approaches, selecting and applying strategies appropriate to their situation. The steps involved in the LBE 

process, and specific actions states can undertake to 

achieve each of the steps are illustrated in Table 1.4.1. 

These key steps include 

■ Establish the program framework; 

■ Screen LBE activities and measures; 

■ Develop a comprehensive program; and 

■ Track, evaluate, and report on program progress. 

The Guide includes strategies, resources, and tools for 

states to use throughout this process. Table 1.4.2 describes how one state, Connecticut, has followed these 

steps in developing its clean energy LBE program. 

A list of all the state and local government examples 

provided in the Guide through text boxes and case 

studies is provided in Table 1.4.3. These examples are 

organized according to the step in the LBE process that 

they address and by section of the Guide. 

The Guide is organized as follows:

■ Chapter 2, LBE Activities and Measures, introduces 

key background information on benefits and implementation issues associated with six key types of LBE 

activities. Information on the specific measures that 

comprise an LBE activity is provided where appropriate. The information and examples provided in this 

chapter can help inform decisions at multiple stages in 

the LBE program development process, described in 

subsequent chapters. 

■ Chapter 3, Establishing the LBE Program Framework, 

describes the first steps in establishing a framework for 

a comprehensive LBE program, including selecting an 

LBE team and other key participants, obtaining high 

level support, setting goals, and initiating the program.

■ Chapter 4, Screening LBE Activities and Measures,

provides information on assessing the universe 

Overview of Contents of the 

Lead By Example Guide

Chapter One | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 25

Doc

ument

Map

Chapter One

Introduction

Chapter Two

Potential LBE Activities and Measures

Chapter Three

Establish the LBE Program Framework

Chapter Four

Screen LBE Activities and Measures

Chapter Five 

Develop LBE Program

Chapter Six

Track, Evaluate, and Report on Progress 

Appendix A: 

State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans 

Initiating LBE Programs

Appendix B: 

State and Local Clean Energy LBE Programs: Examples, 

Tools, and Information Resources

Appendix C: 

Resources for Implementing LBE Programs 

Appendix D: 

Resources for Funding LBE Programs 

Appendix E: 

Resources for Conducting Communications and 

Outreach for LBE Programs 

Appendix F: 

Resources on Technical and Financial Assistance to 

Local Governments

Appendix G: 

State LBE Programs and Contacts

Appendix H: 

State LBE Tracking Tools and 

Resources

Appendix I: 

M&V Protocols and Guidance

Appendix J: 

Resources for Reporting the Results of 

LBE Programs
Table 1.4.1 Summary of the LBE Implementation Process

LBE Activities 

and Measures

Establish the LBE Program Framework

Screen LBE

Activities and 

Measures

Develop a 

Comprehensive 

LBE Program

Track, Evaluate, 

and Report on 

LBE Program 

Progress

Establish LBE

Team and 

Obtain Support

Set Clean Energy 

Goals

Establish 

Mechanisms to 

Implement the 

LBE Program 

See Chapter 2 See Sections 3.1–3.3 See Section 3.4 See Section 3.5 See Chapter 4 See Chapter 5 See Chapter 6

Possible Actions

Improve energy 

efficiency in 

buildings. 

Integrate energy 

efficiency and 

renewable 

energy measures 

in green 

buildings. 

Purchase 

energy-efficient 

products.

Purchase green 

power. 

Use a clean 

energy supply.

Implement other 

energy-saving 

activities.

Possible Actions

Identify lead and 

supporting LBE 

clean energy 

agencies.

Identify key 

personnel.

Identify and 

obtain high-level 

support.

Identify other 

key agencies 

and grvoups to 

help shape and 

implement LBE 

programs

Possible Actions

Develop energy 

consumption 

baseline.

Assess state 

context.

Set state LBE 

activity goals.

Overall energy 

savings and GHG 

emission targets.

Existing building 

targets.

New building 

targets.

Energy-efficient 

product 

procurement 

goals.

Renewable 

energy targets.

Energy-efficient 

procurement 

goals.

State fleet and 

fuel use targets.

Possible Actions

Governor issues 

an executive 

order.

State legislature 

enacts LBE 

legislation.

State establishes 

LBE program 

through state 

planning process.

State energy 

office initiates 

LBE program.

Other 

organizations 

adopt programs 

that support or 

influence the 

state’s adoption 

of an LBE 

program.

Possible Actions

Screen LBE 

activities and 

measures from 

the universe of 

LBE activities.

Develop 

assessment 

criteria.

Estimate costs 

and benefits.

Select and 

implement LBE 

activities and 

measures.

Possible Actions

Integrate 

clean energy 

opportunities.

Determine 

program 

financing.

Conduct 

communications 

and outreach. 

Provide technical 

and financial 

assistance 

to local 

governments.

Share 

information and 

access federal, 

state, and local 

LBE resources.

Possible Actions

Develop tracking, 

evaluation, and 

reporting plan. 

Establish 

baselines.

Conduct 

benchmarking.

Track energy 

use, emissions, 

and savings. 

Conduct impact, 

process, and/or 

market effects 

evaluations.

Report progress.

Revise program 

based on results.

26 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter One

of LBE activities and measures to formulate a portfolio 

of high-priority LBE activities and measures. 

■ Chapter 5, Developing a Comprehensive LBE Program 

discusses key design and implementation issues for 

states to consider as they develop their LBE programs, 

including integrating multiple LBE activities, financing 

the LBE program, conducting communications and 

outreach, and providing technical and financial assistance to local governments.

■ Chapter 6, Tracking, Evaluating, and Reporting LBE 

Program Progress, provides information on how to 

track, evaluate, and report on the performance of LBE 

programs and activities.

■ The LBE Guide’s appendices provide examples, resources, and tools that can assist state governments in 

developing an effective LBE program.
Developing a State Clean 

Energy LBE Program: 

Connecticut Case Study 

Connecticut’s LBE program was developed 

as an integral part of the Climate Change 

Action Plan, the blueprint for achieving costeffective GHG emissions reductions across 

the state. The Governor’s Steering Committee recognized the importance of including 

a strong LBE component in the plan and 

stated that “only by leading by example can 

the state of Connecticut encourage its corporations and residents to make comparable 

decisions” (Connecticut 2002).

A summary of the process involved in developing the Climate Change Action Plan, with 

specific reference to the LBE components of 

this plan, is presented below. 

Getting Started: Initiate Program Planning 

Framework and Set Goals Connecticut’s 

LBE program got its start in 2002 when the 

state held a Climate Change Action Plan 

Summit to establish a process for developing 

a GHG emissions reduction plan. The 

specific objectives of this meeting were to:

Develop a framework for a participatory ■

process for developing a plan to address climate change;

■ Identify opportunities for state agencies to initiate this program by “leading by 

example.”

Twenty-two participants, representing 13 ■

state agencies, attended the summit. The 

framework adopted at the summit is summarized in the figure. Working groups developed a short list of GHG reduction options 

which included the following LBE activities:

■ Transportation—state vehicle fleet to turnover to alternative, hybrid, fuel-efficient 

vehicles;

Energy—state purchase of renewable energy; ■

Buildings/Facilities—state buildings to meet ■

U.S. Green Building Council LEED-rated silver green building standards.

Identify and Screen Options

In 2003, nearly 100 organizations, including businesses, nonprofit organizations, 

state and local government agencies, and 

academic institutions, worked together to 

develop a set of 55 recommended actions 

for reducing Connecticut’s GHG emissions. 

Many of these recommendations involved 

LBE activities, including:

Fleet vehicle incentives and initiatives; ■

High performance schools and state-funded ■

buildings;

Shared savings program for government ■

agencies;

Green campus initiative; ■

Energy benchmarking and tracking program ■

for municipal buildings;

Pilot fuel-switching project; ■

■ State procurement of environmentally preferable services and products;

Government clean energy purchase. ■

Develop a Comprehensive Program

The state developed the following LBE activities to implement the Connecticut Climate 

Change Action Plan recommendations: 

State Agency Energy Roundtable: a quarterly ■

meeting of state agency facility managers 

to help them implement cost- and energysaving actions;

■ Purchase Climate Friendly Products: Governor Rell’s Executive Order 17 (February, 

2008) requires that all future equipment 

and appliances purchased by and for executive branch state agencies shall be ENERGY 

STAR® certified, provided such equipment 

and appliances are commercially available.

Use the State Fleet’s Hybrid Vehicles: the ■

Department of Administrative Services has 

purchased approximately 300 hybrid gaselectric vehicles, which comprise 7% of the 

state fleet. 

■ Buy Locally Grown Foods: many state agencies, including the Department of Corrections, the Department of Mental Retardation, and public universities are reducing 

emissions resulting from long-distance food 

transport by buying locally grown produce;

■ Purchase Clean Energy: most state agencies currently meet their electricity needs 

through a state contract for electricity that 

provides for an average of 17.5% Class 1 

clean energy (plus clean energy through 

CT’s Renewable Portfolio Standard). From 

July 2009 – 2013, the electric supply contract for all CT state agencies will average 

19.35% Class I plus clean energy provided 

through CT’s Renewable Portfolio Standard;

■ Increase Recycling and Composting: the Departments of Correction and Environmental 

Protection have had effective recycling and 

composting programs;

Encourage Clean Commuting and VMT ■

Reduction: agencies are encouraging employees to use cleaner commuting options, 

such as ride sharing, mass transit, and biking 

to work. In addition, several state agencies 

have active telecommuting programs;

Energy efficiency improvements to state ■

buildings: many state buildings are upgrading energy systems and seeing energy and 

cost savings. Projects include lighting and 

exit sign retrofits; installation of energy 

management systems; pump, motor, boiler, 

and chiller replacements; vending machine 

and computer energy saving devices; and 

water treatment system upgrades. 

Track, Evaluate, and Report on the Program

Connecticut established an emissions baseline forecast for each policy recommendation, set a reductions goal (with respect to 

the baseline), and evaluated each measure 

in the context of the goal. The state also established the following procedures to build 

on this existing analysis, track progress, and 

maintain support: 

Track progress on each measure; ■

Continue to calculate GHG benefits and ■

costs;

■ Continue to analyze the co-benefits of priority policy options;

Obtain stakeholder feedback on the Action ■

Plan and its implementation;

Assess progress on each measure and report ■

on results. 

Connecticut’s progress reports include a 

section describing the specific LBE actions 

the state has taken to install clean energy 

systems, purchase renewable energy, construct green buildings, benchmark and 

reduce energy consumption in state buildings, reduce vehicle miles traveled by state 

vehicles, and purchase hybrid vehicles.

Sources: Connecticut 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006a, 

2006b, 2006c.

Governor

Working 

Group 2

Working 

Group 3

Working 

Group 1

Commissioner Guidance Committee

DEP, DPUC, DOT, Clean Energy Fund, OPM

Stakeholder Advisory Group

Senior Agency Staff and Other Stakeholders

P

Chapter One | Clean energy Lead by example Guide 
Table 1.4.2 State Examples in the Lead by Example Guide

Chapter One: Introduction

■ WI: Efficient Buys Program – VendorNet 

■ MN:State Agency Recycling Challenge

■ MD:Montgomery County Wind Power 

Purchase 

■ CT: Developing a State LBE Program 

■ CT: Demand Response Program

Chapter Two: LBE Activities and Measures

2.1 Energy Efficiency in Buildings

■ SC: Energy Use in State Facilities in FY 

2004

■ VA: Energy Efficiency Policy and Council 

■ CA: Benchmarking State Facilities

■ MI: State Facilities Energy Savings Plan 

■ MT: 20 x 10 Initiative

■ NH: ENERGY STAR Challenge Participant

■ OR: Building Commissioning Program 

■ WA:Building Commissioning Program 

■ WI: Wisconsin Energy Initiative

■ NC: Sustainable Energy Efficient Buildings 

Program

■ CO: Energy Management and Integrated 

Energy-Efficient Design in K-12 Schools

2.2 Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Measures in Green Buildings

■ AZ: Green Building Policy

■ HI: Lead by Example Initiative

■ MN:State Sustainable Building Guidelines 

■ MA: LEED-Plus Standard

■ NM:Lead by Example Initiative 

■ NY: “Green and Clean” State Buildings

■ NY: Collaborative for High-Performance 

Schools

■ PA: High Performance Green Building 

Program 

■ PA: Cambria State Office Building

■ OR: Portland Green Building Policy

■ WI: Sustainable Facilities Guidelines/

Standards

■ WI: Department of Natural Resources 

Building

■ DC: Washington, D.C. Green Building 

Policy

2.3 Energy-Efficient Product Procurement

■ MA: Environmentally Preferable Products 

Procurement 

■ NYC: Energy-Efficient Product 

Procurement

2.4 Green Power Procurement

■ PA: Green Power Purchase Commitment

■ CT: Green Power Purchases

■ ME: Aggregated Green Power Purchase

■ NJ: Aggregated Green Power Purchase

■ MD:Montgomery County Wind Power 

Purchase

2.5 Clean Energy Supply

■ VA: Solar Power at New State Facilities 

■ AZ: Army Aviation Training Site Solar Farm

■ UT: Solar Power Demonstration

■ OR: Solar State Buildings

■ CA: Solar Technology at State Facilities 

■ MA: Renewable Energy Initiatives

■ IL: State Agency CHP Activities

■ NJ: Solar Power in Public School District

■ CA: Solar Power at a University

■ OH: CHP at a University

■ TX: CHP at a University

■ WI: CHP at a University

■ MN:CHP at a Wastewater Treatment 

Facility

2.6 Other Energy Saving Opportunities

■ CT: Demand Response Program

■ MA: State Sustainability Program 

■ CO: Water Conservation in State Agencies 

■ MA: Water Consumption Reduction Goal

Chapter Three: Establishing the LBE Program Framework

3.1- 3.3 Establish LBE Team and Obtain Support

■ MA: LBE Champions 

■ GA: Gaining Support for LBE Program

■ IA: Executive Branch Participation 

■ CA: Local Government Participation 

■ WA:School Participation 

■ NH: ESCO Participation 

■ CT: Nonprofit Organization Participation

3.4 Set Clean Energy Goals

■ Executive Order Establishes Federal LBE 

Goals

■ MA: Energy and CO2 Inventory

■ CA: Benchmarking Initiative 

■ NY: “Green and Clean” State Buildings 

and Vehicles

28 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter One
3.5 Establish Mechanisms to Implement the LBE Program

■ MA: Executive Order Builds on Earlier 

Executive Order and Administrative 

Bulletins

■ SC: Energy Efficiency Act

■ WA:King County Model LBE Program

Chapter Four: Screening LBE Activities and Measures

■ MI: Energy Reduction Strategy – 

Financial Criteria

■ MA: Sustainability Program – Selection 

Criteria 

■ UT: Screening Energy Efficiency Options

■ VT: State Agency Energy Plan

■ WI: Wisconsin Energy Initiative 

■ NV: Energy Conservation Plan

Chapter Five: Developing a Comprehensive LBE Program

5.1 Integrate Individual Clean Energy Activities into a Program

■ California Solar Schools Program

5.2 Finance the LBE Program

■ VT: Life-Cycle Accounting

■ CO and CA: Performance Contracting 

Resources

■ NY: City of Amherst Using ESCOs

■ WA:Energy Performance Contracting 

Program

■ NY: Financing New Heating Systems 

■ NH: Building Energy Conservation 

Initiative

■ IA: Iowa Energy Bank

■ OR: State Business Tax Credit for 

Efficiency and Renewables

■ TX: LoanSTAR Revolving Loan Program

■ UT: Policy to Advance Energy Efficiency 

■ IA, SC, CT: States Developing Ways to 

Share or Retain their Energy Savings

■ WA:King County – Win Win Program

5.3 Conduct Communications and Outreach: Building and Maintaining Support for an LBE Program

■ MA: Obtaining LBE Support from State 

Agencies

■ CO: State Employee Incentives 

■ VT: Emphasizing the Benefits of Clean 

Energy

■ CO: Rebuild Colorado Training Sessions

■ MA: Sustainability Planning and 

Implementation Guide

5.4 Provide Technical and Financial Assistance to Local Governments

■ CA: Technical Assistance in Buildings

■ NY: Product Procurement Assistance 

■ OR: Energy Audits and Design Reviews 

■ PA: Energy Management Plan Assistance

■ TX: Schools and Local Government 

Program

■ WV:Building Professionals Energy Training 

■ CA: Energy Efficiency Financing Program

■ KS: Facility Conservation Improvement 

Program

■ OR: State Energy Loan Program

■ PA: Local Government Handbook

5.5 Information Sharing: Federal, State, and Local LBE Resources

■ California 

■ CA: Local Energy Efficiency Program 

Workbook

■ Colorado

■ Massachusetts

■ New York 

■ Pennsylvania

■ Vermont 

■ Alameda County, California

■ Boulder, Colorado

■ Hennepin Ccounty, Minnesota

■ King County, Washington 

■ Madison, Wisconsin

■ Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

■ San Antonio, Texas

■ San Francisco, California

Chapter Six: Tracking, Evaluating, and Reporting LBE Program Progress

■ WY:Energy Conservation Improvement 

Program: Measurement and Verification 

Plan Guidelines

■ MA: Data Collection Approach – Energy 

and CO2 Intensity 

■ GA: Energy Tracking System

■ NY: Energy Utilization Index 

■ CA and NY: State Applications of the 

IPMVP

■ CA: Evaluation, Measurement, and 

Verification of the 2004-2005 San Diego 

Local Government Energy Efficiency 

Program

T

Chapter One | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 29
References

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Department of General Services. Available: http://

www.green.ca.gov/default.htm. Accessed 4/25/2007. 

■Carnegie Mellon. 2005. Center for Building 

Performance. As cited in Greening America’s Schools: 

Costs and Benefits. G. Kats, Capital E. Available: http://

www.cap-e.com/ewebeditpro/items/O59F11233.pdf.

Accessed 4/17/2007. 

■CEE. 2004. Energy-Efficient Purchasing by State and 

Local Government: Triggering a Landslide Down the 

Slippery Slope to Market Transformation. Consortium 

for Energy Efficiency, Boston, MA. Available: http://

www.cee1.org/gov/purch/2004_purchasing.pdf.

Accessed 12/6/2006.

■Choate, A., L. Pederson, J. Scharfenberg. 2005. Waste 

Management and Energy Savings: Benefits by the 

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nsf/UniqueKeyLookup/TMAL6GDR3K/$File/

Energy%20Savings.pdf. Accessed 3/19/2007. 

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Available: http://www.c40cities.org/bestpractices/

lighting/portland_led.jsp. Accessed 2/29/2008.

■Connecticut. 2002. Leading By Example: Connecticut 

Collaborates to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. 

A Report Based on a Summit Held at the Pocantico 

Conference Center of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. 

Pocantico Paper No 6. October 2−4, 2002. Available: 

http://ctclimatechange.com/rbf_rept.html. Accessed 

12/6/2006.

■Connecticut. 2004. Connecticut Climate Change 

Stakeholders Dialog: Recommendations to the 

Governor’s Steering Committee. January. The Center 

for Clean Air Policy. Available: http://ctclimatechange.

com/ct_action_plan.html. Accessed 12/6/2006.

■Connecticut. 2005. 2005 CT Climate Change Action 

Plan. Connecticut Climate Change Web site. Available: 

http://www.ctclimatechange.com/StateActionPlan.

html. Accessed 12/6/2006.

■Connecticut. 2006a. State Government. Connecticut 

Climate Change Web site. Available: http://

ctclimatechange.com/StateGovernmentRevision.html.

Accessed 12/6/2006.

■Connecticut. 2006b. Taking Action in Connecticut 

to Address Climate Change: Progress Made in 

2005. February. Connecticut Climate Change 

Web site. Available: http://ctclimatechange.com/

ReportonProgressin2005.html. Accessed 12/6/2006.

■Connecticut. 2006c. Personal communication with 

Bryan Garcia, Connecticut Innovations, and John 

Ruckes, Connecticut Office of Policy Management. 

June 5, 2006.

■Connecticut OPM. 2008. Demand Response Program.

Available: http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.asp?a = 

2994&q = 389740. Accessed 5/16/2008.

■DSIRE. 2007. Database of State Incentives for 

Renewable Energy: Maine Incentives for Renewables 

and Efficiency. Available: http://www.dsireusa.org/

library/includes/incentive2.cfm?Incentive_Code=ME

08R&state=ME&CurrentPageID=1&RE=1&EE=1.

Accessed 3/16/2007. 

■ENERGY STAR. 2006. ENERGY STAR Web site. 

Protecting our Environment for Future Generations.

Available: http://www.energystar.gov. Accessed 

12/12/2006.

■Harris, J., M. Brown, J. Deakin, S. Jurovics, A. Khan, 

E. Wisniewski, J. Mapp, B. Smith, M. Podeszwa, 

A. Thomas. 2004. Energy-Efficient Purchasing by 

State and Local Government Triggering a Landslide 

Down the Slippery Slope to Market Transformation. 

ACEEE Summer Study. Available: http://www.dc.lbl.

gov/LBNLDC/publications/Energy%20Efficient%20

Purchasing%20By%20State%20and%20Local%20

Government.pdf. Accessed 3/19/2007. 

■Hatcher, K. and T. Dietsche. 2001. Manage Energy 

Uncertainty: Use Quick Financing for Energy 

Efficiency Projects. Available: http://www.energystar.

gov/ia/business/government/Hatcherarticle.pdf.

Accessed 3/7/2007. 

■Kats, G., L. Alevantis, A. Berman, E. Mills, and J. 

Perlman. 2003. The Costs and Financial Benefits of 

Green Buildings: A Report to California’s Sustainable 

Building Task Force. October. Available: http://www.

cap-e.com/ewebeditpro/items/O59F3259.pdf. Accessed 

3/8/2007. 

■Massachusetts EOEA. 2006. State Sustainability 

Newsletter. Vol. 4: Renewable Energy. Summer 2006.

30 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter One
Available: http://www.mass.gov/envir/Sustainable/

pdf/4_2006_summer_renewables.pdf. Accessed 

5/8/2007. 

■Montgomery County. 2006. Montgomery County 

Signs Agreement to Purchase Wind Energy; Largest 

Local Government Purchase in Country. Available: 

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Apps/News/

press/DisplayInfo.cfm?ItemID = 895. Accessed 

1/12/2007.

■NASPIRGs. 2005. Energy Efficiency: The Smart 

Way to Reduce Global Warming Pollution in the 

Northeast. National Association of State PIRGs.

Available: http://www.massclimateaction.org/RGGI/

PIRGEnergyEfficiency0805.pdf. Accessed 3/19/2007. 

■National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency (NAPEE). 

2006. National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency. July.

Available: http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/documents/

napee/napee_report.pdf. Accessed: 3/11/2008.

■National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency (NAPEE). 

2007. National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency 

Vision for 2025: Developing a framework for Change.

November. Available: http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/

documents/vision.pdf. Accessed: 3/11/2008.

■New York. 2003. Executive Order No. 111 “Green and 

Clean” State Buildings and Vehicles. Annual Energy 

Report. July 2003. Available: http://www.nyserda.

org/programs/pdfs/execorder111finalreport7-03.pdf.

Accessed 3/16/2007. 

■North Carolina. 2007. NC Energy Notes. Winter 2007.

Available: http://www.energync.net/resources/docs/

pubs/winter07.pdf. Accessed 3/19/2007. 

■North Carolina DENR. 2005. State Agency Purchases 

of Recycled Products and Reduction of Solid Waste 

Disposal: July 1, 2004–June 30, 2005. Department 

of Environment and Natural Resources. Available: 

http://www.p2pays.org/ref/38/37924.pdf. Accessed 

3/19/2007. 

■NYSERDA. 2004b. State Government. Energy 

Efficiency Improvements. Available: http://www.

nyserda.org/programs/State_Government/default.asp?i 

= 13. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■Portland. Undated. LED Traffic Signals = Energy 

Savings for the City of Portland. Available: http://www.

portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=111737

Accessed 2/29/2008.

Chapter One | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 31

■U.S. DOE. 2006. FEMP FocusFall 2003. States 

and Cities Follow Federal Lead in Energy-Efficient 

Purchasing. Last Updated February 20, 2004.

Available: http://www.eere.energy.gov/femp/

newsevents/fempfocus_article.cfm/news_id = 7214.

Accessed 12/10/2006.

■U.S. DOE. 2007. State Energy Program: Projects by 

Topic—What are State and Local Government Facility 

Projects in the States? U.S. Department of Energy, 

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Web site. Last 

updated June 2007. Available: http://www.eere.energy.

gov/state_energy_program/topic_definition_detail.

cfm/topic = 115. Accessed 8/5/2008.

■U.S. EPA. 2003. Energy Efficiency and Indoor Air 

Quality in Schools. Available: http://www.epa.gov/

iaq/schools/pdfs/publications/ee_iaq.pdf. Accessed 

4/16/2007. 

■U.S. EPA. 2004. Building Upgrade Manual. Available: 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = business.

bus_upgrade_manual. Accessed 1/12/2007. 

■U.S. EPA. 2006a. Clean Energy Web site. Available: 

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy. Accessed 12/12/2006.

■U.S. EPA. 2006b. Clean-Energy Environment Guide 

to Action: Policies, Best Practices, and Action Steps 

for States. April. Available: http://www.epa.gov/

cleanenergy/stateandlocal/guidetoaction.htm.

Accessed 3/19/2007. 

■U.S. EPA. 2006c. State and Local Transportation 

Services. Available: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/

stateresources/index.htm. Accessed 12/12/2006.

■U.S. EPA. 2007. Top 10 Local Government Partners 

—As of April 9, 2007. Green Power Partnership.

Available: http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/partners/

top10localgov.htm. Accessed 5/7/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2008. Green Buildings: Why Build Green.

Available: http://www.epa.gov/greenbuilding/pubs/

whybuild.htm. Accessed 5/25/2008. 

■U.S. EPA. 2008b. Green Choices Grow with ENERGY 

STAR Qualified Buildings. Available: http://yosemite.

epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/1ef7cd36224b56578525735

9003f533f/1e156a04a68baa30852573ed005bea4e!Ope

nDocument. Accessed 5/8/2008.

■U.S. EPA. Forthcoming. A Guidebook for Assessing the 

Multiple Benefits of Clean Energy.
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Procurement, VendorNet System Web page. Available: 

http://vendornet.state.wi.us/vendornet/default.asp.

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■Wiser, R., M. Bolinger, and M. St. Clair. 2005. Easing 

the Natural Gas Crisis: Reducing Natural Gas Prices 

through Increased Deployment of Renewable Energy 

and Energy Efficiency. Lawrence Berkeley National 

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www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/sabl/2005/

February/assets/Natural-Gas.pdf. Accessed 3/19/2007.

32 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter One
Chapter Two 

Potential Lead By 

Example Activities 

and Measures

State governments are planning and 

implementing LBE programs with 

the goals of:

Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 33

DOCuMENT MAP

Chapter one 

Introduction

Chapter tWo 

Potential LBE Activities and Measures

Chapter three 

Establish the LBE Program Framework

Chapter four 

Screen LBE Activities and Measures

Chapter fIve 

Develop LBE Program

Chapter sIx 

Track, Evaluate, and Report on Progress 

■ Reducing energy use and energy costs,

■ Demonstrating the cost competitiveness of clean energy activities, 

■ Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other 

environmental impacts,

■ Improving energy supply reliability, and

■ Achieving additional energy, environmental, economic, 

and other benefits. 

Comprehensive programs typically include multiple 

LBE activities and measures, six of which are described 

in this chapter. The following information is provided 

for each:

■ The benefits of LBE activities and measures,

■ Planning and implementation strategies, and

■ State and local government examples associated with 

the activity. 

The descriptions of the six key activities presented in 

this chapter provide information for states to use as 

they develop their LBE program. For example, when 

setting LBE program goals and establishing an LBE 

team (see Chapter 3, Establish the LBE Program Framework), a state can draw on information about the key 

goals, objectives, and participants for each of the activities being considered for inclusion in the overall LBE 

program. States can likewise use the activity-specific 

information on costs, benefits, and feasibility when 

screening potential activities for incorporation into the 

Chapter Two Contents

2.1. Energy Efficiency in Government Buildings

2.2. Energy Management in Green Buildings 

2.3. Energy-Efficient Product Procurement

2.4. Green Power Purchases

2.5. Clean Energy Supply

2.6. Other Energy Saving Opportunities

Related appendices:

Appendix B, State and Local Clean Energy LBE 

Programs: Examples, Tools, and Information Resources. 

This appendix presents examples of state and local LBE 

activities, as well as resources for each of the activities 

described in this chapter.
LBE program (see Chapter 4, Screen LBE Activities and 

Measures). Similarly, this chapter presents information 

on implementation strategies and best practices that can 

be incorporated into a comprehensive LBE program 

(see Chapter 5, Develop a Comprehensive LBE Program).

To assist states in applying the information provided 

here, Table 2.6.1 (at the end of this chapter) presents 

a suite of LBE-related databases and best-practice 

resources.

2.1 Energy Efficiency in 

Government Buildings

Owned and leased facilities are an important focus 

of many states’ comprehensive LBE programs. State 

and local governments are responsible for more than 

16 billion square feet of building space, with state 

facilities (including office buildings, libraries, prisons, 

universities, and other facilities) accounting for approximately 5% of the nation’s non-residential building 

space). Combined, state and local governments spend 

more than $11 billion annually1 on energy costs, which 

can account for as much as 10% of a typical government’s annual operating budget (ACEEE, 2003, U.S. 

DOE, 2007h). 

1 Estimates of combined state and local government energy expenditures 

range from $10 billion annually to $19 billion annually (EIA, 2003a, U.S. 

DOE, 2007h; U.S. EPA, 2008v; Harris et al., 2003). Estimates of square 

footage of state and local building space also vary by source. The U.S. DOE 

Energy Information Administration, for example, estimated that in 2003, state 

and local governments account for about 13 billion square feet of floor space 

(EIA, 2003a).

A state government’s building portfolio makeup can 

have a significant influence on its total energy use and 

costs. For example, energy consumption per square 

foot can vary by type of facility. As shown in the text 

box on the right, state universities typically use more 

energy per square foot than state office buildings and 

other state facilities (e.g., prisons, courthouses) (EIA, 

2003; South Carolina, 2006).

As shown in the text box on page 2-3, Energy Use in 

Government Buildings, state facility energy consumption 

is largely used for lighting, space conditioning, water 

heating, office equipment and other miscellaneous purposes that can account for as much as 90% of the GHG 

emissions from state government operations (Massachusetts, 2004). Thus, the growing number of states taking 

steps to manage their energy use and increase the energy 

efficiency of their building portfolios are achieving significant financial and environmental results.

The LBE Guide and the Clean Energy-Environment 

Guide to Action

Leading by example is a key policy option for states seeking 

to achieve clean energy goals. For a primer on LBE actions 

and opportunities, readers can view Section 3.1 of EPA’s Clean 

Energy-Environment Guide to Action, a recent document 

that describes and provides core information on sixteen clean 

energy policies. 

This Section provides an overview of how to develop a state 

LBE program, including information on program objectives 

and benefits; best practices for designing, implementing, and 

evaluating an LBE program; state examples; and resources.

The LBE Guide is an important next step in EPA’s efforts to assist 

states as they develop clean energy policies and projects. It 

extends and supports the information presented in EPA’s Clean 

Energy-Environment Guide to Action.

Source: U.S. EPA, 2006a.

State Government Building Portfolios

State governments own and operate several types of facilities, 

including office buildings, libraries, prisons, and universities, 

that each has unique energy use characteristics. According to 

data from the 1999 Commercial Building Energy Consumption 

Survey, conducted by the Energy Information Administration 

and updated in 2003, the average government-owned office 

buildings uses 114,000 Btu per square foot, while the average 

university and public order/safety buildings (e.g., courthouses, 

prisons, reformatories) use 145,000 Btu per square foot and 

87,000 Btu per square foot, respectively. 

Thus, the composition of a state government’s building 

portfolio can have a significant influence on its total energy use 

and costs. The table below shows the breakdown of energy use 

in state-owned facilities in South Carolina for FY 2004. 

Institution

Total 

Square 

Feet (in 

millions)

Total 

Energy 

Costs (in 

millions)

Average 

Cost per 

Square 

Foot

Average 

kBtu per 

Square 

Foot

School 

Districts

107 $104 $0.96 46

State 

Agencies

24 $38 $1.58 118

Public 

Colleges with 

Housing

30 $47 $1.39 124

Colleges 

without 

Housing

8 $10 $1.25 72

Total 169 $199 $1.12 70

Sources: EIA, 2003; South Carolina, 2006.

34 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two
2.1.1 Benefits of Improving Energy 

Efficiency in Government Buildings

Government leadership in improving energy efficiency 

across state facility portfolios can produce significant 

energy, environmental, economic, and other benefits, 

including: 

■ Reduced energy costs. Significant cost savings can be 

achieved by improving energy efficiency in existing 

buildings, leasing energy-efficient buildings, and 

designing new buildings to be energy efficient. For a 

typical office building, energy represents 30% of the 

variable costs of the building and constitutes the single 

largest controllable operating cost (NAPEE, 2008). 

The lifetime energy cost savings produced by an energy-efficient building compared to a conventional one 

can reach millions of dollars (NAPEE, 2008). Information on the potential energy savings from improving 

energy efficiency in government buildings includes: 

■ Energy cost savings on the order of 35% or more 

are possible for many existing buildings (U.S. EPA, 

2008x). 

■ Many new and renovated buildings designed for 

energy efficiency offer energy cost savings of as much 

as 50% compared to conventional buildings (U.S. 

EPA, 2008n). 

■ For some buildings, responsible operations and maintenance (O&M) practices, which can often be implemented at low- or no-cost, can account for 5% to 20% 

of total energy cost savings (U.S. DOE, 2006b). 

■ Buildings that have achieved the ENERGY STAR label for superior energy efficiency use 40% less energy 

than average buildings, and offer savings of about 

$0.50 per square foot per year in lower energy costs, 

based on a conservative estimate (U.S. EPA, 2006l; 

U.S. EPA, 2006m).

For an average state, reducing state government energy 

consumption by 20% overall – a common state target 

(see Table 3.4.1, Examples of LBE Goals and Targets) – 

could reduce annual state government energy costs by 

about $16 million while saving nearly 1.2 trillion Btu 

annually in energy use (ACEEE, 2003). In New York, 

where a 2001 executive order directed state agencies to 

reduce energy consumption by 35% by 2010 relative 

to 1990 levels, the state saved $54.4 million in energy 

costs from energy efficiency improvements between FY 

2001/2002 and FY 2003/2004 (NYSERDA, 2005).

■ Reduced GHG emissions and other environmental 

impacts. Improving energy efficiency in government 

buildings can help reduce GHG emissions and other 

environmental impacts by decreasing consumption of 

fossil fuel-based energy. Energy use in commercial and 

industrial facilities accounts for nearly 50% of all U.S. 

GHG emissions, and fossil fuel combustion for electricity generation accounts for 40% of the nation’s CO2

emissions, a principle GHG, 67% of the nation’s SOx

emissions, and 23% of the nation’s NOx emissions (U.S. 

EPA, 2008n; U.S. EPA, 2008s). SOx and NOx emissions 

can lead to smog and acid rain, and result in emissions 

of trace amounts of airborne particulate matter that 

can cause respiratory problems for many people (U.S. 

EPA, 2008s). At the state level, energy use in buildings 

can account for as much as 90% of a state government’s 

GHG emissions (Massachusetts, 2004). 

■ Increased asset value. Improving energy efficiency can increase a building’s lifetime and 

overall value. EPA estimates that for every $1 

Energy Use in Government Buildings

This table presents average annual energy use by federal, 

state, and local government-owned commercial buildings (any 

building that is not residential, industrial, manufacturing, or 

agricultural).* 

End Use

Consumption 

(trillion Btu)**

As Percentage of 

Whole

Space heating 498 36

Lighting 294 21

Water heating 239 17

Miscellaneous 94 8

Office equipment 78 6

Space cooling 75 5

Ventilation 42 3

Cooking 28 2

Refrigeration 22 2

Total 1,370 100

*Data are from the 2003 Commercial Buildings Energy 

Consumption Survey (CBECS), conducted by the Energy 

Information Administration quadrennially. As of July 2008, data 

collection for the 2007 CBECS is in progress. 

**Figures are rounded to the nearest trillion Btu.

Source: U.S. DOE, 2006a.

Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 35
spent on energy efficiency improvements, a building’s 

value increases by $2 to $3 (U.S. EPA, 2004).

■ Increased economic benefits through job creation and 

market development. Investing in energy efficiency can 

stimulate the local economy and encourage development of energy efficiency service markets. According 

to DOE, approximately 60% of energy efficiency 

investments goes to labor costs and half of all energyefficient equipment is purchased from local suppliers 

(U.S. DOE, 2004). Across the nation, energy efficiency 

technologies and services are estimated to have created 

more than eight million jobs in 2006 (ASES, 2007). 

■ Other. Other benefits from improving energy efficiency 

in state government facilities include reduced summer 

peak energy demand and improved indoor air quality 

and productivity for occupants (U.S. EPA, 2003; U.S. 

EPA, 2006b). 

2.1.2 Planning and Implementation 

Strategies for Improving Energy 

Efficiency in Government Buildings

The most cost-effective approach for meeting a state 

government’s building energy needs is to engage in a 

systematic process for improving energy efficiency in 

portfolios of owned and leased building space and to 

design energy efficient new and renovated buildings. A 

portfolio-wide approach results in greater total reductions in state government energy costs and GHG emissions and enables states to offset the costs of more substantial energy efficiency projects in buildings that have 

higher up-front costs with the savings from projects in 

other buildings. In addition, adopting a portfolio-wide 

approach can help states generate greater momentum 

for energy efficiency activities, leading to sustained 

implementation and continued savings. 

However, in cases where resources for portfolio-wide 

improvements are not available, this process can be 

applied to one or a few government buildings. Experiences from such demonstration projects can then be 

used to make the case for further energy efficiency 

improvements in buildings and subsequently can be 

applied to the broader buildings portfolio when additional support and/or resources become available.

A systematic approach to adopting an energy management strategy has been developed under EPA’s 

ENERGY STAR program, and is summarized in the 

Guidelines for Energy Management and in Figure 2.1.1, 

Overview of ENERGY STAR Guidelines for Energy 

36 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two

Figure 2.1.1 Overview of ENERGY STAR

Guidelines for Energy Management

The ENERGY STAR Guidelines for Energy Management

present a seven-step approach to achieving superior 

energy management and savings across a portfolio of 

buildings. The steps include: 

1. Make Commitment

■ Establish an Energy Team 

■ Institute an Energy Policy 

2. Assess Performance 

■ Collect and Manage Data

■ Establish Baselines and Benchmark

■ Analyze Data and Conduct Technical Assessments 

and Audits 

3. Set Goals 

■ Estimate Potential for Improvement 

■ Establish Goals

4. Create Action Plan 

■ Define Technical Measures and Targets for Each 

Building

■ Determine Roles and Resources 

5. Implement Action Plan

■ Create a Communication Plan, Raise Awareness and 

Build Capacity 

■ Track and Monitor Progress

6. Evaluate Progress 

■ Measure Results 

■ Review Action Plan 

7. Recognize Achievements 

■ Internal Recognition

■ External Recognition

For detailed descriptions of the above steps, see 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=guidelines.

guidelines_index. (U.S. EPA. 2008e)
Management. The Guidelines for Energy Management

present the following seven-step approach to achieving 

superior energy management and savings in buildings:

■ Step 1. Make Commitment 

■ Step 2. Assess Performance 

■ Step 3. Set Goals 

■ Step 4. Create Action Plan 

■ Step 5. Implement Action Plan 

■ Step 6. Evaluate Progress 

■ Step 7. Recognize Achievements 

These steps for improving building-level energy 

management are similar to the steps for developing 

a comprehensive LBE program. Given the significant 

potential benefits that implementing energy efficiency 

in buildings can have, especially with respect to reductions in energy costs and GHG emissions, this section 

of the LBE Guide describes the steps of the ENERGY 

STAR Guidelines for Energy Management in detail, and 

identifies where these steps coincide with the steps 

for developing a comprehensive LBE program. When 

developing their LBE programs, states can identify opportunities to incorporate information provided in the 

Guidelines for Energy Management, which will ensure 

that LBE programs lead to superior energy management in state government buildings. 

Table 2.1.1 ENERGY STAR Program Resources

Title/Description Web Site

ENERGY STAR Tools and Guidance for Existing and New Buildings

Guidelines for Energy Management. EPA provides the seven-step Guidelines for Energy 

Management to assist in developing and implementing energy efficiency action plans.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = 

guidelines.guidelines_index

Guidelines for Energy Management Assessment Matrices. EPA has developed an 

assessment matrix to help energy managers determine if their organization’s energy 

management practices are consistent with the Guidelines for Energy Management. A 

second matrix allows energy managers to compare current energy management practices 

to the Guidelines for Energy Management at the site-specific facility level. 

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/

guidelines/assessment_matrix.xls

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/

guidelines/Facility_Energy_Assessment_

Matrix.xls

Portfolio Manager. Local governments can use the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool 

to measure and track the energy intensity of their buildings, normalized for weather and 

square footage. For certain building types, Portfolio Manager can be used to rate building 

performance on a scale of 1 to 100 relative to similar buildings nationwide, enabling facility 

managers to assess their own facilities and identify priority energy efficiency improvements. 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c = evaluate_performance.bus_

portfoliomanager

ENERGY STAR Label. Buildings that achieve a rating of 75 or higher using Portfolio 

Manager, and are professionally verified to meet current indoor environment standards, 

are eligible to apply for the ENERGY STAR label. The ENERGY STAR label is available for 

office buildings, schools, hospitals, courthouses, and other facilities. 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c = evaluate_performance.bus_

portfoliomanager_intro

Profiles of ENERGY STAR Labeled Buildings and Plants. EPA has compiled profiles of 

ENERGY STAR-labeled government buildings, accessible at its Web page, ENERGY STAR 

Labeled Buildings and Plants.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?fuseaction = labeled_buildings.

showBuildingSearch

Building Upgrade Manual. The ENERGY STAR Building Upgrade Manual describes a fivestep systematic approach to improving energy efficiency in existing buildings, including 

recommissioning/commissioning, lighting, supplemental load reductions, fan systems 

upgrades, and heating and cooling system upgrades. 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = 

business.bus_upgrade_manual

Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 37
Title/Description Web Site

Target Finder. Target Finder lets a user establish an energy performance target for a design 

project or major building renovation based on similar building types and desired energy 

performance. By entering the project’s estimated energy consumption, users can then 

compare the estimated energy use with the target to see if the project will achieve its goal. 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = 

new_bldg_design.bus_target_finder

“Designed to Earn the Energy Star” Label. Building designs that achieve a rating of 75 or 

higher using the ENERGY STAR Target Finder tool are eligible to receive the “Designed to 

Earn the ENERGY STAR” designation. These buildings can apply for the ENERGY STAR label 

if they remain in the top quarter of the rating scale after one year of operation. 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c 

= new_bldg_design.new_bldg_design_

benefits

Target Finder Opportunities Flowchart. A flow chart detailing opportunities to use Target 

Finder to assess projected design performance is available at:

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/

tools_resources/new_bldg_design/

Design_process_flow_diagram_101404.pdf

Integrated Energy Design Guidance. EPA provides guidance on planning and designing 

buildings that integrate energy efficiency improvements. This guidance includes 

information on how to use tools such as Target Finder to design buildings that achieve 

energy performance goals.

https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c 

= new_bldg_design.new_bldg_design_

guidance

Integrated Energy Design Guidance Checklist. A checklist that highlights components in 

the design process that can lead to ENERGY STAR labeling is available at: 

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/

tools_resources/new_bldg_design/Building 

DesignGuidanceChecklist_101904.pdf

ENERGY STAR Financial Calculators

Cash Flow Opportunity Calculator. This tool can be used to: determine how much new 

energy-efficient equipment can be purchased based on estimated cost savings; determine 

whether equipment should be purchased now using financing, or if it is better to wait 

and use cash from a future year’s budget; and determine whether money is being lost by 

waiting for lower interest rates. 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = 

assess_value.financial_tools

Financial Value Calculator. This tool presents energy efficiency investment opportunities 

in terms of key financial metrics. It can be used to determine how energy efficiency 

improvements can affect organizational profit margins and returns on investments. 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = 

assess_value.financial_tools

Building Upgrade Value Calculator. This calculator can be used to estimate the financial 

benefits of improving energy efficiency in office buildings. 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = 

assess_value.financial_tools

Additional ENERGY STAR Resources and Tools

ENERGY STAR for Government. This Web site provides resources for state and 

local governments to use as they plan energy efficiency activities, including energy 

management guidelines, information on financing options, and tools and resources to 

measure and track energy use.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = 

government.bus_government

The ENERGY STAR Challenge. The ENERGY STAR Challenge — Build a Better World 10% at a 

Time program calls on governments, schools, and businesses across the country to identify 

energy efficiency improvements in their facilities and improve energy efficiency by 10% or 

more. EPA estimates that if each building owner accepts this challenge, by 2015 Americans 

would save about $10 billion and reduce GHG emissions by more than 20 million metric 

tons of carbon equivalent — equivalent to the emissions from 15 million vehicles. 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = 

challenge.bus_challenge

ENERGY STAR Free Online Training. ENERGY STAR offers free online training sessions on a 

variety of energy performance topics. 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = 

business.bus_internet_presentations

Off the Charts. Off the Charts is EPA’s ENERGY STAR e-newsletter on energy management 

developments and activities. 

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/

guidelines/assess_value/Off_the_Charts_

Summer_2007.pdf

T

38 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two
The following sections provide information on key 

policy and implementation strategies for each of the 

Guidelines for Energy Management steps. Table 2.1.1, 

ENERGY STAR Program Resources, summarizes the 

many tools and resources available to states as they 

plan and implement energy efficiency improvements in 

their government buildings. 

Step 1: Make Commitment 

Committing to improving energy efficiency in a specified portfolio of buildings is an important first step 

for ensuring success. This step involves 1) identifying 

a team of qualified personnel to further develop the 

policy, with team members responsible for coordinating activities, securing funding, and regularly assessing 

progress, among other things, and 2) establishing and 

committing to an energy policy to improve energy 

efficiency in buildings. Successful state efforts also 

frequently involve securing a commitment from the 

governor’s office.

These actions can be implemented as part of the larger 

LBE program: for example, the “energy efficiency in 

buildings” team can be a part of, or work with, the 

broader LBE team, and promoting energy efficiency in 

buildings can be a component of a broader LBE program. For more information on selecting members for 

a team to develop this policy, see Section 3.1, Select an 

LBE Team.

2

 For more information on establishing an 

energy policy, see Section 3.4, Set LBE Goals.

Many state governments have included in their energy 

policies a range of commitments to specific actions that 

can lead to easier and more effective implementation 

of an overall energy efficiency program. These commitments include:

■ Use life-cycle cost analysis. Because state governments 

are concerned with long-term – as well as short-term 

– benefits and costs, they are well-positioned to adopt 

life-cycle cost analyses when making decisions about 

purchasing energy-using products. Traditional methods for assessing project cost-effectiveness typically 

focus on the initial design and construction costs. The 

life-cycle cost of a product or service is the sum of the 

present values of the costs of investment, capital, installation, energy, operation, maintenance, and disposal 

over the life of the product (U.S. DOE, 2003). Because 

life-cycle cost analysis accounts for the lower energy 

2 Section 3.2, Identify and Obtain High-Level Support, presents suggestions 

for how to obtain the governor’s support or other high-level backing for an LBE 

program.

costs that can result from a somewhat larger initial 

investment, it can be an important feature of an overall 

energy policy. Many states use life-cycle cost analyses 

to identify energy-efficient products that have shorter 

payback periods, typically less than five years. More 

information on life-cycle costing is provided in Section 

5.2, Fund the LBE Program.

■ Purchase energy-efficient products. Committing to 

purchasing energy-efficient products is key to improving energy efficiency across a portfolio of buildings. 

Purchasing energy-efficient products can make 

comprehensive energy efficiency upgrades more costeffective by reducing building energy loads, typically by 

as much as 5% to 10% (LBNL, 2002). Some state and 

local governments are making a procurement policy 

for efficient products an explicit part of their building 

energy efficiency policy. More information on energyefficient product procurement is provided in Section 

2.3, Energy-Efficient Product Procurement.

■ Ensure energy efficiency is a key component of green 

building strategies. Energy efficiency can be integrated 

with other green buildings measures to achieve additional energy, environmental, indoor air quality, and 

water savings benefits. Designing for superior energy 

Virginia Energy Efficiency Policy 

and Advisory Council 

In 2007, the governor of Virginia issued an executive order 

committing the state government to improve energy efficiency 

in its facilities and operations and setting a goal for executive 

branch agencies and institutions to reduce the annual cost 

of non-renewable energy purchases by at least 20 percent of 

fiscal year 2006 expenditures by fiscal year 2010. To meet this 

goal, the state adopted a policy directing state agencies and 

institutions to pursue a number of activities, including:

Design all new and renovated state-owned facilities to meet ■

energy performance standards at least as stringent as those 

prescribed by ENERGY STAR or the LEED rating system.

When leasing facilities for state use, give preference to ■

buildings that meet ENERGY STAR or LEED standards.

Identify performance contracting opportunities. ■

Purchase ENERGY STAR-qualified equipment and supplies. ■

Implement all possible low-cost energy-saving activities (i.e., ■

with payback periods of one year or less).

Pursue alternate energy procurement options. ■

To provide guidance in implementing this policy, the executive 

order created an Energy Policy Advisory Council, led by a 

Senior Advisory for Energy Policy. 

Source: Virginia, 2007. 

Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 39
management is often the first step in green building, 

and can improve environmental performance and 

overall cost-effectiveness of a green building strategy 

(U.S. EPA, 2003; U.S. EPA, 2006c). More information 

on developing green building policies is provided in 

Section 2.2, Energy Efficiency in Green Buildings.

■ Coordinate energy efficiency in buildings with climate 

change goals. Many state and local governments are 

taking active roles in developing climate policy by committing to reduce GHG emissions. Incorporating energy efficiency activities into their climate policies can 

help governments meet their GHG emission reduction 

commitments. In addition, by making the link between 

climate change and energy efficiency, states are in a better position to gain support for both programs.

Steps 2 and 3: Assess Baseline Energy 

Performance and Set Goals 

After making a commitment, the next two steps to improve energy efficiency across a portfolio of buildings 

are to assess baseline energy performance and set goals. 

Assessing energy performance involves looking at how 

energy is used in existing buildings and identifying 

opportunities to improve energy efficiency. Setting 

goals involves looking at potential savings in new and 

renovated buildings as well as existing ones. 

Understanding improvements in energy performance 

involves periodically comparing a building’s energy 

usage to its baseline energy use (established at a specified time in the past). This is a key step in establishing 

an effective strategy to improve energy efficiency in 

buildings and set goals for future energy performance. 

Key approaches for assessing baseline building energy 

performance in existing buildings include: 

■ Use available, standardized tools for baseline energy use 

assessments. Standardized tools can be used to help assess baseline energy use and track building energy data. 

For example, EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager 

is an on-line tool that can be used to assess baseline 

energy performance in existing buildings and compile 

data across a portfolio of buildings (U.S. EPA, 2008m). 

■ Benchmark buildings. Benchmarking involves 

comparing a building’s energy performance to the 

performance of similar buildings across the county. 

For certain building types, EPA provides an energy 

performance rating in Portfolio Manager to compare 

buildings against similar buildings nationwide on a 

scale of 1 to 100. For example, a rating of 75 means 

that the evaluated building performs better than 75% 

of similar buildings nationwide. This information can 

help states prioritize which buildings to target for their 

energy efficiency investments and/or to be the focus 

of a comprehensive energy audit strategy (see the next 

bullet, below).

■ Conduct technical assessments and audits. In addition 

to establishing baseline energy performance and determining a building’s relative performance compared to 

its peers, a thorough energy performance assessment 

includes comparing the actual performance of a building’s systems and equipment with their designed performance level or the performance level of top-performing 

technologies. These technical assessments can be conducted as part of a whole-building energy audit conducted by an energy professional and used to identify 

potential energy-saving opportunities. Many states have 

incorporated these energy audits into energy performance contracts, which are contracts that offer a onestop process for purchasing, installing, maintaining, 

Local and State Associations - Integrating Energy 

Efficiency and Climate Change

The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM), the National 

Association of Counties (NACo), and the National Governors 

Association (NGA) are promoting actions that link the need 

for global climate protection with energy efficiency (e.g., via 

building standards and practices). For example:

USCM and NACo passed resolutions supporting EPA’s ENERGY 

STAR Challenge to reduce energy consumption in public and 

private buildings by 10% or more. They promote ENERGY STAR 

tools and resources to members working to meet their climate 

protection and energy efficiency goals. 

The USCM Climate Protection Agreement commits mayors to 

reduce GHG emissions in their cities to at least 7% below 1990 

levels by 2012. The Climate Protection Center provides guidance 

to mayors on leading their cities’ efforts to reduce GHG 

emissions linked to climate change, and publishes best practices, 

including examples of cities that are taking the lead in this effort 

by improving energy efficiency in their buildings and operations.

NACo launched the Green Government Initiative to provide 

resources for local governments on sustainability issues, 

including energy efficiency and air quality. NACo’s Climate 

Protection Program provides counties with best practices, 

tools, and resources on developing and implementing climate 

change programs. 

The NGA recently launched an initiative – Securing a Clean 

Energy Future – to enlist governors’ support in reducing the 

impacts of climate change through energy efficiency, clean 

technology, energy research, and deployment of alternative 

fuels.

Sources: NACo, 2002, 2005, 2005a; NGA, 2008; USCM, 2006, 2007, 

and 2008.

40 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two
and often financing energy-efficiency upgrades at no 

up front cost. EPA has developed a directory of energy 

professionals, energy service companies (ESCOs), and 

other companies that can provide states with expert 

advice and technical assistance on conducting energy 

audits and entering energy performance contracts.3 For 

more information on energy performance contracting, 

see Section 5.2, Fund the LBE Program.

State governments can establish specific energy efficiency goals for existing and new buildings to help 

maintain momentum for energy management activities and to guide daily decision-making. Setting clear 

and measurable goals is also critical for tracking and 

measuring progress. Goals for existing buildings can 

be based on the results of the baseline energy performance assessment, while goals for new buildings can 

be based on the output of energy performance projection tools and best practices. Key considerations for 

setting goals for improving energy efficiency in existing 

and new buildings include:

■ Consider potential savings. As described above, states 

can use information collected during energy performance assessments and technical audits to determine 

potential energy savings and set appropriate goals 

for improving energy efficiency in existing buildings. 

States can also evaluate a building’s benchmarking 

results to estimate potential savings based on the 

energy performance of similar buildings. For new and 

renovated buildings, state governments can use tools 

such as the ENERGY STAR Target Finder to set energy 

performance targets and assess building designs. In 

addition, states can consider the targets achieved by 

similar buildings by reviewing other organizations’ and 

governments’ experiences. Through July 2008, 31 states 

have accepted the ENERGY STAR Challenge, establishing goals of improving energy efficiency in their 

buildings by at least 10% (U.S. EPA, 2008w).

■ Determine appropriate scope. Goals for improving 

energy efficiency in new and existing buildings can be 

established at different levels, ranging from process- or 

equipment-specific goals, to facility-level and portfolio-wide goals. These goals can also be established over 

varying time periods. Many states have established 

both short-term and long-term goals for improving 

energy efficiency in buildings that can lead to quick 

cost savings that continue to accrue far into the future.

3 See http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = spp_res.pt_spps for a directory of energy service and product providers. 

Goals for improving energy efficiency in state buildings 

can be part of a larger LBE goal that incorporates multiple clean energy LBE activities. For more information 

on setting LBE goals, see Section 3.4, Set LBE Goals. 

Steps 4 and 5: Create and Implement An 

Action Plan 

A regularly updated action plan for improving energy 

efficiency in existing and new buildings can serve as a 

State and Local Governments Using ENERGY STAR to 

Meet Energy Savings Goals

Many state and local governments are using ENERGY STAR to 

meet their energy savings goals.

About two-thirds of the nation’s states, and more than 200 ■

local governments, have adopted the ENERGY STAR Challenge 

to improve energy efficiency in their buildings by at least 10% 

(U.S. EPA, 2008o).

Some states, such as California and Hawaii, have directed state ■

agencies to give priority to ENERGY STAR-labeled buildings 

when pursuing new leases (California, 2004a; Hawaii, 2006). 

Minnesota has established a goal for the state to achieve 1,000 ■

ENERGY STAR-labeled commercial buildings, including state 

government facilities, by 2010 (Minnesota, 2007).

New Hampshire has entered the ENERGY STAR Challenge, ■

through which participants commit to reduce energy use by 

10% (U.S. EPA, 2005c). 

Benchmarking State Facilities in California

California Executive Order S-20-04, issued in 2004, established 

a number of energy efficiency goals for public and commercial 

facilities, including state government buildings and schools. 

Among these goals was a directive to state agencies to reduce 

grid-based energy purchases for state-owned buildings by 20% 

by 2015 from 2003 levels. 

An Green Building Action Plan that accompanied the executive 

order directed the California Energy Commission (CEC) to 

coordinate with EPA to develop a system to benchmark and 

track energy consumption in state facilities. The CEC developed 

a system based on the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool 

and tailored to California’s unique needs. In August 2008, the 

state reported that it had benchmarked more than 100 million 

square feet of its facilities, which revealed a 4% decrease in 

energy consumption in state facilities since 2003. 

In addition, a bill passed by the state legislature in 2007 will 

make it easier for state agencies to update energy consumption 

data for benchmarked facilities. Assembly Bill 1103 requires 

electric and gas utilities in the state to maintain at least 12 

months of data for all non-residential buildings to which 

they provide services, beginning in 2009. This data must be 

maintained such that it can be uploaded into Portfolio Manager 

at the building owner’s request.

Sources: California, 2004a; California, 2004b; California, 2007; 

California GAT, 2008.

Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 41
roadmap for implementing energy efficiency measures 

through a systematic process. Step 4, creating an action 

plan involves establishing energy performance targets 

for each building, identifying the technical measures 

that can help meet that performance target, identifying 

resources necessary to implement the action plan, and 

determining roles and responsibilities of internal and 

external parties. 

Key strategies for developing an action plan for improving energy efficiency in buildings include: 

■ Develop whole building energy performance targets. 

Once a state government has evaluated its portfolio’s 

performance and set portfolio-wide goals (based on 

the energy savings potential of priority investments in 

existing buildings and the anticipated energy savings 

potential for new building designs), it can establish 

energy performance targets for each existing and new 

building. Establishing energy performance targets for 

each building allows states to clearly articulate to building occupants and other key personnel the expected 

results of energy efficiency investments in each facility, 

and enables state governments to track progress and 

measure results. Whole building energy performance 

targets can be developed for existing buildings using the 

ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool, which enables 

users to identify baseline energy performance and set 

targets based on EPA’s national energy performance 

rating system (U.S. EPA, 2008m). For new buildings, a 

complementary tool called the ENERGY STAR Target 

Finder can be used to set whole building performance 

targets (U.S. EPA, 2008c). For building types not covered by these tools, EPA has developed a list of reference 

energy performance targets based on national averages.4 

4 See 2003 CBECS National Average Source Energy Use and Performance 

Comparisons by Building Type (http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/

tools_resources/new_bldg_design/2003_CBECSPerformanceTargetsTable.

pdf) for a list of reference energy performance targets for building types not 

currently eligible to receive ratings under EPA’s building energy performance 

rating system. 

■ Use a staged approach to identify technical measures for 

improving energy efficiency. For existing buildings, a 

staged approach, which sequences building upgrades 

in a logical, systems-oriented way, can lead to the 

greatest energy savings for the available budget. When 

following this approach, states can identify, for each 

step in the process, appropriate technical measures 

that are most likely to improve energy efficiency in a 

cost-effective way. The staged approach recommended 

by EPA’s ENERGY STAR program involves implementing the following steps in sequence (see the text 

box on page 2-15 for a more detailed description of 

this approach):

■ Conduct recommissioning.

■ Install energy-efficient lighting. 

■ Purchase ENERGY STAR-labeled office equipment 

and building envelope components to reduce the 

supplemental load.

■ Install fan system upgrades.

■ Install heating and cooling system upgrades.

Figure 2.1.1 illustrates the benefits of implementing energy efficiency upgrades based on several of these EPArecommended stages. As shown in the figure, cooling 

capacity can be reduced by up to 5% for a typical office 

building when implementing HVAC measures after

all other upgrades. The figure also shows that implementing upgrades in appropriate stages reduces the 

overall cooling capacity needed, which can enable state 

governments to purchase “right-sized” equipment. 

“Right-sized” equipment is sized to meet the necessary 

load after efficiency measures are implemented, as opposed to oversized equipment that serves the load, but 

at a higher up-front cost. 

Figure 2.1.2 illustrates how implementing upgrades in 

a staged fashion can reduce a building’s energy loads, 

Figure 2.1.1. Benefits of Integrating Energy Efficiency Measures

Sequence of Upgrade 

Measures

1st 

Upgrade

2nd 

Upgrade

3rd 

Upgrade

Cooling Capacity 

(Tons)

Reduction in Cooling 

Capacity (%)

Good HVAC O&M Lighting 760 0%

Better O&M HVAC Lighting 752 1%

Best O&M Lighting HVAC 722 5%

Source: NAPEE, 2008.

42 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two
and result in an overall energy consumption reduction 

of 30% (NAPEE, 2008).

While the preceding staged approach makes sense for 

existing buildings, states follow a different approach 

for new buildings. To help states design new building 

systems and materials as an integral network that will 

improve energy performance, EPA has developed the 

ENERGY STAR Integrated Energy Design Guidance 

to Design (U.S. EPA, 2008b). This guidance document 

can help states identify cost-effective energy measures 

that consider the environment, climate, building 

orientation, and other features that affect performance 

in new facilities. It is important to note that for new 

buildings, it is essential to conduct commissioning 

during the construction process and to continue 

commissioning through occupancy to verify that the 

new building functions as intended. Several resources 

are available to help states identify energy efficiency 

measures for existing buildings and new buildings, 

including:

■ Upgrade and design guidance materials. Energy 

efficiency upgrade and design guidance materials 

are helpful for identifying and prioritizing technical measures to incorporate into a state’s energy 

efficiency action plan. For example, the ENERGY 

STAR Building Upgrade Manual provides guidance 

on using the staged approach for upgrading existing 

buildings (see the text box on page 2-15). For new 

buildings, states can use energy-efficient design 

guidelines such as the ENERGY STAR Integrated 

Energy Design Guidance. This document provides a 

strategic management approach for incorporating 

energy performance considerations into the building 

design process, and can be used by design professionals to establish and achieve energy performance 

goals (U.S. EPA, 2008b). States can also use the 

Whole Building Design Guide, a resource developed 

with EPA and DOE support by the National Institute 

of Building Sciences, which provides information on 

energy-efficient building design and offers numerous case studies, tools, and guidance documents 

(WBDG, 2008).

■ Best practices. States can obtain information on best 

practices from other organizations that have upgraded 

buildings and achieved superior energy performance. 

For example, ENERGY STAR Labeled Buildings and 

Plants is an EPA-maintained list of the more than 

4,000 buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR 

label for energy performance (U.S. EPA, 2008r). 

Figure 6.1.3 Typical Office Building Load

Profile

The graphic below illustrates a typical 250,000 ft2 office 

building’s load profile for cooling, ventilation, lighting, 

and other energy demand on a summer day in Chicago, 

Illinois. 

Implementing a suite of energy efficiency upgrades 

could significantly reduce the building’s energy 

consumption. The graphic below illustrates the energy 

loads for the same building after implementing several 

staged upgrades, including: 

1. O&M/re-commissioning measures (e.g., optimizing 

temperature setpoints, HVAC scheduling, etc.)

2. Lighting measures (compact fluorescents, daylighting 

controls, etc.), and

3. HVAC measures (high efficiency chillers, premium 

efficiency motors, etc.).

Implementing these upgrades noticeably reduces each 

energy load. The total resultant energy decrease is 

approximately 30%.

Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 43

Source: NAPEE, 2008
Many ESCOs have experience with proven technical energy efficiency measures, and can incorporate 

these measures into an action plan through the energy 

performance contracting process. EPA has developed a 

directory of service product providers that can provide 

states with expert advise and technical assistance on 

entering energy performance contracts.5

 For more 

information on energy performance contracting, see 

Section 5.2, Fund the LBE Program. 

■ Secure necessary funding. When creating an action plan 

for improving energy efficiency in state buildings, it is 

important to identify the capital costs of implementing 

the action plan, and to evaluate funding opportunities. 

The following financial tools are available through 

EPA’s ENERGY STAR program to help prioritize energy efficiency investments and make the case for these 

investments:

■ Cash Flow Opportunity Calculator. This tool can be 

used to determine how much new energy-efficient 

equipment can be purchased based on estimated 

cost savings, whether equipment should be purchased now using financing or if it is better to 

wait and use cash from a future year’s budget, and 

whether money is being lost by waiting for lower 

interest rates.

■ Financial Value Calculator. This tool presents energy 

efficiency investment opportunities in terms of key 

financial metrics. It can be used to determine how 

energy efficiency improvements can affect organizational profit margins and returns on investments.

■ Building Upgrade Value Calculator. This calculator 

can be used to estimate the financial benefits of improving energy efficiency in office buildings.

Once a state government has determined the size of 

the investment required to implement priority energy 

efficiency upgrades, it can consider a range of financing options. Financial assistance for improving energy 

efficiency in state buildings can be secured through a 

number of sources. Many states administer programs 

that provide incentives to state departments or agencies that invest in energy efficiency, while a number of 

states have identified and secured funding resources 

from external sources. Energy performance contracts, 

for example, can be used to implement energy efficiency upgrades at no up-front cost, often through 

5 See http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = spp_res.pt_spps for a directory of energy service and product providers. 

a financial arrangement with an ESCO. For more 

information on funding LBE programs, see Section 5.2, 

Finance the LBE Program. 

In cases where states do not have sufficient resources 

to improve energy efficiency across a broad portfolio 

of buildings, they can concentrate resources to systematically improve energy efficiency in one or a few 

buildings. Experiences from such pilot projects can be 

applied to a broader suite of buildings when additional 

resources become available. 

Cash Flow Opportunity Calculator

The ENERGY STAR Cash Flow Opportunity Calculator is a 

decision-making tool that can be used to influence the timing 

of energy-efficient product purchases. The tool can be used to 

determine: 

The quantity of energy-efficient equipment that can be ■

purchased and financed using anticipated savings; 

Whether it is most cost-effective for the purchase to be financed ■

now, or to be paid for using future operating funds; and

The cost of delay: whether money is being lost while waiting ■

for a lower interest rate.

www.energystar.gov/ia/business/cfo_calculator.xls

Source: U.S. EPA, 2003c. 

44 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two

Steps 6 and 7: Evaluate Progress and 

Recognize Success 

Implementing an action plan for improving energy efficiency does not in itself guarantee that a building will 

achieve its intended energy performance target. State 

governments can verify that they are making progress 

toward achieving their overall energy efficiency goal 

by using tools such as the ENERGY STAR Portfolio 

Manager to monitor energy performance and identify 

new opportunities for energy efficiency improvements 

across their portfolio (Step 6, Evaluate Progress). Chapter 6, Track, Evaluate, and Report on Progress, provides 

additional guidance on options for evaluating the performance of an LBE program, including information 

specific to tracking and evaluating energy performance 

in government buildings. 

Another way to sustain momentum and support for 

energy efficiency activities is to obtain recognition 

for achieving performance goals (Step 7, Recognize 

Success). In addition to recognizing success internally, 

third-party recognition opportunities include:
■ ENERGY STAR Qualified Buildings. Buildings achieving an energy performance rating of 75 or greater are 

eligible to apply for the ENERGY STAR label. Buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR label use, on 

average, 40% less energy as compared to conventional 

buildings, (U.S. EPA, 2008h). 

■ ENERGY STAR Awards. EPA also provides recognition 

to organizations that meet important energy savings 

milestones, such as improvements of 10%, 20% and 

30% relative to their initial baselines.

2.1.3 Examples of State and Local

Activities for Improving Energy 

Efficiency in Buildings

State and local governments are using a variety of approaches to improve energy efficiency in individual 

buildings and in their portfolio of government facilities. The following examples provide brief descriptions 

of some of these approaches. Additional examples are 

provided in, Section 4.5, State Examples of Screening 

LBE Activities and Measures. 

Overview of EPA Building 

Upgrade Manual Staged

Approach for Improving 

Energy Performance

The staged approach outlined in the 2008 

ENERGY STAR Building Upgrade Manual 

provides a systematic method for planning 

energy efficiency upgrades in buildings that 

accounts for interactions between building 

energy systems, enabling organizations to 

achieve greater energy savings. This approach involves the following stages: 

1. Commissioning and Recommissioning: 

Commissioning a new building before it becomes operational to ensure energy systems 

were constructed as designed can produce 

energy cost savings of $0.02 to $0.19 per 

square foot (Mills et al., 2004). Commissioning can also produce non-energy benefits, 

such as improved occupant comfort and indoor air quality. One study estimates that the 

average value of non-energy benefits for every $1 spent on commissioning ranges from 

$1 to as high as $2.30, when accounting 

for energy efficiency rebates. Non-energy 

benefits resulting from commissioning are 

estimated to be $0.50 per square foot (Mills 

et al., 2004; Jennings and Skumatz, 2006).

Recommissioning is a key activity in identifying technical measures for a staged 

approach to improving energy efficiency 

and involves periodically examining building equipment, systems, and maintenance 

procedures and comparing them to initial 

design intentions and current operational 

needs. This process can identify no- and 

low-cost technical measures for improving 

energy efficiency and can result in energy 

cost savings between $0.11 and $0.72 per 

square foot. 

2. Lighting: Improving the energy efficiency 

of the building lighting system can reduce 

lighting energy costs. Lighting systems can 

account for up to 30% of a building’s total 

energy use, and savings from going beyond 

standard equipment selection can be significant: 20% to 40% for lamps and ballasts, 

30% to 50% for new fixtures, 40% to 60% for 

using task/ambient lighting strategies, and 

30% to 50% for outdoor lighting. Improving lighting system energy efficiency can 

also improve lighting quality and reduce 

unwanted heat gain. Technical measures for 

improving lighting system energy efficiency 

include: 

Design light quantity and quality to meet ■

task and occupant needs 

■ Maximize lamp and ballast efficiency

Install automatic controls to turn off or dim ■

lighting

Establish schedules for group re-lamping ■

and fixture cleaning

Purchase ENERGY STAR-qualified lighting ■

products

Use responsible disposal practices. ■

3. Supplemental Load Reductions: Purchasing ENERGY STAR labeled office equipment and improving the energy efficiency 

of building envelope components (e.g., installing window films and adding insulation 

or reflective roof coating) reduces supplemental load energy consumption. Reducing 

supplemental loads enables organizations 

to install smaller fan, heating, and cooling 

systems that cost less and use less energy.

4. Fan Systems Upgrades: Fan systems 

can account for as much as 11% of an office building’s total energy use. Technical 

measures, such as properly sizing fan system 

equipment, installing variable speed drives, 

and converting to a variable-air-volume 

system, can significantly reduce fan system 

energy costs from 50% to 85%. 

5. Heating And Cooling System Upgrades: 

Heating and cooling systems typically account for one-third of a building’s energy 

use. Improving energy efficiency in these 

systems can produce significant savings. 

Cooling system energy savings can range 

from 15% to 33% for central chiller systems 

and 20% to 35% for unitary air conditioning 

systems. Heating system energy savings can 

range from 10% to 30% for systems that use 

boilers and 5% to 25% for systems that use 

furnaces. A strategy for improving heating 

and cooling system efficiency involves:

■ Measure heating and cooling loads

■ Right size heating and cooling systems

■ Install energy-efficient chillers

Upgrade other heating and cooling system ■

components

Install variable speed drives on pumps and ■

cooling tower fans

Optimize operations. ■

Source: U.S. EPA, 2008x.

Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 45
Energy Efficiency in Existing Buildings

Michigan – State Facility Energy Savings Plan

The Michigan Department of Management and 

Budget is working to implement an energy savings 

plan with the goal of reducing energy expenditures in 

department-managed facilities by 10% by 2009, based 

on 2002 levels. This plan, which involves coordinating with the Department of Labor and Economic 

Growth’s Energy Office to benchmark state facilities 

using EPA’s ENERGY STAR tools, is expected to save 

the state $1.6 million annually beginning in 2009. To 

help state agencies reduce energy use in their facilities, the Energy Office provides assistance in securing 

energy performance contracts. Since 1987, the state has 

invested $17 million in energy performance contracts 

that it estimates have generated more than $22 million 

(Michigan, DLEG, 2008 and Michigan, DLEG, 2008a). 

For example, Lake Superior State University (LSSU), 

a small public university in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, 

became an ENERGY STAR partner and contracted 

with an energy service provider to help measure, 

track, and benchmark its energy performance, develop 

and implement a plan to improve its facilities and 

operations, and educate its staff and the public about 

its ENERGY STAR program and achievements. This 

process identified 184 facility improvement measures 

providing total annual energy and operational savings 

of almost $430,000 with a payback of about 11 years. 

The improvements included lighting retrofits, mechanical retrofits, steam trap retrofits, roof and window 

replacements, water saving measurements, and other 

enhancements to the 42 building campus. (Michigan 

Energy Office, Undated).

Web site: http://www.michigan.gov/dleg/0,1607,7-154-

25676_25689_33337-103911--,00.html

Montana – 20 X 10 Initiative

Created by the governor in 2007, the 20 X 10 Initiative calls on executive branch agencies to reduce their 

energy consumption by 20% by 2010, based on 2007 

levels. Agencies can achieve this goal following various paths, but the state encourages them to adopt an 

energy management strategy that first capitalizes on 

the savings provided by measures with short payback 

periods. Specifically, state agencies are encouraged conduct a comprehensive energy audit of their facilities, 

and then focus on improving the energy efficiency of 

their operating practices (e.g., making adjustments to 

lighting and heating settings) and purchasing ENERGY 

STAR-qualified equipment. 

The state Department of Environmental Quality is 

collecting past energy bills and using these data to 

assess each agency’s baseline energy performance. In 

addition, this database will be used to provide agencies 

with regular energy use reports so they can track their 

progress in reducing energy consumption. The state’s 

executive branch agencies spent approximately $12 

million on energy in its baseline year (2007), meaning 

the initiative could potentially save the state $2.4 million in 2010 (Montana, 2008).

Web site: http://governor.mt.gov/20x10/

New Hampshire – ENERGY STAR Challenge 

Participant

In 2004, the governor of New Hampshire issued an executive order directing the Department of Administrative Services to develop an energy information system 

that state government agencies could use to track and 

report their energy use. In addition, the order requires 

agencies to train staff in using EPA’s ENERGY STAR 

tools and to use these tools to benchmark state government facilities. It created an Energy Efficiency in State 

Government Steering Committee to develop plans to 

reduce energy use in state facilities, including a plan to 

conduct energy audits on all state facilities achieving 

scores between 40 and 60 on EPA’s national energy 

performance rating system (using the ENERGY STAR 

benchmarking tools) and a plan to purchase ENERGY 

STAR-qualified products. The steering committee was 

also responsible for developing a state governmentwide energy use reduction goal, which resulted in 

a 2005 executive order that entered the state as a 

participant in the ENERGY STAR Challenge, with the 

goal of improving state government energy efficiency 

by 10%. This second executive order also directs state 

agencies to implement the steering committee’s plans 

for reducing energy use (New Hampshire, 2004; New 

Hampshire 2005). 

In 2006, the renovated Department of Justice building 

became the first office building in the state to receive 

the ENERGY STAR label. The state has conducted an 

energy efficiency upgrade of the facility under a performance contract that enabled the state to pay for the upgrade using energy cost savings. The building received 

new lighting and lighting controls, an advanced energy 

management system, energy-efficient hot water pumps 

and air conditioners, and water-efficient plumbing 

46 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two
fixtures. The upgrades resulted in a 37% reduction in 

energy consumption and annual energy cost savings 

of over $24,000. These energy savings translate to the 

avoidance of more than 900 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually (New Hampshire, Undated).

Web site: http://www.des.state.nh.us/ard/

climatechange/index.html#state

Oregon – Building Commissioning Program

Under its Building Commissioning program, the Oregon Department of Energy provides technical assistance to managers of both public and private facilities. 

The state requires recommissioning or commissioning 

for specified energy-related projects funded through 

the state’s Public Purpose Fund. These projects include 

HVAC and direct digital control projects exceeding 

$50,000, boiler and chiller projects exceeding $100,000, 

and other energy-related projects (e.g., lighting 

and lighting controls, building envelope) exceeding 

$150,000 (Oregon, 2006).

Recommissioning a newly-constructed school facility 

in the Silver Falls, Oregon School District revealed 

discrepancies in the installation and operation of 

the HVAC systems that were causing energy costs 

to exceed expected costs by 32%. The school district 

estimated that the recommissioning findings and corrective actions would save approximately $15,000 per 

year in energy costs and that the full cost of the process 

would be recouped in about five years (Oregon, 2004).

Web site: http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/

BUS/comm/bldgcx.shtml

Washington – Building Commissioning Program

The Washington General Administration (GA) operates a Building Commissioning Program to assist 

publicly-owned or -operated facilities in conducting 

building commissioning. The GA partners with these 

facilities and provides resources to help them build a 

commissioning team, negotiate the scope of work and 

commissioning cost, and ensure that both new and 

existing buildings are designed and operated so that 

the operational needs are met, the building performs 

efficiently, and building operators are trained (Washington, 2006).

In 2003, the energy management and control system of 

the Washington Department of Ecology headquarters 

facility, which was designed in 1993 to exceed state 

energy code by 30%, received a substantial upgrade. 

This involved multiple improvements to the building’s 

ventilation systems, including a new digital control 

system, building pressure controls, CO2 controls, 

outside airflow instrumentation, and interactive kiosks 

throughout the building to provide system feedback to 

occupants. Following these upgrades, the entire building was re-commissioned to ensure that all equipment 

was operating correctly. Once completed, these upgrades reduced the building’s energy intensity to 54.6 

kBtu per square foot, considerably lower than the average 82 kBtu per square foot intensity of conventional 

buildings. This achievement earned the building the 

ENERGY STAR label in 2005 (U.S. EPA, 2008f).

Web site: http://www.ga.wa.gov/EAS/bcx/index.html

Wisconsin – Wisconsin Energy Initiative 

As part of its Wisconsin Energy Initiative, the state 

has partnered with EPA’s ENERGY STAR program to 

implement energy efficiency measures in existing and 

new state buildings. Beginning with a lighting retrofit, 

the state used ENERGY STAR tools and resources to 

systematically replace lighting fixtures in 53 million 

square feet of office space in state government buildings. The results of this initial measure were substantial: over 108 million kWh of annual energy savings, 

approximately $7.5 million in annual energy cost savings, and emission reductions equivalent to removing 

nearly 20,000 vehicles from state roads for one year. 

The state followed this initial retrofit with wholebuilding examinations, pursuing new strategies for 

improving energy efficiency and reducing water usage. 

Under the expanded initiative, the state retrofitted an 

additional 60 million square feet of office space at a total 

expected cost for the upgrades of $35 million. The annual savings achieved as a result of these comprehensive 

assessments are expected to total $11 million. Projected 

additional energy and emissions savings are significant: 

15.6 million kWh; 11,472 tons of carbon, 1,156 pounds 

of NOx

, and 537 pounds of CH4 (NASEO, 2006). 

Web site: http://www.naseo.org/tforces/energystar/

casestudies/.

Energy Efficiency in New Buildings 

North Carolina – Sustainable Energy Efficient 

Buildings Program 

North Carolina joined the ENERGY STAR Challenge 

in 2005 and is working with EPA’S ENERGY STAR 

program to improve its facilities’ energy efficiency 

by 10%. In 2007, the state legislature passed a bill 

Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 47
requiring that the combined energy consumption for 

all state government buildings be reduced by 20% by 

2010, and 30% by 2015, based on FY 2004 levels. The 

2007 legislation also created the Sustainable Energy Efficient Buildings Program. Under this program, all new 

buildings greater than 20,000 square feet, and renovated buildings greater than 20,000 square feet with 

renovation costs greater than 50% of the insurance 

value, must be designed, constructed, and certified to 

exceed the ASHRAE 90.1-2004 Standard by 30% (for 

new buildings) and 20% (for renovations), and must 

be commissioned to verify energy-efficient design. The 

bill includes a provision that after one year of operation, the new building energy performance must be 

verified. If at this time energy performance is 85% or 

less than the target, corrections and modifications must 

be explored (North Carolina, 2007; U.S. EPA, 2008q). 

The Sustainable Energy Efficient Buildings Program is 

a component of the state’s Utility Savings Initiative, a 

multi-program approach to reducing utility expenditures in state buildings that involves strategic energy 

planning, agency personnel training, and performance 

contracting. 

Web sites: http://www.energync.net/programs/usi.html

(Utility Savings Initiative) 

http://www.energync.net/programs/docs/usi/

SessionLaw2007-546.pdf (Sustainable Energy Efficient 

Buildings Program Enabling Legislation)

Fort Collins, Colorado – Energy Management and 

Integrated Energy-Efficient Design in K-12 Schools

The Poudre School District in Fort Collins, Colorado 

began an energy management program in 1994 with a 

goal of reducing energy costs district-wide. As part of 

this program, the district has implemented nearly 150 

energy efficiency upgrades through 2007, producing 

annual energy cost savings of nearly $440,000. To help 

evaluate and track district-wide energy performance, 

the district has used ENERGY STAR tools to benchmark each of its buildings. 

As of FY 2007, 17 schools and two administrative offices had earned the ENERGY STAR label, including 

the new Operations Building. This building’s design 

integrated a number of energy efficiency measures, 

including daylighting, automated lighting systems with 

dimmers, on-site solar electricity generating panels, 

and a geo-exchange heating system. To achieve optimum energy efficiency measure integration, the design 

team used EPA‘s ENERGY STAR Target Finder tool to 

set energy targets multiple times during the early stages 

of the building design process. These early evaluations 

allowed the design team to use Target Finder’s energy 

simulation software to make adjustments to building 

orientation, envelope, materials, internal systems, and 

equipment. As the design process progressed, the team 

was able to achieve consistent design performance ratings in the 80s. The building was completed in 2002, 

and after 12 months of energy use data were compiled, 

the building earned a rating of 97 on the EPA national 

energy performance rating system, qualifying the 

building for the ENERGY STAR label. In 2005, the 

Operations Building achieved a perfect rating (U.S. 

EPA, 2008d).

Web site: http://www.psdschools.org/services/

operations/facilities/energymanagement.aspx

2.2 Energy Management in Green 

Buildings

Many states have found that the new and renovated 

building planning, design, and construction processes 

offer opportunities to integrate energy efficiency measures with other “green” features (e.g., lowering GHG 

emissions, improving indoor air quality and sustainable 

site selection) that provide additional environmental, 

economic, and health benefits. Energy efficiency, a 

critical element of green building that is often considered first in green building design, has become the 

cornerstone of many state government green building programs. In addition to enhancing a building’s 

Green Building and ENERGY STAR

When upgrading existing buildings or designing new buildings, 

states are looking to green building certification programs such 

as U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy 

and Environmental Design (LEED) design-based rating system 

and the Green Globes rating system. These rating systems 

standardize the elements of green building by conferring 

design certification based on requirements for (1) energy and 

atmosphere, (2) site sustainability, (3) water efficiency, (4) 

materials and resources, (5) indoor air quality, and (6) innovative 

design process. 

Depending upon the rating system, it can be important to add 

requirements for energy performance, such as achieving EPA’s 

ENERGY STAR program levels. It is also important to require 

third-party verification, which is required to earn the ENERGY 

STAR label on commercial buildings.

Some states and cities, such as Pennsylvania and Washington, 

D.C., have found that using a combination of ENERGY STAR and 

LEED is key to ensuring that new and renovated buildings meet 

both energy and environmental performance criteria.

48 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two
environmental profile (e.g., through reduced GHG 

emissions), states have found that incorporating energy 

efficiency can improve the cost-effectiveness of green 

buildings.

Many terms are used to describe buildings that incorporate energy efficiency and other environmental 

features. These terms include green buildings, high performance buildings, and sustainable buildings, among 

others. There is not yet a consensus on the definitions 

of these terms, and energy and environmental experts 

sometimes use the terms interchangeably. Regardless of 

the definitions, there is often a public perception that 

energy efficiency and “green” are interchangeable, and 

that green buildings are energy efficient. However, this 

is not always the case; some “green” buildings do not 

adequately incorporate energy efficiency.

The LBE Guide uses the term “green building” as an allencompassing description of buildings that incorporate 

energy efficiency plus other energy and environmental 

features where cost effective and practical, including: 

■ Renewable energy supply

■ Combined heat and power (CHP) 

■ Sustainable site design that minimizes stress on the 

local landscape

■ Water efficiency and quality 

■ Green materials and resources that minimize consumption and waste

■ Indoor air quality 

This section of the LBE Guide focuses on approaches 

for ensuring that green building policies and activities 

are designed to achieve energy efficiency and the associated environmental and financial benefits that come 

with combining superior energy performance and 

other green features.

2.2.1 Benefits of Green Buildings

Green buildings provide the benefits of energy efficiency (see Section 2.1.1.) plus additional energy and 

environmental benefits. For example, ENERGY STARlabeled buildings can reduce energy costs by as much 

as 50% compared to conventional buildings, producing 

savings of about $0.50 per square foot per year. These 

energy efficiency savings are the key driver for achieving overall cost-effectiveness in green building design 

(U.S. EPA, 2008n; U.S. EPA, 2006l).

In addition, green buildings can provide environmental 

benefits, such as lowering GHG emissions, reducing 

construction and demolition debris, ecosystem protection, and conserving natural resources. The actual benefits depend upon the environmental features pursued 

by the building owner and developer, which can depend on the rating system adopted (e.g., LEED, Green 

Globe) and whether the building operates as designed. 

Some of these environmental features can have secondary energy saving benefits. For example, many green 

buildings incorporate water efficiency measures, which 

can save heating energy while conserving a natural resource (U.S. EPA, 2008t). For more information on activities that can have secondary energy saving benefits, 

see Section 2.6, Other Energy Saving Opportunities. 

2.2.2 Planning and Implementation 

Strategies for Green Buildings

When planning and implementing strategies for green 

buildings, states can follow the energy management 

steps described in Section 2.1, Energy Efficiency in 

Buildings. Other key strategies include:

■ Ensure that energy efficiency is specifically included in 

green building policies. Energy efficiency is a critical 

element of green building and is a key feature of the 

design process. States have found that requiring a 

Arizona Green Building Policy

In 2007, Arizona passed legislation requiring the state’s largest 

agencies to reduce energy consumption per square foot by 

30% by July 1, 2020 based on FY 2002 levels. To help meet this 

goal, the legislation included a requirement that all new statefunded buildings be designed to meet LEED certification. 

The new Arizona Department of Environmental Quality building 

was designed to achieve optimal energy performance with 

minimal impact on the environment. Using a 25-year leaseto-own financing agreement, the agency was able to use a 

life-cycle costing approach in designing the building. Building 

design energy efficiency and renewable energy measures 

include:

A reflective roof to minimize “heat island effect” ■

■ Variable frequency drives for motors

Low-e glass to reduce reliance on cooling system ■

■ Efficient lighting, including dimmers and LED exit signs

■ Electrical system with ENERGY STAR transformers

A 100-kW PV system connected to the grid. ■

The energy efficiency, renewable energy, and green measures 

incorporated into the building’s design have earned it both 

LEED-Silver certification and the ENERGY STAR label.

Sources: ADEQ, 2006a, 2006b. 

Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 49
combination of energy performance tools and green 

building approaches from the onset can ensure that 

new and renovated buildings meet both energy performance and environmental criteria. An increasingly 

common strategy is to use the EPA’S ENERGY STAR 

platform in conjunction with the USGBC’s LEED 

rating system for green building design. For example, 

Pennsylvania is exploring the possibility of establishing 

a system that would mandate minimum point requirements in certain LEED categories in addition to requiring new state buildings to receive at least 85 points 

under ENERGY STAR certification (IEc, 2005). For 

more information on incorporating energy efficiency 

in green building polices, see the text box on page 2-24. 

■ Evaluate opportunities for renewable energy sources. 

While energy efficiency investments are typically a 

low-cost approach to reducing GHG and air pollution 

emissions in buildings, additional reductions can be 

achieved with on-site renewable energy sources (e.g., 

solar photovoltaics, geothermal heating). Green buildings that incorporate renewable energy generation as 

backup power systems can also benefit from improved 

power supply reliability. For more information about 

on-site renewable energy generation, see Section 2.5, 

Clean Energy Supply. 

■ Integrate energy efficiency and renewable energy into 

climate change goals. Implementing energy efficiency 

and renewable energy measures are key options for 

reducing GHG emissions. Thus, as governments adopt 

climate change goals, it is critical to develop a costeffective and robust strategy for advancing clean energy 

within the government sector. By coordinating climate 

change, energy efficiency, and renewable energy activities, states are in a better position to achieve results and 

gain support for these programs.

■ Include requirements for third-party verification of 

energy performance. Third-party verification is an important step towards ensuring that green buildings are 

energy efficient. While some green building certification only considers a building’s design, third-party verification of energy performance can determine whether 

a building is performing as intended. States can obtain 

third-party verification from a number of sources, 

including ESCOs and energy service providers.6

A number of states have included provisions in 

their green building policies requiring third-party 

6 See http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = spp_res.pt_spps for a directory of energy service and product providers.

Incorporating Energy Efficiency 

into Green Building Policies 

Energy efficiency can be incorporated into green building 

policies in different ways, depending on the green building 

rating system used. States can take the following steps to 

incorporate energy efficiency into green building policies.

LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) 

Require that the actual energy use of buildings meets ■

aggressive energy performance targets, based on the most 

energy-efficient existing buildings in the market. 

For building types covered by EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio ■

Manager rating system, the target should be at least 75, the 

level at which a building is eligible to earn the ENERGY STAR 

label. This is more stringent than the LEED-EB requirement 

and will result in greater energy efficiency. See Develop Whole 

Building Performance Targets in Section 2.1.2, Planning and 

Implementation Strategies for Improving Energy Efficiency 

in Government Buildings, for more detailed guidance and 

strategies for building types not covered by Portfolio Manager. 

Strive to achieve the greatest possible quantity of credits in the ■

LEED energy and atmosphere section.

Once a building has been operating for one year, compare the ■

building’s actual performance to the energy target used during 

the design phase and confirm that the building is eligible for 

the ENERGY STAR, where available.

LEED for New Construction (LEED-NC)

Require design teams to meet an aggressive energy ■

performance target, based on the most energy-efficient 

existing buildings in the market. For building types covered 

by EPA’s ENERGY STAR Target Finder, the target should be at 

least 75, the level at which a building is “Designed to earn the 

ENERGY STAR.” See Develop Whole Building Performance 

Targets in Section 2.1.2, Planning and Implementation Issues for 

Improving Energy Efficiency in Government Buildings, for more 

detailed guidance and strategies for building types not covered 

by Target Finder.

Strive to achieve the greatest possible quantity of credits in the ■

LEED energy and atmosphere section.

Once a building has been operating for one year, compare the ■

building’s actual performance to the energy target used during 

the design phase and confirm that building is eligible for the 

ENERGY STAR, where available.

Green Globes Rating System for New Buildings or Significant 

Renovation

Strive to achieve the highest possible rating using the Green ■

Globes rating system, which requires new building designs to 

achieve a rating of 75 (to be eligible for the ENERGY STAR) or 

better using EPA’s ENERGY STAR Target Finder. See Develop 

Whole Building Performance Targets in Section 2.1.2, Planning 

and Implementation Issues for Improving Energy Efficiency 

in Government Buildings, for more detailed guidance and 

strategies for building types not covered by Target Finder.

Once a building has been operating for one year, compare the ■

building’s actual performance to the energy target used during 

the design phase and confirm that the building is eligible for 

the ENERGY STAR, where available.

50 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two
verification to confirm that, once they become operational, buildings meet the energy performance targets 

established during the planning and design phases. For 

example South Carolina established a goal to optimize 

energy performance in state buildings and pursue the 

ENERGY STAR label wherever possible. The legislation also includes a green building policy requiring 

all new state facilities to be designed to receive either 

the LEED-Silver certification or two globes using the 

Green Globes Rating System. The policy specifies that 

facilities designed to achieve these standards must earn 

at least 40% or 20%, respectively, of the available points 

for energy performance under the LEED and Green 

Globes rating systems. To ensure that new facilities 

achieve their intended energy performance, the legislation requires third-party verification in the fifth, tenth, 

and fifteenth years of operation. Commissioning agents 

must report on each building’s energy performance 

relative to the performance anticipated during the 

design phase (South Carolina, 2007). 

■ Consider conducting a demonstration project. When 

resources and/or support for implementing a green 

building policy for state government facilities are limited, states can develop a single green building to serve 

as a demonstration project. These projects can be used 

to showcase the energy efficiency and environmental 

benefits of green buildings, while helping to make the 

case for implementing a portfolio-wide green building approach as additional support and/or resources 

become available.

2.2.3 Examples of State and Local Green 

Building Activities

Many states and local governments have made green 

building activities the cornerstone of a comprehensive 

LBE program. Examples of state green building activities are provided below. 

Hawaii – Lead by Example Initiative

The Hawaii Lead by Example Initiative began in 2006 

with an executive order (later codified by the state legislature in Act 96) directing state agencies to improve 

energy, water, and resource efficiency in their facilities. 

The order established a green building policy, mandating that all state-funded newly constructed and renovated buildings be designed to meet LEED certification 

and achieve LEED-Silver certification where possible. 

To ensure that these buildings achieve superior energy 

performance, the state is following a strategic energy 

management approach that involves benchmarking, 

conducting whole-building energy audits, and recommissioning buildings in stages. In addition, a state energy coordinator is working to achieve energy performance certification for several state buildings through 

EPA’s ENERGY STAR program. Through 2007, four 

state government buildings had earned the ENERGY 

STAR label (Hawaii, 2008). 

In addition, the Hawaii Lead by Example Program is 

providing innovative solutions to the end-use efficiency 

strategy of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI), 

a partnership established by the U.S. Department of 

Energy (DOE) and the State of Hawaii on January 28, 

2008. The goal of the HCEI is to achieve a least a 70% 

clean energy basis for Hawaii within a generation. 

Web site: http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/

efficiency/state/lbe

Minnesota – State Sustainable Building Guidelines

The Minnesota Energy Security and Reliability Act of 

2001 requires that new buildings receiving state bond 

funding be designed consistent with sustainable building design guidelines developed by the Departments 

of Administration and Commerce. The state legislature 

determined that these guidelines should require buildings to exceed existing energy codes by at least 30%. The 

resultant State Sustainable Building Guidelines are adapted from LEED rating system requirements (Minnesota, 

2006). Preliminary analysis of three new state buildings 

constructed according to the guidelines indicated that 

the buildings’ sustainable measures would result in a 

combined estimated reduction of more than 2.5 metric 

tons of air pollutants such as CO2

, NOx, and SOx (IEc, 

2005; Minnesota PCA, 2006; Minnesota, 2001).

The guidelines are part of the broader statewide Buildings, Benchmarks, and Beyond (B3) project, through 

which the state is working with EPA’s ENERGY STAR 

program to improve the energy efficiency of its own 

buildings and the buildings of the state’s public school 

districts. The state government is a participant in the 

Massachusetts Green Building Standard

Massachusetts has adopted a green building standard for 

new buildings of 20,000 ft2 or greater. This standard requires 

affected buildings to achieve basic LEED certification and 

meet a number of optional credits referenced in the LEEDNew Construction rating system guidelines, including that 

energy performance must exceed Massachusetts Energy Code 

requirements by at least 20%.

Source: Massachusetts, 2007. 

Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 51
ENERGY STAR Challenge, with a goal of improving 

energy efficiency by 10% (U.S. EPA, 2008p) These LBE 

efforts will contribute to the governor’s Next Generation Energy Initiative, issued in 2006, which sets a 

goal of 1,000 ENERGY STAR commercial buildings 

throughout the state by 2010 (Minnesota, 2006a) . 

Web site: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/oea/

greenbuilding/index.cfm.

New Mexico – Lead by Example Initiative

In 2006, the governor of New Mexico issued an executive order that requires new and renovated public 

buildings to meet energy-efficient green building standards. The executive order requires adherence to the 

LEED-Silver standards in new and renovated public 

buildings that are greater than 15,000 square feet and/

or use more than 50 kW peak electrical demand. These 

buildings, and smaller new and renovated buildings between 5,000 and 15,000 square feet, must also achieve a 

minimum energy performance standard of 50% of the 

average consumption for that building type.7

The 2006 building performance standards have become an essential component of the state’s strategy 

for meeting the energy use reduction goal established 

by executive order in November 2007. This second 

7 Based on averages for each building type determined by the Department of 

Energy. 

order created the state government Lead by Example 

Initiative and directed all executive branch agencies 

to reduce energy use in state government buildings 

by 20% below 2005 levels by 2015. To ensure that the 

state’s green buildings contribute to the energy goal, 

the state is developing a database to track government 

facility energy use. In addition, as a participant in the 

ENERGY STAR Challenge, the state is working with 

EPA’s ENERGY STAR program to benchmark its facilities and train its facility managers to use ENERGY 

STAR tools, such as Portfolio Manager and Target 

Finder (U.S. EPA, 2008p; New Mexico, 2007; New 

Mexico, 2006). 

Web site: http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/ecmd/

GovernmentLeadByExample/State-Government.htm

New York – “Green and Clean” State Buildings

Executive Order 111, “Green and Clean” State Buildings 

and Vehicles, signed in 2001 and re-authorized in 2007, 

requires state agencies to follow LEED guidelines for 

the construction of green buildings and to strive to 

meet the ENERGY STAR building criteria for energy 

performance. Executive Order 111 also requires that all 

new buildings achieve at least a 20% improvement in 

performance relative to the State Energy Conservation 

Construction Code, and that all affected entities seek 

to ensure that 20% of their annual electricity needs in 

2010 are met by renewable energy sources (NYSERDA, 

2001). NYSERDA issued guidelines for government 

entities in developing implementation plans to meet 

the requirements of the order. Further guidance is 

offered through the state’s Green Building Services program, which assists government agencies in design and 

LEED certification for new and renovated buildings 

(NYSERDA, 2004a). 

NYSERDA has partnered with several state agencies to 

develop sustainable design guidelines for specific facility types within the state system, including High-Performance Design Guidelines for state college and university 

buildings and guidelines for Metropolitan Transportation Authority buildings (NYSERDA, 2005). The State 

University of New York at Binghamton constructed 

two buildings using these guidelines. Designed using 

green building design charrettes (i.e., collaborative 

brainstorming processes between the green building 

team members and other stakeholders), these buildings include variable speed drives, additional building 

envelope insulation, and energy-efficient lighting and 

HVAC systems. The buildings were designed to be 25% 

New York Collaborative for 

High-Performance Schools (NY-CHPS)

NYSERDA worked with the New York State Education 

Department to develop NY-CHPS, a program based on the 

Collaborative for High-Performance Schools, originally started 

in California. The program is designed to provide an outstanding 

learning environment; a healthy, safe place to work; durability; 

cost-effectiveness over the life of a building; optimization of 

resources; and the long-term benefits of energy efficiency. 

The NY-CHPS High-Performance Schools Guidelines include a 

score sheet for benchmarking high-performance schools. The 

score sheet allows for a maximum of 133 credits, and includes 

the following sections:

Site (15 points) ■

Energy (26 points) ■

Materials (26 points) ■

Water (3 points) ■

Indoor Environmental Quality (32 points) ■

■ Operations and Maintenance (15 points), and

Extra Credit (16 points) ■

Source: NYSERDA, 2007.

52 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two
more energy-efficient than state building energy code 

requires. 

Web site: http://www.nyserda.org/programs/state.asp. 

Pennsylvania – High Performance 

Green Building Program 

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Green Government Council (GGGC) works in partnership with over 40 state 

agencies to stimulate the development and continuous 

improvement of environmentally sustainable practices 

in planning, policymaking, and regulatory operations. 

The GGGC established a High Performance Green 

Building Program that focuses on education, promotion, and demonstration of high-performance green 

buildings. Its Guidelines for Creating High Performance 

Green Buildings describe how the design and construction of high performance green buildings represent 

the best possible course for combining environmental 

responsibility and economic opportunity. The Department of Environmental Protection occupies six LEEDcertified buildings, and the state Housing Finance 

Authority and Turnpike Commission headquarters both 

occupy LEED-certified buildings. Six additional buildings are expected to earn LEED certification in the near 

future (Pennsylvania DEP, 1999; Pennsylvania DEP, 

2002; GGGC, 2006; GGGC, 2006b; GGGC, 2008).

In implementing and reviewing the results of its High 

Performance Green Building Program, the state discovered that a relatively low percentage of its green buildings were achieving superior energy performance. In 

2003, the state began coordinating with EPA’s ENERGY 

STAR program and DOE’s Rebuild America program to 

incorporate energy efficiency elements from these programs into its green building program. The state created 

a staff position to manage the integration of ENERGY 

STAR and Rebuild America with the green building 

program. The integration activities have included training sessions for Department of Environmental Protection staff on how to use ENERGY STAR tools to facilitate benchmarking and track the energy performance 

of the state’s green buildings (U.S. EPA, 2005d). The 

state is exploring the possibility of establishing a system 

that would mandate minimum point requirements in 

certain LEED categories in addition to a requirement 

that new state buildings receive at least 85 points under 

ENERGY STAR certification (IEc, 2005).

Web site: http://www.gggc.state.pa.us/gggc/cwp/view.

asp?a = 515&q = 156859&gggcNav = |6787|

Portland, Oregon – Green Building Policy 

In 2001, the City of Portland, Oregon adopted a green 

building policy requiring all new and major retrofits 

of city-funded or -financed projects to achieve LEEDcertified status. In 2005, this policy was modified to 

require new and major retrofits of city buildings to 

achieve LEED-Gold certification. Additionally, projects 

are required to meet the following targets: 75% of 

construction and demolition waste must be recycled; 

stormwater, water use, and structural codes must be exceeded by at least 30%; and each project must include 

an “ecoroof ” with at least 70% vegetative coverage or 

high-reflectance ENERGY STAR-qualified roofing. All 

buildings are to be commissioned to be eligible for the 

state Sustainable Building Business Energy Tax Credit 

and all O&M practices must be consistent with city 

Green Building Operations and Maintenance Guidelines 

(Portland, 2005). 

Web site: http://www.portlandonline.com/osd/index.

cfm?c = 41701&a = 112681. 

The Pennsylvania Cambria State Office Building 

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s 

36,000 square-foot Cambria Office Building was completed in 

2000. 

Key design measures included: ■

■ Passive solar orientation with east/west axis, roof overhangs, 

north and south facing windows, external light shelves, and 

clerestories to boost natural daylighting while reducing 

heating and cooling loads

■ High-performance window glazing, resulting in savings of 

$30,000 annually at a cost of $15,000

■ High performance insulated concrete form wall systems 

contribute to HVAC system downsizing

■ Ground source heat pumping system for heating and 

cooling with 14-kW PV panels mounted on the south-facing 

roof that provides 28% of the total energy used

■ Building materials selected based on their potential 

environmental impact and recyclability

■ Earned a LEED® Gold rating

■ Exceeds ASHRAE standards by 30%

ENERGY STAR label (rating of 88) ■

Building cost was $98 per square foot ■

Used 50% less energy than the standard low-rise office building ■

located in the Philadelphia region during first year

■ Resulted in energy cost savings of up to 66%

Sources: Ziegler, 2003; NREL, 2004; NREL, 2005. 

Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 53
Wisconsin – Sustainable Facilities Guidelines and 

Minimum Standards 

Executive Order 145, on the Creation of High Performance Green Building Standards and Energy Conservation for State Facilities and Operations, called for the 

reduction of overall energy consumption per square 

foot in state facilities by 10% by 2008 and 20% by 2010. 

The order required the Department of Administration 

to develop energy efficiency goals for state facilities 

and campuses for 2007, 2008, and 2009. The department was also directed to develop Sustainable Facilities 

Guidelines and Minimum Standards based on LEED 

criteria, which were published in 2007, and to work 

with the state Building Commission and Energy Center 

of Wisconsin to ensure that all new state buildings are 

constructed to surpass existing commercial building 

energy codes by 30%. The Sustainable Facilities Guidelines and Minimum Standards include requirements 

that building designs be verified before and during 

construction, and that building performance be verified once the building becomes operational. The Division of State Facilities ensures that buildings designed 

achieve their intended performance targets and reports 

the results of the sustainable building program to the 

state Building Commission twice annually.

In 2004, the state spent $127 million on energy. It is 

estimated that the standards will reduce O&M costs 

for the state’s 6,300 buildings by as much as 30% and 

reduce overall energy consumption per square foot 

by 10% by 2008 and 20% by 2010. This translates into 

more than $30 million in annual savings for Wisconsin 

taxpayers (Wisconsin, 2007b; Wisconsin, 2007).

Web sites: http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/journal_

media_detail.asp?locid = 19&prid = 1907 (EO 145) 

http://www.doa.state.wi.us/dsf/masterspec_view_new.

asp?catid = 58&locid = 4 (Sustainable Facilities Policy 

and Guidelines)

Washington, D.C. – Green Building Policy 

In 2006, the Washington, D.C. city council passed 

legislation requiring all publicly-owned and publicly 

financed buildings be designed to meet LEED-Silver 

certification standards for environmental performance. 

To ensure that these buildings achieve optimal energy 

performance, the legislation includes a requirement 

that buildings also be designed to earn 75 points on 

the EPA energy performance rating system, using the 

ENERGY STAR Target Finder tool. To ensure compliance with these requirements, the legislation mandates 

reviews by a government agency or a certified third 

party. The green building program is guided by a Green 

Building Advisory Committee. 

Web site: http://green.dc.gov/green/cwp/

view,a,1231,q,460953.asp

2.3 Energy-Efficient Product 

Procurement

A number of states are achieving energy, environmental, economic, and other benefits by purchasing 

energy-efficient products, such as electronics, office 

equipment, heating and cooling systems, and lighting systems. Purchasing ENERGY STAR-qualified 

products can save a typical state or local government 

The Wisconsin Department 

of Natural Resources Building

Design of the state’s first green state office building, the 

Department of Natural Resources’ Northeast Regional 

Headquarters in Green Bay, included green principles such as 

daylighting, use of recycled materials and recycled waste, and 

minimizing the building’s footprint. The state invested $70,000 

to improve the design of this building and estimates that the 

improvements will save the state $500,000 over a 20-year 

period. 

Source: Wisconsin, 2006. 

Clarification of Terminology

States can implement energy-efficient product procurement 

as a stand-alone program or as part of broader programs for 

purchasing products with other environmental attributes. 

Green purchasing is generally used to describe activities 

that focus on purchasing products and services that have 

positive energy and environmental attributes, including energy 

efficiency, recycled content, and reduced toxic content. 

Energy-efficient product procurement falls within the scope of 

green purchasing.

While green purchasing focuses on products that have positive 

energy or environmental attributes, environmentally preferable 

product (EPP) procurement assesses multiple energy and 

environmental attributes to determine which of these green 

product(s) are preferable in a given situation. For example, 

in a facility with poor indoor air quality, paint with lowvolatile organic compound (VOC) content is both green and 

environmentally preferable, while paint with recycled content 

latex is green, but not the preferable product in this situation. 

In most situations, energy-efficient products are considered 

environmentally preferable. 

This section focuses on energy-efficient product procurement. 

However, green purchasing and EPP procurement programs 

that include energy efficiency are also addressed.

54 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two
approximately $1.5 million in life-cycle energy and 

maintenance costs and prevent more than 16,000 tons 

of CO2 emissions (U.S. EPA, Undated). Combined, 

state and local governments across the nation could 

save more than $750 million annually in energy costs 

by purchasing energy-efficient products (Harris et al., 

2004). In addition, energy-efficient product procurement often involves little or no incremental costs, 

since conventional products can be replaced with 

energy-efficient ones on a normal product replacement 

schedule.

2.3.1 Benefits of Energy-Efficient 

Product Procurement

Government leadership in purchasing energy-efficient 

products for a portfolio of state buildings can produce 

significant energy, environmental, economic, and other 

benefits, including: 

■ Reduced energy costs. Because energy-efficient products 

require less energy to operate than conventional products, they can reduce facility energy loads and achieve 

energy bill savings on the order of 5% to 10% (LBNL, 

2002). ENERGY STAR-qualified products typically use 

25% to 50% less energy and can offer consumer energy 

cost savings of as much as 90% (U.S. EPA, 2007a; U.S. 

EPA, 2008j). Energy-efficient products can also reduce 

energy costs indirectly, since they do not generate as 

much unwanted heat as conventional products, and 

thus lower cooling loads. Table 2.3.1 summarizes the 

potential energy cost savings of purchasing energyefficient products for five product categories. (For more 

information on the energy savings associated with 

specific energy-efficient products, see Table 4.3.1, Rules 

of Thumb in Chapter 4.)

■ Reduced GHG emissions and other environmental 

impacts. Replacing conventional products with energyefficient ones can substantially reduce GHG emissions 

and other environmental impacts by decreasing use 

of fossil fuel-based energy. Fossil fuel combustion for 

electricity generation accounts for 40% of the nation’s 

CO2 emissions, a principle GHG, and 67% of the nation’s SOx

 emissions and 23% of the nation’s NOx emissions, both of which can lead to smog and acid rain, 

and results in emissions of trace amounts of airborne 

particulate matter that can cause respiratory problems 

for many people (U.S. EPA, 2008s). Replacing 100 

conventional light bulbs with compact fluorescent light 

bulbs (CFLs), for example, can reduce nearly 70,000 

pounds of CO2

 emissions over a nine-year product 

lifetime (U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE, 2008). Table 2.3.1 

summarizes the potential CO2 emission reductions 

from purchasing energy-efficient products for five 

product categories. 

■ Reduced maintenance costs. Energy-efficient products 

often have longer lifetimes than conventional products. 

Because energy-efficient products require less-frequent 

replacement, maintenance cost savings over the lifetime of the product can be significant. Reducing the 

number of times a product needs to be replaced can be 

especially important when replacement involves handling valuable or antique items, which can be found in 

many state government facilities. 

■ Increased economic benefits through job creation and 

market development. State and local governments 

spend a combined $50 billion to $70 billion to purchase energy-using products each year (Harris et al., 

2004). Specifying that these funds be used to purchase 

energy-efficient products can stimulate the local economy and encourage development of energy-efficient 

product markets. According to DOE, half of all energyefficient equipment is purchased from local suppliers 

(U.S. DOE, 2004). 

■ Increased reliability. When an energy-using product 

reaches the end of its usable life and “burns out,” 

there is often a period of inactivity before the product 

can be replaced. Energy-efficient products typically 

experience less-frequent periods of inactivity because 

they have longer lifetimes than conventional products. 

This benefit is particularly important when periods of 

product inactivity can have serious consequences (e.g., 

HVAC system failure in extreme heat conditions) (U.S. 

EPA, 2008x).

■ Improved occupant health. Some energy-efficient 

products remove sources of indoor air contaminants. 

Energy recovery ventilation equipment, for example, 

can reduce infiltration of air contaminants from outdoors while significantly reducing HVAC energy loads 

(U.S. EPA, 2003). One study on building performance 

found that the average reduction in illness as a result 

of improving air quality in buildings is approximately 

40% (Carnegie Mellon, 2005).

Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 55
Table 2.3.1 Estimated Energy Cost and CO2 Savings from a Sample of ENERGY STAR Productsa

Action

Annual 

Energy Cost 

Savings

Annual CO2

Savings 

(Tons)

Lifetime 

(years)

Life-Cycle 

Energy Cost 

Savings

Life-Cycle 

CO2 Savings 

(Tons)

Replace 5,000 computers and monitors with 

ENERGY STAR-qualified products and activate 

power management

$400,000 2,200 4 $1,450,000 13,600

Replace 10 conventional commercial dishwashers 

with ENERGY STAR-qualified products

$11,500 400 10 $128,000b 6,000

Replace 50 conventional vending machines with 

ENERGY STAR-qualified products

$7,500 64 14 $79,200 890

Replace 100 conventional water coolers with 

ENERGY STAR-qualified coolers

$3,300 28 10 $26,500 280

Replace 50 color laser printers with ENERGY STARqualified printers 

$660 6 5 $3,000 28

a Figures obtained from calculators on the ENERGY STAR Purchasing & Procurement Web site http://www.energystar.gov/purchasing using 

default settings and an electricity rate of 9.039¢ per kWh. Annual costs exclude the initial purchase price and installation cost. All costs are 

discounted over the product’s lifetime using a real discount rate of 4%.

b Value includes water savings.

2.3.2 Planning and Implementation 

Strategies Related to Energy-Efficient 

Product Procurement

When planning and implementing energy-efficient 

product procurement activities, states can follow many 

of the energy management steps described in Section 

2.1, Energy Efficiency in Buildings. Other key strategies 

include:

■ Adhere to energy efficiency standards and specifications. 

Many state governments require energy efficiency certification for the energy-using products they purchase. 

Using established standards streamlines the procurement process and can lead to greater energy benefits, 

since products will be required to meet minimum 

performance specifications. A number of states, such 

as Arizona, California, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and 

Michigan, require government purchasers to specify 

ENERGY STAR-qualified products. EPA’s ENERGY 

STAR program provides energy efficiency specifications for more than 50 product categories. For some 

categories where ENERGY STAR specifications do 

not exist, FEMP designates energy-efficient products 

that perform in the top 25% in terms of energy performance (FEMP, 2007).8

■ Aggregate purchases. Some states have reduced procurement costs by designating a particular government 

agency as the coordinating facilitator of all state agency 

purchases, which can enable bulk purchases of energyefficient products (U.S. DOE, 2006j). Some states, such 

8 FEMP’s specifications are consistent with ENERGY STAR’s in categories 

where ENERGY STAR specifications exist (FEMP, 2007).

ENERGY STAR Qualification

Through the ENERGY STAR program, EPA and DOE develop 

energy performance specifications for more than 50 product 

categories. ENERGY STAR-qualified products typically use 25% 

to 50% less energy and can offer consumer energy cost savings 

of as much as 90% relative to conventional products.

State governments often include requirements in energyefficient product procurement policies for purchasers 

to specify products that are ENERGY STAR-qualified. For 

example, Washington, D.C. passed an act in 2004 to amend 

its procurement policy to require agencies to include 

specifications for ENERGY STAR-qualified products in 

solicitations for energy-using products. 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2006b; U.S. EPA, 2008; LBNL, 2002; Washington, 

D.C., 2004.

56 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two
as Wisconsin and Connecticut, allow local governments to use state government contracts to aggregate 

purchases (Harris et al., 2004).

■ Borrow from sample procurement language. State governments can use model contract language to specify 

energy-efficient products when making purchases. 

Model contract language can be borrowed from other 

government and non-governmental organizations. 

Both EPA’s ENERGY STAR program and FEMP, for 

example, provide general procurement contract language for purchases of energy-efficient products (U.S. 

EPA, 2008k; FEMP, 2007).

■ Combine energy-efficient product procurement with other 

LBE activities. Because many energy-efficient products 

have little or no cost premium, energy-efficient product 

procurement can improve the cost-effectiveness of a 

comprehensive LBE program. Replacing conventional 

products with energy-efficient ones on a regular replacement schedule can have little additional cost, but 

can reduce the costs of meeting targets for building 

energy performance, green power purchases, and clean 

energy supplies (Harris et al., 2004). Many states have 

incorporated energy-efficient product procurement into 

broader commitments to improving energy efficiency in 

their building portfolios. For more information on improving energy efficiency across a portfolio of buildings, 

see Section 2.1, Energy Efficiency in Buildings.

■ Create strong links between the Purchasing Department 

and Energy, Environment, and IT Department(s). Fostering collaboration between these departments can 

significantly enhance the benefits of energy-efficient 

product procurement activities by bringing together 

individuals with technical expertise in complementary subjects. Purchasers, who have familiarity with 

vendors and purchasing procedures, can consult with 

energy and environmental staff to identify priority 

energy-efficient products and to quantify the benefits 

of energy-efficient product procurement policies (e.g., 

by using ENERGY STAR product savings calculators). 

Purchasers can also work with staff from IT and facilities management departments who are often responsible for specifying office electronics and for implementing energy efficiency policies, such as enabling sleep 

modes on office electronic equipment.

■ Require life-cycle cost analyses. Traditional procurement 

policies sometimes promote methods for assessing 

project cost-effectiveness that encourage the purchase 

of products that have the lowest initial design and 

construction costs. These policies can prevent state 

agencies from purchasing energy-efficient products 

that generate energy cost savings but have higher initial 

costs. Because the life-cycle cost of an energy-efficient 

product is typically less than that of a conventional 

product, many states are requiring agencies to compare 

products using life-cycle cost analyses that account 

for the present value of all costs associated with the 

product (including initial costs, future energy costs, 

and other ancillary costs) over the product’s lifetime. In 

states with mandatory low-bid procurement requirements, legislative authority may be required to modify 

procurement policies (U.S. EPA, 2006a). 

■ Incorporate information on the payback periods of 

energy-efficient products into investment decisions. Lifecycle cost analyses can reveal short payback periods 

(i.e., the length of time required to recoup up-front 

costs) for most energy efficiency investments. Incorporating investments with short payback periods into 

a comprehensive energy efficiency upgrade can help 

reduce the overall payback period for the entire project. For example, purchasing energy-efficient products 

that reduce supplemental loads, which typically have 

short payback periods, can generate significant energy 

cost savings that can shorten the payback period for 

a building upgrade as a whole. Similarly, behavioral 

adjustments, such as setting thermostats at lower 

temperatures in the winter, can often be implemented 

at no cost yet produce significant savings and reduce 

the payback period of a comprehensive upgrade. Table 

2.3.2, ENERGY STAR Specification Overviews: Energy 

Savings and Cost-Effectiveness, illustrates the payback 

periods for a variety of energy-efficient products.

■ Train energy-efficient product users. Even as policies 

are put in place to encourage the purchase of energyefficient products, their results are not guaranteed. It is 

important to educate purchasers to help them identify 

what products are energy-efficient and track the effectiveness of procurement activities (NACo, Undated).

ENERGY STAR Product Savings Calculators

More than 40 product calculators are available that illustrate 

the cost-effectiveness of selecting ENERGY STAR-qualified 

products. Purchasers can use these tools to quantify the 

financial benefits of energy efficiency when making the case 

for purchasing energy-efficient products to product specifiers. 

Calculators can be found at: http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c=bulk_purchasing.bus_purchasing

Source: U.S. EPA, 2008i.

Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 57
Table 2.3.2 ENERGY STAR Specification Overviews: Energy Savings and Payback Periodsa

Product Category

Effective Date 

of Current 

Specification

Percent Energy 

Savings Compared to 

Conventional Product Payback Period

Appliances

Dehumidifiers October 2006 15% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Dishwashers January 2007 40% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)b

Refrigerators and freezers April 2008 15% 4 years (refrigerators)c

6 years (freezers)d

Room air conditioners November 2005 10% Not available

Room air cleaners July 2004 45% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Electronics

Battery charging systems January 2006 35% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Cordless phones November 2006 55% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Combination units July 2005 30% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

DVD products January 2003 60% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

External power adapters January 2005 35% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Home audio systems January 2003 60% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Televisions November 2008 25% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Envelope

Roof products December 2007 Not available < 4 years

Windows, doors, and skylights September 2005 Not available Not available

Lighting

Compact fluorescent lamps January 2004 75% < 1 year

Residential-style light fixtures August 2008 75% < 1 year

2 years for recessed cans

Office Equipment

Computers July 2007 25% — 50% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Copiers April 2007 65% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Monitors July 2007 25% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Multifunction Devices April 2007 20% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Printers, fax machines, and 

mailing machines

April 2007 15% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Scanners April 2007 50% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Heating and Cooling

Air source heat pumps April 2006 5% < 5 years

Boilers April 2002 5% < 1 year

58 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two
Product Category

Effective Date 

of Current 

Specification

Percent Energy 

Savings Compared to 

Conventional Product Payback Period

Ceiling fans September 2006 45% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Furnaces October 2006 15% < 3 years

Geothermal heat pumps April 2001 30% < 5 years for new construction

Light commercial HVAC January 2004 5% < 1 year

Ventilating fans October 2003 70% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Commercial Food Service 

Commercial dishwashers October 2007 30% 2 years

Commercial fryers August 2003 15% 2 years (for typical unit)

Commercial hot food holding 

cabinets

August 2003 65% 2 years

Commercial ice makers January 2008 25% — 30% 4 years (for typical unit)

Commercial solid door 

refrigerators and freezers

September 2001 35% 1 year

Commercial steam cookers August 2003 50% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Other

Water coolers May 2004 45 % 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Vending machines April 2004

August 2006 (rebuilt 

machines)

40 % < 1 year

a ENERGY STAR develops performance-based specifications to determine the most energy-efficient products in a particular product 

category. These specifications, which are used as the basis for ENERGY STAR qualification, are developed using a systematic process that 

relies on market, engineering, and pollution savings research and input from industry stakeholders. Specifications are revised periodically 

to be more stringent, which has the effect of increasing overall market energy efficiency (U.S. EPA, 2007d). 

b U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE, 2007c. c U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE, 2007b. d U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE, 2007.

e U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE, 2007d. f U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE, 2008.

T

Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 59

2.3.3 State and Local Examples

of Energy-Efficient Product 

Procurement 

Energy-efficient product procurement activities have 

been implemented at the state and local government 

levels using a variety of implementation approaches. 

The following are examples of state and local government energy-efficient product procurement activities. 

Massachusetts – Environmentally Preferable Products 

Procurement Program

The primary goal of the state’s Environmentally 

Preferable Products Procurement Program is to use 

the Commonwealth’s purchasing power to reduce 

the environmental and public health impacts of state 

government and foster markets for environmentally 

preferable products. The program, which covers a wide 

range of products and services (including those that 

reduce energy consumption, contain recycled content, 
minimize waste, conserve water, and reduce the disposal or consumption of toxics), uses statewide contracts 

for environmentally preferable products and provides 

educational assistance and technical expertise to state 

agencies and local governments. It also offers workshops to procurement officials and sponsors an annual 

vendor fair and conference. In recent years, the program 

staff have collaborated on a national level with procurement officials and other organizations to pull together 

resources for responsible environmental purchasing.

In FY 2001, the state spent $92.5 million on environmentally preferable products, including approximately 

11,000 computers, 7,600 monitors, 1,200 copiers, and 

120 fax machines. The cost savings from the program 

in 2001 surpassed $544,000, with the savings from 

purchasing energy-efficient office equipment accounting for approximately $270,000 (Massachusetts, 2003). 

The overall environmental benefits were substantial. It 

is estimated that the program enabled the state to avoid 

over 4,000 metric tons of carbon equivalent; more 

than 11,000 barrels of oil equivalent; over 60,000 trees 

harvested; and 625,000 feet of fluorescent lamps (Massachusetts, 2007b).

Web site: http://www.mass.gov/?pageID = 

osdtopic&L = 3&sid = Aosd&L0 = Home&L1 = 

Buy+from+a+Contract&L2 = Environmentally+Pr

eferable+Products+(EPP)+Procurement+Program

(Program)

http://www.mass.gov/Aosd/docs/EPP/EPP%20

Program%20Assessment%20Final%20Report%20

Dec02.doc (2003 Report)

New York City – Energy-Efficient Product Procurement

Enacted on April 11, 2003, New York City Local Law 

30 requires that energy-using products procured by the 

city be ENERGY STAR-qualified, provided that there 

are at least six competing manufacturers of the ENERGY STAR product. During FY 2002, New York City 

spent $90.8 million for ENERGY STAR-qualified products, consisting mainly of computers, monitors, printers, photocopiers, fax machines, televisions, VCRs, air 

conditioners, and lamps. Local Law 30 was expanded 

by Local Law 119 in 2005, which adds a requirement 

that FEMP water and energy efficiency standards be 

considered in conjunction with ENERGY STAR when 

making purchases (New York City Council, 2007; New 

York City Council, 2005).

Web site: http://www.nyccouncil.info/search/

searchlook2.cfm?SEARCH = NUM.

2.4 Green Power Purchases

Purchasing green power for their portfolio of facilities 

is another way state and local governments are leading 

by example. Green power refers to renewable electricity 

that is produced with no man-made GHG emissions, 

has a superior environmental profile compared to conventional power generation, and was built after January 

1, 1997.9 This subset of renewable energy resources includes solar, wind, biogas, biomass, low-impact hydro, 

and geothermal resources. Other renewable energy 

resources, such as waste-to-energy and hydropower, 

are not necessarily green power resources, since they 

can have adverse environmental impacts, such as air 

pollution or natural landscape disruption (U.S. EPA, 

2004b; U.S. EPA, 2007h).

States can consider several options for purchasing 

green power. At the point of generation, green power 

can be sold directly to the customer or separated into 

its two components: the physical electricity and the 

technological and environmental attributes. When sold 

directly to the customer, green power is often supplied 

as a fixed percentage of monthly use but can also be 

provided in fixed-quantity blocks (e.g., a 100 kW block 

of green power). When the two components are separated, the technological and environmental attributes 

associated with renewable energy are sold as renewable 

energy certificates (RECs) (also known as green tags or 

tradable renewable certificates). The physical electricity, 

no longer “bundled“ with the technological and environmental attributes, is sold through the grid indistinguishable from electricity generated from conventional 

sources (U.S. EPA, 2007r). RECs can be purchased 

directly from the renewable electricity generator or 

9 January 1, 1997 is the accepted date marking the beginning of the voluntary 

green power market. It is argued that renewable energy generation facilities 

built after this date are the product of increasing market demand for green 

power, rather than the product of regulatory action, such as renewable portfolio standards, that required utilities to use renewable energy.

Figure 2.4.1 Green Power and Renewable Energy

60 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two
through several types of REC providers, including 

retail and wholesale REC marketers (e.g., utilities, nonprofits, or other environmental foundations) and REC 

brokers (U.S. EPA, 2004b; WRI, 2003).

Green power premiums vary, with the national average 

green power premium being 2.12¢ per kWh in 2006, 

a decrease of 8% from the 2.36¢ per kWh average in 

2005 (Bird et al., 2007). Green power premiums can 

range as high as 3¢ per kWh, but in many places are 

much lower(U.S. DOE, 2007e; U.S. DOE, 2007f). 

2.4.1 Benefits of Purchasing Green 

Power

By committing to purchasing green power for their 

portfolio of facilities, states can achieve numerous 

energy, environmental, economic, and other benefits, 

including:

■ Hedge against financial risks. Because green power 

is not as sensitive to market fluctuations and supply 

limitations as fossil fuel-based electricity, purchasing 

green power reduces a state government’s susceptibility 

to fossil fuel price volatility.10 Since green power is produced from renewable energy sources, it can often be 

purchased at a more stable (and sometimes fixed) price 

over the long term (U.S. EPA, 2004b; NYSERDA, 2003). 

■ Reduced GHG emissions and other environmental impacts. Fossil fuel combustion for electricity generation 

accounts for 40% of the nation’s CO2

 emissions, a principle GHG, and 67% of the nation’s SOx

 emissions and 

23% of the nation’s NOx

 emissions, both of which can 

10 Anticipation of federal and/or state legislation that could impose caps on 

GHG emissions also has the potential to exacerbate the volatility of fossil fuel 

prices (U.S. EPA, 2004b). 

lead to smog and acid rain, and results in emissions of 

trace amounts of airborne particulate matter that can 

cause respiratory problems for many people (U.S. EPA, 

2008s). Using green power, which is produced with 

no anthropogenic GHG emissions, can substantially 

reduce a state’s GHG emissions and other environmental impacts by decreasing use of fossil fuel-based 

electricity. 

■ Increased regional employment. Purchasing green power can create and sustain regional jobs, since manufacturing, installing, and maintaining renewable energy 

generation systems requires a significant amount of 

effort. To manufacture, construct, install, and maintain 

one MW of solar photovoltaics, for example, approximately 22 jobs are sustained (Apollo Alliance, 2007). 

■ Regional and national benefits. State governments can 

help achieve regional- and national-scale energy benefits by increasing the amount of green power in the 

country’s energy portfolio. This reduces dependence 

on imported fossil fuels and diversifies the nation’s fuel 

resources, which can improve the overall robustness of 

the country’s energy systems by reducing dependence 

on a vulnerable, centralized energy delivery infrastructure (U.S. EPA, 2004b).

2.4.2 Planning and Implementation 

Strategies for Green Power 

Purchasing

Key planning and implementation considerations that 

can lead to enhanced effectiveness for green power 

procurement activities include:

EPA Green Power Partnership

The EPA Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program 

developed by EPA to boost the market for green power sources 

that do not contribute GHG emissions to the atmosphere. State 

and local governments participating in the partnership receive 

EPA technical assistance and public recognition.

Through April 2008, two states and seven agencies in other 

states were participating in the Green Power Partnership. In 

addition, more than 80 local governments have committed to 

meeting the partnership’s green power purchase requirements. 

Source: U.S. EPA, 2008l. 

Benefits of Purchasing Renewable Energy 

Certificates (RECs)

RECs create green power opportunities for electricity ■

customers in areas that lack access to utility products and can 

create additional supply and cost options for customers with 

access to utility products.

RECs enable customers to maintain existing procurement ■

relationships with electricity providers.

RECs provide green power opportunities for customers in ■

leased spaces where control of electricity purchases is retained 

by a landlord.

REC purchasers can specify the green power source type and ■

location from which the RECs are derived.

RECs often have a lower cost premium than green power ■

purchased directly from the utility.

Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 61
■ Aggregate purchases. A number of states are aggregating electricity demand to purchase green power. By 

combining the needs of a number of agencies, state 

they are often able to negotiate lower prices with the 

utility, making green power purchases more affordable (U.S. EPA, 2006a). For example, the Maryland 

Department of General Services recently coordinated 

with the University of Maryland system in aggregating 

purchases from 4,300 state accounts, procuring over 

1.4 billion kWh. This effort is expected to save the 

state more than $31.3 million over a two-year period 

(Maryland, 2006).

■ Combine green power purchases with energy efficiency 

upgrades. State governments can reduce the cost of 

meeting green power purchase targets by complementing green power purchases with energy efficiency 

upgrades. Improving energy efficiency in a facility 

reduces electricity loads, meaning percentage green 

power goals can be met at reduced costs.

■ Require certification for green power products. State 

governments can require that green power products be 

certified as meeting consumer protection and environmental standards. Certification provides assurance that 

green power products reduce a state government’s environmental impacts. Certification can also verify that 

green power product claims are valid (e.g., with respect 

to the mix of renewable energy resources) and that the 

products have not been repackaged (U.S. EPA, 2006a; 

AWEA, 2004).11 Certification is conferred by a number 

of organizations, including the Green-e Renewable 

Energy Certification Program and the Environmental 

Resources Trust (U.S. DOE, 2007).

■ Seek fixed-price, long-term contracts. Because green 

power generation requires no fuel input and is not 

subject to fuel price volatility, it comes at a consistent 

cost to the generator, meaning customer prices remain 

relatively stable over time. While short-term contracts 

might offer greater future flexibility, long-term contracts can reduce a supplier’s risk, which often translates 

into reduced rates (U.S. EPA, 2004b; WRI, Undated).

2.4.3 State and Local Examples of Green 

Power Purchases

Compared to other sectors, state and local governments (labelled “MUSH” in the figure below) are 

responsible for approximately 58 percent of total green 

power and renewable energy purchases in the U.S.

Figure 2.4.1 Total U.S. Green Power and Renewable 

Energy Purchases by Sector

62 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two

This section highlights examples of these activities. 

Connecticut – Green Power Purchases

In September of 2007, through the state’s initial purchase of electric supply via a reverse auction process, 

Connecticut locked in 812 million kWh of supply for 

a two-year period through June of 2009. A subsequent 

11 “Repackaging” refers to the concern that green power can be “repackaged“ 

and sold as a mix of renewable energy that is already injected into the grid 

to satisfy legal mandates (e.g., through renewable portfolio standards) rather 

than to meet consumer demand. Repackaged renewable energy does not 

result in environmental improvement, since it merely sustains the status quo 

(AWEA, 2004). Renewables that are counted toward satisfying mandates may 

not be used to support purchasers’ environmental claims. 

Pennsylvania Doubles Green Power 

Purchase Commitment

On August 29, 2006, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell 

announced that the state would be doubling its 2003 green 

power purchase commitment, increasing the amount of 

renewable energy as a percentage of overall electricity 

consumed from 10% to 20%. This increase was achieved at a 

premium rate of 0.34¢ per kWh and was expected to annually 

reduce 950 tons of SO2 emissions, 270 tons of NOx emissions, 

and 123,000 tons of CO2 emissions.

In October 2007, the governor announced that the state 

government had increased its renewable energy purchases to 

nearly 280 million kWh per year, or approximately 28% of the 

state government’s electricity demand. Of the 280 million kWh, 

57% is from wind power and 43% is from hydroelectric. The 160 

million kWh drawn from wind resources qualify as green power 

under the EPA Green Power Partnership. 

This commitment is expected to support the development of 

markets for sustainable energy sources, leading to more jobs; 

enhance national security; and reduce the state’s demands on 

natural resources.

Sources: Pennsylvania, 2006; U.S. EPA, 2006d; Pennsylvania, 2007b.
auction for an additional 97 million kWh was held November 29th for supply beginning in January of 2008. 

The total volume under these contracts for electric 

supply is for 909 million kWh. Under these supply contracts, 17.5 % of the electric supply (not including RPS) 

will be green power from Class I renewable sources. 

Also in 2008, Connecticut conducted a reverse auction 

for electric supply. Contracts locked in for this period 

were for both three and four year periods for a total 

volume of 2.1 billion kWh. Under these supply contracts, 19% of the electric supply (not including RPS) is 

for green power from Class I renewable sources. When 

RPS requirements are factored in, 28% of the electricity 

used by Connecticut State government will come from 

Class I renewable sources, exceeding the 20% goal in 

Governor Rell’s 2006 Energy Vision Plan.

Web site: http://www.ctcleanenergyoptions.com/. 

Maine – Aggregated Purchase Leads to 100% Green 

Power Coverage 

In 2003, the governor’s energy agenda established 

a goal for the state government to purchase at least 

50% of its electricity from renewable power sources, 

using energy efficiency measures in state buildings to 

offset the cost of the renewable energy. This goal was 

originally met by a contract agreement committing 

more than 800 state agency accounts under one service 

agreement. By March 2007, the state government 

had increased its renewable energy purchase to cover 

100% of power demands. Thirty percent of this total is 

obtained through the statewide renewable energy portfolio standard, while the remaining 70% is obtained by 

purchasing RECs (DSIRE, 2007).

Web site: http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/

incentive2.cfm?Incentive_Code = ME08R&state = 

ME&CurrentPageID = 1&RE = 1&EE = 1.

New Jersey – Aggregated Green Power Purchase

In 1999, the New Jersey Department of the Treasury 

developed a proposal to lower state government energy 

costs by aggregating electricity purchases from the accounts of 178 public agencies in the state, thus enabling 

the group to negotiate lower energy costs through 

competitive bidding in the state’s recently deregulated 

market. At the same time, the governor issued a mandate that state government agencies obtain at least 10% 

of their power from renewable resources. Combining 

the two initiatives resulted in a purchase of nearly 500 

million kWh of green power over 52 months. This 

quantity of energy covers approximately 12% of the 

overall electricity requirements for the agencies’ facilities. The effort has resulted in an estimated avoidance 

of 168,948 metric tons of CO2

 emissions, which is 

equivalent to removing 32,490 cars from the road for 

one year (New Jersey, 2003). 

Web site: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dsr/bscit/

GreenPower.pdf. 

Montgomery County, Maryland – Wind Power 

Purchase 

In 2004, Montgomery County, Maryland represented a 

group of six county agencies, 11 municipalities, and a 

neighboring county in completing the largest ever local 

government purchase of wind energy. The agreement 

with Washington Gas Services and their wind energy 

supplier, Community Energy, Inc., is for more than 38.4 

million kWh annually over two years, representing 5% 

of the group’s aggregate energy demand. The deal will 

produce significant environmental benefits. The emissions avoided through this purchase include over 19,000 

metric tons of CO2

 (equivalent to 36 million miles not 

driven) and 43 tons of NOx (equivalent to 2.9 million 

trees) (Montgomery County, 2006; U.S. EPA, 2007i).

Web site: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/

Apps/News/press/DisplayInfo.cfm?ItemID = 895. 

2.5 Clean Energy Supply

Clean energy generation technologies, which can have 

significant state, regional, and national benefits, include 

on-site energy generation from renewable sources 

(e.g., wind, photovoltaics, biomass, and hydroelectric 

power systems) and clean distributed generation (DG) 

technologies. Clean DG refers to small, decentralized, 

Virginia – Solar Power at New State Facilities

The governor of Virginia issued Executive Order 48 in 2007. 

The order established a broad commitment to reducing nonrenewable energy consumption across state government by 

20% by 2010, based on 2006 levels. 

The order proposes a strategy for meeting this goal. Included 

in this strategy is a directive for the state Senior Advisor for 

Energy Policy periodically assess the cost-effectiveness of 

incorporating PV system installations in any roofing retrofit for 

buildings over 5,000 square feet. Where PV system installations 

with a payback period of 15 years or less are feasible, the 

Department of General Services will be required to implement 

the measure. 

Source: Virginia, 2007. 

Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 63
grid-connected or off-grid energy generating units, 

such as combined heat and power (CHP) systems, that 

are located at or near user facilities to meet on-site 

energy needs. The benefits of these technologies can be 

significant. For example, a CHP system with a 75% total 

system efficiency can consume up to one-third less energy than a separate heat and power (SHP) system with 

a total system efficiency of 49% (U.S. EPA, 2007c).12

Many states are leading by example by meeting government building energy demands with clean energy generated on-site. New Mexico and California, for example, 

require new construction of state facilities to include 

on-site energy generation, where possible (California, 

2001; New Mexico, 2005). The Arizona Working Group 

on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency has called 

for the governor to require state facilities to produce 5% 

of their own energy needs through renewable sources by 

2012. Utah has produced the Policy to Advance Energy 

Efficiency in the State, which sets a goal of reducing state 

government energy consumption by 2% by 2015 using 

renewable energy generated on-site. In 2007, Oregon 

passed legislation requiring that 1.5% of the total contract price for capital improvements to public facilities 

be spent on solar energy technologies (Oregon, 2008). 

This section describes some of the benefits of generating clean energy on-site, identifies strategies for 

planning and implementing clean energy generation 

activities, provides an overview of clean energy generation technologies, and presents several state and local 

government examples. 

12 Based on a 5 MW natural gas-fired combustion turbine CHP system (U.S. 

EPA, 2007b).

2.5.1 Benefits of Using Clean Energy

By committing to using clean energy supplies for their 

portfolio of facilities, states can achieve numerous 

energy, environmental, economic, and other benefits, 

including:

■ Hedge against financial risk. As with purchasing green 

power, using clean energy can provide a hedge against 

financial risks because clean energy supplies are not as 

sensitive to market fluctuations and supply limitations 

as fossil-fuel based electricity. Reduced susceptibility 

to market volatility can translate into lower operating costs (U.S. EPA, 2004b). In addition, generating 

clean energy on-site can sometimes be cheaper than 

purchasing electricity through the grid. For example, 

the electricity from two wind turbines in Hull, Massachusetts is generated at a cost of 3.4¢ per kW, which is 

less than half of the 8.0¢ per kW it would cost the local 

government to purchase electricity from the grid (Hull, 

2008). When inflation and discount rates are taken 

into account, the cost per kWh rises to 5.3¢, still well 

below the cost of purchased electricity (Manwell et al., 

2003). Hull has a municipal electric company, which 

means that it distributes the electricity generated by 

the wind turbines to customers in the town, and does 

not need to sell the electricity to the grid. In towns 

without a municipal electric company, the value of the 

power produced is the selling price of energy. In Hull, 

the value of the power produced is the avoided cost of 

purchasing from the grid (RERL, 2006).

■ Reduced GHG emissions and other environmental 

impacts. Fossil fuel combustion for electricity generation accounts for 40% of the nation’s CO2

 emissions, a 

principle GHG, and 67% of the nation’s SOx emissions 

and 23% of the nation’s NOx

 emissions, both of which 

can lead to smog and acid rain, and result in emissions 

of trace amounts of airborne particulate matter that 

can cause respiratory problems (U.S. EPA, 2008s). 

Using clean energy can significantly reduce a state 

government’s GHG emissions and other environmental 

impacts by decreasing use of fossil-fuel based energy. 

CHP systems, for example, can reduce CO2 emissions 

by more than 50% compared to SHP systems (U.S. 

EPA, 2007j).

■ Electricity grid benefits. Using clean energy supplies 

reduces reliance on conventional energy from centralized generation sources. Decreasing the amount of 

electricity the regional grid is required to transmit and 

distribute can lower the risk of blackout and reduce 

electricity losses in transmission lines. Clean energy 

Generation Capacity and Production

Electricity production and consumption (measured in kWh) 

are a function of generation capacity (measured in kW) and 

time (measured in hours). In wind power generation, a system’s 

generation capacity is dependent on a site-specific capacity 

factor, which describes the system’s actual annual energy 

output divided by the annual output if the system is operated at 

full capacity for the entire year. Thus, electricity production can 

be calculated as follows: 

Electricity production (kWh) =

Capacity (kW) x Capacity factor x Time (hours)

Solar photovoltaic panels typically have capacity factors 

between 0.07 and 0.17. For most wind turbines, the capacity 

factor is between 0.25 and 0.30 (the Hull 1 turbine in Hull, 

Massachusetts, for example, operates at 0.27). For most fossil 

fuel power plants, the capacity factor is about 0.28.

Sources: EIA, 2007; AWEA, 2007b; CEC, 2007; U.S. DOE, 2007g.

64 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two
supply systems can significantly reduce the amount of 

energy lost in transmission from source to site. Distributed generation CHP applications, for example, achieve 

effective electrical efficiencies between 50% and 70%, 

as opposed to 33% for conventional fossil fuel powered 

plants (U.S. EPA, 2006e).

2.5.2 Planning and Implementation 

Strategies Related to Using a Clean 

Energy Supply

Key planning and implementation considerations that 

can lead to enhanced effectiveness for clean energy 

supply activities include:

■ Bundle clean energy supply with energy efficiency improvements. Energy efficiency activities can reduce the 

cost of meeting percentage clean energy generation 

goals. Increased energy efficiency means less gridbased electricity is required to supplement the production of on-site renewable energy generation systems. 

■ Complement clean energy supplies with green power 

purchases. States can achieve increased GHG emissions 

reduction benefits by complementing on-site renewable energy generation with green power purchases. 

Using clean energy supplies can also reduce the cost 

of meeting percentage green power purchase targets, 

since these targets are often based on reducing gridbased electricity purchases. 

■ Use the Solar Services Model.

13 States can use the solar 

services model to finance solar PV system purchases 

and installations with no up-front cost. Under this 

model, the state signs a long-term (often ten years) 

power purchase agreement with a developer to host a 

PV system on its facility. The developer then pays for 

the design, construction, and installation of the system, 

often arranging for third-party financing through an 

investor. The developer uses revenue from the host’s 

electricity payments to pay off financing debt to the 

investor. The host’s payments are pre-determined and 

are assessed much like a monthly utility payment. The 

state government, as host, benefits from fixed-price 

payments, reduced peak energy costs, and reduced 

GHG emissions at no up-front cost. In addition, under 

the solar services model, the host is not responsible for 

performing or paying for maintenance on the system, 

which is arranged by the developer. Ownership of 

the system can be transferred to the host when the 

13 The solar services model is also referred to as an independent energy 

purchase (IEP). 

developer’s or financier’s costs are recovered (Sandia, 

2007; WRI, 2007).

2.5.3 Clean Energy Generation 

Technologies

This section provides an overview of renewable energy 

generation and clean DG technologies that can be 

implemented at state government facilities. 

Renewable Energy Generation Technologies 

■ Wind. Capturing wind energy using on-site turbines 

can significantly reduce grid-based electricity purchases. For example, a 3-kW turbine14 with a 60 to 80 

foot tower installed at a facility with monthly electricity 

costs ranging between $60 and $100 (approximately 

700 kWh to 1100 kWh) could reduce the facility’s 

monthly electricity bill by 30% to 60% [AWEA, 

Undated(c)].15 The national average installed cost for 

wind projects in 2006 was approximately $1,480 per 

kW capacity (U.S. DOE, 2007b). 

■ Solar. Heat and light from the sun provide abundant 

sources of renewable energy. Solar energy is captured 

using multiple technologies, including: 

■ Photovoltaics (PV). PV systems directly convert sunlight into electricity using solar cells. These systems 

can produce electricity even in the absence of strong 

sunlight. A 10-kW system could produce 15,000 

kWh annually. In a 20,000 square foot office building 

that uses 15.5 kWh per square foot,16 this system 

could reduce grid-based electricity purchases by 

approximately 5%. PV systems are often installed on 

roof tops, making them suitable for urban government buildings. Since 2006, California has installed 

more than 4 MW of PV capacity on state facilities. 

In 2008, the state is planning to install as much as 24 

MW additional PV capacity on state facilities (California DGS, 2008). 

■ Solar Hot Water. Passive solar hot water technology uses sunlight to heat water that is distributed 

throughout a building to provide central or space 

14 “Small wind” turbines (turbines that have capacities of 100 kW or less) 

are often better suited for installation at or near state facilities than large 

utility-scale wind farm turbines, which can reach capacities as high as 3 MW 

[AWEA, Undated(c); U.S. EPA, 2004b].

15 KWh approximations determined using most recent average retail price for 

conventional electricity (9¢ per kWh) (EIA, 2007). 

16 The average annual energy consumption per square foot for an office building in the United States is approximately 15.5 kWh per square foot (U.S. EPA, 

2007k).

Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 65
heating, reducing a building’s reliance on a conventional hot water heater that uses non-renewable 

energy sources (NREL, 2007b; NREL, 2007c).

■ Solar Process Heating and Cooling. Solar process 

heating technology captures heat from sunlight using 

contained air or fluid as the medium. The captured 

heat is then fanned or pumped throughout a building 

to provide space heating. This technology can also be 

reversed to cool buildings (NREL, 2007a).

■ Geothermal. Geothermal systems capture the earth’s 

heat for use in generating electricity and providing 

heating and hot water. In direct use applications, water 

is piped underground where geothermal heat produces 

steam, which can be used to produce electricity using 

steam turbines. This type of geothermal application is 

dependent on the availability of adequate geothermal 

reservoirs (reservoirs of water with temperatures between 68o

 F and 302o F), most of which are located in 

the western United States. The Idaho state capitol, for 

example, is heated using direct use geothermal technology (Idaho, 2008). 

A second type of geothermal technology involves 

capturing the earth’s heat to warm liquid that is then 

pumped into buildings to provide central heating or to 

heat water. In warmer seasons, geothermal heat pumps 

can exchange warm surface air for cooler belowground air (U.S. DOE, 2006k). Geothermal heat pump 

systems are installed at shallow depths (sometimes as 

shallow as 4 feet to 6 feet below the surface). Because 

shallow ground temperatures are fairly constant 

throughout the United States, geothermal heat pumps 

can be effective in most locations (U.S. DOE, 2007c).

■ Biomass. Electricity-producing turbines can be fueled 

by burning biomass (e.g., plant material, wood, agricultural wastes, and manure). In addition, biomass can be 

converted into combustible oil or gas biofuel by heating 

it in an oxygen-free environment, a process that can be 

twice as efficient as burning biomass (U.S. EPA, 2000; 

U.S. EPA, 2004b).

■ Landfill and Sewage Methane Gas. Fitting landfills and 

wastewater treatment facilities to capture methane, 

which can be combusted to produce electricity, provides a source of energy from a byproduct that would 

otherwise be wasted. A single methane recovery project can produce as much as 4 MW of electricity while 

reducing waste odors and pathogens (U.S. EPA, 2004b; 

U.S. EPA, 2006a). In addition, a 3 MW landfill methane 

project can support more than 70 full-time jobs over 

the course of a year [U.S. EPA, Undated(b)]. 

■ Municipal Solid Waste. Municipal solid waste (MSW) 

that would otherwise be sent to landfills can be burned 

to produce steam to power electricity-generating 

turbines. There are currently 89 operational municipal 

solid waste energy generation facilities in the U.S. that 

produce a combined 2,500 MW (U.S. EPA, 2006h).17

■ Low-Impact Hydropower. Hydropower projects capture 

the kinetic energy of moving water to produce electricity. While hydropower is renewable and produces 

relatively few GHG emissions, hydropower projects 

can have other impacts on the environment, such as 

obstructing fish passage and altering land resources 

by impounding excessive nutrients (U.S. EPA, 2006k). 

The Low-Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) confers 

certification on hydropower projects that demonstrate 

minimal impact on the environment (LIHI, 2008).18

17 While burning MSW can produce energy and reduce waste streams, it is 

important to note that MSW combustion can also produce NOx, SO2, and CO2

emissions if not rigorously monitored. The EPA Green Power Partnership does 

not recognize electrcity generated from MSW combustion as green power (U.S. 

EPA, 2007l).

18 The EPA Green Power Partnership recognizes only hydroelectricity generated by LIHI-certified projects.

Arizona Western Army Aviation Training Site Solar 

Farm

The Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs 

uses a solar farm to supplement its energy usage at the Army 

Aviation Training Site. The $196,000 photovoltaic system 

produces 31 kW of electricity, which has resulted in an annual 

reduction of an estimated 113,000 kWh of electricity that would 

otherwise be purchased from utilities. These savings equate to 

approximately $20,000 in energy cost savings annually. The 

Department estimates that the installation has resulted in a 31% 

decrease in utility costs. 

Sources: Arizona DOC, 2006; Arizona, 2007.

Utah Solar Power Demonstration

The governor’s Policy to Advance Energy Efficiency in the 

State calls on the state government to establish programs to 

install on-site renewable energy sources to reduce energy 

consumption by 2% by 2015 compared to 2005 levels. The 

governor’s office is currently working in coordination with 

the Utah Geological Survey and the State Energy Program 

to fund a 1.28 kW solar power and demonstration project at 

the Department of Natural Resources facility in Salt Lake City. 

Installation of the solar panels was conducted in conjunction 

with a six-day course on the benefits of solar technology.

Source: Utah, 2006.

66 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two
■ Fuel Cells. Fuel cells combine oxygen and hydrogen to 

produce electricity without combustion, resulting in 

fewer GHG emissions. However, fuel cells require a 

continuous stream of hydrogen-rich fuel and can only 

be considered a renewable energy technology if they 

operate on a renewably-generated hydrogen fuel, such 

as digester gas or pure hydrogen generated by solar or 

wind energy generating systems (U.S. EPA, 2004b).

Clean Distributed Generation Technologies 

■ Microturbines. Microturbines are small combustion 

turbines with typical energy generation capacities 

between 25 kW and 500 kW. Microturbines, when used 

in CHP systems, can achieve efficiency levels greater 

than 80% (U.S. DOE, 2006m). 

The Combined Heat and Power Partnership

The EPA CHP Partnership seeks to reduce the environmental 

impact of power generation by fostering the use of CHP. The 

partnership works closely with energy users, the CHP industry, 

state and local governments, and other stakeholders to support 

the development of new policies, programs, and projects and 

promotes their energy, environmental, and economic benefits. 

The Partnership provides tools and resources to state and 

local government, industry, and energy users to encourage 

deployment of CHP including a CHP Emissions Calculator, 

Catalog of Technology, and CHP and Biomass Funding 

Database.

Through April 2008, thirteen state government agencies 

and three local governments were participating in the CHP

Partnership. 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2006f; U.S. EPA, 2006g.

■ Gas-Fired Reciprocating Engines. Reciprocating engines 

can generate between 0.5 kW and 6.5 MW of electricity. These engines have low capital costs, are easy to 

operate, have proven reliability, and can be used in 

CHP applications (U.S. DOE, 2006n). 

■ Combined Heat and Power. Combined heat and power 

(CHP), also known as cogeneration, refers to the 

simultaneous production of electricity and thermal 

energy from a single fuel source. CHP systems consist 

of three primary components: the unit in which the 

source fuel is combusted, the electric generator, and the 

heat recovery unit. CHP systems are differentiated by 

their type of prime mover, or device they use to convert 

fuel into electricity (e.g., microturbines, gas turbines, 

and steam turbine prime movers). Prime movers can 

operate using several kinds of fuel, including natural 

gas, biomass, biogas, coal, waste heat, and oil. 

There are many opportunities for CHP systems at state 

government facilities, particularly:

■ Public schools and universities. Many states, including 

California, Ohio, Minnesota, and New Mexico have 

installed CHP systems at state university campuses to 

supply campus electric and thermal demands.

■ Correctional facilities. Correctional facilities are also 

candidates for CHP systems. Numerous correctional 

facilities across the country currently have CHP systems, including sites in New Jersey and Minnesota. 

■ Wastewater treatment facilities. Wastewater treatment 

facilities with anaerobic digesters can be strong candidate sites for CHP systems. The biogas flow from 

the digester is used as “free“ fuel to generate electricity and power in a CHP system. Because they provide 

critical infrastructure for maintaining public health 

and the environment, power supply disruptions at 

these facilities would have serious consequences. 

Wastewater treatment CHP systems are in place in 23 

states, representing 176 MW of capacity (U.S. EPA, 

2006g). 

2.5.4 State and Local Examples of Using 

Clean Energy

State and local governments have used a variety of 

approaches to implement clean energy supply activities. The following descriptions provide state and local 

government examples of using clean energy supplies. 

Oregon – Solar State Buildings

The Oregon Renewable Energy Action Plan, adopted in 2005, contains a number of policy goals and 

Bayonne, New Jersey —Solar Electricity Generation 

in Public School District

In cooperation with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, 

the Bayonne Board of Education installed nearly 10,000 solar 

panels at the local high school and eight elementary schools 

that have a combined 2 MW of electricity generation capacity, 

enough to power 200 small homes for 30 years. The $13.2 

million project was made possible in part due to assistance 

from the state’s Clean Energy Program, which provided 

$5.4 million in solar equipment and installation credits. The 

project is expected to save the school district more than 

$500,000 yearly in avoided electricity costs. Additional benefits 

include reduced reliance on fossil fuels, reduced pollution, and 

decreased strain on the grid. 

Source: New Jersey, 2006.

Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 67
recommended actions for increasing the amount of 

renewable energy in the state. Included in this plan 

are several goals for increasing the amount of renewable energy used by state facilities through purchasing 

green power and by generating renewable energy onsite. Specifically, the plan directed the state Department 

of Energy to pursue opportunities to install solar water 

heating, solar electric, and passive solar technologies at 

all new public facilities. In 2007, the state passed legislation to enforce this activity. House Bill 2620 requires 

that 1.5% of the total contract price of a new facility or 

major renovation be spent on solar technologies. This 

requirement became effective in January 2008, and the 

state Department of Energy has published proposed 

rules to implement the legislation. The rules include 

information on project eligibility, eligible costs, available solar technologies, use of funds, and reporting 

requirements (Oregon, 2005; Oregon, 2008). 

Web sites: http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/RENEW/

docs/FinalREAP.pdf (Renewable Energy Action Plan)

http://oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/PublicSolar.shtml

(HB 2620 Web site)

California – Solar Technology at State Facilities 

In 2001, the California state legislature passed a bill 

requiring the state Department of Administration, in 

consultation with the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, to ensure that 

solar energy equipment be incorporated into designs 

for new state buildings and parking facilities beginning 

on January 1, 2003, and that solar energy equipment be 

installed at existing state buildings and parking facilities by January 1, 2007. Legislation in 2007 extended 

these respective deadlines to January 1, 2008 and 

January 1, 2009, respectively. In addition, the governor 

issued an executive order in 2004 calling on state agencies to reduce non-renewable energy consumption by 

20% by 2015 based on 2003 levels through a number of 

energy efficiency and renewable energy activities. The 

implementation plan for this order, the State of California Green Building Action Plan, directs state agencies to 

evaluate on-site clean energy generation opportunities. 

The Department of General Services is coordinating 

efforts to meet the goal of the 2004 executive order. 

Since 2006, the department has directed installations of 

a combined 4.2 MW of PV system capacity. Electricity 

generated by these systems is transmitted directly to 

state facilities under a solar services model agreement 

with the local utility, which owns and maintains the systems. The state is currently planning installations of an 

additional combined 23 MW of PV capacity beginning 

in 2008. Overall, the state estimates that implementing 

the strategies described in the Green Building Action 

Plan, including developing on-site renewable energy 

resources, will reduce the state’s CO2 emissions by 

500,000 metric tons by 2010, increasing to 1.8 million 

metric tons by 2020 (California, 2001; California, 2004a; 

California, 2004b; California DGS, 2008; DSIRE, 2008).

Web site: http://www.green.ca.gov/factsheets/

default.htm 

Massachusetts – Renewable Energy Initiatives

In April 2007, the governor of Massachusetts established a goal for the state to achieve 250 MW of 

combined solar PV capacity by 2017. As a first step 

towards achieving this goal, the governor created Commonwealth Solar, an initiative to provide rebates to 

residential and commercial electricity customers who 

invest in PV technology. The initiative is expected to 

produce more than 27 MW of PV capacity by 2011. At 

this time, the governor also issued an executive order on 

state government Leading by Example – Clean Energy 

and Efficient Buildings, which established a goal for state 

agencies to obtain 15% of their electricity from renewable resources (including green power purchases and 

on-site generation) by 2012, increasing to 30% by 2020. 

To help state agencies evaluate their PV capacity, the 

state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental 

Affairs’ Lead by Example program has developed a site 

selection survey that enables agencies to conduct PV 

feasibility assessments for their facilities. A clean energy 

committee within the Executive Office of Energy and 

Environmental Affairs, including members of the Division of Energy Resources, the Division of Capital Asset 

Hayward, California —Solar Electricity Generation 

at a University

California State University at Hayward received the 2004 Green 

Power Leadership Award for installing the largest solar electric 

system at any university in the world. The 1 MW system, which 

is installed on four of the university’s largest buildings and 

covers more than 110,000 square feet, is capable of supplying 

approximately 30% of the campus’ peak energy demand during 

the summer months. The project was enabled by a rebate 

offered by the state Public Utilities Commission for $3.55 

million — half of the cost of the project. The remaining $3.55 

million will be financed over 15 years using the energy cost 

savings generated by the project, which is expected to total 

approximately $200,000 annually. The project is expected to 

reduce the university’s CO2 emissions by nearly 8,900 tons. 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2007p; Energy Services, 2003.

68 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two
Management, and the Operational Services Division, 

is providing state agencies with technical assistance in 

achieving the governor’s renewable energy goals. 

Web sites: http://www.mass.gov/dep/energy.htm

(Renewable Energy Programs)

http://masstech.org/solar/ (Commonwealth Solar 

Initiative) 

http://www.mass.gov/envir/Sustainable/documents/

pv_site_selection_survey.doc (Feasibility Assessment)

Illinois – Environmental Protection Agency CHP 

Activities 

Since 2002, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has been providing technical assistance and support 

for CHP projects throughout the state. The agency, a 

partner in the EPA CHP Partnership, provides local 

governments, businesses, and institutions with assistance in identifying existing CHP projects and resources 

and developing future potential CHP applications. The 

agency has worked with the Midwest CHP Application 

Center and the University of Chicago to develop the 

2003 Illinois CHP/BCHP Environmental Permitting 

Guidebook, which presents guidance for expedited permitting for CHP applicants in the state. The agency was 

also represented on a steering committee that led the 

first statewide CHP conference in 2002. On a regional 

scale, the agency works through the Midwest CHP Initiative to promote CHP throughout the Midwest.

Web site: http://www.chpcentermw.org/07-02_il.html

Madison, Wisconsin – Combined Heat and Power at a 

University

In 2003, the governor of Wisconsin announced a public-private partnership to build a CHP plant near the 

University of Wisconsin-Madison campus to provide 

150 MW of power and meet the space heating/cooling needs of the university’s facilities. The CHP plant, 

which became operational in 2005, can achieve 70% 

efficiency and reduces energy consumption (compared 

to separate heat and power systems) by 10% to 15%. 

The CHP plant reduces NOx emissions by 80% and 

CO2

 emissions by 15%.

The state Department of Administration worked with 

a private electric utility to design a facility that meets 

the university’s needs, provides reliable power for 

residential and commercial businesses in the area, 

CHP at a Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF)

The Albert Lea Municipal WWTF takes a normal waste product–

methane–from anaerobic digesters that treat the water and 

uses it to fuel their CHP system to provide thermal and electric 

power onsite. The WWTF uses four 30 kW microturbines to 

generate 120 kW of electricity and 28 MMBtu of thermal energy 

per year, which is used for space heating and to heat the 

facility’s anaerobic digesters. Installed in 2003, the $250,000 

project has an estimated payback of four to six years. 

Source: Midwest CHP, 2005.

CHP at Kent State University

Kent State University, a partner in EPA’s Combined Heat and 

Power Partnership, has received the Ohio Department of 

Development’s Award for Excellence in Energy, as well as 

the 2007 ENERGY STAR CHP Award for its operation of two 

generators that supply both power and heat to the University. 

The generators combine to supply 13 MW of electricity, 

matching nearly 90% of the university’s electricity in winter 

months and about 60% of the university’s electricity in summer 

months. Steam recovery units installed with the generators 

capture 60,000 pounds of steam per hour to be distributed 

to campus facilities, providing for 55% of the school’s heating 

demands. 

The system operates at 71% efficiency and achieves a 19% 

energy consumption reduction compared with separate heat 

and power systems. EPA estimates that the system reduces CO2

emissions by approximately 13,000 tons annually.

Sources: Kent State University, 2005; Kent State University, 2007.

CHP at the University of Texas-Austin

Since 1998, campus space at the University of Texas-Austin has 

increased by over 2 million square feet and energy demand has 

increased by more than 8%. However, due to the university’s 

continual investment in CHP, fuel consumption since that time 

has increased by only 4%. 

The most recent addition in 2004 included expansion of an 

existing natural gas-fired combustion turbine and heat recovery 

steam generator system. With the installation of a 25 MWe 

(megawatts-electric, often distinguished from megawattsthermal in CHP applications) steam turbine, the renovated 

system produces up to 61 MWe of electricity, 280,000 lb/hr of 

steam, and 150,000 lb/hr of boiler feedwater. The steam and 

hot water are used for space heating, space cooling, domestic 

hot water, boiler preheat, and process steam in 160 campus 

buildings. 

To maximize efficiency and overall performance, the system 

uses operational management software developed by 

Lightridge Resources. With an estimated operating efficiency 

of 60%, the University of Texas at Austin’s CHP system 

requires approximately 24% less fuel than typical onsite 

thermal generation and purchased electricity. Based on 

this comparison, the system reduces CO2 emissions by an 

estimated 136,000 tons per year. 

Source: U.S. EPA, 2007o.

Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 69
and produces fewer emissions than conventional heat 

and power systems. The department negotiated with 

the utility to include the CHP plant development in a 

package of clean energy projects that also included installing 37 PV fixtures on campus. In addition, the utility agreed to provide additional fuel discounts to the 

state that could yield savings approaching $100 million 

over 30 years (Wisconsin, 2007c; MGE, 2008).

Web site: http://www.mge.com/about/powerplants/

cogen/

2.6 Other Energy Saving 

Opportunities

Many states are leading by example by implementing other energy and environmental activities that 

complement the LBE activities described in the preceding sections. While not always directly intended 

to reduce energy consumption, these activities can 

have secondary energy saving benefits. This section 

describes four of these activities. 

2.6.1 Demand Response

Demand response refers to changing electricity usage 

from normal consumption patterns in response to 

change in the price of electricity over time. This often 

involves changing electricity use patterns in response to 

utility incentive payments designed to reduce demand 

during times of peak energy use or other times when 

electricity system reliability is uncertain. Participating 

in utility demand response programs can be an effective 

way to achieve energy system reliability benefits and 

reduce energy costs, and several states are saving energy costs by incorporating demand response activities 

as part of a strategic approach to energy management. 

In 2004, the governor of California issued an executive order directing state agencies to reduce energy 

consumption in advance of private electricity customers during electrical emergencies, to help protect 

energy system reliability. As part of this mandate, the 

order directs agencies to work with electric utilities to 

coordinate agency responses to electrical emergencies 

and to participate in utility-based demand response 

programs (California, 2004a; California, 2004b). 

2.6.2 Reducing Solid Waste and 

Recycling

Considerable quantities of energy are consumed to 

manufacture everyday products, such as office paper, 

computers, and ink toner cartridges. Using products 

made from recycled or renewable materials through 

non-energy-intensive methods can prevent unnecessary depletion of natural resources and reduce the 

energy required to manufacture new products and 

Connecticut Demand Response Program

In Connecticut, the state Office of Policy and Management 

(OPM) administers a Demand Response Program that 

coordinates demand response activities of eleven state 

agencies. OPM works with the agencies to reduce peak 

electrical loads during period of high demand by transferring 

loads to distributed generation equipment and reducing 

non-essential electrical loads. As compensation for reducing 

peak loads, which enables the regional grid operator to avoid 

installing additional infrastructure that would be needed to 

meet demand, OPM receives approximately $300,000 quarterly 

from ISO New England, the grid operator, through third-party 

contractors. This payment is allocated to the participating 

agencies for reinvestment in clean energy projects. 

Source: Connecticut OPM, 2008.

Massachusetts State Sustainability Program

Recycling is a cornerstone of the Massachusetts State 

Sustainability Program. In 2004, the state adopted a goal 

of achieving a government recycling rate of 50% by 2010. 

Accomplishments under this program include:

Between FY 2000 and FY 2002, the Operational Services ■

Division collected 2.8 million feet of fluorescent lamps, 4,000 

other mercury-containing lamps, 350 pounds of elemental 

mercury, and 160,000 pounds of batteries.

The Bureau of State Office Buildings Office Paper Recycling ■

program recycled 640 tons of paper in FY 2002, saving over 

10,000 trees. 

The Department of Environmental Management placed 15 ■

recycling containers next to the dumpsters at the beach 

entrances and heavy-use areas to mitigate contamination from 

improper disposal of non-recyclable materials. About 2,400 

pounds of material were collected with average contamination 

rates reduced to 1%. 

Sources: Massachusetts, 2004; Massachusetts, 2007c. 

Recycling – Energy Relationship

Recycling one pound of steel saves 5,450 Btu of energy, ■

enough to light a 60-watt bulb for over 26 hours. 

Recycling one ton of glass saves the equivalent of nine gallons ■

of fuel oil. 

Recycling aluminum cans requires only 5% of the energy needed ■

to produce aluminum from bauxite. Recycling just one can 

saves enough electricity to light a 100-watt bulb for 31⁄2 hours.

Source: Pennsylvania, 2007.

70 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two
dispose of used ones. Diligent recycling can conserve 

70% to 90% of the energy required to produce products 

from virgin materials. The amount of energy saved 

from recycling one ton of office paper or one ton of 

aluminum cans is equal to 10.2 million Btu and 206.9 

million Btu, respectively (Choate et al., 2005). 

Most states administer programs to purchase recycledcontent products and collect used products to be recycled. In 2005, North Carolina state agencies purchased 

$12 million in recycled-content office paper. This effort 

conserved 115,000 trees, saved enough energy to supply nearly 900 homes for a year, and reduced CO2 emissions equivalent to removing 915 cars from the road 

for a year (North Carolina DENR, 2005). In Florida, 

the state office recycling program recycled nearly 

235 tons of white paper34% of all paper usedover 

two years. In addition to avoiding 700 cubic yards of 

solid waste, this effort saved the state nearly $7,000 in 

fees for hauling the garbage and earned the state more 

than $9,000 in sales of the salvaged materials (Florida, 

2004). In 2005, state government recycling efforts coordinated by the Pennsylvania Department of General 

Services generated $32,000 in salvaged paper sales and 

$546,000 in salvaged metals sales (GGGC, 2008). In 

Minnesota, 21 of the state government’s largest buildings have joined the State Agency Recycling Challenge 

in an effort to achieve a 60% recycling rate in each 

agency. In the month of February 2007 alone, these 

buildings combined to save approximately 200,000 

pounds of recycled material (Minnesota RRP, 2007.).

2.6.3 Water Efficiency

The conveyance, treatment, distribution, and enduse of water, along with the treatment of wastewater, 

require a significant amount of energy. The energy 

required to pump purchased water for end use is approximately 0.6 kW per 1,000 gallons distributed (Universities Council on Water Resources, 1999). According to a 2008 EPA report on the relationship between 

water and energy use, it is estimated that water supply 

and wastewater treatment nationwide require 30 billion 

kWh per year and 7 billion kWh per year, respectively 

 approximately 1% of total annual U.S. electricity 

generation at a cost of $3 billion (U.S. EPA, 2008u).19 In 

California, where the energy intensity of water conveyance and treatment is high, water-related energy use 

19 For more information, see EPA’s 2008 report, Water and Energy: Leveraging Voluntary Programs to Save Both Water and Energy at http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/publications/pubdocs/Final%20Report%20Mar%20

2008.pdf. 

constitutes 19% of the state’s annual energy use and 

32% of its annual natural gas use (CEC, 2006).

At the system level, increasing the energy efficiency 

of system operations (e.g., through process improvements, use of efficient pumps and motors) and shifting 

discretionary uses of energy to off-peak times (e.g., by 

increasing water storage capacity) can reduce energy 

consumption. Energy efficiency measures can reduce 

energy consumption in most water systems by 25% 

(Watergy, 2002). In New York, NYSERDA encourages 

EPA WaterSense Label

The EPA WaterSense Program labels products that meet water 

efficiency and performance criteria. Labeling criteria have 

been established for plumbing fixtures (e.g., toilets and sink 

faucets), landscape irrigation equipment, and other commercial 

products. In general, products that receive the WaterSense 

label are 20% more water-efficient than conventional products.

Source: U.S. EPA, 2007b.

Massachusetts Water Consumption Reduction Goal

Some states have taken the initiative of setting goals for 

reducing state government water consumption. Massachusetts, 

for example, has a goal of reducing water consumption by 

15% in state agencies by 2010. The state plans to achieve 

this objective by taking cost-effective steps such as reducing 

outdoor water use through green landscaping techniques, 

replacing old fixtures, inspecting and repairing leaks, and 

identifying options for using reclaimed water. 

Source: Massachusetts, 2004.

Colorado Water Conservation Action Steps for 

State Agencies

The Colorado Greening Government initiative developed 

a list of action steps for state agencies to reduce water 

consumption, including:

Implementing water efficiency awareness programs. ■

Reducing non-essential water uses, including vehicle washing, ■

decorative fountains, and routine athletic field watering.

Focusing on restroom water use, which can account for as ■

much as half of total water demand, by:

■ Replacing old toilets that use 3.5 gallons per flush (gpf) with 

1.6 gpf units.

■ Installing water-saving aerators on faucets.

■ Installing pressure-reducing valves to reduce consumption.

Limiting allowed watering hours to times when evaporation is ■

lowest (i.e., early morning or later in the evening).

Planting drought-tolerant native plants. ■

Eliminating once-through cooling systems. ■

Source: Colorado, 2005.

Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 71
municipal water, wastewater, and solid waste treatment 

facilities to adopt energy-efficient practices through 

cost-sharing research, business development programs, 

and demonstrations (NYSERDA, 2004b).

At the facility level, states can improve indoor water 

efficiency by installing water-efficient fixtures (e.g., toilets, faucets). Installing water metering and monitoring 

systems, for example, can reduce energy consumption 

by up to 10% (Watergy, 2002). Exterior water consumption reduction strategies include: 

■ Collecting and using rainwater for landscape irrigation.

■ Planting roof areas to reduce loss of storm water.

■ Increasing reliance on native plant species that are 

adapted to the local environment, which can increase 

water efficiency by as much as 50% (U.S. DOE, 2006l).

■ Altering irrigation schedules to reduce peak demand 

(U.S. EPA, 2002). 

Some states have reduced exterior water consumption 

through a technique called xeriscaping that replaces 

water-intensive landscaping materials with locally 

adapted plants, shrubs, mulch, and other materials. Xeriscaping efforts at the Colorado State Laboratory are 

expected to save more than 780,000 gallons per year, 

reducing maintenance costs by an estimated $4,000 

annually (Colorado, 2006b). Legislation in Florida and 

Texas requires that the state departments use xeriscaping practices on certain new state construction projects 

(U.S. EPA, 2002). 

2.6.4 Trees and Vegetation

Trees and vegetation and responsible landscaping practices can significantly reduce energy consumption by 

moderating exposure to sun and wind. In general, large 

trees or bushes planted close to a building’s side will 

produce substantial energy savings, although benefits 

vary based on orientation, size, leaf cover, and distance 

of trees and vegetation from a building. 

According to EPA, to achieve maximum cooling savings, deciduous trees should be planted to the east, 

southeast, southwest, and —especially —the west of a 

building to shade wall exteriors (U.S. EPA, 2003b).20

A joint study by LBNL and the Sacramento Municipal 

Utility District placed varying numbers of trees in 

20 Planting trees to the direct south, however, should generally be avoided, 

since these trees will provide relatively little summer shade and will obstruct 

desired winter sunlight (U.S. EPA, 2007e). 

containers around houses to shade windows and then 

measured their energy use (Akbari et al., 1993). Cooling energy savings ranged between 7% and 40% and 

were greatest when trees were planted to the west and 

southwest of buildings. Another study by LBNL, which 

modeled the effects of trees on homes in various cities 

throughout the United States, suggests that a 20% tree 

canopy would result in annual cooling savings of 8% to 

18% and annual heating savings of 2% to 8% (Huang et 

al., 1990). 

Trees and vegetation can also reduce winter heating 

costs by shielding wind. Trees and large bushes, particularly evergreens, planted to the north or northwest 

can serve as windbreaks and protect buildings from 

cold winter winds. One study indicates that properly 

placed wind-shielding trees can produce heat energy 

savings of 10% to 15% (LBNL, 2005).

The presence of trees and smaller vegetation in the 

urban environment can also provide energy benefits 

during the summer months through evapotranspiration —the process through which trees and vegetation 

absorb water through their roots and emit water vapor 

through their leaves. Different species of trees can 

process varying amounts of water, ranging from a few 

gallons a day up to several thousand gallons a day. In 

combination with shading, evapotranspiration can 

reduce peak summertime air temperatures by as much 

as 9°F in some regions, which can translate into significant energy cost savings (U.S. EPA, 2007m). 

References

■ACEEE. 2003. Energy Efficiency’s Next Generation: 

Innovation at the State Level. Report E031. November. 

Available: http://www.aceee.org/pubs/e031full.pdf. 

Accessed 1/15/2007.

■ADEQ. 2006a. ADEQ Recognized as First State 

Government Building in Arizona to Receive Energy 

Star Award. Available: http://www.azgovernor.gov/

er/documents/021706_ADEQEnergyStarAward.pdf. 

Accessed 1/12/2007.

■ADEQ. 2006b. The Arizona Department of 

Environmental Quality Building. Available: http://

www.azdeq.gov/environ/waste/p2/download/

gbbrochure.pdf. Accessed 1/12/2007.

72 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two
Table 2.6.1 Chapter 2: Potential LBE Activities and Measures: Selected Resources

Title Description URL

Databases

DSIRE The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy 

provides information on state and local government 

renewable energy and energy efficiency incentives.

http://www.dsireusa.org/

DOE State Energy 

Program

DOE’s State Energy Program (SEP) provides grants to states 

and directs funding to state energy offices from technology 

programs in DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and 

Renewable Energy.

http://www.eere.energy.gov/state_energy_

program/topic_definition_detail.cfm/

topic=115

Best Practices Resources

EPA ENERGY STAR

Building Upgrade 

Manual

EPA’s ENERGY STAR Building Upgrade Manual provides 

information on implementing a staged upgrade approach to 

improving energy efficiency in buildings. 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c=business.bus_upgrade_manual

EPA Clean EnergyEnvironment Guide to 

Action

EPA’s Clean Energy-Environment Guide to Action is designed 

to share the experiences and lessons learned from successful 

state clean energy policies and help states evaluate these 

options, programs, and policies to determine what is most 

appropriate for them. The Guide to Action describes 16 clean 

energy policies, details the best practices and attributes of 

effective state programs, and provides resources for more 

information.

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energyprograms/state-and-local/state-bestpractices.html

EPA Clean EnergyEnvironment State 

Partnership Program 

Technical Forum

EPA’s State Technical Forum conference calls foster peerto-peer exchanges among state officials on policy design, 

implementation, and evaluation issues related to their efforts 

to advance clean energy

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energyprograms/state-and-local/state-forum.

html

EPA ENERGY STAR

Guidelines for Energy 

Management

EPA’s Guidelines for Energy Management are based on 

the successful practices of ENERGY STAR partners. The 

Guidelines for Energy Management for energy management 

assist organizations in improving its energy and financial 

performance.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = 

guidelines.guidelines_index

National Governor’s 

Association Center for 

Best Practices

NGA’s Center for Best Practices evaluates public policy 

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these advances by Publishing research reports, policy 

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timely issues. The center also Hosting policy workshops, 

seminars, academies, and cross-state learning labs across 

the country

http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menui

tem.50aeae5ff70b817ae8ebb856a11010a0/

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Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 77
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78 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two
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University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Wind Power 

on the Community Scale: Community Wind Case 

Study, Hull. Available: http://www.ceere.org/rerl/

about_wind/RERL_Case_Study_Hull_Wind_One.pdf. 

Accessed: 6/30/08.

■Sandia. 2007. Technical Issues Concerning Third Party 

Financing for Renewable Energy. Sandia National 

Laboratories. Available: http://energy.sandia.gov/

technicallissues.htm. Accessed 1/30/2008. 

■South Carolina. 2006. Energy Use in South Carolina’s 

Public Facilities, Fiscal Year 2004. Available: http://

www.energy.sc.gov/publications/2004%20Energy%20

Use%20in%20SC%20Public%20Facilities.pdf. 

Accessed 8/5/08. 

■South Carolina. 2007. Energy Efficiency 

Act. Available: http://www.scstatehouse.net/

sess117_2007-2008/bills/3034.doc. Accessed 

5/23/2008. 

■Universities Council on Water Resources. 1999. 

Realizing the Benefits from Water Conservation. 

W. Maddaus. Available: http://www.ucowr.siu.edu/

updates/pdf/V114_A2.pdf. Accessed 10/29/2007.

■U.S. Conference of Mayors. 2008. Mayors Climate 

Protection Center Web Site. Available: http://

usmayors.org/climateprotection/. Accessed 6/20/08.

■U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM). 2007. Mayors 

Climate Protection Center Web Site, Best Practices.

Available: http://usmayors.org/climateprotection/

bestpractices.htm. Accessed 6/26/08.

■U.S. Conference of Mayors. 2006. The U.S. Conference 

of Mayors Partners with ICLEI to Combat Global 

Warming. June 5. Available: http://www.usmayors.

org/74thAnnualMeeting/iclei_060506.pdf. Accessed 

6/20/08.

■U.S. DOE. 2003. Guidance on Life Cycle Cost Analysis 

Required by Executive Order 13123. Available: http://

www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/pdfs/lcc_guide_rev2.pdf. 

Accessed 8/5/2008. 

■U.S. DOE. 2004. Additional Financing Sources and 

Considerations. Available: http://www.eere.energy.

gov/buildings/info/plan/financing/additional.html. 

Accessed 5/10/2007. 

■U.S. DOE. 2006a. Annual Energy Use in Commercial 

Buildings: Government Buildings. Available: http://

www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/info/government/

piegovernment.html. Accessed 2/21/2008. 

■U.S. DOE. 2006b. Energy-Efficient Operation and 

Maintenance for Government Buildings. Available: 

http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/info/

government/maintain.html. Accessed 5/3/2007. 

Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 79
■U.S. DOE. 2006j. Government Purchase Programs. 

Available: http://www.eere.energy.gov/states/

alternatives/govt_purchase_prog.cfm?print. Accessed 

1/19/2007.

■U.S. DOE. 2006k. Geothermal Heat Pumps. Available: 

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/heatpumps.

html. Accessed 7/9/2007.

■U.S. DOE. 2006l. Best Management Practice #3: WaterEfficient Landscaping. Federal Energy Management 

Program. Available: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/

femp/water/water_bmp3.html. Accessed 4/20/2007. 

■U.S. DOE. 2006m. Microturbines. Available: http://

www.eere.energy.gov/de/microturbines/. Accessed 

2/26/2008. 

■U.S. DOE. 2006n. Gas-Fired Reciprocating Engines. 

Available: http://www.eere.energy.gov/de/gas_fired/

tech_basics.html. Accessed 2/26/2008. 

■U.S. DOE. 2007. Buying Green Power. Available: 

http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/buying/index.

shtml. Accessed 9/18/2007.

■U.S. DOE. 2007b. Annual Report on U.S. Wind 

Power Installation, Cost, and Performance Trends: 

2006. Available: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/

windandhydro/pdfs/41435.pdf. Accessed 9/27/2007.

■U.S. DOE. 2007c. Selecting and installing a 

Geothermal Heat Pump System. Available: http://

www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_

heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic = 12670. Accessed 

7/19/2007.

■U.S. DOE. 2007e. Green Pricing. Available: http://

www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/markets/pricing.

shtml?page = 1. Accessed 2/28/2008.

■U.S. DOE. 2007f. Renewable Energy Certificates. 

Available: http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/

markets/certificates.shtml?page = 1. Accessed 

2/28/2008. 

■U.S. DOE. 2007g. Photovoltaics: The Basics. Available: 

http://www.eere.energy.gov/solar/cfm/faqs/third_level.

cfm/name = Photovoltaics/cat = The%20Basics. 

Accessed 2/4/2008. 

■U.S. DOE. 2007h. State Energy Program: Projects by 

Topic —What Are State and Local Government Facility 

Projects in the States? Available: http://www.eere.

energy.gov/state_energy_program/topic_definition_

detail.cfm/topic = 115. Accessed 3/23/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2000. Biomass Energy. Available: 

http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.

nsf/UniqueKeyLookup/SHSU5BNJXH/$File/

biomassenergy.pdf. Accessed 7/6/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2002. Water-Efficient Landscaping: 

Preventing Pollution & Using Resources Wisely. 

Available: http://www.epa.gov/watersense/docs/waterefficient_landscaping_508.pdf. Accessed 3/20/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2003. Energy Efficiency and Indoor Air 

Quality in Schools. Available: http://www.epa.gov/

iaq/schools/pdfs/publications/ee_iaq.pdf. Accessed 

4/16/2007. 

■U.S. EPA. 2003b. Cooling Summertime Temperatures: 

Strategies to Reduce Urban Heat Islands. Available: 

http://www.epa.gov/heatisland/resources/pdf/

HIRIbrochure.pdf. Accessed 4/10/2007. 

■U.S. EPA. 2003c. Cash Flow Opportunity Calculator. 

Available: http://www.epa.gov/Region8/humanhealth/

children/2003/CashFlowEnergyPerfEnvProtection.pdf. 

Accessed 10/8/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2004. Building Upgrade Manual. Available: 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = business.

bus_upgrade_manual. Accessed 1/12/2007. 

■U.S. EPA. 2004b. Guide to Purchasing Green 

Power. Available: http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/

buygreenpower/guide.htm. Accessed 7/6/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2005c. ENERGY STAR Challenge 

Participant Story: New Hampshire. Available: http://

www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction = challenge.

showChallengeStory&ch_id = 40. Accessed 5/9/2008. 

■U.S. EPA. 2005d. Delivering Solid Green in 

Pennsylvania with ENERGY STAR. Available: 

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/networking/

meeting_2005/1Zeigler.pdf. Accessed 5/23/2008. 

■U.S. EPA. 2006a. Clean-Energy Environment Guide 

to Action. Policies, Best Practices, and Action Steps 

for States. April. U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency. Available: http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/

stateandlocal/guidetoaction.htm. Accessed 4/10/2007. 

80 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two
■U.S. EPA. 2006b. I-BEAM Text Modules: Indoor Air 

Quality and Energy Efficiency. Available: http://www.

epa.gov/iaq/largebldgs/i-beam_html/ch4-iaqe.htm. 

Accessed 1/12/2007./ 

■U.S. EPA. 2006c. ENERGY STAR Off the Charts: 

Summer 2006. Available: http://www.energystar.gov/

ia/business/guidelines/assess_value/off_the_charts_

summer_2006.pdf. Accessed 1/12/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2006d. 2006 Award Winners. Green 

Power Partnership. Available: http://www.epa.gov/

greenpower/winners/index.htm#common. Accessed 

5/7/2007. 

■U.S. EPA. 2006e. What Is CHP? Available: http://www.

epa.gov/chp/what_is_chp/why_epa_supports_chp.htm. 

Accessed 1/12/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2006f. Producing Reliable Energy & 

Preserving the Environment. Available: www.epa.gov/

chp. Accessed 1/15/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2006g. CHP Project Resources. Available: 

http://www.epa.gov/chp/project_resources/catalogue.

htm. Accessed 1/15/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2006h. Electricity from Municipal Solid 

Waste. Available: http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/

muni.htm. Accessed 7/24/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2006i. Awards/Certificates. Available: http://

www.epa.gov/chp/awards/winners2005.htm. Accessed 

1/15/2007. 

■U.S. EPA. 2006k. Electricity from Hydropower. 

Available: http://www.epa.gov/cleanrgy/hydro.htm. 

Accessed 7/9/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2006l. Summary of the Financial Benefits 

of ENERGY STAR-Labeled Office Buildings. 

Available: http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/

publications/pubdocs/Summary_of_the_Financial_

Benefits_23June06_FINAL.pdf. Accessed 5/8/2008. 

■U.S. EPA. 2006m. Energy-Efficient, Environmentally 

Safe Buildings Win EPA Recognition. EPA Press 

Release, February 2, 2006. Available: http://yosemite.

epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/68b5f2d54f3eefd285257015

00517fbf/718da57064766be48525710900637d06!open

document. Accessed 5/8/2008. 

■U.S. EPA. 2007a. 2006 ENERGY STAR Achievements 

in Brief. Available: http://www.energystar.gov/ia/

partners/pt_awards/2006_Achievements_Overview.

pdf. Accessed 2/21/2008. 

■U.S. EPA. 2007b. How to Conserve Water and Use It 

Effectively. Available: http://www.epa.gov/OW/you/

chap3.html. Accessed 1/15/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2007c. CHP Efficiency Benefits. Available: 

http://www.epa.gov/chp/basic/efficiency.html. Accessed 

8/8/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2007e. Monitor Power Management. 

Available: http://www.energystar.gov/ia/products/

power_mgt/mmd_factsheet_template.doc. Accessed 

8/15/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2007f. Water Sense Label. Available: http://

www.epa.gov/watersense/pubs/label.htm. Accessed 

8/14/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2007h. What is Renewable Energy? 

Available: http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/whatis/

renewableenergy.htm. Accessed 7/25/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2007i. Top 10 Local Government Partners 

—As of April 9, 2007. Green Power Partnership. 

Available: http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/partners/

top10localgov.htm. Accessed 5/7/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2007j. CHP Environmental Benefits. 

Available: http://www.epa.gov/chp/basic/

environmental.html. Accessed 2/26/2008. 

■U.S. EPA. 2007k. Office Building Energy Use Profile. 

Available: http://epa.gov/cleanrgy/pdf/sector_

meeting27Jun07/4bi_officebuilding.pdf. Accessed 

9/28/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2007l. Program Information: EPA Green 

Power Partnership. November 2007. 

■U.S. EPA. 2007m. Heat Island Effect: Trees and 

Vegetation. Available: http://www.epa.gov/heatisland/

strategies/vegetation.html. Accessed 4/10/2007. 

■U.S. EPA. 2007o. Combined Heat and Power 

Partnership. Available: http://www.epa.gov/chp/

awards/winners2005.htm. Accessed 1/12/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2007p. Award Winners. Available: http://

www.epa.gov/greenpower/pdf/2004awards.pdf. 

Accessed 1/19/2007.

Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 81
■U.S. EPA. 2007q. EPA Recognizes Connecticut as 

One of the Nation’s Top Green Power Purchasers. 

Press Release. November 19, 2007. Available: http://

yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/names/r01_2007-

11-19_ct. Accessed 2/26/2008.

■U.S. EPA. 2007r. What is Renewable Energy? 

Available: http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/whatis/

renewableenergy.htm. Accessed 7/25/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2008. ENERGY STAR Qualified Products. 

Available: http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?fuseaction = find_a_product. Accessed 2/21/2008. 

■U.S. EPA. 2008b. Integrated Energy Design Guidance. 

Available: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c 

= new_bldg_design.new_bldg_design_guidance. 

Accessed 2/21/2008. 

■U.S. EPA. 2008c. Target Finder. Available: http://

www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = new_bldg_design.

bus_target_finder. Accessed 1/17/2008. 

■U.S. EPA. 2008d. Building Design Profile Poudre 

School District Operations Building Ft. Collins, CO 

80521. Available: http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c = new_bldg_design.poudreschool_cs. Accessed 

1/12/2008.

■U.S. EPA. 2008e. Guidelines for Energy Management. 

Available: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = 

guidelines.guidelines_index. Accessed 2/21/2008. 

■U.S. EPA. 2008f. Department of Ecology 

—Headquarters Facility 330 Desmond Drive SE 

Olympia, WA 98504. Available: http://www.energystar.

gov/index.cfm?fuseaction = labeled_buildings.

showProfile&profile_id = 1001747. Accessed 

1/12/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2008h. Green Choices Grow with ENERGY 

STAR Qualified Buildings. Press Release 2/12/2008. 

Available: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/

dc57b08b5acd42bc852573c90044a9c4/1e156a04a68

baa30852573ed005bea4e!OpenDocument. Accessed 

2/21/2008. 

■U.S. EPA. 2008i. ENERGY STAR Purchasing and 

Procurement. Available: http://www.energystar.gov/

index.cfm?c = bulk_purchasing.bus_purchasing. 

Accessed 1/12/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2008j. Key Benefits of ENERGY STAR 

Products. Available: http://www.energystar.gov/

index.cfm?c = bulk_purchasing.bus_purchasing_key_

benefits. Accessed 1/23/2008.

■U.S. EPA. 2008k. ENERGY STAR Products: 

Procurement Language. Available: http://www.

energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = bulk_purchasing.

pr_proc_generic. Accessed 1/23/2008.

■U.S. EPA. 2008l. EPA Green Power Partnership. 

Available: http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/. Accessed 

2/22/2008. 

■U.S. EPA. 2008m. ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. 

Available: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c 

= evaluate_performance.bus_portfoliomanager. 

Accessed 2/26/2008. 

■U.S. EPA. 2008n. Green Choices Grow with ENERGY 

STAR Qualified Buildings. Available: http://yosemite.

epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/1ef7cd36224b56578525735

9003f533f/1e156a04a68baa30852573ed005bea4e!Ope

nDocument. Accessed 5/8/2008.

■U.S. EPA. 2008o. ENERGY STAR Challenge 

Participant Organizations. Available: http://www.

energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction = challenge.

showWelcome&sortby = function&showAll = TRUE. 

Accessed 5/9/2008. 

■U.S. EPA. 2008p. ENERGY STAR Challenge: 

Participating States. Available: http://www.energystar.

gov/ia/business/leaders/Summary_of_States3.pdf. 

Accessed 5/12/2008. 

■U.S. EPA. 2008q. ENERGY STAR Challenge: North 

Carolina. Available: http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?fuseaction = challenge.showChallengeStory&ch_

id = 22. Accessed 5/12/2008. 

■U.S. EPA. 2008r. ENERGY STAR Labeled Buildings 

and Plants. Available: http://www.energystar.gov/

index.cfm?fuseaction = LABELED_BUILDINGS. 

Accessed 5/16/2008.

■U.S. EPA. 2008s. Air Emissions. Available: http://

www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-and-you/affect/airemissions.html. Accessed 3/28/2008.

■U.S. EPA. 2008t. Why Build Green. Available: http://

www.epa.gov/greenbuilding/pubs/whybuild.htm. 

Accessed 5/27/2008. 

82 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two
■U.S. EPA. 2008u. Water and Energy: Leveraging 

Voluntary Programs to Save Both Water and 

Energy. March. Prepared for the Climate Protection 

Partnerships Division and Municipal Support Division. 

Available: http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/

publications/pubdocs/Final%20Report%20Mar%20

2008.pdf. Accessed: 7/18/2008.

■U.S. EPA. 2008v. ENERGY STAR for Government. 

Available: http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c=government.bus_government. Accessed 

8/5/2008. 

■U.S. EPA. 2008w. ENERGY STAR Challenge 

Participants. Available: http://www.energystar.gov/

index.cfm?fuseaction=challenge.showWelcome&sortby

=function&showAll=TRUE. Accessed 8/5/2008. 

■U.S. EPA. 2008x. ENERGY STAR Building Upgrade 

Manual. Available: http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c=business.bus_upgrade_manual. Accessed 

8/12/2008. 

■U.S. EPA. Undated(b). Green Power from Landfill 

Gas. Available: http://www.epa.gov/lmop/docs/

LMOPGreenPower.pdf. Accessed 9/28/2007.

■U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE. 2008. Purchasing and 

Procurement Savings Calculator: CFLs. Available: 

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/bulk_

purchasing/bpsavings_calc/CalculatorCFLsBulk.xls. 

Accessed 2/20/2008

■Utah. 2006. Solar Energy Design & Installation 

Training at DNR. Available: http://geology.utah.gov/

whatsnew/news/archives/new0406.htm. Accessed 

1/12/2007. 

■Virginia. 2007. Executive Order 48. Available: 

http://www.governor.virginia.gov/initiatives/

ExecutiveOrders/2007/EO_48.cfm. Accessed 5/9/2008. 

■Washington. 2006. Building Commissioning. 

Available: http://www.ga.wa.gov/EAS/bcx/index.html. 

Accessed 1/15/2007.

■Washington, D.C. 2004. Procurement Practices Act. 

Avaialble: http://counsel.cua.edu/dclaw/GovCont/

Procurement.cfm and http://www.dccouncil.

washington.dc.us/images/00001/20041214143141.pdf. 

Accessed 5/30/2008. 

■Watergy. 2002. Watergy: Taking Advantage of 

Untapped Energy and Water Efficiency Opportunities 

in Municipal Water Systems. Available: http://www.

watergy.org/resources/publications/watergysummary.

pdf. Accessed 4/19/2007. 

■WBDG. 2008. Whole Building Design Guide. National 

Institute of Building Sciences. Available: http://www.

wbdg.org/. Accessed 3/19/2008. 

■Wisconsin. 2006. Governor Signs ‘Green Buildings’ 

Executive Order to Raise Environmental and Energy 

Efficiency Standards in State Buildings. Available: 

http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/journal_media_detail.

asp?locid = 19&prid = 1905. Accessed 1/12/2007.

■Wisconsin. 2007. Sustainable Facilities Policy. 

Available: http://www.doa.state.wi.us/category.

asp?linkcatid = 783&linkid = 135&locid = 4. Accessed 

2/21/2008.

■Wisconsin. 2007b. Executive Order # 145. Available: 

http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/journal_media_detail.

asp?locid = 19&prid = 1907. Accessed 1/12/2007.

■Wisconsin. 2007c. Doyle Administration Endorses 

Innovative Co-Generation Power Plant Near UWMadison Campus. Available: http://www.doa.state.

wi.us/press_releases_detail.asp?prid = 136&divid = 4. 

Accessed 1/12/2007. 

■WRI. 2003. Renewable Energy Certificates: An 

Attractive Means for Corporate Customers to Purchase 

Renewable Energy. Available: http://pdf.wri.org/

gpmdg_corporate_5.pdf. Accessed 7/30/2007. 

■WRI. Undated. Developing “Next Generation“ Green 

Power Products for Corporate Markets in North 

America. Available: http://pdf.wri.org/corporate_

guide_6.pdf. Accessed 8/6/2007.

■Ziegler, P.M. 2003. Green Buildings: Breaking 

New Ground With Sustainable Design: Using 

“Green For Less“ Principles and Technologies To 

Design High Performance “Green Buildings“ on a 

Conventional Building Budget...Building Green in 

Pennsylvania. Governor’s Green Government Council, 

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. December 3. http://

www.keystone.org/spp/documents/12_8green_for_less_

Zeigler.pdf.

Chapter Two | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 83
84 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Two
Chapter Three

Establish the LBE

Program Framework

This chapter builds on the 

descriptions of activities and 

measures provided in Chapter 2 

and describes a key element of 

the LBE implementation process: 

establishing a robust framework to 

support a comprehensive program. 

Chapter Three | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 85

DOCuMENT MAP

Chapter one 

Introduction

Chapter tWo 

Potential LBE Activities and Measures

Chapter three 

Establish the LBE Program Framework

Chapter four 

Screen LBE Activities and Measures

Chapter fIve 

Develop LBE Program

Chapter sIx 

Track, Evaluate, and Report on Progress 

Establishing the framework is a critical step towards 

developing a comprehensive LBE program that (a) 

achieves expanded energy and other benefits, (b) 

leverages economies of scale across the programs, (c) 

encourages broader political support, and (d) results in 

increased visibility and support. The program framework described here serves as the basis for effective 

screening, program development, and evaluation, which 

are the subjects of the remaining chapters of this Guide.

Establishing the LBE program framework includes the 

following actions:

■ Select a team – that includes the necessary expertise 

and represents the appropriate agencies – to be responsible for developing and implementing the program, 

and tracking and measuring progress;

■ Establish the business case for the LBE program and 

work with key participants and stakeholders to obtain 

high-level support for the program; 

■ Identify agencies, organizations, and stakeholders 

who can help define, initiate, and implement the LBE 

program;

Chapter Three Contents

3.1. Select an LBE Team

3.2. Establish Business Case and Identify and Obtain 

High-Level Support

3.3. Identify Key Agencies and other Groups to Help 

Shape and Implement LBE Programs

3.4. Set LBE Goals

3.5. Initiate an LBE Program

Related appendices:

Appendix A, State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, 

and Plans Initiating LBE Programs: summarizes and 

provides links to actions states have taken to initiate LBE 

programs 

Appendix C, Resources for Implementing LBE Programs: 

contains examples and information resources on 

implementing LBE programs, including several statedeveloped agency guidance materials.
■ Set clean energy goals or targets for state government 

facilities, operations, and/or fleets, based on the state’s 

baseline energy use and other considerations; and 

■ Initiating the LBE program – a variety of approaches 

can be used to get an LBE program started – in some 

cases the LBE team conducts the ground work to 

encourage a governor, state legislature or other entity 

to establish its LBE goals; at other times LBE goals are 

initiated by the governor, or other entity, and the LBE 

team then implements the program.

Each of these steps is addressed in greater detail below. 

In addition, the information on key LBE activities 

presented in Chapter 2, Lead by Example Activities and 

Measures, can be used to help guide decisions during 

this first step, and Table 3.5.2, at the end of this chapter, 

presents selected resources to help establish an LBE 

program framework, including examples of LBE plans, 

guidance, and executive orders. 

3.1 Select an LBE Team

Establishing a team committed to developing a robust 

LBE program is a key step in the overall implementation process. This team can be informal or officially 

authorized by the governor. It is often composed of 

individuals with expertise in the specific LBE activities the state is considering for inclusion in its LBE 

program, as described in Chapter 2, Lead by Example 

Activities and Measures. Issues to consider when putting together an LBE team are described below.

3.1.1 Identify Lead and Supporting LBE 

Clean Energy Agencies

States typically assign one agency to lead and coordinate LBE efforts. This lead agency can be selected in 

the following ways: 

■ An existing state office can be the logical lead agency for 

a clean energy LBE program. For example, the Georgia 

Environmental Facilities Authority (Division of Energy 

Resources), which promotes energy efficiency and 

renewable energy programs for public and private 

entities, is the lead agency for state LBE clean energy 

activities. 

■ States can establish new entities to implement state energy policies and programs. In Massachusetts, the State 

Sustainability Program was established to make recommendations to the Executive Office of Environmental 

Affairs and the Executive Office for Administration 

and Finance to promote innovative sustainable 

practices – including clean energy activities – in state 

operations (Massachusetts, 2002). In 2007, the new 

governor of Massachusetts established an executive 

order directing these two state agencies to create a 

Lead by Example program. The program is charged 

with coordinating efforts at state agencies, including all 

University of Massachusetts campuses and all state and 

community colleges, to reduce their environmental 

impact through a variety of measures including energy 

conservation and clean energy (Massachusetts, 2007; 

Massachusetts, 2008).

■ States can designate or work with an existing government-level entity that addresses a related issue, such 

as climate change. For example, many states have 

legislative commissions or executive advisory groups 

on climate change (Pew Center on Global Climate 

Change, 2006). If such a body already exists, it can provide clean energy LBE leadership and/or help appoint 

an LBE team. In Connecticut, the Governor’s Steering 

Committee on Climate Change, which is comprised of 

the chairmen and commissioners of energy, environmental, transportation, and other state agencies, led 

a Climate Change Action Plan Summit in 2002. The 

overall goal of the summit was to establish a process for 

developing a GHG emissions reduction plan, with one 

objective to identify opportunities for state agencies 

to lead by example in the areas of climate change and 

clean energy (Connecticut, 2002).

To support the lead LBE agency, a variety of state 

agencies and offices – including the state energy 

State Agencies for Possible Inclusion on the LBE Team

■ Energy Office

■ Environmental Protection Office

■ Clean Energy Fund

■ Office of Sustainability

■ Facilities Management Office

■ Department of Transportation

■ Procurement Office

■ Department of Education

Public Utility Control ■

■ Department of Administrative Services

Office of Policy and Management ■

■ Department of General Services

■ Department of the Treasury

■ Housing Office

■ Economic Development Office

86 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Three
office – can participate on the LBE team and take on 

related responsibilities. For example, in Connecticut, 

representatives of 13 state agencies gathered with the 

Governor’s Steering Committee (described above) for 

the Connecticut Climate Change Action Plan Summit 

to establish an initial framework for developing the 

LBE component of the state’s climate change action 

plan (Connecticut, 2002, 2006). 

3.1.2 Identify Key Personnel

It is important to identify key personnel who have 

responsibility for clean energy and related issues (e.g., 

staff involved in sustainability, facility management, 

and/or environmental programs), and are positioned to 

participate on the LBE team. Selecting team members 

typically involves the following approaches (CaLEEP, 

2006; Massachusetts, 2006b; NYSERDA, 2006):

■ Select staff who are actively involved in decisions 

regarding energy consumption and who can vouch 

for LBE actions that will save energy (e.g., facilities 

managers, construction planners, fleet operators, and 

procurement directors). 

■ Identify the champions who are already working to 

implement clean energy activities within their agencies 

or offices.

■ Include managers who will be part of the decisionmaking process. Their support, perspective, and credibility will be essential in ensuring the success of the 

LBE program. 

■ Include key finance personnel, fiscal department staff, 

and capital planning staff, who need to understand the 

cost savings and other economic benefits of the LBE 

program prior to lending their support.

■ Include personnel who are concerned about the costs 

of clean energy. They may provide important perspectives and/or become important allies after getting more 

information.

3.2 Establish the Business Case 

and Identify and Obtain HighLevel Support

Creating a sustainable LBE program requires identifying high-level policymakers whose support is critical 

to the success of the program, and providing them with 

the appropriate information. These high-level policymakers can include:

■ The governor.

■ Key legislators (e.g., legislators on finance, treasury, 

taxation, energy, resources, environment committees).

■ Mayors and other elected officials.

■ Administrators of key state agencies (e.g., finance, 

natural resources, and energy agencies).

■ Local government officials, including representatives of 

school authorities (e.g., boards of regents, local school 

commissioners) and their advisors. 

Approaches for building support and gaining sustained 

backing for an LBE program include:

■ Involve policymakers in the early stages of the LBE 

process. Provide these individuals with data regarding 

LBE opportunities and include them on the LBE team. 

This can assist in gaining support and provides an early 

LBE Champions in Massachusetts

The LBE program in Massachusetts was initiated when the 

Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs 

hired a director to develop a new state sustainability 

program (including clean energy activities) and to coordinate 

state sustainability LBE efforts. Several state agencies in 

Massachusetts were already implementing LBE activities but 

there was no program coordination or integration. 

In talking with personnel at other state agencies, the new 

director discovered that while agency staff often understood 

the importance of sustainability it was not a priority with 

their supervisors. Consequently, agency personnel wanted 

an executive order to give them official authorization to act. 

The governor ultimately issued Executive Order 438, which 

created a Sustainability Coordinating Council to develop the 

State Sustainability Program, and requires all state agencies 

to reduce energy consumption through energy efficiency and 

conservation. 

Source: Massachusetts, 2006b.

Gaining Support for Georgia’s 

Clean Energy LBE Program

The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority and the 

Department of Administrative Services worked with Georgia 

Power to determine state facility energy consumption levels 

for over 4,000 state accounts. By consolidating state accounts, 

they were able to obtain strategic rate changes that yielded 

$2.1 million in electric cost savings. This savings helped 

convince the governor to issue an LBE Executive Order to help 

achieve additional savings. 

Sources: Georgia, 2006a, 2006b.

Chapter Three | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 87
opportunity to hear policymakers’ perspectives and 

address their concerns. 

■ If possible, identify influential persons to participate on 

the LBE team. These are individuals with contacts and 

influence who can help the LBE champions present 

their case to key decision-makers who have the authority to initiate and approve the program.

■ Clearly articulate the value of the proposed LBE program 

and describe why policymakers should support it. Include information on:

■ Context

■ Purpose of LBE program

■ Key benefits 

■ Proposed activities

■ Costs and how they will be met

■ Strategies for addressing barriers

■ Description of how the benefits of clean energy LBE 

action relate to the broader national energy and environmental context.

It is not always necessary for all of these components to 

be presented in detail. A broad description, reinforced 

by evidence of the benefits of similar programs elsewhere, can be an effective way to begin.

3.3 Identify Key Agencies and

Other Groups to Help Shape and

Implement LBE Programs

The LBE team can call on a wide variety of groups 

to provide input to help initiate, shape, and implement the program, and/or serve as champions in the 

community. For example, environmental nonprofit 

organizations may be motivated to support LBE programs because of the environmental benefits of energy 

efficiency and clean energy. Private sector firms can 

also play an important role, drawn by the potential 

for promoting local economic activity and providing 

a boost to energy services firms and other emerging 

industries. The decision to involve partners is often 

based on a state’s LBE priorities, as determined by 

considering the benefits, costs, and implementation 

issues associated with specific activities and measures, 

as described in Chapter 2, Lead by Example Activities 

and Measures. 

An overview of the agencies and organizations that can 

assist in initiating and developing an effective clean 

energy LBE program is presented below. Roles, responsibilities, and examples of how these groups have 

participated are also provided.

■ Executive Branch. The executive branch typically plays 

a key leadership role in LBE initiatives. Many state 

governors have issued executive orders that set energy 

savings goals for existing buildings, define energy and 

environmental performance standards for new buildings, set fuel economy targets for state-owned or leased 

vehicle fleets, create green power purchasing policies, 

and create efficiency guidelines for purchasing energyusing equipment. The executive branch also has broad 

powers to change policies and practices involving state 

facilities, fleets, purchasing operations. 

ExampleS: Wisconsin’s Executive Order 145, issued in 2006, establishes a comprehensive set of LBE 

requirements for state government buildings. The 

most significant requirement is for the Department of 

Administration (DOA) to set goals for reducing overall 

energy usage in state facilities, office buildings or complexes, and campuses by at least 10% by 2008 and 20% 

by 2010, from a 2005 baseline. To help state agencies 

achieve these goals, the order directs the DOA to establish programs to conduct energy analyses in state-owned 

buildings, ensure that new state facilities are constructed 

to be 30% more energy efficient than the existing code 

requires, establish sustainable building operation guidelines based on LEED, and ensure that new construction 

incorporates an integrated design process. The order also 

requires state agencies to examine the feasibility of entering into performance contracts and directs the DOA 

to pursue opportunities to demonstrate PV and other 

renewable technologies at state facilities. Lastly, it directs 

the DOA to develop centralized reporting procedures 

and to report annually to the Governor’s Office and 

the state Building Commission (Wisconsin Office of the 

Governor, 2006). 

Executive Branch Participation in Iowa

Iowa’s Executive Order 41 requires the state to reduce energy 

consumption in all conditioned facilities (i.e., buildings that 

are actively heated or cooled by a heating, ventilation, or airconditioning system) by an average of 15% by 2010 (based on 

2000 levels). It directs state agencies to obtain at least 10% of 

their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2010 and 

establishes requirements governing state fleets. 

Source: Iowa, 2005.

88 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Three
Ohio’s Executive Order 2007-02S, issued in 2007, requires 

state agencies to immediately implement energy saving 

activities as directed by a 2006 law passed by the state 

legislature, rather than waiting until the date mandated 

in the law. Such activities include: developing rules for 

energy efficiency and conservation standards; designing a 

life-cycle costing methodology; and implementing a plan 

for energy-efficient product procurement. The order also 

directs the Department of Administrative Services to develop a tool that state agencies can use to track and measure energy consumption and to calculate each agency’s 

GHGs.1 The order directs each state agency to conduct 

energy audits in its facilities using the tool, to facilitate 

comparisons between similar state facilities. Following 

these audits, agencies are directed to reduce energy consumption by 5% within one year and a 15% reduction 

within four years. The order also creates the position of 

energy advisor to the governor to be responsible for coordinating the state’s energy policy, including the state’s LBE 

activities (Ohio Office of the Governor, 2007).

In 2007, Florida’s governor issued Executive Order 

07-126, which establishes a goal for state agencies to 

reduce current levels of GHG emissions by 20% by 2012, 

25% by 2017, and 40% by 2025. To help achieve these 

goals, the order directs state agencies to immediately 

conduct energy audits of state facilities and prohibits 

state agencies from entering into new leases for office 

space that does not meet ENERGY STAR buildings 

standards. In addition, the order directs the state 

Department of Management Services to adopt LEED 

standards for new and existing state facilities and to 

develop energy efficiency measures and guidelines for 

state agencies. In 2008, the department issued energy 

consumption reduction guidelines for facilities managers 

and employees, and adopted a state facility energy policy 

(Florida, 2007; Florida, 2008). 

■ State Legislature. Some states have enacted legislation 

to establish their LBE goals and programs. Legislative 

authority may also be required when modifying procurement regulations.

ExampleS: In Washington, House Bill 2247 requires 

energy audits at state facilities. If the audits produce 

energy-saving opportunities, the improvements must be 

implemented by using performance contracting (Washington, 2006).

1 In June 2007, the Ohio Department of Administrative Services adopted 

EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager in response to the requirements of 

Executive Order 2007-02S. For more information on the state’s use of the 

ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool, see http://www.das.ohio.gov/gsd/oes/

auditguide.htm. 

California’s Assembly Bill 532 requires the Department 

of Administration, in consultation with the State Energy 

Resources Conservation and Development Commission, 

to install solar energy equipment on all existing state 

buildings and state parking facilities, where feasible, by 

January 1, 2009. It defines solar energy to be “feasible” 

if there is adequate space on the building and the solar 

energy equipment is cost-effective (CLI, 2008).

■ State Energy Office. In many states, the energy office 

develops and administers a range of clean energy 

programs, including LBE programs, and provides technical assistance and training to state agency staff and 

facility managers. State energy offices also share their 

technical expertise with other state agencies, local governments, school districts, and other public organizations to identify clean energy opportunities statewide. 

Example: In North Carolina, the State Energy Office 

provides energy information and assistance for all state 

sectors, including state and local government agencies, 

state universities, community colleges, and schools. Its 

Utility Savings Initiative is a comprehensive approach 

for reducing utility expenditures and resource use in 

public buildings within all these sectors. The goals of this 

LBE initiative include developing an agency strategic 

energy plan, providing training and resources for agency 

personnel, implementing no- and low-cost operation and 

maintenance conservation measures, and encouraging 

investments in energy projects and use of performance 

contracts and guaranteed energy savings contracts to 

fund these projects (North Carolina, 2006).

■ State Department of General Services, Facilities Authority, and Department of the Treasury. One of these agencies typically serves as the custodian of state facilities. 

They administer state capital construction programs 

and establish guidelines for construction, operation, 

and purchasing practices. Consequently, these agencies 

may become involved in clean energy LBE activities related to state facilities (e.g., developing and implementing energy efficiency measures in new and existing 

buildings, establishing energy efficiency performance 

standards, and procuring energy-efficient products). 

Examples: The Georgia Environmental Facilities 

Authority (GEFA) administers programs that provide 

financial assistance and protect the state’s environment, 

including energy programs; water, wastewater, and solid 

waste infrastructure improvements; land conservation; 

recycling; and fuel storage systems. The Division of Energy Resources serves as the state energy office for Georgia, 

and in that role promotes energy efficiency, renewable 

Chapter Three | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 89
energy, and energy assistance programs throughout the 

state. GEFA worked with the Governor’s office to issue 

Executive Order 22806, which directs agencies to “lead 

by example” by promoting clean energy. The authority 

also provides information, technical assistance, and 

other resources to state agencies as they implement the 

Georgia Governor’s Challenge, which commits all state 

agencies to reduce energy consumption per square foot 

in state facilities 15 percent below 2007 levels by 2020 

(Georgia, 2006; GEFA, 2008). 

In Pennsylvania, the Department of General Services 

administers a performance contracting program for state 

agencies. The department has established a performance 

contracting outreach program for local and county governments, K–12 schools, and other government entities 

(Pennsylvania, 2006).

■ State Housing and Economic Development Offices. 

These agencies operate a variety of programs, including 

low- and moderate-income housing and development 

programs, state mortgage financing programs, and enterprise zone and brownfield redevelopment initiatives. 

One way these agencies can become involved in LBE 

activities is to encourage energy efficiency practices 

or other clean energy measures in affordable housing 

developments. 

Example: For example, two Massachusetts agencies, 

MassHousing and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC), recently joined with the nonprofit 

Enterprise Foundation to launch the Massachusetts 

Green Communities Initiative—a $209-million initiative 

to build 1,000 energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, 

affordable homes in the state (Massachusetts, 2006a).

■ Local Governments. In many cases, local governments 

have initiated and adopted their own LBE programs. 

Some states work with local governments to educate 

local officials about these opportunities and to coordinate, pool, and set common criteria for such initiatives. 

States can also provide financial assistance, education, 

training, and technical assistance to local governments. 

Example: For example, Arizona’s Municipal Energy 

Management Program (MEMP), administered by the 

state Commerce Department, provides training, tools, 

technical assistance, and grants to municipal and tribal 

governments to help implement energy saving projects 

(Arizona, 2005).

■ School Districts, Colleges, and Universities. There are 

many opportunities to improve energy efficiency 

and purchase or generate clean onsite power at K–12 

schools, colleges, and universities. One option is to 

use efficiency savings in operating budgets to finance 

new energy projects, thereby freeing up capital budget 

dollars for other uses. In fact, some colleges and universities have found that investing in energy efficiency 

projects provides better yields than the market (U.S. 

EPA, 2006c). In addition, states work with their state 

school systems to implement clean energy activities 

within school facilities. 

ExampleS: An example of a state university investing 

in clean energy projects is the university-owned and 

-operated CHP system at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill. This system provides space 

heating and cooling, sterilization, domestic hot water, 

humidification, and cooking for the campus and UNC 

hospitals (U.S. EPA, 2006a). 

On the state level, the Ohio School Facilities Commission administers the state’s comprehensive public school 

construction program, and helps school districts fund, 

plan, design, and build or renovate schools. In 2007, the 

Commission adopted the LEED for Schools Green Building rating system as part of its school design standards. 

Schools in districts that were approved for funding after 

September 2007 are required to meet at least LEED 

Silver Certification, with a goal of meeting the LEED 

Gold level. In July 2008, the Commission approved 

school construction and renovation projects of more 

than $1.9 billion in 40 school districts. The projects will 

be financed by a combination of state and local funding 

(OSFC, 2008).

In April 2008, the Wisconsin lieutenant governor issued the Wisconsin ENERGY STAR School Challenge 

Local Government Participation

San Francisco adopted green building standards for affordable 

housing developments. The first development features energyefficient systems, daylighting, natural ventilation, low-flow 

plumbing fixtures, and solar panels that will meet 12% of the 

building’s energy demand (San Francisco, 2005). 

School Participation in Washington

Western Washington University adopted an initiative, 

introduced by the Students for Renewable Energy, to establish 

a student fee to purchase green power for the campus. At $1.05 

per credit per quarter, the fee is expected to provide enough 

revenue to supply all 35 million kWh of the school’s 2005-2006 

electricity demand with clean energy. 

Sources: Apollo Alliance, 2005; U.S. EPA, 2006b.

90 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Three
to encourage 100 Wisconsin public school districts to 

commit to reducing energy consumption by 10% or more 

across their building portfolios. In the first two months 

after issuing the challenge, the number of participating 

school districts reached 30, including two school districts 

that had already been recognized as ENERGY STAR 

Leaders for improving energy efficiency across their 

building portfolios by 20%. In addition to committing 

to reducing energy consumption by 10%, participants 

in the challenge agree to measure and track the energy 

performance of their buildings using the ENERGY STAR 

Portfolio Manager, develop and implement energy 

management plans consistent with the ENERGY STAR 

Energy Management Guidelines, and educate staff, 

students, and community members about the benefits of 

improving energy efficiency (Wisconsin Office of the Lt. 

Governor, 2008). 

■ Utility Energy Programs. Utilities that administer 

energy efficiency, demand response, and onsite distributed generation programs can support a state’s LBE 

efforts by providing technical assistance to state facility 

managers and new facility design teams. In some cases, 

utilities provide funding and incentives to state agencies for implementing clean energy projects.

Example: In California, the state Department of 

General Services is collaborating with three investorowned utilities to implement nearly $17 million worth of 

energy-saving programs in state facilities and to provide 

technical resources to ensure that the energy projects deliver cost-effective energy savings according to guidelines 

established by the California Public Utilities Commission 

and the California Energy Commission. Administered 

by the utilities under the auspices of the CPUC, this program includes the state’s largest office buildings, prisons, 

and some smaller state buildings (California, 2006).

■ Energy Service Companies (ESCOs). ESCOs can perform energy project assessments and/or conduct full 

energy efficiency projects on a performance contracting basis. In such projects, the state does not provide 

upfront capital; instead, the ESCO develops and 

finances the project, verifies energy efficiency savings, 

and uses these savings to cover the cost of capital. A 

number of states have established programs to coordinate performance contracts for state agencies. 

Example: The Texas State Energy Conservation Office 

(SECO) developed performance contracting guidelines 

under its State Agencies Program. The agency pays for 

projects out of savings realized through the program 

(Texas, 2006).

■ State Treasurers and Public Pension Fund Managers. 

Pension fund trustees and state treasurers provide 

policy direction for fund managers and are increasingly 

looking for opportunities to enhance the value of their 

portfolios. Some state treasurers and public pension 

fund managers invest in clean energy investments and 

upgrades on state property. This type of investment 

not only provides an opportunity for fund managers to 

“green” their portfolios, but also saves money and increases the value of the assets and the overall portfolio. 

Example: In California, for example, the state treasurer started the Green Wave program to encourage 

pension fund investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy retrofits and upgrades on state property 

(California State Treasurer’s Office, 2006).

■ Nonprofit Organizations. Nonprofit organizations can 

serve a variety of roles. In some states, nonprofit organizations are instrumental in helping to establish the LBE 

program from “the bottom up” by using their analytical, 

educational, and/or outreach skills to obtain support 

for the program. In some cases, nonprofit organizations provide technical assistance, financial incentives, 

and other support for cost-effective energy-efficient 

building design, construction, renovation, equipment, 

lighting, and appliances. Some states establish and work 

with nonprofit organizations as third party administrators to develop and oversee the LBE programs. 

ExampleS: For example, Efficiency Vermont was established by the Vermont legislature and Public Service 

Board as the nation’s first statewide energy efficiency 

utility. Efficiency Vermont provides technical assistance 

and financial incentives to help Vermonters and their 

public agencies pay for energy-efficient building design, 

construction, and renovation (Efficiency Vermont, 2006). 

Iowa established the State of Iowa Facilities Improvement Corporation (SIFIC), a nonprofit corporation that 

helps agencies implement energy efficiency measures 

(Iowa, 2006).

Working with ESCOs in New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s Building Energy Conservation Initiative 

(BECI) uses performance contracting to pay for energy retrofits 

and building upgrades with the energy savings from the 

project, rather than depending on funding through capital 

appropriations. Under this program, a pre-qualified group 

of ESCOs submits proposals to conduct the work based 

on a predetermined list of energy conservation measures 

established by the BECI. 

Source: New Hampshire, 2006.

Chapter Three | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 91
■ Private Sector Firms. Many states have found that they 

can achieve significant benefits from partnering with 

private sector organizations. This can be particularly 

true in the case of green power purchases and clean 

energy generation, where consistent cooperation with 

private utilities can lead to discounted costs.

Example: In Wisconsin, for example, the state partnered with a private energy service provider to construct 

a 150 MW CHP plant near the University of Wisconsin 

at Madison that provides steam and water for campus 

facilities as well as 45 MW of its energy demand. The 

remaining energy output will be available for residential 

and commercial uses. The agreement includes a provision that enables the state to obtain fuel discounts that 

could yield savings approaching $100 million over 30 

years. The utility has also agreed to work with the state 

to address air quality concerns associated with plant 

operations. (Wisconsin DOA, 2003).

■ State- and Municipally-owned Water and Wastewater 

Entities. State and municipal water supply, treatment, 

and distribution operations, as well as wastewater 

treatment facilities, typically use large amounts of energy. There can be significant opportunities to reduce 

net energy demand through improvements in energy 

efficiency and the generation of clean energy at these 

facilities. Several states work with water and wastewater treatment facility managers to implement LBE 

activities. 

ExampleS: In New York, for example, NYSERDA offers 

technical and financial assistance, including cost-sharing 

research, demonstrations, and business development 

programs, to encourage municipal water, wastewater, 

and solid waste facilities to adopt energy-efficient technologies (NYSERDA, 2004). 

In California, the State and Consumer Services Agency 

has worked with municipal water and wastewater 

utilities to reduce energy consumption by 15%. Facility 

improvements included adjusting operation schedules, 

increasing storage capacity, and installing equipment 

controls (FYP, 2003).

3.4 Set LBE Goals

Goals are high-level statements that provide the overall 

context for what the state is trying to accomplish. 

Setting a goal or series of goals is an important step 

that specifies the level of clean energy to be attained 

within the state’s facilities, operations, and fleets during 

a stated time period. When establishing these goals, 

states can consider the benefits, costs, and implementation issues associated with specific LBE activities, as 

described in Chapter 2, Lead By Example Activities and 

Measures. The following sections provide information 

on how to establish an LBE goal or goals and present a 

number of state examples.

3.4.1 Establish LBE Goals

Many states have enacted LBE executive orders, legislation, plans, and policies that establish clean energy 

goals for their facilities and/or fleets. Setting clear LBE 

goals and targets for state agencies can serve a variety 

of purposes:

■ Help ensure that all players know the expected outcomes. 

This is especially true when the goals are established by 

the governor or another official; demonstrating highlevel commitment to LBE goals can be an effective 

means of garnering support for an LBE program. 

■ Provide for ease of measurement and reporting. Having 

quantifiable goals provides a straightforward means of 

evaluating progress and providing feedback when midcourse corrections are necessary. 

President’s Executive Order 

Establishes Federal LBE Goals

On January 24, 2007, the President issued an executive 

order on “Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and 

Transportation Management” establishing the following LBE 

goals for state agencies:

Reducing GHG emissions by 3% annually or by 30% overall, by ■

FY 2016, based on FY 2003 levels.

Ensuring that 50% of renewable energy consumption comes ■

from new sources, and that on-site renewable energy projects 

be considered where possible.

Reducing water consumption intensity by 2% annually or by ■

16% overall, by FY 2016, based on FY 2007 levels.

Requiring procurement of sustainable products. ■

Ensuring that new construction and major renovation of ■

federal buildings comply with the Guiding Principles for Federal 

Leadership in High Performance and Sustainable Buildings, and 

that 15% of existing buildings meet these principles by FY 2016.

Ensuring that agency fleets annually reduce consumption of ■

petroleum by 2% and increase alternative fuel consumption by 

10% by FY 2016.

Ensuring that ENERGY STAR features are enabled on all ■

appropriate office equipment.

Source: White House, 2007.

92 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Three
■ Demonstrate the feasibility of establishing clean energy 

initiatives. Setting LBE goals demonstrates the economic, practical, and political feasibility of establishing an 

LBE program, and encourages other entities to pursue 

clean energy strategies.

The process of setting LBE goals involves consideration 

of past and projected energy consumption, as well as 

other factors. These factors, and examples of state LBE 

goals, are described below.

Develop an Energy Consumption Baseline

In order to set LBE goals that are measurable and 

achievable it is important to use actual data and projections of future consumption. This approach involves 

collecting data on state energy consumption and establishing reduction goals based on 1) existing, past, and 

projected consumption and 2) issues that affect energy 

use, such as climate, the condition of the public facilities, number and square footage of state facilities, fleet 

size, and current clean energy technologies.

States can collect energy consumption data (e.g., 

electricity use in kWhs, electricity demand in kW, total 

fleet mileage, and miles per gallon data) at various levels, including the state (i.e., energy consumption by all 

state agencies), state agency, facility, or project levels. 

Data can be obtained in a number of ways, including:

■ Sending an energy consumption questionnaire to each 

state agency or facility.

■ Collecting energy provider invoices and utility bills 

that are paid by each state agency. 

■ Working with utilities to obtain energy consumption 

records from the utilities.

Using existing studies, such as state or regional energy 

potential studies, state energy plans, or facility surveys 

that have already identified energy consumption data 

for relevant sectors within the state.

Once annual energy consumption data are collected, 

some states use commercially available energy accounting software, or contract with a private service and 

product provider (SPP), to construct a database that 

enables them to track and analyze energy consumption 

for all state facilities. Alternatively, state LBE teams can 

use existing databases to help establish their LBE goals. 

Example: For example, the South Carolina Savings 

Matrix is a spreadsheet tool developed by the South 

Carolina Energy Office (SCEO) to track energy and cost 

savings from all SCEO-sponsored projects since 1995. 

Data were grouped by category, including a category 

for energy efficiency projects in state and local government agencies. The South Carolina Savings Matrix has 

enabled SCEO to demonstrate the benefits of its energy 

efficiency activities. Energy office managers have used 

the matrix to assess the relative benefit of their energy 

efficiency projects (U.S. DOE, 2007).

In cases where states are severely resource constrained, 

it is possible to begin estimating baseline energy consumption and potential reductions in consumption 

with a relatively small effort (i.e., a “pilot program” 

focusing on a single agency or facility). This effort can 

then be expanded by collecting baseline data on additional state facilities and/or end-uses as resources allow.

Massachusetts’ Energy and CO2 Inventory

Massachusetts established an Energy and Carbon Dioxide 

(CO2) Inventory to analyze trends in statewide CO2 emissions 

from energy consumption, and use the findings to provide 

guidance on how to further decrease emissions.

The state the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA) 

created an FY 2002 baseline by state agency, and updates this 

information annually based upon energy consumption reports 

completed by the state agencies. 

Source: Massachusetts, 2004, 2006b.

California Benchmarking Initiative

California Executive Order S-20-04 established an LBE goal 

of reducing grid-based energy purchases for state-owned 

buildings by 20% by 2015, compared to a 2003 baseline. 

The Order and an accompanying Green Building Action Plan 

directed the California Energy Commission to develop a 

methodology for establishing an energy-use benchmarking 

system that is simple, California-specific, and coordinated with 

the ENERGY SMART benchmarking system. 

The CEC established an interagency Green Team to ensure 

progress toward these goals and hired a contractor to execute 

the benchmarking effort. The contractor worked with the 

state and California utilities to create ENERGY STAR Portfolio 

Manager accounts for each agency and facility (which 

include data on energy use, square footage, year built, and 

identification of meters), develop a data release form for all 

state agencies to sign, allowing utilities to automatically upload 

energy data to Portfolio Manager, and establish the data base. 

California anticipates that by the first quarter of 2008, 

the 2003 baseline will be completed and that utilities will 

continue to regularly upload energy consumption data to 

enable comparison among buildings and tracking building 

performance over time. 

Sources: California 2004, 2004a, 2007; Miller, 2008. 

Chapter Three | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 93
Additional information on how to collect energy 

consumption data and establish an energy baseline 

is presented in Section 6.3, Conducting Energy and 

Emissions Tracking and Benchmarking. Information 

on how to estimate energy reductions resulting from 

potential clean energy activities, including simple rules 

of thumb, is provided in Section 4.3, Estimate Benefits 

and Costs of Prospective LBE Activities. 

Assess State Context and Other Issues

Other issues to consider when setting goals include:

■ State context. It is important for LBE goals to be considered in conjunction with other state clean energy 

programs, and to reflect the state’s unique priorities 

and goals related to the environment, economy, and 

energy infrastructure.

■ Sequencing. Some states have set overall goals for state 

government (e.g., a reduction in state government energy expenditures) and then developed LBE programs 

to move the state toward these targets. Other states 

have chosen to assess where LBE programs are costeffectively achievable, and then set their goals to suit. 

■ Scope. Some states, such as New York, Colorado, and 

Massachusetts, have enacted comprehensive LBE 

programs that include goals for many LBE activities. 

Other states have established a single goal focusing on 

a clean energy target for state buildings or fleets. 

■ Quantitative versus qualitative goals. Whenever possible, it is important to establish quantitative goals that 

can be used to measure the progress of LBE activities.

Goals can be structured in a variety of ways, depending 

on a state’s preferred LBE approach. Clean energy goals 

typically fall within the following categories:

■ An Overall Energy Savings Goal for All State LBE Activities. Some states have established an overall energy 

savings goal, defined in terms of a reduction in energy 

use or GHG emissions that can be met through clean 

energy. 

■ Energy Savings Goals for Existing State Buildings. These 

goals are typically structured as goals to reduce energy 

consumption in existing state buildings by some stated 

percentage within a set timeframe, from a specified 

baseline.

■ Energy Savings Goals for New and Renovated State 

Buildings. These goals can require achieving a certain 

percentage improvement in energy efficiency performance, a specified energy usage per square foot (e.g., 

an energy budget), energy efficiency design requirements, and/or other performance standards.

■ Energy-Efficient Procurement Goals. A number of 

states have elected to purchase ENERGY STAR-labeled 

products whenever feasible or cost-effective. State governments can require or encourage the use of energy 

performance contracts that enable them to invest in 

energy-saving equipment, using future utility cost savings (or avoided costs) to pay for the improvements. 

Some states have developed cost-effective programs for 

achieving energy-efficient product purchasing targets 

by designating a particular government agency as the 

coordinating facilitator of all state agency purchases.

■ Renewable Energy Goals. These goals typically take the 

form of requirements to obtain a certain percentage 

of electricity usage from renewable energy sources. 

States can also establish a minimum renewable energy 

purchase volume (e.g., in megawatt-hours, MWh) by a 

given date or set targets for on-site generation of clean 

energy. 

New York’s “Green and Clean” State Buildings and

Vehicles

New York’s Executive Order 111, adopted in 2001, establishes a 

comprehensive LBE energy efficiency and renewable program. 

Applicable to all state agencies and departments, the order sets 

the following goals:

Energy consumption in all state-owned, leased, or operated ■

buildings must be reduced by 35% by 2010, relative to 1990 

levels

State agencies must set peak electric demand reduction targets ■

for each facility by 2010

New state buildings must achieve at least a 20% improvement ■

in energy efficiency performance relative to the state building 

energy code

Renovated state buildings must achieve a 10% improvement in ■

energy efficiency performance

All state entities must ensure that 20% of their annual electricity ■

needs are met by renewable energy sources by 2010

■ At least 50% of new light-duty vehicles must be alternativefueled vehicles by 2005, and 100% of all new light-duty 

vehicles (with the exception of specialty, police, or emergency 

vehicles) must be alternative-fuel by 2010

Sources: NYSERDA, 2001, 2002.

94 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Three
■ Energy Savings Goals for State Fleets and Fuel Use. 

These targets include requiring the purchase of a 

specified percentage of fuel-efficient or alternative-fuel 

vehicles for state fleets, setting mileage standards, 

establishing minimum requirements for the use of 

biofuels, and developing programs to encourage clean 

energy actions related to commuting. 

3.4.2 Examples of State LBE Goals

Table 3.4.1, Examples of LBE Goals and Targets presents 

examples of how states have set their LBE goals. Appendix A, State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, 

and Plans Initiating LBE Programs, provides a more 

detailed summary of, and links to, these state actions.

Table 3.4.1 Examples of LBE Goals and Targets

State/Title Goal or Target

Overall LBE Energy Savings and GHG Emission Reductions

Washington 

Executive Order 05-01

State agencies must reduce energy purchases by 10% by September 1, 2009 from a fiscal year (FY) 

2003 baseline, using all practicable and cost-effective means available, including energy efficiency 

programs and use of on-site renewable resources.

Massachusetts 

Executive Order 484 

Establishes a goal for GHG emissions from state operations to be reduced by 25% by 2012, 40% by 

2020, and 80% by 2050, based on a FY 2002 baseline.

Existing Buildings

Arizona 

Arizona Revised Statutes 34-451 

State agencies must reduce energy use in buildings by 10% per square foot of floor area by 2008 

and 15% per square foot of floor area by 2011, based on FY 2002 levels.

Iowa 

Executive Order 41

State-owned conditioned facilities must reduce energy consumption per square foot per degree day 

by an average of 15% from 2000 levels by 2010.

Nevada 

NRS Title 58, Chapter 701—Energy 

Policy

The Director of the Office of Energy is directed to prepare a state energy reduction plan to reduce 

grid-based energy purchases for state-owned buildings by 20% by 2015.

New Hampshire

Executive Order 2005-4

The state shall reduce energy consumption in state facilities by 10% in accordance with the ENERGY 

STAR Challenge.

New and Renovated Buildings

Maine 

Title 5 MRSA 1764-A

Statute establishes a target for state-funded new buildings and renovations over 5,000 square feet 

to exceed state energy efficiency standards in effect for commercial and institutional buildings by at 

least 20%. 

Michigan

Executive Directive 2005-04

Requires that all new construction and major renovation of state-owned facilities be consistent with 

LEED standards and score a minimum of 26 points on the LEED scorecard. Also requires the ENERGY 

STAR assessment and rating program to be extended to all state buildings. 

New Mexico

Executive Order 2006-01

New public buildings in excess of 15,000 square feet and/or using over 50 kW peak electrical 

demand must be designed to meet LEED-Silver standards and must achieve a minimum delivered 

energy performance standard of 50% of the average consumption for that building type. 

New construction and renovation of existing buildings between 5,000 and 15,000 square feet will 

achieve a minimum delivered energy performance standard of 50% of the average consumption for 

that building type.

Oregon 

OAR 330-130 

All renovation and construction projects for state facilities must exceed Oregon’s energy 

conservation building codes by at least 20%. 

Chapter Three | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 95
State/Title Goal or Target

Virginia

Executive Order 48

Establishes a goal for state agencies to reduce annual energy costs by 20% by 2010, relative to 

2006 levels. State-owned facilities over 5,000 square feet and renovations of greater than 50% are 

required to be designed consistent with LEED and ENERGY STAR rating systems.

Washington, D.C.

Green Building Act of 2006

New non-residential public buildings greater than 10,000 square feet must meet LEED-Silver 

standards, be designed to achieve 75 points on the ENERGY STAR Target Finder rating scale, and be 

benchmarked annually using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. 

Energy-Efficient Procurement

Maryland

Executive Order 01.01.2001.02

State agencies shall purchase ENERGY STAR products when purchasing energy-using products 

or shall purchase products in the top 25% in energy efficiency for products where ENERGY STAR 

labeling is not available.

Colorado

Executive Order 0012 07

Requires Department of Personnel and Administration to develop policies that require state 

agencies to purchase equipment that is ENERGY STAR qualified and to ensure that energy-saving 

features are enabled where ENERGY STAR-qualified equipment is available and cost-effective.

Connecticut

Executive Order 17

Requires that all future equipment and appliances purchased by and for executive branch state 

agencies shall be ENERGY STAR® certified, provided such ENERGY STAR® certified equipment and 

appliances are commercially available.

Renewable Energy

Arizona

Executive Order 2005-05

State agencies are directed to ensure that all new state-funded buildings derive at least 10% of their 

energy from renewable sources. 

Connecticut 

Executive Order 32

State governments and universities are directed to replace an increasing share of electricity with 

renewable energy, toward the goal of increasing Class I renewable purchases to 20% by 2010, 50% 

by 2020, and 100% by 2050.

Oregon

Renewable Energy Plan

Establishes a goal for 100% of the state government’s total electricity needs to be met by renewable 

energy sources by 2010. 

Wisconsin 

Wisconsin Act 141

Requires the Department of Administration to set renewable energy purchase goals for six agencies 

with an overall goal that renewable energy account for 10% of state energy purchases by 2008 and 

20% by 2012.

State Fleets and Fuel Usea

Georgia

Executive Order 2.28.06.02

State agencies and departments are ordered to permanently increase employee commute miles 

saved by 20% through compressed work schedules, alternate work schedules, and teleworking, 

where appropriate as determined at the agency or department level.

Connecticut

Executive Order 22

Requires 20% reduction in the overall state fleet by July 1, 2009 and specifies that vehicle purchases 

of cars and light trucks must be vehicles that are classified by the U.S. EPA as “best in class” for 

estimated highway gasoline mileage.

Iowa 

Executive Order 41

Directs agencies to ensure that 100% of non-law enforcement, light-duty vehicles procured by 2010 

are alternative-fuel (AFVs) or hybrid-electric.

All agencies shall ensure that bulk diesel fuel procured by the state contains at least 5% renewable 

content by 2007, 10% renewable content by 2008, and 20% renewable content by 2010.

Nevada

Nevada Administrative Code 

486A.160

State fleets containing 10 or more vehicles must acquire AFVs or EPA-certified ultra-low emission 

vehicles. Beginning in FY 2000, 90% of new vehicles purchased must be either AFVs or low-emission 

vehicles (LEVs). 

T

96 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Three
State/Title Goal or Target

Rhode Island

Executive Order 05-13

Order establishes that all new light duty trucks must achieve a minimum of 19 miles per gallon 

(mpg) and be certified LEVs, and that all new passenger vehicles achieve a minimum of 23 mpg.

Wisconsin 

Executive Order 141

State agencies are required to reduce petroleum-based gasoline use in state-owned vehicles by 

20% by 2010 and 50% by 2015, and to reduce petroleum-based diesel fuel use by 10% by 2010 and 

by 35% by 2015.

a Examples of state goals for fleets and fuel are presented in this table because many states have adopted these goals. However, this is not 

one of the clean energy activities described in the LBE Guide.

Source: Appendix A, State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs.

T

Chapter Three | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 97

3.5 Initiate an LBE Program

States have designed their LBE programs based on a variety of models and launched them in different ways. In 

some cases the LBE team conducts the ground work to 

encourage a governor, state legislature or other entity to 

establish LBE goals. In other cases, these goals are initiated by the governor or state legislature, and the LBE 

team then implements the program. Examples of both 

approaches are presented below. Mechanisms that states 

have used to successfully initiate their LBE programs 

incorporate one or more of the following approaches:

■ The state governor issues an executive order that establishes clean energy LBE goals and requirements for an 

LBE program. 

■ The state legislature enacts LBE legislation that establishes clean energy LBE goals and requirements for an 

LBE program.

■ The state government initiates an LBE program as part 

of a broader energy plan, climate plan, sustainability 

plan, or other comprehensive plan or policy.

■ The state energy office or other agency initiates a clean 

energy LBE program.

■ Local governments, universities, or other state or local 

groups adopt LBE programs that support state goals 

and/or influence the state to adopt an LBE program.

States can determine appropriate mechanisms for 

implementation based on their review of potential LBE 

activities, described in Chapter 2, Lead by Example 

Activities and Measures, since some activities might 

require specific types of enabling authority (e.g., large 

expenditures on clean energy generation systems may 

require legislative authority). 

Table 3.5.1 provides a summary of the mechanisms 

that states have used to initiate LBE programs. The 

table differentiates between mechanisms that 1) have 

been used to establish quantitative goals or to require 

a state government to take a specific LBE action and 

2) encourage or recommend (but do not require) 

LBE action. Many states have used a combination of 

complementary mechanisms to produce an effective, 

comprehensive LBE program. Appendix A: State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating 

LBE Programs provides more detailed descriptions of 

the approaches taken by each state and provides links 

to sources.
Table 3.4.1 Summary of State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, 

and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008)

Directs or requires implementation of LBE action, directs or requires action to be taken toward implementation of LBE action, requires attainment of a specific LBE goal, or otherwise 

establishes numerical targets for specific LBE activities.

Promotes --but does not require -- LBE action, recommends LBE action, requires the development of recommendations for LBE action, establishes general or non-numerical goals, or requires 

pursuit of opportunities to implement LBE activities generally.

Has not been enacted or is currently under consideration

While states labeled “No Activity” may have individual LBE programs, these programs were not initiated by an LBE goal (i.e., via an executive order, legislation, plan, policy).

Source: Appendix A, State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs

98 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Three
3.5.1 Governor Issues an LBE Executive

Order

Many state governors have issued executive orders 

establishing LBE goals, programs, and specific requirements for state agencies to follow. Executive orders 

typically have the following advantages:

■ Since it is signed by the governor, an executive order 

gives the state’s clean energy LBE activities an official 

status.

■ Top-level commitment to a coordinated set of clean energy policies is key to ensuring effective follow-through 

on implementing LBE activities.

■ Executive orders are a time-efficient means of establishing clean energy objectives for state governments.

■ A series of executive orders can be issued over time to 

change and/or expand LBE program requirements as 

technology and information improves (see Massachusetts text box). 

■ Executive orders can be used to create cabinet-level 

task forces or similar formal offices to pursue clean 

energy policy goals (e.g., Delaware Energy Task Force, 

Iowa Energy Coordinating Council, Florida Energy 

2020 Study Commission, New Mexico Solar Power 

Task Force, Oregon Renewable Energy Action Plan, 

West Virginia Energy Task Force, and Wisconsin Energy Efficiency and Renewables Task Force).

■ Executive orders can be effective as a mechanism for 

reinforcing a governor’s energy plan. In Utah, for 

example, Executive Order 2006-04 (Utah, 2006a) was 

used to codify LBE goals set forth in the governor’s 

policy for advancing energy efficiency (Utah, 2006b).

On the other hand, a potential disadvantage associated 

with executive orders is that they require a governor 

who is convinced of the value of LBE activities and 

takes the lead on ensuring the order is implemented. 

As such, executive orders can be rescinded or go unenforced after a new governor takes office. To be effective 

and enduring after the issuing governor leaves office, 

executive orders can be reinforced with complementary legislation or administrative rules that build on the 

framework provided by an executive order.

Massachusetts Executive Order Builds on 

Earlier Executive Order and Administrative 

Bulletins

In 2002, the Massachusetts governor issued Executive 

Order 438, which created a Sustainability Coordinating 

Council with the responsibility of developing and 

maintaining a State Sustainability Program. The order 

required state agencies to work with the Council to 

develop policies to:

Reduce energy consumption in state facilities. ■

Reduce GHG emissions by 25% by 2012 based on 2002 ■

levels.

Promote environmentally-appropriate facility siting. ■

Increase purchase of environmentally preferable ■

products.

Building on the goals of this initiative, the state 

Executive Office for Administration and Finance issued 

three administrative bulletins in 2006: 

Bulletin 11 directed the Sustainability Coordinating ■

Council to develop guidance for state agencies to help 

reduce energy consumption by 15% by 2010. 

Bulletin 12 established the “LEED-Plus” design standard ■

for new construction and major renovations of facilities. 

Bulletin 13 established minimum requirements for use ■

of bio-fuels in state vehicles and buildings by state 

agencies. 

In 2007, the new governor issued Executive Order 484, 

which incorporated the goals set forth in Executive 

Order 438 and Bulletins 11 and 12. In addition, Executive 

Order 484 included the following goals:

Reduce GHG emissions from state government ■

operations by 40% by 2020 and 80% by 2050, based on 

2002 levels.

Reduce energy consumption per square foot in state ■

buildings by 20% by 2012 and 35% by 2020.

Obtain 15% of energy demand from renewable sources ■

by 2012, and 30% by 2020.

Reduce potable water use by 10% by 2012 and 15% by ■

2020 based on 2006 levels.

Sources: Massachusetts, 2002; 2006c; 2006d; 2006e; 2007.

Chapter Three | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 99
3.5.2 State Enacts LBE Legislation

A second mechanism for establishing LBE initiatives is 

to enact state legislation. This can be accomplished via 

a comprehensive package or through sequential bills 

targeting individual LBE initiatives. Legislation that 

mandates a comprehensive package of policies, such as 

the South Carolina Energy Efficiency Act, can provide 

a robust framework for an LBE program. In addition, 

certain aspects of an LBE program may require legislation. For example, legislation may be required:

■ If changes to tax codes are necessary, such as appropriating funds to finance the LBE program. 

■ To provide funding sources to establish LBE programs 

(e.g., an initial endowment for a revolving loan fund). 

■ To modify procurement regulations such as implementing life-cycle costing for purchasing decisions, releasing state agencies from mandatory low-bid requirements when buying Green Power, or allowing agencies 

to enter into long-term energy service agreements for 

performance contracting. 

Other uses of legislation are to:

■ Establish key components of state LBE programs. For 

example, Montana, Texas, and Iowa have enacted 

legislation to create revolving loan funds that can be 

used to finance energy efficiency improvements in state 

facilities. Colorado and Washington have passed bills 

to facilitate performance contracting in state facilities. 

■ Authorize a government department or agency to oversee the implementation and operation of a state’s LBE 

program. Legislation in Maine, for example, created 

the Clean Government Initiative (Maine, 2006), which 

assists state agencies and state-supported institutions 

of higher learning to incorporate environmentally sustainable practices into all state government functions.

While legislative authority provides a solid foundation for an LBE program, the legislative process can 

be slow and uncertain, resulting in delays and/or lack 

of support for the anticipated LBE legislation. States 

have found that pairing legislation with a high-profile 

executive order can provide an LBE program with both 

momentum and longevity.

3.5.3 LBE Program Initiated through 

the State Planning Processes

A third mechanism is to initiate an LBE program 

as part of a broader state energy plan, climate plan, 

sustainability initiative, or other comprehensive initiative. States can incorporate LBE policies into these 

plans and/or use the LBE activities as a key driver for 

implementing these plans. For example, Connecticut’s 

Climate Change Action Plan is a blueprint for achieving cost-effective GHG reductions within the state. 

The inclusion of LBE activities played a major role in 

developing the plan, since the state recognized the 

importance of adopting clean energy activities within 

its own operations prior to encouraging other sectors 

to implement similar programs. (See Section 1.5, Overview of the LBE Process, for more detailed information 

about how Connecticut developed its Climate Change 

Action Plan.)

Incorporating LBE policies into a related clean energy 

plan can be an important first step in building support 

for a comprehensive LBE program. However, such 

policy and planning decisions often lack the directness of an executive order or legislation. Also, as with 

executive orders, policy and planning decisions can be 

revised, dropped, or unenforced when the executive 

administration changes. Combining these policy initiatives with statutory legislation or with an executive order can provide the reinforcement necessary to ensure 

effective implementation.

South Carolina Energy Efficiency Act

South Carolina passed legislation that establishes 

comprehensive requirements for a state LBE program. The 

Energy Efficiency Act established requirements for a state 

energy plan and policy and established the state energy office. 

The Act includes the following requirements:

Implementation of energy efficiency standards in state-owned ■

and -leased buildings, including public school buildings, which 

must provide for life-cycle cost-effectiveness.

State agency energy conservation planning, metering, and ■

reporting.

Energy conservation savings requirements, which specified that ■

an agency’s budget must not be reduced by the full amount of 

money saved through energy conservation measures.

Performance contracting requirements. ■

Establishment of a revolving loan fund for energy efficiency. ■

Energy-efficient product procurement. ■

Lease purchase agreements with energy efficiency product ■

vendors and utility companies.

Guaranteed energy, water, or wastewater savings contracts ■

for the evaluation, recommendation, and implementation of 

energy, water, or wastewater conservation measures.

Source: South Carolina Legislature Online, 2005.

100 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Three
3.5.4 State Energy (Or Other) Office

Initiates Program

In some states, the energy agency (or other office 

involved with clean energy, environmental, and/or 

facilities management issues) initiates the state’s LBE 

program. This state agency may conduct background 

research and assemble preparatory data (e.g., on the 

costs and benefits of an LBE program) that can be instrumental in providing information that the governor 

needs to enact an executive order or that can help spur 

legislative action. 

In New York, for example, NYSERDA prepared a draft 

executive order on energy efficiency in state buildings 

and fleets, based on an analysis of federal Executive 

Order 13123, Greening the Government through Efficiency Energy Management, and information on LBE 

activities obtained from other states. NYSERDA shared 

the draft order with the governor’s office and key state 

agencies, and worked with these offices to develop support for Executive Order 111, “Green and Clean” State 

Buildings and Vehicles. (See Section 3.2, Identify and 

Obtain High-Level Support, for additional information 

on ways to gain policymaker support for clean energy 

LBE programs.)

3.5.5 Local Governments or Other 

State/Public Organizations Adopt 

Programs that Influence State LBE 

Actions

Clean energy LBE actions taken at the local level and 

by nonprofit organizations, regional groups, universities, and other organizations in the state can influence 

LBE action at the state level by serving as models and 

by reaching out to actively engage state governments. 

In both ways, these organizations can assist states by 

illustrating the potential energy savings and cost savings from clean energy actions. 

Local Governments 

Many local governments have developed their own 

LBE and other clean energy initiatives that can serve 

as models for state activities. In some instances, local 

governments have also reached out to include state 

governments in their clean energy LBE activities. States 

can look toward these local actions to help build a case 

for their own state LBE program. For example:

■ Salt Lake City’s Green initiative provides an example 

that can serve as a model for states. This initiative 

includes numerous LBE activities, such as highperformance buildings, green power purchases, 

building energy conservation, water conservation, and 

recycling. The city also requires new and renovated 

public buildings to be LEED-Silver certified.

Salt Lake City has significantly reduced its energy 

costs through this program. The city replaced its city 

and county buildings’ incandescent bulbs with more 

energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, saving over 

$33,000 a year and reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) 

emissions by 344 tons per year. The city also saves over 

$32,000 a year on its energy costs from the installation of 861 LED traffic signals, an initiative it plans to 

expand to include all of its 1,630 traffic signals. This 

expanded measure is expected to save over 500 tons of 

CO2

 each year with an annual cost savings of $53,000. 

The city invested a portion of the savings from these 

energy conservation measures in renewable energy; it 

is now the largest purchaser of Blue Sky wind energy in 

the state (Salt Lake City, 2005).

■ Burlington, Vermont is a local government that has 

reached out to include state government in its clean 

energy LBE activities. Burlington produced a climate 

action plan in 2000 that established goals for reducing 

GHG emissions in the city, including emissions from 

municipal government operations. It formed the Alliance for Climate Action to implement the action plan’s 

recommendations. Part of the Alliance’s mission is to 

expand its activities beyond the city level by involving 

regional and state entities. The state Department of 

General Services and the University of Vermont, along 

with numerous local government agencies, have joined 

King County, Washington – Model Clean Energy LBE

Program

In 1989, King County, Washington established an 

environmental purchasing program that enables county 

government purchasers to select environmentally preferable 

office equipment, automotive parts, vehicles, maintenance 

products, and construction and landscaping materials. Overall, 

the program saved the county $675,000 in 2005.

The county also provides guidance to other governments, 

including a model policy for procuring environmentally 

preferable products and a description of the program and its 

benefits. 

In 2006, King County was appointed to the Responsible 

Purchasing Network, an organization of federal, state, and 

local governments; non-profits; and private firms that assist 

jurisdictions in designing and implementing environmental 

purchasing programs. 

Source: King County, Washington, 2006.

Chapter Three | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 101
Burlington as members of the Alliance and are working 

to implement the 10% Challenge initiative to reduce 

GHG emissions by 10% by 2010.

U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement

Inspired by a challenge from the mayor of Seattle in 2005, 

an agreement was passed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors 

pledging to take local action to reduce global warming. The 

agreement goals are based on the targets outlined in the Kyoto 

Protocol, and include such actions as purchasing green power, 

improving energy efficiency in existing buildings, purchasing 

only ENERGY STAR equipment and appliances for public use, 

promoting sustainable building practices using LEED standards, 

increasing fuel efficiency of municipal fleets, improving water 

conservation and efficiency practices, and educating the public 

about the need to take action.

Source: U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2005.

Regional Organizations

Regional organizations can also influence and/or provide support for state-level LBE actions. For example:

■ The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency works in partnership with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and 

the Washington State Department of Ecology to protect public health in four counties. By implementing 

its own clean energy policies at the sub-state level, the 

agency serves as a bridge between state and local LBE 

activities (Puget Sound Clean Air Energy, 2006).

■ The Conference of New England Governors and Eastern 

Canadian Premiers developed a Climate Change Action 

Plan in 2001 with the goal of reducing GHG emissions 

to 1990 levels by 2010, and to 10% below 1990 levels 

by 2020. One action item was for governments to “lead 

by example” by reducing emissions within the public 

sector by 25% by 2012. The plan called on governments 

to encourage the purchase of fuel-efficient vehicles and 

sustainable building design, to educate government 

employees about clean energy opportunities, to create 

a market for environmentally preferable products, and 

to develop a regional clearinghouse of operations and 

maintenance best practices. The plan has had a significant influence on several state LBE programs, including Connecticut’s Climate Change Action Plan, which 

includes LBE as a major component (NEG-ECP, 2006).

Nonprofit and Other Organizations

Nonprofit organizations have developed clean energy 

initiatives and conduct other activities that can provide 

support for state LBE programs. For example:

■ The Rocky Mountain Climate Organization (RMCO)

started the Colorado Climate Project, which is modeled 

after several state climate change initiatives. RMCO is 

a coalition of more than 30 local governments, utilities, 

businesses, and nonprofit organizations whose goal is 

to communicate the effects of climate change and provide information on how to address these impacts. The 

project’s mission is to reduce the state’s contributions 

and vulnerability to climate change by developing and 

promoting a Colorado Climate Agenda of actions to 

reduce the state’s GHG emissions. The recommended 

agenda will be presented to the state’s governor, legislature, and other policymakers (RMCO, 2006).

■ The Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP)

is a nonprofit organization working to advance energy 

efficiency in the Northeast. NEEP composed a letter to 

the governor of Connecticut commenting on recommendations by a working group of representatives from 

the Department of Public Utility Control, the Office 

of Consumer Counsel, and the Energy Conservation 

Management Board in the report On Energy Efficiency 

Opportunities at State Facilities. NEEP voiced support 

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance is a non-profit 

regional organization that brings together state and local 

governments, electric utilities, public interest groups, and 

energy efficiency industrial representatives to encourage 

marketplace adoption of energy-efficient products and 

services. The alliance supports and creates partnerships with 

local government associations in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and 

Washington, providing a forum for information sharing. 

Source: NWEA, 2006.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) 

Higher Education Committee

The ACORE Higher Education Committee (HEC) is an extragovernmental entity that supports and influences state 

government LBE activities. The HEC aims to demonstrate 

the potential for a transition to a cleaner, more secure, more 

reliable, and less expensive energy future, and to develop 

educational materials and curricula about energy in schools. To 

achieve these objectives, the committee established goals to 

encourage 100 U.S. colleges and universities to:

Purchase 100% renewable energy by 2010. ■

Invest at least 10% of their endowments into funds that support ■

renewable energy companies by 2010. 

Create renewable energy courses of study by 2010. ■

Source: ACORE, 2006.

102 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Three
for the recommendations, suggested six additional 

opportunities for improving energy efficiency in state 

facilities, and offered its assistance in implementing 

these recommendations. (NEEP, 2005; Department of 

Public Utility Control, 2006).

■ The Association of Washington Cities (AWC) is a private, 

nonprofit corporation that represents Washington’s 

cities and towns before the state legislature and other 

state organizations. Through its Local Government Energy Project, the AWC provides assistance to member 

governments on energy efficiency and energy policy 

matters. The association also monitors regional and 

state energy policy issues and represents its constituent 

cities in state and federal energy policy development 

(Association of Washington Cities, 2006).

■ The National Governors Association (NGA) launched 

its Securing a Clean Energy Future (SCEF) Initiative 

in July 2007 with the objective of enlisting all U.S. 

governors in enacting clean energy policies at the state 

level. NGA is developing a variety of tools, including 

guides, reports, regional workshops, and national summits, to help governors understand the specific energy 

challenges in their states and implement policies to 

address these challenges. In addition, the SCEF initiative emphasizes the role of public-private partnerships 

to assist states in achieving their clean energy goals. 

In one such partnership, Greening State Capitols, the 

SCEF Initiative has joined with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 

to conduct energy audits of state capitol complexes. A 

team of Wal-Mart engineering experts will perform 

energy audits for up to 20 state capitol complexes during 2008 and 2009. The audits, which will be free to the 

states, will recommend energy efficiency improvements 

and provide estimates of resulting CO2

 emissions. A 

second partnership is with the Climate Savers Computing Initiative (CSCA), a nonprofit initiative founded 

by Google and Intel to encourage the use of more 

energy-efficient computers and servers in state offices and agencies. Participating states agree to reduce 

energy consumption from a majority of their computing equipment by: 1) pledging to purchase computer 

equipment that meets or exceeds ENERGY STAR 

ratings, 2) optimizing existing computer systems by 

educating employees about energy efficient computer 

power management strategies, 3) and over time, purchasing computing equipment with increasing levels of 

energy efficiency. (NGA, 2008, 2008a, 2007).

Another recent NGA initiative is the Advanced Energy 

Strategies for Buildings Policy Academy, designed to 

help states develop an action plan and implementation 

strategy around improving energy use in buildings. 

NGA’s Center for Best Practices selected seven states 

to participate in this program.The state teams will 

work with leading experts to develop action plans that 

identify cost-effective strategies for reducing energy 

use in buildings; design new policies, programs, and 

measures that promote energy efficiency and renewable 

energy; and develop innovative financing and funding 

options (NGA, 2008b). 

References

■ACORE. 2006. Higher Education Committee (HEC). 

Available: http://www.acore.org/programs/hec/. 

Accessed 12/12/2006. 

■Apollo Alliance. 2005. New Energy for Campuses, 

Energy Saving Policies for Colleges and Universities. 

The Apollo Alliance. Available: http://www.

energyaction.net/documents/new_energy.pdf. Accessed 

12/11/2006. 

■Arizona. 2005. Arizona Department of Commerce 

Energy Programs. Available: http://new.azcommerce.

com/Energy/. Accessed 12/11/2006.

■Association of Washington Cities. 2006. Local 

Government Energy Project Web site. Available: http://

www.awcnet.org/portal/studionew.asp?Mode=b1&

WebID=1&UID=&MenuActionTypeID=80&Menu

ActionParm=100&OriginPage=/portal/studionew.

asp&EDate=&ChannelLinkID=1394. Accessed 

3/7/2007. 

■Burlington. 2006. Alliance for Climate Action 10% 

Challenge. Available: http://www.10percentchallenge.

org/. Accessed 4/30/2007. 

■CaLEEP. 2006. California Local Energy Efficiency 

Program. Available: http://www.caleep.com/. Accessed 

12/12/2006.

■California. 2004. Executive Order S-20-04, Green 

Building Initiative. December. Available: http://gov.

ca.gov/executive-order/3360/. Accessed: 2/26/2008.

■California. 2004a. Green Building Action 

Plan. Available: http://www.green.ca.gov/

GreenBuildingActionPlan/default.htm. Accessed: 

2/26/2008.

Chapter Three | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 103
Table 3.5.2 Chapter 3: Establish the LE Program Framework: Selected Resources

State Title and Description URL

Examples of State Plans and Guidance for Implementing LBE Programs

Connecticut The Leading by Example report details steps taken by the 

Connecticut state government to establish framework for 

developing a Climate Change Action Plan for the state. This 

report and other links on the Connecticut Climate Change 

Web site provide information on the process used to develop 

the plan and current LBE initiatives for implementing the 

plan.

Report: http://ctclimatechange.com/

StateActionPlan.html

Web site: http://www.ctclimatechange.

com/rbf_rept.html

Maine Maine’s Clean Energy Government Website details the 

energy-related accomplishments of Maine's Clean 

Government Initiative – including energy efficiency in state 

buildings, energy efficiency in fleets, and use of renewable 

energy.

http://www.maineenergyinfo.org/

examples.html

Massachusetts The Agency Sustainability Planning and Implementation 

Guide is intended to help state agencies understand the 

environmental impacts of their day-to-day operations and 

implement specific actions as part of the broader State 

Sustainability Program.

http://www.ncprojectgreen.com/

Documents/AgencySusGuide.pdf

http://www.mass.gov/envir/Sustainable/

pdf/ss_guide_web.pdf

New York NYSERDA has developed “Green and Clean” State 

Buildings and Vehicles Guidelines to aid state agencies in 

implementing Executive Order No. 111. 

http://www.nyserda.org/programs/State_

Government/exorder111guidelines.pdf

State Executive Orders for Initiating LBE Programs

Massachusetts Executive Order 484 establishes goals for state agencies for 

energy consumption reduction, GHG emission reductions, 

and use of renewable sources.

http://www.mass.gov/Agov3/docs/

Executive%20Orders/Leading%20by%20

Example%20EO.pdf

Virginia Executive Order 48 establishes goals for state agencies to 

reduce annual energy costs. 

http://www.governor.virginia.gov/

initiatives/ExecutiveOrders/pdf/EO_48.pdf

Resources for Implementing LBE Programs

California Public 

Utilities Commission

California’s Local Energy Efficiency Program (CALeep) 

designs and implements energy efficiency strategies for 

communities—maximizing the use of existing energy 

efficiency initiatives and resources.

http://www.caleep.org/

National Governors’ 

Association 

Securing A Clean Energy Future is an NGA initiative that 

provides state governments with resources on clean energy 

opportunities. The Web site provides best practices and state 

initiatives. 

http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/

menuitem.751b186f65e10b568a278110501

010a0/?vgnextoid=f080dd9ebe318110Vgn

VCM1000001a01010aRCRD&vgnextchann

el=92ebc7df618a2010VgnVCM1000001a0

1010aRCRD

104 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Three
■California. 2006. California & Utilities Join Forces to 

Save Energy in State Buildings, State Leads by Example 

on Energy Conservation; Officials Urge Private Sector 

to Take Advantage of California Investor-Owned 

Utilities’ Programs & Incentives. Available: http://

www.dgs.ca.gov/Press/06-07/060829.htm. Accessed 

12/11/2006.

■California. 2007. Green California Web site. Available: 

http://www.green.ca.gov/default.htm. Accessed: 

2/26/2008.

■California Legislative Information. 2008. Assembly 

Bill No. 532 Available: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/

pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_0501-0550/ab_532_

bill_20071013_chaptered.pdf. Accessed 7/28/2008.

■California State Treasurer’s Office. 2006. The “Green 

Wave” Environmental Investment Initiative. Available: 

http://www.treasurer.ca.gov/greenwave/. Accessed 

12/11/2006. 

■Connecticut. 2002. Leading By Example: Connecticut 

Collaborates to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. 

A report based on a summit held at the Pocantico 

Conference Center of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. 

Pocantico Paper No 6. October 2–4. Available: 

http://ctclimatechange.com/rbf_rept.html. Accessed 

12/6/2006.

■Connecticut. 2006. Personal communication with 

Bryan Garcia, CT Innovations, and John Ruckes, 

Connecticut Office of Policy Management. June 5, 2006.

■Department of Public Utility Control. 2006. Report 

to Governor M. Jodi Rell on Energy Efficiency 

Opportunities at State Facilities. Department of Public 

Utility Control, Office of Consumer Counsel, Energy 

Conservation Management Board. Available: http://

www.neep.org/newsletter/1Q2005/Report_to_Gov_

Rell_05.pdf. Accessed 1/12/2007.

■Efficiency Vermont. 2006. Residential/Commercial. 

Available: http://www.efficiencyvermont.com/pages/. 

Accessed 12/11/2006.

■Florida. 2007. Executive Order 07-126. Available: 

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/ClimateChange/

files/200707_13_eo_07_126.pdf. Accessed 9/09/2008. 

■Florida. 2008. Serve to Preserve Summit on Climate 

Change. Available: http://dms.myflorida.com/other_

programs/serve_to_preserve/leading_by_example/

executive_orders_partnership_agreements. Accessed 

9/09/2008. 

Chapter Three | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 105

■FYP. 2003. Water/Wastewater Guide 1: Reduce Energy 

Use in Water and Wastewater Facilities Through 

Conservation and Efficiency Measures. Flex Your 

Power. Available: http://www.fypower.org/pdf/BPG_

Water1_Con&Eff.pdf. Accessed 4/4/2007. 

■Georgia. 2006. Personal communication with Kevin 

Kelly, Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority. June 

8, 2006.

■Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority. 2008. 

Governor’s Energy Challenge. Available: http://www.

gefa.org/Index.aspx?page=385 Accessed 7/28/2008.

■Hawaii. 2006. Act 96: An Act Relating to Energy. 

Available: http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/

efficiency/state/Act96_reprint.pdf. Accessed 4/20/2007. 

■ Iowa. 2005. Executive Order Number 41. Available: 

http://www.dsireusa.org/documents/Incentives/IA09R.

pdf. Accessed 5/8/2007. 

■ Iowa. 2006. Iowa State Facilities Program. Available: 

http://www.iowadnr.com/energy/ebank/sfp.html. 

Accessed 12/11/2006.

■King County, Washington. 2006. Environmental 

Purchasing Program. Available: http://www.metrokc.

gov/procure/green/index.htm. Accessed 12/12/2006.

■Maine. 2006. Welcome to Maine Clean Government. 

Available: http://www.maine.gov/cleangovt/. Accessed 

12/12/2006.

■Massachusetts. 2002. Executive Order 438: State 

Sustainability Program. Available: http://www.

lawlib.state.ma.us/ExecOrders/eo438.txt. Accessed 

4/25/2007. 

■Massachusetts. 2004. Agency Sustainability Planning 

and Implementation Guide. Commonwealth of 

Massachusetts State Sustainability Program. Prepared 

by the State Sustainability Coordinating Council & 

State Sustainability Program Staff. Available: http://

www.mass.gov/envir/Sustainable/pdf/ss_guide_web.

pdf and http://www.ncprojectgreen.com/Documents/

AgencySusGuide.pdf. Accessed: 4/25/2007, 11/14/2008.

■Massachusetts. 2006a. Massachusetts 

Green Community. Available: http://www.

greencommunitiesonline.org/massachusetts/. Accessed 

12/11/2006. 
■Massachusetts. 2006b. Personal communication with 

Eric Friedman and Ian Finalyson, Executive Office of 

Environmental Affairs. June 1, 2006.

■Massachusetts. 2006c. Bulletin 11—Energy 

Conservation at Executive Agencies. Executive 

Office for Administration and Finance. Available: 

http://www.mass.gov/envir/Sustainable/pdf/anf_

administrativebulletin11.pdf. Accessed 4/25/2007. 

■Massachusetts. 2006d. Bulletin 12—Establishment 

of Minimum Standards for Sustainable Design 

and Construction of New Buildings and major 

Renovations by Executive Agencies. Executive 

Office for Administration and Finance. Available: 

http://www.mass.gov/envir/Sustainable/pdf/anf_

administrativebulletin12.pdf. Accessed 4/25/2007.

■Massachusetts. 2006e. Bulletin 13—Establishment 

of Minimum Requirements for Bio-Fuel Usage in 

State Vehicles and Buildings by Executive Agencies. 

Executive Office for Administration and Finance. 

Available: http://www.mass.gov/envir/Sustainable/pdf/

anf_administrativebulletin13.pdf. Accessed 4/25/2007.

■Massachusetts. 2007. Executive Order 484: Leading 

by Example – Clean Energy and Efficient Buildings. 

Available: http://www.mass.gov/envir/Sustainable/

pdf/07_eo484.pdf. Accessed 6/22/2007.

■Massachusetts. 2008. Leading by Example. Executive 

Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Available: 

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eoeeamodulechunk

&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Eoeea&b=terminalcontent

&f=eea_lbe_lbe_program&csid=Eoeea. Accessed: 

11/23/2008.

■Miller, J. 2008. Memo on California’s Building Energy 

Use Data. February 14.

■NEEP. 2005. Letter to Governor Rell, March 22, 2005. 

Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships. Available: 

http://www.neep.org/policy_and_outreach/letter_Gov_

Rell _3.22.05.pdf. Accessed 4/25/2007. 

■NEG-ECP. 2006. The Conference of New England 

Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers Climate 

Change Action Plan: 2006 Discussion Paper. Available: 

http://www.neg-ecp-environment.org/newsletters/

News_2006_DISCUSSION_PAPER_Climate_Change_

Action_Plan.pdf. Accessed 3/7/2007. 

■New Hampshire. 2006. Building Energy Conservation 

Initiative. Available: http://nh.gov/oep/programs/

energy/beci.htm. Accessed 12/11/2006.

106 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Three

■New Jersey. Undated. About SmartStart Schools.

Available: http://www.njsmartstartbuildings.com/

smartstartschools/about/index.html. Accessed 

6/28/2007.

■National Governors Association. 2008. Securing a 

Clean Energy Future Web site. Available: http://www.

nga.org/ci. Accessed: 2/26/2008.

■National Governors Association. 2008a. Greening 

State Capitols. February. Available: http://www.nga.

org/Files/pdf/0802GREENCAPITOLS.PDF. Accessed: 

2/26/2008.

■National Governors Association. 2008b. News 

Release: NGA Center to Help States Improve Energy 

Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Buildings. November. Available: http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/

menuitem.6c9a8a9ebc6ae07eee28aca9501010a0/?vgne

xtoid=42f8293b0669d110VgnVCM1000001a01010aR

CRD&vgnextchannel=759b8f2005361010VgnVCM10

00001a01010aRCRD. Accessed: 12/01/2008.

■National Governors Association. 2007. News Release: 

Governors Announce Groundbreaking Energy 

Efficiency Partnership with Climate Savers Computing 

Initiative. November 7. Available: http://www.nga.org/

portal/site/nga/menuitem.6c9a8a9ebc6ae07eee28aca9

501010a0/?vgnextoid=b219f02788a16110VgnVCM10

00001a01010aRCRD. Accessed: 2/26/2008.

■North Carolina. 2006. Energy Conservation. 

North Carolina State Energy Office, Department of 

Conservation. Available: http://www.energync.net/

efficiency/government.html. Accessed 12/11/2006. 

■NWEA, 2006. Local Government Associations. 

Available: http://www.nwalliance.org/ourwork/

projectsummary.aspx?ID=53. Accessed 4/4/2007. 

■NYSERDA. 2001. New York State. Executive Order 111 

Web site. Available: http://www.nyserda.org/programs/

exorder111.asp. Accessed 12/12/2006.

■NYSERDA. 2002. NYSERDA State Energy Planning 

Web site. New York State Energy Plan 2002. Available: 

http://www.nyserda.org/Energy_Information/energy_

state_plan.asp. Accessed 12/12/2006.

■NYSERDA. 2004. Municipal Water and Wastewater 

Treatment. Available: http://www.nyserda.org/

Programs/Environment/muniwaterwwt.asp. Accessed 

12/11/2006.
■NYSERDA. 2006. Conversation with Brian Henderson, 

Charl-Pan Dawson, and Matthew Brown of NYSERDA. 

June 2, 2006.

■Ohio Office of the Governor. 2007. Executive Order 

2007-02S. Available: http://www.governor.ohio.

gov/Portals/0/Executive%20Orders/Executive%20

Order%202007-02S.pdf. Accessed: 7/29/2008.

■Ohio School Facilities Commission. 2008. OSFC’s 

Green Schools Initiative. Available: http://www.osfc.

state.oh.us/. Accessed 7/28/2008.

■Pennsylvania. 2006. Guaranteed Energy Savings. 

Pennsylvania Department of General Services. 

Available: http://www.dgs.state.pa.us/dgs/cwp/

view.asp?a = 3&q = 113676&dgsNav = |. Accessed 

12/11/2006.

■Pew Center on Global Climate Change. 2006. State 

Action Maps. Available: http://www.pewclimate.org/

what_s_being_done/in_the_states/state_action_maps.

cfm. Accessed 12/7/2006.

■Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. 2006. Healthy People, 

Healthy Places, Healthy Planet. Available: http://www.

pscleanair.org/. Accessed 12/7/2006. 

■RMCO. 2006. Rocky Mountain Climate Organization 

Web site. Available: http://www.rockymountainclimate.

org/index.htm. Accessed: 12/7/2006.

■Salt Lake City. 2005. Energy Conservation, Buildings 

and Municipal Operations. Available: http://www.

slcgreen.com/pages/energy.htm. Accessed 12/12/2006.

■San Francisco. 2005. San Francisco Becomes First City 

in the Country to Adopt Green Building Standards. 

Press Release. Available: http://www.sfgov.org/site/

mayor_page.asp?id = 33620. Accessed 12/11/2006. 

■South Carolina Legislature Online. 2005. South 

Carolina Code of Laws (Unannotated) Current 

through the End of the 2005 Regular Session. 

Available: http://www.scstatehouse.net/code/t48c052.

htm. Accessed 12/12/2006.

■Texas. 2006. Performance Contracting Guidelines. 

Available: http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/sa_pc.htm. 

Accessed 12/11/2006. 

Chapter Three | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 107

■U.S. Conference of Mayors. 2005. Resolution 

Endorsing the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection 

Agreement. Available: http://usmayors.org/uscm/

resolutions/73rd_conference/en_01.asp. Accessed 

3/7/2007. 

■U.S. DOE. 2006. Buying Green Power. Large 

Purchasers of Green Power Montgomery County 

(MD). Available: http://www.eere.energy.gov/

greenpower/buying/customers.shtml?page = 

1&companyid = 327. Accessed 12/11/2006. 

■U.S. DOE. 2007. Office of Energy Efficiency and 

Renewable Energy. South Carolina Savings Matrix 

Delivers Accountability. November-December. 

Available: http://www.eere.energy.gov/state_energy_

program/feature_detail_info.cfm/start=1/fid=76. 

Accessed: 2/28/2008.

■U.S. EPA. 2006a. CHP Partnership Case Study, The 

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Available: 

http://www.epa.gov/chp/pdf/unc.pdf. Accessed 

12/11/2006.

■U.S. EPA. 2006b. Green Power Partnership, 

Partnership List, Western Washington University. 

Available: http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/partners/

partners/westernwashingtonuniversity.htm. Accessed 

12/17/2006.

■U.S. EPA. 2006c. Clean Energy-Environment Guide to 

Action: Policies, Best Practices, and Action Steps for 

States, Section 3.1: Lead by Example. April. Available: 

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/

state-and-local/state-best-practices.html. Accessed: 

July 27, 2008.

■Utah. 2006a. Executive Order 2006-0004: Improving 

Energy Efficiency. Available: http://www.rules.utah.

gov/execdocs/2006/ExecDoc113478.htm. Accessed 

12/12/2006.

■Utah. 2006b. Utah Policy to Advance Energy Efficiency 

in the State. Available: http://energy.utah.gov/energy/

policy/utah_policy_to_advance_energy_efficiency_in_

the_state.html. Accessed 12/12/2006.

■Washington. 2006. Energy Savings Performance 

Contracting: House Bill 2247. Washington State 

Department of General Administration. Available: 

http://www.ga.wa.gov/eas/epc/espc.htm. Accessed 

12/11/2006.
■White House. 2007. Executive Order: Strengthening 

Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation 

Management. January 24, 2007. Available: http://www.

whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/01/20070124-2.

html. Accessed 3/21/2007. 

■Wisconsin DOA. 2003. Doyle Administration 

Endorses Innovative Co-Generation Power Plant Near 

UW-Madison Campus. Press Release, May 09, 2003. 

Wisconsin Department of Administration. Available: 

http://www.doa.state.wi.us/press_releases_detail.

asp?prid=136&divid=4. Accessed 4/4/2007. 

■Wisconsin Office of the Governor. 2005. Governor 

Signs ‘Green Buildings’ Executive Order to Raise 

Environmental and Energy Efficiency Standards in 

State Buildings. Available: http://www.wisgov.state.

wi.us/journal_media_detail.asp?locid = 19&prid = 

1905. Accessed 12/27/2006.

108 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Three

■Wisconsin Office of the Governor. 2006. Executive 

Order #145. Available: http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/

journal_media_detail.asp?locid = 19&prid = 1907. 

Accessed 12/12/2006.

■Wisconsin Office of the Lieutenant Governor. 2008. 

Lt. Governor Lawton’s Energy Star School Challenge. 

April 24. Available: http://ltgov.wisconsin.gov/issues_

view.asp?issueid=27&locid=126. Accessed 7/28/2008.
Chapter Four

Screening LBE

Activities and Measures 

This chapter addresses the second 

important step in developing a LBE 

program: screening an initial set of 

potential LBE activities and measures 

(as described in Chapter 2) to 

identify a subset for inclusion in the 

state’s LBE portfolio. 

Chapter Four | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 109

DOCuMENT MAP

Chapter one 

Introduction

Chapter tWo 

Potential LBE Activities and Measures

Chapter three 

Establish the LBE Program Framework

Chapter four 

Screen LBE Activities and Measures

Chapter fIve 

Develop LBE Program

Chapter sIx 

Track, Evaluate, and Report on Progress 

To assist in this process, several “rules of thumb” are 

presented that can be used to establish a high-level 

estimate of the benefits and costs of LBE activities 

and measures. For states seeking a tailored analysis, 

a series of well-regarded and interactive “preliminary 

assessment tools” are also provided. This chapter also 

describes options for those interested in working with a 

consultant, efficiency program administrator, or energy 

services company (ESCO) for detailed technical assistance on activity and measure selection. Information 

is also presented on methods for refining these initial 

screening results over time as state priorities are clarified and additional resources become available. 

This chapter is organized around the following four key 

steps in screening LBE activities and measures:

■ Selecting an initial set of LBE activities and measures 

for assessment.

■ Developing criteria to use in assessing the prospective 

LBE activities and measures.

Chapter Four Contents

4.1. Select initial LBE activities and measures 

4.2. Develop assessment criteria

4.3. Estimate costs and benefits of LBE activities

4.4. Select LBE activities and measures

4.5. State examples of screening LBE activities and 

measures

Related appendices:

Appendix B, State and Local Clean Energy LBE 

Programs: Examples, Tools, and Information Resources. 

This appendix presents examples of state and local LBE 

activities, as well as resources for each of the activities 

described in this chapter.

Appendix H, State LBE Tracking Tools and Resources. 

This appendix presents both simple and complex tools 

that states can use to estimate energy consumption 

reductions from LBE activities and the environmental 

and economic benefits associated with these 

reductions.
■ Estimating the costs and benefits of each LBE activity 

and measure using simple assessment tools and rules of 

thumb.

■ Selecting the LBE activities and measures to include 

the state LBE program, using the selection criteria to 

assess the relative costs and benefits of each potential 

activity or measure. 

4.1 Select LBE Activities and

Measures for Screening

The first step in LBE screening is to identify the broad 

set of prospective activities and measures for consideration. This set of options can include all or some 

of those identified in Chapter 2, Lead by Example 

Activities and Measures. The decision on which activities and measures to include is based on how likely 

each is to assist states in meeting their overall LBE 

goals, as identified when establishing the LBE program 

framework (see Chapter 3, Establish the LBE Program 

Framework). 

4.2 Develop Assessment Criteria

After identifying a broad set of activities and measures for consideration, states can develop criteria for 

determining which to include in their LBE program. 

Developing criteria involves balancing priorities and 

requirements specific to state needs and circumstances. 

Criteria may include:

■ Energy Savings. States can compare anticipated energy 

savings across LBE activities or establish a minimum 

threshold, such as a specific percentage contribution 

toward an LBE goal. 

Example: One criterion used by the Connecticut 

Working Group on energy efficiency opportunities at 

state facilities is potential energy savings (Department of 

Public Utility Control, 2005).

■ Financial Criteria. Common criteria are payback 

periods and life-cycle costs. Funding availability for 

candidate LBE activities can also be an important 

financial criterion, since states might want to save 

money and reduce administrative effort by prioritizing activities for which funding is readily available or 

easily obtained. Some funding mechanisms are available only for specific activities (e.g., loans for energy 

efficiency investments typically cannot be used to fund 

110 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Four

green power purchases). (See Section 5.2, Funding 

the LBE Program, for more information on funding 

mechanisms.)

Example: The Colorado Greening Government Planning and Implementation Guide directs state agencies to 

prioritize actions that take into account life cycle costs 

and to select the ones with the shortest payback periods 

(Colorado, 2006).

■ Environmental Benefits. Criteria can address key environmental concerns, such as requiring LBE activities 

to contribute a certain percentage to state government 

GHG emission reduction goals. 

ExampleS: In Pennsylvania, the Governor’s Green Government Council was directed to facilitate government 

practices that would reduce state government’s emissions 

to zero (Pennsylvania, 1998). 

A Colorado executive order requires the state Greening Government Coordinating Council to implement 

activities that prevent pollution and conserve natural 

resources, in addition to saving energy (Colorado, 2005).

■ Economic Development. States can look for activities 

that encourage local economic development and job 

growth in the state. 

Example: For example, an executive order directs the 

Oregon Sustainability Board to encourage state LBE 

activities that support in-state bio-energy markets (Oregon, 2006).

■ Visibility. Criteria can focus on LBE activities that are 

highly visible or are likely to have spillover effects into 

the private sector. This can include giving priority to 

LBE activities in state facilities (e.g., schools) where 

the public has the most contact, or to energy-efficiency 

product procurement activities that can stimulate the 

local economy and encourage the development of energy efficiency service markets.

■ Feasibility. Criteria can be based on likelihood of 

success or ease of implementation. Feasibility criteria 

can be informed by LBE activities in other states and 

may include political feasibility, such as timing (e.g., 

activities that can be implemented within the current 

election term) and addressing the clean energy needs 

of key stakeholders.

ExampleS: In addition to considering energy savings, 

the Connecticut Working Group on energy efficiency 
opportunities at state facilities identified activities based 

on their ability to be implemented immediately (Department of Public Utility Control, 2005). 

The governor of Pennsylvania directed the Interagency 

Task Force on Energy to facilitate activities that foster 

strong working relationships with stakeholders (Pennsylvania, 2002).

When developing feasibility criteria, it is helpful to 

identify barriers to the state’s ability to implement LBE 

activities and measures. States can select options for 

which barriers are minimal or for which there are clear 

strategies for overcoming them. A variety of barriers 

are applicable across all LBE activities and measures, 

including lack of management commitment, limited 

information and knowledge, limited time and staff 

availability, lack of comprehensive measurement tools 

and methodologies, financial barriers, policy and 

political disincentives and issues, and length of time 

required for decision-making (NAPEE, 2008). 

In addition, states encounter barriers that affect specific types of LBE activities. Assessing these barriers 

can provide states with valuable information when 

determining the most appropriate activities to include 

in their LBE program. Table 4.2.1 presents a summary 

of barriers by type of LBE activity and options for 

overcoming them. Additional information on developing strategies for lowering both activity-specific and 

general LBE barriers is provided in Chapter 5, Develop 

LBE Program.

4.3 Estimate Benefits and Costs 

of LBE Activities 

The next step in screening LBE activities and measures 

is conducting an initial estimate of the potential benefits and costs based on the criteria identified above. 

The simple screening tools described in this section 

can help quantify the energy savings, costs, emission reductions, and other effects of prospective LBE 

options at a level of rigor that is sufficient for initial 

purposes. 

Prior to using these tools, it is important to gather 

baseline information on the energy consumption and 

size (e.g., building square footage, number of vehicles) 

of state facilities, operations, and fleets, and associated expenditures. As noted in Section 3.4.1, Establish 

LBE Goals, this information may have already been 

collected for the purpose of setting LBE goals. For 

more information on developing a baseline, see Section 6.3, Conduct Energy and Emissions Tracking and 

Benchmarking.

Section 4.3.1 presents rules of thumb for obtaining an 

initial impression of the quantitative costs and benefits 

of prospective LBE activities and measures, and Section 4.3.2 summarizes tools to help make further assessments of the effects of LBE activities.

Michigan - Financial Criteria for Developing an 

Energy Reduction Strategy

The Michigan Department of Management and Budget (DMB) 

is developing an energy reduction strategy to reduce utility 

expenditures by 10% for DMB-managed and owned buildings 

by the end of 2008 based on utility expenditures in 2002. 

Criteria for determining the overall strategy include:

Ensure “low-hanging fruit” has been picked. ■

Focus on improvements that offer 20%-40% rate of return. ■

Strive for a payback of five years of less. ■

LBE activities selected on the basis of these criteria include:

Energy conservation and use reduction measures. ■

Green power renewable energy (purchasing methane landfill ■

gas).

Improved maintenance and upkeep. ■

Procurement and billing management. ■

Renegotiation of energy contracts. ■

Sources: Michigan, 2005 and 2007.

Massachusetts State Sustainability Program: 

Selection Criteria

The Massachusetts Agency Sustainability Planning and 

Implementation Guide outlines a wide range of LBE activities 

and measures related to:

GHG emission reduction strategies. ■

Sustainable design and construction (new and existing ■

facilities).

Environmentally preferable purchasing. ■

It directs state agencies to prioritize and select LBE measures 

based on:

Overall cost. ■

Potential environmental impact. ■

Payback period. ■

Ease of implementation. ■

Source: Massachusetts, 2004.

Chapter Four | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 111
Table 4.2.1. Barriers to Individual LBE Activities

LBE Activity Barrier Possible Response

Energy Efficiency 

Measures in Existing 

Buildings

Leasing, rather than owning, state facilities can be ■

a barrier to retrofit programs because the building 

owner, rather than the state, is responsible for the 

building infrastructure. Thus, states have limited 

influence on whether energy efficiency measures 

are implemented. 

Make the case to the building owner and manager ■

that energy cost savings result from energy 

efficiency measures.

Incorporate ENERGY STAR criteria into lease ■

agreements when they are renegotiated for 

renewal

Establish executive orders or legislation to direct ■

state agencies to give preference to ENERGY STAR 

and LEED-certified spaces when pursuing building 

spaces for lease.

Energy Efficiency 

Measures in New 

Buildings / Green 

Buildings

High capital costs present a financial hurdle. ■

Actual energy and cost savings are sometimes less ■

than anticipated.

Architects and designers may be unwilling to ■

commit the additional effort needed to make the 

integrated design process fully effective.

In some cases it may make sense to incorporate ■

green principles in a retrofitted building rather 

than design a new structure, since it is easier to 

access the O&M budget and to make the case 

using life-cycle cost analysis.

When making the case for green buildings, use ■

realistic estimates of benefits.

States can choose to offer designers and architects ■

energy performance bonuses to be distributed 

only if the building meets an agreed-upon 

efficiency target. 

Consider innovative funding mechanisms, such as ■

performance contracting.

Energy-Efficient 

Product Procurement

Some states require government purchasing ■

agents to make purchase decisions based on 

products with the lowest upfront costs. However, 

energy savings from energy-efficient products are 

not realized until the products are employed. 

Purchasing authority is sometimes dispersed ■

across agencies.

When mandatory low-bid requirements are in ■

place, legislative authority may be required to 

modify procurement regulations to require lifecycle costing.

Investigate the possibility of aggregating ■

purchasing contracts among state agencies.

Green Power 

Purchasing

The market can fail to value the benefits of ■

renewable energy.

Green power is more expensive than conventional ■

generation.

Externalities are not included in the price of ■

conventional electricity.

Set targets to ensure green power usage. ■

Provide recognition for green power users. ■

Offer exemptions from utility fuel clause ■

adjustment and future environmental control 

costs.

Clean Energy 

Generation

New technologies must compete with mature ■

power generation technologies.

Regulatory disincentives, such as non-uniform ■

interconnection standards and environmental 

permitting, can present barriers to implementing 

new clean energy technologies.

Build on knowledge from private sector through ■

communications outreach. 

Establish interagency partnerships to create ■

leverage on industry.

Establish tax credits and subsidies. ■

Standardize interconnection standards (i.e., at the ■

federal level).

112 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Four
Advantages of Using Simple Screening Tools

Benefit and cost calculations based on rules of thumb and/or 

simple screening tools require relatively little analytical work, 

are usually transparent, and are easily adapted to an initial 

screening of LBE activities, which may be repeatedly revised 

and redefined over the course of the program development 

and implementation. 

4.3.1 Rules of Thumb

Rules of thumb can be used to provide rough estimates 

of the benefits and costs of prospective LBE programs 

and help determine the specific activities and measures 

to pursue. These rules of thumb are typically simple 

calculations that produce first-order approximations 

suitable for an initial screening. While these calculations require relatively little analytical work and are less 

data-intensive than other approaches, they necessarily 

provide only approximate, “ballpark” estimates. Cost 

and benefit estimates derived from rules of thumb can 

vary greatly based, for example, on region, weather 

conditions, and other factors. As a result, they are not 

typically the sole basis for making final decisions about 

which LBE activities to include in a state program and 

are rarely, if ever, used to make energy savings claims 

in a regulatory setting.

Table 4.3.1 provides rules of thumb for the following 

LBE activities:

■ Energy Efficiency in Buildings

■ Green Buildings

■ Energy-Efficient Product Procurement

■ Green Power Purchases

■ Clean Energy Generation

4.3.2 Preliminary Clean Energy Analysis

Tools

The rules of thumb described above provide rough 

estimates for the purpose of screening LBE activities. 

Numerous tools and resources exist for going beyond 

these rough numbers to develop more rigorous calculations of the benefits and costs of LBE activities and 

measures. Eleven easy-to-use clean energy analysis 

tools, categorized by type of tool, are summarized in 

Table 4.3.2. States can use these tools to: 1) help assess 

the energy performance of energy efficiency approaches being considered in new and existing buildings, 2) 

estimate GHG and air pollutant emission reductions, 

3) estimate energy savings at the community level, and 

4) investigate the financial impacts of efficiency investments. If states require a higher degree of accuracy or 

precision in their results than what is offered by rules 

of thumb or preliminary assessment tools, they can follow the suggestions in the text box below (See “Further 

Quantitative Analysis”).

Estimating the benefits of LBE activities and measures 

can be conducted prospectively or retrospectively with 

respect to program implementation. The tools and 

resources describe in this chapter are prospective 

in nature. However, once states have implemented 

a suite of activities it is important to look backward 

and conduct a retrospective assessment of program 

effectiveness. This topic and the related post-implementation step of tracking the progress of LBE activities and measures are addressed in detail in Chapter 

6. A In addition, Appendix H, State LBE Tracking 

Tools and Resources, contains an annotated inventory 

of a wide range of tools for tracking energy savings, 

environmental emissions, economic benefits and other 

clean energy impacts and evaluating LBE programs 

and activities 

Further Quantitative Analysis

Ultimately, more extensive analysis may be needed beyond 

the rules of thumb and preliminary assessment tools that 

provide an initial sense of the costs and benefits of LBE 

activities. Because the development of LBE activities is 

typically an ongoing, iterative process, further analysis is 

useful over time to make revisions to LBE program activities, 

design, and implementation, based on program experience 

and retrospective evaluations. A detailed analysis requires 

assembling extensive data on baseline energy consumption by 

state facilities and clean energy generation, including:

Making plausible and transparent assumptions about future ■

trends for energy consumption. 

Considering hiring outside expertise to help conduct the ■

energy analysis, and using more sophisticated quantitative 

assessment tools. 

Assessing the amount of time and effort to invest in analysis ■

– often, there are diminishing returns. The initial investment 

provides a large amount of helpful information about the 

measures, but reaching the next level of precision may require 

considerably more expense and analytical expertise. 

Ensuring that the state has its own expertise even if outside ■

experts conduct the analysis. It is important to understand the 

underlying assumptions of the model, assess whether those 

assumptions are appropriate to the state, and communicate 

results to key stakeholders. 

Chapter Four | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 113
Table 4.3.1 Rules of Thumb

Energy Efficiency in Buildings

Cost Premiums

Benefits

Energy Savings Cost Savings Increased Productivity Economic Development Other Benefits

Standard 

lighting retrofits: 

$0.90-$1.20 per 

square foot.a

High-efficiency 

packaged and 

split system A/C 

equipment: $100- 

$180 per ton more 

than standard 

efficiency models.b

Premium Efficiency 

Motors (incremental 

costs vs. standard 

replacements): 

about $16 per horse 

power (HP) for 1 

HP-10 HP motors; 

$8/HP for 11 HP to 

100 HP.c

Variable frequency 

drives (VFDs): $150- 

$200, installed.d

Commissioning 

new buildings:

$0.50-$3.00 per 

square foot.e

Retrocommissioning 

buildings: $0.05 and 

$0.40 per square 

foot.e

 

Existing 

buildings: overall 

consumption 

reductions of 

20% to 30%, with 

reductions as 

high as 35%-40%, 

depending on 

aggressiveness.f

Retrocommissioned 

commercial 

building: average 

savings of 1.7 kWh/

ft2 and average 

overall energy 

savings of 15%.j

Lighting retrofits:

save 10%-20% 

of total electric 

consumption 

in gas-heated 

buildings.h

High efficiency 

packaged and splitsystem cooling 

equipment: 25% 

less cooling energy 

than standard 

equipment and 

10%-15% less than 

ASHRAE standard.i

Building Operator 

training: 0.35-1.2 

kWh/ft2 per year.k

Existing buildings: 

reducing 

consumption by 

20% to 30% can 

produce savings 

from 6%-9% of total 

annual costs.

l

Converting 

constant volume 

HVAC systems to 

variable air volume 

systems: can save 

between $0.10/

ft2 to $0.20/ft2 or 

10%-21% of HVAC 

energy costs.m

Installing premium 

efficiency motors 

and VFDs: Potential 

energy cost savings 

are 50-85%.d

Peak energyreducing 

measures: produce 

proportionally 

greater cost savings 

than those that 

have mostly offpeak savings.

Commissioning 

new buildings:

average savings of 

$0.05/ft2.j

Retrocommissioning 

existing buildings:

save around $0.27/

ft2, resulting in 15% 

energy savings and 

a payback period of 

0.7 years.j

Existing buildings: 

improved comfort 

and better air 

quality can increase 

productivity.

Retrofitted 

buildings: 

Increased savings 

from enhanced 

productivity can 

equal up to 10 

times the energy 

cost savings.n

Existing buildings:

1% productivity 

improvements can 

offset entire annual 

utility costs.o

Existing buildings: 

For every $1 spent 

in local economy, 

energy efficiency 

generates 57¢- 84¢ 

more economic 

activity than does 

payment of energy 

bills.p

Existing Buildings: 

energy efficiency 

investments can 

increase asset value 

by $2.00-$3.00 for 

each $1.00 spent.q

Existing buildings:

a lighting power 

reduction of 

40% increases 

an ENERGY STAR 

rating by 10 points.g

Retrocommissioned 

buildings: annual 

non-energy savings, 

such as extended 

equipment life 

and improved 

air quality, are 

approximately 

$0.26/ft2.j

see next page for footnote information

114 Clean energy Lead by example Guide | Chapter FOur
Energy Efficiency in 

Buildings Footnotes

a The estimate assumes basic 1-for-1 lamp 

replacement and 1 electronic ballast per fixture to achieve the same illumination. Lamp 

and ballast costs total $20 for T8 – 800 

series equipment, 1⁄2 hour of labor at $45/

hour and 6-foot by 8-foot fixture spacing. 

Architectural design assistance and use of 

Super-T8 lighting can increase costs, but 

may result in fewer lamps and fixtures, better quality lighting design and greater energy savings (CEE, 2004).

b California DEER, 2005. 

c Arizona Public Service. Premium motor replacement program. Based on analysis of 

proprietary data conducted by Summit Blue.

d U.S. EPA. Undated(a);

e According to the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) Operations and 

Maintenance Best Practices Guide, retrocommissioning for an existing building 

generally costs between $0.05 and $0.40 

per square foot (FEMP, 2004). Median retrocommissioning costs are $0.27 per square 

foot (Mills et al., 2004) with a typical range 

of $0.13 - $0.45 per square foot.

f U.S. EPA., Undated(a); U.S. EPA. 2004; U.S. 

EPA, 2006h.

g For a typical building, a lighting power 

reduction of 40% increases the building’s 

ENERGY STAR rating by about 10 points (U.S. 

EPA. 2006j).

h Lighting energy comprises 34% of nonspace heat energy in commercial buildings. 

Retrofitting T12 lighting with standard T8 

systems saves about 32% of lighting power 

while delivering the same or improved illumination (Advance Transformer 2005 catalog Energy-Savings T12 magnetic ballast and 

T8 low-output electronic ballast–different 

lamp configurations). Total electric savings 

is 34% x 32% = 11%. Older T12 ballasts are 

less efficient than new magnetic ballasts; 

therefore, retrofitting older systems will 

save more than 11% of building electricity. 

Lighting retrofits reduce cooling loads and 

increase electricity savings, but can increase 

heating loads slightly. New lighting designs 

can employ delamping, Super-T8 or T5 systems to increase savings (U.S. DOE, 2006d).

I Estimate assumes baseline efficiency of 9.2 

energy efficiency ratio (EER) (ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004 minimum requirements for 

air-cooled equipment efficiency) and 12.5 

EER for High-efficiency equipment (ASHRAE 

90.1, section that permits omission of 

economizers due to high efficiency cooling 

equipment).

j A comprehensive study of 106 buildings 

conducted by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) estimates that 

retro-commissioning existing buildings can 

produce annual energy savings of 15% and 

annual energy cost savings of roughly $0.26 

per square foot, depending on the aggressiveness of the retrofit. The study also estimates a median retro-commissioning cost 

of $0.27 per square foot, 15% energy savings, 

and a payback period of approximately 0.7 

years, depending on the aggressiveness of 

the retrofit (Mills et al., 2004).

k Summit Blue Consulting, 2006.

l A report by BOMA International and Kingsley 

Associates estimates that energy expenses 

account for approximately 30% of a building’s total costs. If a building reduced energy 

consumption by 20% to 30%, a reasonable 

target in many existing buildings, a building’s 

total annual costs could be reduced by 6% 

to 9% (BOMA International and Kingsley Associates, 2006).

m U.S. EPA. 2006i.

n EPA estimates that increases in employee 

comfort related to improvements in energy 

performance can increase productivity in 

upgraded buildings. Revenue generated 

from this increase in productivity can equal 

as much as 10 times the energy cost savings 

received from performing upgrades (U.S. 

EPA. 2004).

o In a typical office building, the 30-year lifecycle costs are overwhelmingly comprised 

of personnel costs, with a comparatively 

small portion due to initial building capital 

or O&M costs. In dollar terms, annual costs 

per square foot come to ~$200 for personnel, ~$20 for lease/mortgage costs, ~$2 for 

utilities, and ~$2 for maintenance. Thus, very 

small improvements in staff productivity can 

more than compensate for major changes in 

the initial capital cost or building O&M. A 1% 

improvement in staff productivity equals the 

entire utility cost of a typical building (Smith, 

2002).

p When money goes toward paying energy 

bills, much of it often leaves the state, 

whereas when money is spent on other 

goods and services (whether it is a clean 

energy investment in energy efficiency and 

local green energy, or non-energy consumption), much more remains locally, 

creating economic growth and jobs within 

the state. The U.S. Department of Energy 

(DOE) estimates that for every dollar spent 

in local economies, energy efficiency generates 57¢ to 84¢ more economic activity than 

does the payment of energy bills (Hatcher 

and Dietsche, 2001). The measure of how 

much economic activity can be generated 

in a community by different combinations 

of purchasing and investment is called the 

economic multiplier. Depending on regional 

characteristics, energy-efficient LBE activities can have a high economic multiplier. 

The California Sustainable Building Task 

Force report estimates an economic multiplier of 2.23:1 for energy efficiency, meaning 

that for every dollar spent on energy efficiency in California, $2.23 is generated (U.S. 

DOE, 1996; Kats et al., 2003).

q Simple steps to improve energy efficiency 

can have substantial returns. Over a long 

time period, reductions from even small energy efficiency improvements can more than 

offset the implementation costs. EPA estimates that investments in energy-efficient 

equipment and buildings can increase the 

asset value by $2.00 to $3.00 for each $1.00 

spent (U.S. EPA. 2004).

T

Chapter Four | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 115
Green Buildings

Cost Premiums

Benefits

Energy Savings Cost Savings Increased Productivity

Average Period Payback 

(years) Other Benefits

Green buildings:

cost premiums 

average $3/ft2-$5/

ft2, or less than 2% of 

initial costs. 

New highperformance green 

buildings: cost 

premium range from 

2%-7%, depending 

on the specific 

design features 

integrated. LEED 

green buildings: 

additional cost of 

certified projects: 

0%-2.5%, Silver 

0%-3.5%, Gold 

0.5%-5%, Platinum 

4.5%+ .b

New green 

buildings: mean 

savings is 27%; 

mean value for 

actual consumption 

is 1% lower than 

modeled.d

New green 

buildings: 

50% reduced 

consumption 

compared to 

conventional new 

buildings.e

New green 

buildings: energy 

cost savings 

compared to 

conventional design 

as high as $0.47/ft2.

f

Commissioning new 

buildings: average 

savings of $0.05/

ft2.

 j

Installing highperformance 

lighting: productivity 

improvements of 

0.7%-26% with a 

median of 3.2%. h

Incorporating 

daylighting:

productivity 

improvements of 

0.45% -40%, mean 

of 5.5%. h

Increasing natural 

ventilation:

productivity 

improvements of 

3%- 18%, mean of 

8.5%.h

High-performance 

buildings: simple 

payback period can 

be as short as 2.0 

years for offices, 2.1 

years for libraries, 

and 2.6 years for 

schools.i

GHG emissions 

reductions: as high 

as 36%.k

Reduced indoor 

and outdoor water 

consumption:

30% and 50%, 

respectively. k

Reduced waste 

consumption:

50%-75%.k

Value of non-energy 

benefits: 25%-50% 

of the value of 

annual electricity 

cost savings.j

a Based on 2002 Green Building Roundtable and Prepared for the U.S. Senate. The report outlines trends, benefits, and barriers to green 

building practices (USGBC, 2003; Kats, 2003). 

b The premiums for LEED certified green buildings are average ranges (Syphers, 2003).

c Kats et al., 2003.

d A joint study by LBNL, USGBC, U.S. EPA, and U.S. DOE reviewed the modeled and actual energy performance of 21 LEED certified buildings 

across the country. Although the mean value for actual consumption was 1% lower than the modeled value, there was a wide variation 

around the mean. (Diamond, 2006). 

e Consumption can be reduced by as much as 50% in energy-efficient green compared to conventional buildings (U.S. DOE, 2006b). New 

York City defines High Performance as 40% more efficient (New York City, 1999). Pennsylvania Cambria Building consumes 50% as much 

energy as a conventional new office building (Deru and Hancock, 2003; Ziegler, 2003).

f A study of 33 LEED certified buildings assessed the financial value of the benefits of green building design. The combined financial benefits 

were found to be more than 10 times the average initial investment required to design and construct a green building. Energy cost savings 

alone were estimated at $0.47/ft2 per year ($5.79/ft2 net present value over 20 years), exceeding the average incremental cost associated 

with green buildings. (Kats et al., 2003).

g Mills et al., 2004.

h Loftness, 2005. A 1.5% increase in productivity (or a little over 7 minutes each workday) is equal to $998 per year, or $4.44/ft2 per year, 

assuming an average employee salary of $66,469 and an average space per employee of 225 ft2 (Kats et al, 2003).

i A Minnesota study quantified the benefits of 41 high performance commercial buildings in the state. The study compared their high 

performance design to the same (hypothetical) buildings designed to meet minimum requirements of the MN Energy Code (MOEA, 2005).

j From research completed for NYSERDA (Barkett, 2006).

T

116 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Four
energy-Efficient Product Procurement – All Products

Cost Premiums

Benefits

Energy Savings Energy Cost Savings

Average Payback Period 

(years) Emission Reductions

Energy-efficient as 

opposed to conventional 

products: cost premium 

varies with each product, 

but most often the 

difference is slight. 

Energy-efficient product 

procurement: savings of 

3%-12% of total building 

energy consumption.a

Energy-efficient 

product procurement: 

energy cost savings of 

4%-17% relative to total 

commercial energy 

costs.a

1 MWh of electricity saved: 

through energy-efficient 

product procurement equals 

emissions reductions of: e

■ 1,364 pounds of CO2

■ 5.6 pounds of SO2

■ 2.2 pounds NOx

a A comprehensive study of energy-efficient product procurement programs for federal, state, and local governments assessed major 

energy-use categories including HVAC, office equipment, washers, lighting, motors, and transformers. Basing its assessment on ENERGY 

STAR ratings and FEMP guidelines, the study found that diligent energy-efficient product procurement would yield roughly 3% to 12% 

energy savings by 2010, relative to total energy consumption. The study also found that energy-efficient product procurement would yield 

roughly 4% to 17% energy cost savings by 2010, relative to total energy costs. (Harris and Johnson, 2000).

b Columbia University, Undated. c U.S. EPA. Undated(b). d U.S. EPA. 2004.

e Energy Information Administration, 2005.

Energy-Efficient Product Procurement – By Type of Product

Product Category

Effective Date of Current 

Specificationa Percent Savings Compared to Conventional Product Cost-effectiveness (payback period)

Appliances

Dehumidifiers October 2006 15% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Dishwashers January 2007 40% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)b

Refrigerators and freezers April 2008 15% 4 years (refrigerators)c 

6 years (freezers)d

Room air conditioners November 2005 10% Not availablee

Room air cleaners July 2004 45% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Electronics

Battery charging systems January 2006 35% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

DVD products January 2003 60% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

External power adapters January 2005 35% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Televisions November 2008 25% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Envelope

Roof products December 2007 Not available < 4 years

Lighting

Compact fluorescent lamps January 2004 75% < 1 yearf

Office Equipment

Computers July 2007 25% - 50% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

T

Chapter FOur | Clean energy Lead by example Guide 
Energy-Efficient Product Procurement – By Type of Product

Product Category

Effective Date of Current 

Specificationa Percent Savings Compared to Conventional Product Cost-effectiveness (payback period)

Copiers April 2007 65% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Monitors July 2007 25% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Multifunction Devices April 2007 20% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Printers, fax machines, and 

mailing machines

April 2007 15% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Scanners April 2007 50% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Heating and Cooling

Air source heat pumps April 2006 5% < 5 years

Boilers April 2002 5% < 1 year

Ceiling fans September 2006 45% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Furnaces October 2006 15% < 3 years

Geothermal heat pumps April 2001 30% < 5 years for new construction

Light commercial HVAC January 2004 5% < 1 year

Ventilating fans October 2003 70% 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Commercial Food Service

Commercial dishwashers October 2007 30% 2 years

Commercial fryers August 2003 15% 2 years (for typical unit)

Commercial ice makers January 2008 25% - 30% 4 years (for typical unit)

Commercial solid door 

refrigerators and freezers

September 2001 35% 1 year

Other

Water coolers May 2004 45 % 0 years (typically no retail cost premium)

Vending machines April 2004

August 2006 

(rebuilt machines)

40 % < 1 year

a EPA and DOE develop performance-based specifications to identify efficient products in the market place that will be cost-effective to 

the consumer and will offer the expected functionality. These specifications, which are used as the basis for ENERGY STAR qualification, 

are developed using a systematic process that relies on market, engineering, and pollution savings research and input from industry 

stakeholders. Specifications are revised periodically to be more stringent, which has the effect of increasing overall market energy 

efficiency (U.S. EPA, 2007). 

b U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE, 2007c. c U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE, 2007b. d U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE, 2007a.

e U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE, 2007d. f U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE, 2008.

T

118 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Four
Green Power Purchases

Cost Premiums

Benefits

Energy Savings Energy Cost Savings Emission Reductions

Green power: about 2¢/kWh. Premiums vary by 

utility but range from 0.2¢/kWh-17.6¢/kWha

Renewable energy certificates (RECs): 1¢/kWh 

(in ME) -about 5¢/kWh (in MA). Solar REC prices 

in NJ are the highest at 25¢/kWhb

RECs offered by a certificate marketer: 0.5¢/

kWh -7.5¢/kWh, with an average of 2.3¢/kWh. 

RECs are also available at $5.50/ton CO2

 to $12/

ton CO2

, with an average of $9.80/ton CO2

c

N/A Utility green power 

programs: For some 

utility green power 

programs, the premium 

can be negative, thus 

reducing energy bills. 

These premiums have 

been as low as -0.13¢/

kWha

Purchasing 1 MWh of green power is 

equivalent to:d

0.14 passenger cars not driven for one year; ■

0.52 acres of pine or fir forests storing ■

carbon for one year;

16 tree seedlings grown for 10 years; ■

0.21 tons of waste recycled instead of ■

landfilled; and

71 gallons of gasoline. ■

a Premiums vary by utility provider. Premiums for the Xcel Energy’s WindSource program, the OG&E Electric Services’ OG&E Wind Power 

program, and Austin Energy’s GreenChoice program have all been negative at times (U.S. DOE, 2006c).

b LBNL compiled data from Evolution Markets for average monthly REC prices from August 2002 to December 2006 (Wiser, 2007).

c U.S. DOE, 2006c.

d The environmental impacts of green power purchasing can be better understood by translating emission reductions into tangible realworld concepts – for example, converting pounds of CO2 avoided into an equivalent number of cars removed from the road or trees 

planted. The fossil fuel electricity generation emission factor used for CO2 is 1,380 pounds per MWh. (U.S. Climate Technology Cooperation 

Gateway, 2006).

Clean Energy Supply

Total Costs

Benefits

Energy Savings or Energy Generated Cost Savings Emission Reductions

Small-scale CHP plant: installed cost of 

$1.60/W for systems less than 500 kW, and 

about $1/W for systems between 0.5 MW and 

5 MW.a Installed costs for on-site CHP systems 

average around $2.90/W in California.b

Solar photovoltaics: average shipment price 

in 2004 was $3.00/W; the average price in 

2005 was $3.20/W.c

 Total costs, including the 

inverter, installation, and balance of system 

range from $6-$9 per peak Watt.d Installed 

costs for PV modules average around $8.70/W 

in California and $7.90/W in New Jersey.b

Small wind turbine: including installation, 

ranges from $14,700-$20,800 for a lowrange model; $28,100-$59,600 for a midrange model; and $105,000 and $115,000, 

respectively, for two elite models.e

 Installed 

costs for on-site wind generation average 

around $3.60/W in California.b

CHP systems: energy savings as 

high as 40%.f

10 kW solar PV system:

generates 9,700 kWh/year to 

16,800 kWh/year, depending on 

the location of the system.g

Wind turbine with 84-foot 

tower and 7-foot diameter 

(rated at 900 W): generates 96 

kWh/month at an average wind 

speed of 10 mph and 155 kWh/

month at 12 mph.e

Wind turbine with 140-foot 

tower and 50-foot diameter 

(rated at 65 kW): generates 

3,674 kWh/month at 10 mph 

and 5,992 kWh/month at 12 

mph.e

CHP systems: as high 

as 40% of the cost of 

operating separate heat 

and power systems.f

10 kW solar PV system:

from about $600-$1,400 

per year, depending on 

the geographic location 

of the system.g

900W wind turbine: cost 

savings range from $9/

mo.-$14/mo per installed 

turbine.h

65 kW wind turbine:

range from $330/mo 

-$540/mo. Per installed 

turbine.h

CHP systems: equivalent 

to about 2.6 lbs NOx/

MWh, 5.8 lbs SOx/MWh, 

and 1,200 lbs CO2/MWh.i

10 kW solar PV system: 

from 12,000 lbs-20,000 

lbs of CO2, 10 lbs-90 lbs 

of SOx, and 4 lbs- 90 lbs 

of NOx per year.j

Single 10-meter wind 

turbine with 750 kW 

capacity with wind 

speeds ranging between 

12.5 and 13.4 mph: 2.36 

million lbs of CO2, 13,800 

lbs of SOx, and 8,600 lbs 

of NOx in one year.k

see next page for footnote information

T

Chapter Four | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 119
Clean Energy Supply 

Footnotes

a ACEEE, 1995. Costs escalated to 2007 assuming 2% annual inflation.

b Installed costs from a review of on-site generation programs in NJ and CA – the two 

states with the most installed solar in the 

U.S. From the public Statewide Self Generation Incentive Program Data (SGIP, 2007). 

Also used in the analysis completed for the 

Self Generation Incentive Program: Program 

Administrator Comparative Assessment 

(Cooney and Thompson, 2007). Information 

about the New Jersey Customer On-Site 

Renewable Energy Program is available at 

http://www.njcep.com/. 

c EIA, 2006. In dollars per peak Watt.

d ASES, 2007.

e On-site wind electricity production reduces 

the amount of conventional fossil fuel used 

as an energy source. On-site generation 

capacity depends on the particular turbine 

model and the wind speed available at a particular site. The Wisconsin Focus on Energy 

initiative has compiled a table of 14 small 

wind turbine models ranked by electricity 

generation potential. The smallest of these 

models, which has an 84-foot tower and an 

area sweep of 36.9 ft2, can produce 96 kWh/

month at an average wind speed of 10 mph 

and 155 kWh/month at 12 mph. The largest 

model, which has a 140-foot tower and a 

sweep of 1,963 ft2, can produce 3,674 kWh/

month at 10 mph and 5,992 kWh/month at 

12 mph. The cost of the 12 smaller systems, 

including installation, ranges from $14,700 

to $20,800 for a low-range model; $28,100 

to $59,600 for a mid-range model; and 

$105,000 and $115,000, respectively, for two 

elite models (Wisconsin Focus on Energy, 

2005).

f CHP systems are typically 40% more efficient than separate heat and power generation systems, meaning CHP systems require 

40% less source energy to achieve the same 

output that conventional separate systems 

achieve (U.S. EPA, 2006b). 

g This estimate assumes a PV system with a 

DC rating of 10 kW, a DC to AC derate factor 

of 0.77, an array tilt equal to the latitude of 

Seattle and Albuquerque in degrees, an array 

azimuth of 180°, and cost of electricity ranging from 6¢/kWh to 9.0¢/kWh. Calculations 

were obtained using the National Renewable 

Energy Laboratory (NREL) PV Watts calculator (RReDC, 2006)]. Analysis was run for Seattle, WA and Albuquerque, NM for low and 

high exposure, respectively.

h Average Retail Price of Electricity to Ultimate 

Customers by End-Use Sector, Year-to-Date 

through January 2007 and 2006. Average 

for 2006 for the commercial sector was 

about 9 cents/kWh (EIA, 2007).

i Combined heat and power systems provide 

substantial percentage reductions in total 

emissions amounts. Emissions factors from 

the EGrid annual average (U.S. EPA, 2006f).

j Emissions for solar PV systems estimated using the California Energy Commission Clean 

Power Estimator. Assumptions included a 

10 kW ac system, 30 degree tilt, Southern 

orientation, and 20% PV output adjustment 

factor. Analysis was run in Seattle, WA and 

Albuquerque, NM for low and high exposure, 

respectively. (CEC, 2007b). 

k The American Wind Energy Association estimates that operating a single 10-meter wind 

turbine with a 750 kW capacity for one year, 

with wind speeds ranging between 12.5 and 

13.4 mph, can displace a total of 2.36 million 

pounds of CO2, 13,800 pounds of SOx, and 

8,600 pounds of NOx that would otherwise 

be emitted through the generation of conventional energy (Wisconsin Focus on Energy, 2005). Note that the emissions factors 

in the first bullet of the ‘Emissions Reductions’ column (EPA, 2006f) can be applied to 

other sizes of wind turbine, if energy output 

is available.

Table 4.3.2 Clean Energy Analysis Tools

Tools/Organization Type Description Inputs Outputs URL/Source

Tools for Assessing Building Performance

Portfolio 

Manager 

(ENERGY STAR)

Web-based 

tool

Enables states to ■

rate their facilities’ 

energy performance 

and identify priority 

opportunities.

Assists states in ■

applying for the 

ENERGY STAR label 

for facilities scoring 

75 or higher.

Facility space type. ■

Meter information. ■

Energy type. ■

Energy use. ■

ENERGY STAR energy ■

performance rating 

(1–100).

Portfolio profile, ■

including information 

on status, progress, 

financials, 

performance, 

environment, and 

energy intensity.

http://www.energystar.

gov/index.cfm?c = 

evaluate_performance.

bus_portfoliomanager

T

120 Clean energy Lead by example Guide | Chapter FOur
Tools/Organization Type Description Inputs Outputs URL/Source

Target Finder 

(ENERGY STAR)

Web-based 

tool

Allows states to ■

assess the design of 

new buildings and 

compare simulations 

with existing 

buildings, based on 

data provided. 

Helps set energy ■

performance goals 

and receive an energy 

rating for design 

projects.

Facility location, ■

type, size, 

occupancy, number 

of computers, and 

operating hours per 

week.

Energy target rating ■

or energy reduction 

target, energy source, 

estimated energy 

usage, and energy 

rate.

Projected ENERGY ■

STAR energy 

performance rating 

(1–100).

Projected energy ■

reduction (%) (from 

an average building).

Projected energy use ■

intensity.

Projected annual ■

source energy use.

Projected site energy ■

use.

Projected energy ■

costs.

http://www.energystar.

gov/index.cfm?c = 

new_bldg_design.

bus_target_finder

Small Business 

Calculator 

(ENERGY STAR)

Web-based 

calculator

Estimates a facility’s ■

energy intensity and 

potential energy 

cost savings from 

upgrades.

Facility size. ■

Facility type. ■

Previous 12 months ■

energy bill figures.

Energy intensity ■

(energy used per 

square foot).

Potential cost ■

savings from energy 

efficiency upgrades.

http://www.energystar.

gov/index.cfm?c = 

small_business.sb_

calculate

Life-Cycle 

Cost Program 

(National 

Institute of 

Standards/

Technology)

Computer 

software 

Enables states to ■

evaluate alternative 

designs that may have 

higher initial costs, 

using a life-cycle 

costing method.

Initial and contract ■

costs

Base-year energy ■

costs.

Maintenance and ■

repair costs.

Time period. ■

Emissions inputs. ■

Costs and benefits ■

of energy and water 

conservation and 

renewable energy 

projects. 

Economic analyses ■

(net savings, savingsto-investment 

ratio, rate of return, 

payback period).

http://www1.

eere.energy.gov/

femp/information/

download_blcc.html

Emission Inventory Tools

Clean Air 

and Climate 

Protection 

Software 

(National 

Association 

of Clean Air 

Agencies)

Computer 

software

Tracks emission ■

reductions and 

forecasts emissions 

from proposed 

reduction measures.

Develops government ■

baseline inventory.

Fuel and energy use ■

by type of source 

(e.g., coal, solar, 

wind).

Sector information. ■

Emissions factors ■

(default provided)

Equivalent GHG ■

emissions from fuel 

and electricity use, 

presented in reports 

outlined by sector, by 

location, by source, 

or by indicator.

http://www.

cacpsoftware.org/

Greenhouse Gas 

Equivalencies 

Calculator (U.S. 

EPA) 

Web-based 

calculator

Translates GHG ■

reductions into 

terms that are easier 

to conceptualize. 

States can also use 

the calculator “in 

reverse.” 

Quantity of emission ■

reductions (e.g., 

metric tons of CO2

equivalent).

Gallons of gasoline ■

not consumed.

kWh of electricity not ■

consumed.

Number of cars and ■

light trucks not driven 

in one year.

http://www.epa.gov/

cleanenergy/energyresources/calculator.

html

T

Chapter Four | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 121
4.4 Select LBE Activities and

Measures

Once states have assembled information on the objectives, assessment criteria, barriers, and estimated 

program impacts of each activity/measure, they can 

analyze these data to determine which LBE activities 

and measures to include in their initial LBE portfolio. 

Table 4.4.1 presents a sample spreadsheet that states 

can use to help make this recommendation. This approach is intended to illustrate just one approach for 

comparing and assessing alternative LBE activities. Individual jurisdictions may prefer to develop their own 

analytic tools to help with this purpose. 

Tools/Organization Type Description Inputs Outputs URL/Source

e-GRID (U.S. 

EPA)

Online 

database

Allows states to ■

obtain information on 

power plants.

Develop emissions ■

inventories for 

buildings.

Year of data. ■

Plant(s) or state(s) of ■

interest.

■ NOx, SO2, CO2, 

and mercury, with 

emissions reported 

in tons, input and 

output rates.

Generation resources ■

mix, in MWh and 

percentage.

http://www.epa.gov/

cleanenergy/egrid/

index.htm

State Inventory 

Tool (U.S. EPA)

Interactive 

spread-sheet

Enables states ■

to develop GHG 

emissions inventories

State-specific data ■

(pre-loaded default 

data used otherwise)

Comprehensive GHG ■

emissions inventory 

covering multiple 

industry sources

http://www.epa.gov/

climatechange/wycd/

stateandlocalgov/

analyticaltools.html

Emissions 

Forecasting 

Tool (U.S. EPA)

Interactive 

spread-sheet

Enables states to ■

forecast businessas-usual emissions 

through 2020

State assumptions ■

relating to future 

growth and 

consumption patterns

Estimation of future ■

emissions through 

linear extrapolation of 

State Inventory Tool 

output and federal 

forecasts

http://www.epa.gov/

climatechange/wycd/

stateandlocalgov/

analyticaltools.html

Community-Level Energy Saving Tool

Community 

Energy 

Opportunity 

Finder (Rocky 

Mountain 

Institute)

Web-based 

calculator

Helps identify ■

potential community 

benefits resulting 

from energy 

efficiency upgrades 

and renewable energy 

opportunities.

Community ■

and building 

characteristics.

Building energy ■

consumption.

Energy costs. ■

Emissions data. ■

Energy savings. ■

Dollar savings. ■

Reductions in ■

CO2, NOx, and SO2 

emissions.

Job creation. ■

http://www.

energyfinder.org

Financial and Economic Analysis Tool

Cash Flow 

Opportunity 

Calculator 

(ENERGY STAR) 

Web-based 

calculator

Calculates the ■

amount of equipment 

that can be purchased 

using anticipated 

savings. 

Compares costs of ■

financing and waiting 

for cash.

Facility size. ■

Energy costs and ■

savings target

Financing rate and ■

term.

% savings to be ■

committed to 

upgrades. 

Suggested spending ■

on energy efficiency 

($/ft2).

Potential lost savings ■

due to waiting 

one year to avoid 

financing.

Potential cost of ■

waiting for better 

interest rate.

http://www.energystar.

gov/ia/business/cfo_

calculator.xls

T

122 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Four
4.5 State Examples of Screening 

LBE Activities and Measures 

The activities and measures included in LBE programs 

across the country vary according to the state’s specific 

goals, assessment criteria, and the screening methods 

used. The following examples illustrate a variety of approaches that states have used to identify the activities 

and measures in their LBE portfolios. 

Utah—Energy Efficiency Policy Options: a Method for 

Screening Options

The Utah Governor announced a goal of increasing 

energy efficiency in the state by 20% in 2015. This goal 

covers all sectors and applies to all forms of energy 

use. The state commissioned an analysis of 23 potential 

policies, programs, and initiatives for consideration 

in meeting its goal, including the following three LBE 

initiatives:

■ Adopt energy efficiency requirements for state agencies, including universities and colleges. Support energy efficiency for local government and K-12 Schools, 

including the expansion of Utah’s Revolving Loan 

Fund.

■ Implement energy efficiency education in K-12 

schools.

Each option was screened according to the following 

criteria:

■ Energy savings per year (measured against a businessas-usual baseline)

■ Cost and cost effectiveness (measured by net economic 

benefit)

■ Environmental and social benefits 

■ Political and other considerations

Based on this analysis, each option was assigned a 

priority level of high, medium, or low. The first option, 

adopting energy efficiency requirements for state agencies, received a “high priority” rating and was recommended for consideration by the governor and other 

key decision makers. The remaining options were 

rated as medium priority, and were not recommended 

for further consideration. (Geller et al., 2007.) 

Web site: http://energy.utah.gov/energy/utah_energy_

efficiency_strategy.html

Chapter Four | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 123

Vermont—State Agency Energy Plan for State 

Government

The Vermont Department of Buildings and General 

Services created the Comprehensive Environmental 

and Resource Management Program in 2003 to ensure 

sustainable state government operations. This program 

was the impetus for legislative changes leading to a revised State Agency Energy Plan for State Government 

issued in 2005. The plan stresses the importance of 

selecting and implementing LBE actions that: 

■ Reduce state operating costs through energy savings

■ Reduce environmental impacts

■ Sustain existing and create new Vermont businesses 

that develop, produce, or market environmentally preferable products

■ Demonstrate the economic benefits of clean energy 

activities to other states and to the private sector.

The plan focuses on the three programs listed below. 

State agencies are required to develop agency implementation plans that describe the actions they will take 

to comply with each of these programs, as appropriate 

to their operations.

■ New and existing building infrastructure development, 

including O&M practices in existing infrastructure. 

The mid-term goal is to reduce energy consumption in 

existing and new state buildings and correctional facilities by 20%. State agencies are required to implement 

the following ten steps for each existing building: 1) 

benchmarking, 2) low cost/no cost use-habits, O&M 

improvements, 3) energy audits, 4) additional low cost/

no cost use-habits and O&M measures, 5) technical 

energy analysis, 6) funding analysis and grants potential investigations and applications, 7) ranking and 

selection of energy savings measures (ESMs) that have 

associated costs, 8) schedule/streaming, 9) construction or implementation and commissioning, 10) monitoring and evaluation. In step 7, the plan recommends 

prioritizing ESMs according to the following criteria:

■ ESMs in buildings with sub-standard energy performance should receive the highest priority.

■ Best cost-benefit, life cycle cost

■ Lowest simple payback

■ Highest gross energy savings ranking

■ Renewable energy projects receive priority, when 

feasible
124 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Four
■ Availability of grant money 

■ Highest public visibility and educational benefits.

New construction and major renovations must be 

conducted according to the following five-step process: 

1) planning and design, 2) construction and commissioning, 3) facility operation and maintenance, 4) 

training occupants about how the building functions 

and required usage protocols that optimize comfort 

and energy efficiency, and 5) monitoring energy usage 

and adjusting usage protocols.

■ State purchasing and contract administration policies 

and practices. The plan establishes a general commodities purchasing policy to encourage the purchase of 

environmentally preferable products. This policy also 

encourages economically sound purchases by considering the total life cycle cost of these purchases. 

■ Transportation activities relating to fleet vehicles, 

personal vehicles, and employee commuter driving 

practices. Transportation policies cover the state fleet 

(passenger cars, light duty trucks, and heavy duty 

trucks) and employee commutes to and from work. 

The plan sets an initial target of 10% reduction in energy and anticipates that more aggressive targets may 

be set individually by agencies or departments. Energy 

reduction strategies include: minimizing personal 

vehicle reimbursed mileage opportunities, right-sizing 

vehicles, instituting vehicle maintenance procedures, 

ensuring that purchasing decisions require fleet vehicles to be among the most fuel-efficient and lowest 

emission vehicle models in each class, adopting strategies to reduce on-the-job miles, instituting no-idling 

campaigns and policies, and encouraging alternative 

reduced-emission fuels or fuels that reduce emissions 

of greenhouse gases. (Vermont, 2005.)

Web site: http://www.bgs.vermont.gov/sites/bgs/files/

pdfs/BGS-CERMP.pdf

Wisconsin Energy Initiative—A Phased Approach to 

Implementing Energy Efficiency in State Buildings

Wisconsin instituted the Wisconsin Energy Initiative 

(WEI) in 1992 to comprehensively address energy 

savings opportunities, with a goal of reducing energy 

use in state buildings by 15%. The state Department 

of Administration (DOA) hired an ESCO to conduct 

audits of energy use in state facilities and to implement 

improvements in the following order:

■ Installation of Energy-Efficient Lighting in Stateowned Building Space. Lighting was replaced first, in 

part because it was easiest to implement and could 

be funded from the maintenance budget. Another 

reason for targeting lighting first is that it is important 

to upgrade the lighting system early in the building 

upgrade process to have a significant impact on how 

other building systems (especially heating and cooling systems) use energy.1

 To help gain buy-in and 

demonstrate that lighting quality is comparable to that 

of less efficient options, the first lighting replacement 

was completed without prior notice on the floor where 

state office engineers were located. Subsequently, aging 

electrical ballasts and lighting fixtures were replaced 

one building or campus at a time. More than 700,000 

fluorescent T-8 lamps, 350,000 ballasts, and tens of 

thousands of exit signs and CFLs were installed, resulting in annual energy savings of over $5 million. 

■ Installation of Energy Efficient Lighting in Local 

Schools and Municipal Facilities. In this phase, the 

DOA worked with the Cooperative Educational School 

Agencies (CESAs) to leverage private funds to improve 

energy conservation in schools across the state.

■ Upgrading Mechanical Equipment. The state entered 

into performance contracts to upgrade HVAC, other 

mechanical equipment, and water-saving devices 

in state buildings, campuses and other institutions. 

Improvements included lighting occupancy sensors, 

stream traps, air handling and distribution systems, 

and ultra-low flow toilets. More difficult and timeconsuming than improving lighting, DOA estimated 

that this phase would save enough energy to heat 

10,000 Wisconsin homes and reduce state expenditures 

by $6.8 million annually.

■ Upgrading Specifications for New Buildings. DOA 

also upgraded its specifications for new buildings to 

include the most up-to-date energy-savings and green 

technologies, including daylighting, building automation systems, heat recovery systems, and co-generation. 

(Wisconsin 2002; Mapp et al., 2006; Mapp, 2007.)

Web site: http://www.doa.state.wi.us/press_releases_

detail.asp?prid=123&divid=4

1 For more information on the staged approach to upgrading buildings for energy efficiency, see EPA’s ENERGY STAR 

Building Upgrade Manual at http://www.energystar.gov/

index.cfm?c=business.bus_upgrade_manual.

Chapter Four | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 125
Nevada—Energy Conservation Plan for State 

Government

In its State of Nevada Energy Conservation Plan for 

State Government, the state’s Office of Energy outlined 

its plan for implementing measures to reduce both 

total energy usage and peak energy loads in state buildings. Measures were identified based on whether they 

could be implemented immediately, in the short term, 

or in the long term, as follows:

■ Immediate Measures: measures that can be performed 

at the present time requiring no additional funding or 

legislative support. These include behavior modification measures such as:

■ Turn off lights when leaving a room

■ Turn down heaters for the night

■ Eliminate unnecessary appliances

■ Keep lighting fixtures, filters, and heating and cooling coils clean.

■ Short-term Measures: measures that can be performed 

within the fiscal year requiring no funding in addition to current budgets and/or legislative support, 

including:

■ Replace incandescent bulbs with CFLs

■ Acquire photocells to automatically turn lights on 

and off

■ Clean and maintain filters, coils, and vents

■ Long-term Measures: measures that cannot be accomplished within the fiscal year and/or require additional 

funding or legislative support, including:

■ Perform energy audits on all buildings

■ Incorporate energy efficiency guidelines for all new 

construction and building retrofits

■ Purchase only ENERGY STAR equipment (Nevada, 

2001.)

Web site: http://energy.state.nv.us/conservation%20

plan%20for%20state%20government.pdf

126 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Four

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128 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Four
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Note: Updated from U.S. DOE. 2006a.

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energystar.gov/ia/business/cfo_calculator.xls. Accessed 

12/14/2006.

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energyintoprofits.pdf. Accessed 12/14/2006.

Chapter Four | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 129
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12/14/2006.

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12/14/2006.

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Available: http://www.epa.gov/chp/basic/calculator.

html . Accessed 12/14/2006.

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Available: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/

stateandlocalgov/analyticaltools.html. Accessed 

4/5/2007. 

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to Action. Policies, Best Practices, and Action Steps 

for States. April. U.S. Environmental Protection 

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Quality and Energy Efficiency. Available: http://epa.

gov/iaq/largebldgs/i-beam/text/energy_efficiency.html. 

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the New Commercial Tax Incentives? Available: http://

www.energystar.gov/ia/business/comm_bldg_tax_

incentives.pdf. Accessed 12/21/2006.

■U.S. EPA. 2006k. Bulk Purchasing Fact Sheet. 

Available: http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/

bulk_purchasing/Govt_FactSheet.pdf. Accessed 

12/14/2006. 

■U.S. EPA. 2006l. Calculate Your Savings. Available: 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = small_

business.sb_calculate. Accessed 12/14/2006. 

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bpsavings_calc/Compact_Fluorescent_Bulk.xls. 

Accessed 12/14/2006. 

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Available: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c 

= evaluate_performance.bus_portfoliomanager. 

Accessed 12/14/2006. 

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www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction = target_

finder.&CFID = 452193&CFTOKEN = 40565253. 

Accessed 12/14/2006.

■U.S. EPA. 2006p. ENERGY STAR for K–12 School 

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CalculatorConsumerResidentialFreezer.xls. Accessed 

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Procurement Savings Calculator: Residential 

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gov/ia/business/bulk_purchasing/bpsavings_calc/

CalculatorConsumerResidentialRefrigerator.xls. 

Accessed 11/12/2007. 

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Savings Calculator. Available: http://www.energystar.

gov/ia/business/bulk_purchasing/bpsavings_calc/

CalculatorConsumerDishwasher.xls. Accessed 

1/23/2008.

■U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE. 2007d. Room Air 

Conditioners. Available: http://www.energystar.

gov/index.cfm?c = roomac.pr_room_ac. Accessed 

1/23/2008.

130 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Four
■U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE. 2008. Purchasing and 

Procurement Savings Calculator: CFLs. Available: 

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/bulk_

purchasing/bpsavings_calc/CalculatorCFLsBulk.xls. 

Accessed 2/20/2008.

■U.S. EPA. Undated(a). 2004 Achievements in Brief. 

Available: http://www.epa.gov/appdstar/pdf/030105_

CPPD4pg%20Final%20for%20Web.pdf. Accessed 

1/15/2007.

■U.S. EPA. Undated(b). Right-Sizing and 

Designing Efficient Power Supplies. Available: 

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/prod_

development/revisions/downloads/computer/

RightSizeDesignEfficientPowerSup.pdf. Accessed 

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■U.S. Green Building Council. 2003. Building 

Momentum: National Trends and Prospects for HighPerformance Green Buildings. Available: http://www.

usgbc.org/Docs/Resources/043003_hpgb_whitepaper.

pdf. Accessed 5/10/2007. 

■Vermont. 2005. Vermont State Agency Energy Plan 

for State Government. Available: http://www.bgs.state.

vt.us/pdf/VTStateEnergyPlan.pdf. Accessed 4/26/2007. 

■Washington. 2001. RCW 43.82.150: Inventory of stateowned or leased facilities- Report. Available: http://

apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.82.150. 

Accessed 4/25/2007. 

■Wisconsin. 2002. Press Release: Wisconsin 

Department of Administration’s “Wisconsin Energy 

Initiative.” Available: http://www.doa.state.wi.us/

press_releases_detail.asp?prid=123&divid=4 

Accessed 11/16/07.

■Wisconsin. 2003. Governor Doyle Streamlines Power 

Transmission and Generation Siting Processes, 

Calls for Energy Conservation and Renewables. 

Press Release September 09, 2003. Available: http://

energytaskforce.wi.gov/docview.asp?docid=5. Accessed 

4/26/2007. 

■Wisconsin Focus on Energy. 2005. Using Wind 

Energy: Small-Scale Systems Fact Sheet. Available: 

http://www.focusonenergy.com/data/common/

dmsFiles/W_RI_MKFS_smallwindfactsheet.pdf. 

Accessed 12/14/2006.

■Wisconsin. 2006. Wisconsin Legislative Council Act 

Memo: 2005 Wisconsin Act 141 [2005 Senate Bill 

459]. Prepared March 27, 2006. Available: http://www.

legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/lc_act/act141-sb459.pdf. 

Accessed 3/21/2007.

■Wiser, R., C. Namovicz, M. Gielecki, R. Smith.

2007. Renewables Portfolio Standards: A Factual 

Introduction to Experience from the United States. 

LBNL-62569. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. 

April. Available: http://eetd.lbl.gov/ea/EMP/

reports/62569.pdf. Accessed 4/30/2007.

■Ziegler, P.M. 2003. Green Buildings: Breaking 

New Ground With Sustainable Design: Using 

“Green for Less” Principles and Technologies to 

Design High Performance “Green Buildings” on 

a Conventional Building Budget. Building Green 

in Pennsylvania. Governor’s Green Government 

Council, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. December 

3. Available: http://www.keystone.org/spp/

documents/12_8green_for_less_Zeigler.pdf. Accessed 

1/17/2007.

Chapter Four | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 131
132 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Four
Chapter FIVE

Developing a 

Comprehensive LBE Program

This chapter describes key design 

options, implementation issues, 

and best practices that states 

can consider as they develop a 

comprehensive LBE program. 

Chapter Five | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 133

DOCuMENT MAP

Chapter one 

Introduction

Chapter tWo 

Potential LBE Activities and Measures

Chapter three 

Establish the LBE Program Framework

Chapter four 

Screen LBE Activities and Measures

Chapter fIve 

Develop LBE Program

Chapter sIx 

Track, Evaluate, and Report on Progress The following five recommendations are critical to program success, and are discussed in this chapter: 

■ Energy savings can be increased by integrating clean 

energy activities within the LBE program. This can be 

accomplished at the program outset or over time, as 

resources permit. (See Section 5.1.)

■ Consider all available funding options and identify 

those best suited for implementing a comprehensive 

and cost-effective program. States can explore legislative, policy, and/or other changes to address financial 

obstacles. (See Section 5.2.)

■ Communications and outreach are key to demonstrating the benefits of clean energy and building and maintaining support for the LBE program. (See Section 5.3.)

■ Work with, and provide assistance to, local governments

as they develop their own LBE programs. Encouraging 

local governments to implement clean energy programs is an effective way for states to achieve their own 

LBE goals. (See Section 5.4.)

■ Enhance LBE program effectiveness through networking and information-sharing with federal, state, local, 

and other organizations. (See Section 5.5.)

Chapter Five Contents

5.1. Integrate individual clean energy activities into a 

program

5.2. Finance the LBE program

■ Financial vehicles

■ Funding sources

■ Summary of barriers and solutions

5.3. Conduct communications and outreach: build and 

maintain support for an LBE program 

State agency personnel support ■

Community support ■

5.4. Provide technical and financial assistance to local 

governments

5.5. Information sharing: federal, state, and local LBE 

resources

Related appendices:

Appendix B, State and Local Clean Energy LBE Programs: 

State and Local Examples, Tools, and Information 

Resources: presents examples of state and local LBE 

activities and provides resources for each activity.

Appendix C, Resources for Implementing LBE Programs: 

contains examples and resources on implementing LBE 

programs, including several state-developed agency 

guidance materials.
Chapter Five Contents (cont.)

Appendix D, Resources for Funding LBE Programs: 

provides examples of how states have used funding 

vehicles and sources to finance their LBE programs, and 

provides other resources about funding options.

Appendix E, Resources for Conducting Communications 

and Outreach for LBE Programs: provides examples of 

state approaches for conducting communications and 

outreach for LBE programs and other resources.

Appendix F, Resources on Technical and Financial 

Assistance to Local Governments: presents examples of 

states that provide technical and financial assistance to 

municipalities.

Appendix G, State LBE Programs and Contacts: Provides 

information about each state’s LBE initiatives, including 

relevant state agencies, name and email address of state 

contacts, and Web site URLs.

5.1 Integrate Individual Clean 

Energy Activities into a Program

Developing an integrated and comprehensive LBE program that consists of multiple clean energy activities 

can achieve the following benefits:

■ Increase the overall benefits. An integrated LBE program includes multiple clean energy activities – energy 

efficiency, green power purchases, clean energy generation – rather than focusing on just one approach. 

Having a diversified energy strategy increases program 

benefits, such as reducing the risk of supply disruption, 

and achieves broader positive spill-over effects, such as 

increased employment in clean energy technology and 

service sectors. 

■ Enhance the cost-effectiveness of LBE activities by 

leveraging interactions. Integrating multiple LBE 

activities can result in interactions that produce 

greater economic benefits than an approach centered 

around a single strategy. For example, commitments 

to purchase specified quantities of electricity from 

green power sources (or to purchase onsite renewable 

energy systems) can be increased using savings generated by building energy efficiency activities. Once the 

upfront costs of the energy efficiency activities are 

repaid, the recurring energy cost savings can be used 

to offset the cost premium associated with green power 

purchases or renewable energy systems (for example, 

see the text box at right on California’s Solar Schools 

Program). Similarly, the benefits of energy-efficient 

product procurement can be increased when products 

are purchased using a systematic approach to improving energy efficiency in buildings. Because efficiency 

reduces the energy load, states can then upgrade their 

heating and cooling systems using smaller, “rightsized” equipment. Sequencing product purchases and 

energy efficiency measures using this staged approach 

can lead to greater overall energy cost savings. 

■ Achieve political support. A comprehensive program 

can win broad support by appealing to a variety of constituencies with different interests, including legislators 

and agency personnel. An integrated program can 

help lessen any reservations about clean energy and 

can provide the impetus for stakeholders to mobilize 

resources for LBE activities. 

■ Increase the visibility of LBE activities. States that develop a comprehensive clean energy LBE program can 

establish a single contact (or office) that provides consistent and comprehensive information. This increases 

visibility and provides a single point of reference for 

agency customers and the public. Examples include 

New York’s “Green and Clean” State Buildings and 

Vehicles program (New York, 2004) and Massachusetts’ 

State Sustainability Program (Massachusetts, 2004). 

In practice, it is not always possible to start with an 

integrated program. Many states begin with a more 

targeted, activity-specific approach that builds towards 

a comprehensive program over time. This can ensure 

that LBE needs match available resources and increase 

opportunities for achieving a few quick LBE successes 

California Solar Schools Program

This program illustrates one way to integrate energy efficiency 

with renewable energy measures. Between 2004 and 2006, 31 

California schools were awarded $4.5 million from the Solar 

Schools Program to purchase and install 675 kW of solar PV 

power. Grant eligibility was tied to meeting energy efficiency 

and energy education goals. The schools were required to 

have already installed high efficiency fluorescent lighting or 

other energy efficiency measures with equal or greater energy 

savings in at least 80% of classrooms, and to have established 

a curriculum plan to educate students about the benefits of 

energy conservation and solar energy. 

Funding was provided by the CEC’s Emerging Renewables 

Program with a matching amount from the California Attorney 

General’s Alternative Energy Retrofit Account (AGAERA).

Source: CEC, 2006c. 

134 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Five
to demonstrate success and provide a basis for further 

funding and sustained momentum (CALeep, 2006). 

5.2 Financing the LBE Program 

This section describes options for financing the LBE 

program (which includes selecting vehicles for financing the program and choosing sources of funding) and 

presents a summary of the key strategies for overcoming financial barriers to implementation. The text box 

below provides a brief overview of the topics covered. 

Additional funding information is available in Appendix D, Resources for Funding LBE Programs.

5.2.1 Financial Vehicles

Financing refers to the use of loans, bonds, energy performance contracts, lease-purchase agreements, grants, 

and other mechanisms to pay for clean energy activities. Table 5.2.1 summarizes seven financial vehicles in 

terms of nine key metrics. A more detailed description 

of each vehicle is provided below. 

Financing LBE Programs

Financial Vehicles (Section 5.2.1)

Capital budgets and procurement budgets (“cash”) ■

■ Loans

■ Public bonds

■ Energy performance contracts

■ Tax-exempt lease-purchase agreements

■ Grants and rebates

■ Other short-term financing alternatives

Funding Sources (Section 5.2.2)

■ Public benefits funds

■ Revolving loan funds

Aggregated purchasing contracts for green power, equipment ■

procurement, and service contracting

■ Pension funds

Private foundations (e.g., grants) ■

■ Other procurement and accounting methods

Summary of Strategies for Overcoming Financial Obstacles 

(Section 5.2.3)

Consider multiple financing options. ■

Modify state purchasing rules and develop standard ■

agreements for sharing or retaining energy savings.

■ Address “split incentives” issues

Table 5.2.1 Summary of Financial Vehicles for Energy Efficiency Activities

Key 

Aspect Casha Loans Bonds

Energy 

Performance 

Contracts

LeasePurchase 

Agreements

Grants and 

Rebates

Other (RANs, 

BANs, TANsb)

Interest 

Rates

N/A Often done 

at taxable 

rates.

Lowest taxexempt rate.Can be taxable 

or tax-exempt.

Low tax-exempt 

rate.

N/A Low, short-term 

tax-exempt 

rates.

Financing 

Term

N/A Repayment 

terms over 12 

months may 

need voter 

approval.

May be 20 years 

or more.

Typically up to 

10 years but 

may extend to 

20 years.

Up to 12 years 

is common, and 

up to 20 years 

is possible for 

large projects. 

Term limited 

to useful life of 

equipment.

N/A Less than one 

year.

Other 

Costs

N/A Minor closing 

costs, if any.

Underwriting, 

legal opinion, 

insurance.

May have to 

pay engineering 

costs if contract 

is not executed.

None. Some may have 

matching grant 

requirements.

Issuing costs 

from lender.

Chapter Five | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 135
Key 

Aspect Casha Loans Bonds

Energy 

Performance 

Contracts

LeasePurchase 

Agreements

Grants and 

Rebates

Other (RANs, 

BANs, TANsb)

Approval 

Process

Internal. Depends on 

financing 

term. Subject 

to potential 

legislative 

and charter 

limitations.

Usually 

requires voter 

approval/ public 

referendum; 

bond counsel 

opinion letter 

required. 

RFP usually 

required; 

internal 

approvals 

needed.

Internal 

approvals 

needed; simple 

attorney letter 

required.

Application 

made to 

manager of 

PBF, utility, or 

foundation.

Internal 

approvals 

needed; 

attorney’s letter 

required.

Approval 

Time

Current 

budget 

period.

Fast, if short 

term.

Can be 

lengthy—

process may 

take years.

Legislative 

authority 

may facilitate 

approval, 

Fast; generally 

within a week 

of receiving 

all requested 

documentation.

Depends on 

availability 

of funds and 

funding cycle.

Fast; similar 

to tax-exempt 

lease. 

Funding 

Flexibility

N/A Relatively 

flexible.

Very difficult to 

go above the 

dollar ceiling.

Relatively 

flexible; an 

underlying 

municipal lease 

is often used.

Flexible. Can 

set up master 

lease, which 

allows drawing 

down of funds, 

as needed. Can 

finance entire 

project cost.

Prescriptive for 

public funds, 

competitive 

for foundation 

funding.

Based on 

expected 

source of 

repayment 

(bond, revenue, 

or tax).

Budget 

Used

Operating 

or capital.

Operating 

or capital, 

depending 

on terms.

Capital. Operating 

or capital, 

depending 

on terms and 

conditions.

Operating. N/A Operating or 

capital.

Greatest 

Benefit

Direct 

access if 

included in 

budget.

Fast, if voter 

approval 

is not 

necessary.

Low interest 

rate because it 

is backed by the 

full faith and 

credit (taxing 

powers) of the 

public entity. 

Provides 

performance 

guarantees, 

which help 

in approval 

process.

Allows capital 

equipment 

purchase using 

operating 

dollars.

Reduces activity 

cost as funding 

usually does 

not have to be 

repaid.

Low-cost access 

to short-term 

funds that allow 

the immediate 

installation 

of energy 

efficiency 

equipment to 

save money 

sooner.

Greatest 

Hurdle

Insufficient 

funding 

available 

for 

activities.

Often higher 

taxable 

interest rates; 

statutory 

limitations 

regarding 

term and 

amounts.

Very time 

consuming.

Identifying 

the activity to 

be financed; 

selecting the 

energy service 

provider.

Identifying the 

activity to be 

financed.

Availability 

of funds; 

may be very 

competitive.

Repayment 

must be 

made within 

the current 

operating 

period.

a While cash is typically considered to be a source of funds rather than a financing vehicle, it is included in this table for comparison 

purposes.

b RANs = Revenue Anticipation Notes, BANs = Bond Anticipation Notes, TANs = Tax Anticipation Notes.

Sources: Zobler and Hatcher, 2003; U.S. EPA, 2004a; Thumann and Woodroof, 2008. 

T

136 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Five
Capital Budgets and Procurement Budgets 

States can finance clean energy by “paying cash” from 

existing capital and procurement budgets. The benefits 

of tapping these budgets include their ready availability 

and lack of associated interest payments. At the same 

time, the capital budgeting process can be complex 

(compared to using procurement budgets) and may 

introduce numerous financial, practical, and political 

constraints, including: 

■ Capital budget dollars are often scarce, already committed, and subject to a funding ceiling. Jurisdictions 

under serious fiscal pressure sometimes impose freezes 

on capital spending.

■ The process for requesting new capital dollars can be 

time- and resource-consuming.

■ Political considerations can be important, since authorization for requesting new capital dollars can require 

legislative and/or taxpayer approval (e.g., a voter 

referendum).

In addition, both existing capital budgeting and procurement policies can impede cost-effective energy 

efficiency investments. For example: 

■ Government capital budgeting and procurement practices often prescribe first cost accounting, with lowest 

bid requirements, that fail to consider life-cycle costs.1 

■ Capital budgeting often does not allow borrowing from 

operating budget savings even when they offset a capital cost premium.

To address these barriers, states have introduced a number of innovative strategies and techniques, including: 

■ Institute life-cycle cost accounting and procurement procedures, which take into consideration both the lower 

net capital and future operating costs of clean energy 

investments. For example, states can require clean 

energy investment and procurement decisions to be 

based on the lowest life-cycle cost (rather than the lowest first costs) and can modify life-cycle procurement 

procedures to require vendors to provide both equipment investment costs and estimated lifetime energy 

costs. Life-cycle cost accounting can go beyond calculating direct lifetime cost savings to include the energy, 

1 First costs are the upfront costs that are incurred before an investment 

generates any savings.

environmental, and other social costs or benefits that 

accrue to society at large. However, these social costs 

and benefits can be more difficult to measure.2 For additional information on life-cycle costing, see Section 

5.2.3, Strategies for Overcoming Financial Obstacles.

■ Directly specify minimum energy efficiency requirements 

for products. For example, some states require products 

to be ENERGY STAR-qualified, obviating the need to 

justify higher upfront costs.

■ Require capital activities to meet energy performance 

targets. States have required new state construction 

and renovations to be compliant with ENERGY STAR 

building requirements.

■ Reform budgeting procedures to allow agencies to borrow 

from operating budgets to supplement capital budgets, 

thus expanding the pool of available funds.

Loans

A loan is a debt instrument between a lender (e.g., 

a bank, commercial lender, or a state revolving loan 

fund) and a borrower (e.g., a state agency) in which 

the lender agrees to provide a stated amount of money 

to be repaid over a period of time, along with interest. 

Loans can be structured to be repaid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually. The payments can be 

“level” (i.e., the same every period) or may require a 

balloon payment at the end. Interest rates can be fixed 

or variable, taxable, or tax-exempt. Short-term loans 

(i.e., usually less than 12 months) can be repaid from 

the operating budget – which provides an advantage 

2 EPA is preparing A Guidebook for Assessing the Multiple Benefits of Clean 

Energy to provide information on understanding and quantifying the multiple 

benefits of clean energy activities [U.S. EPA, Forthcoming(a)]).

Vermont’s State Energy Plan: Life-Cycle 

Accounting Requirements

Vermont’s State Agency Energy Plan requires that, where 

applicable, life-cycle cost analyses must be used when 

purchasing equipment or products. The state plan also requires 

building investments to be undertaken on a lowest life-cycle 

cost basis. The plan defines life cycle cost as the “amortized 

annual cost of a product, including capital costs, installation 

costs, operating costs, maintenance costs and disposal costs 

discounted over the lifetime of the product plus the energy and 

environmental externalities costs or benefits.” The objective 

of using life cycle analysis in Vermont is to show positive cash 

flow within a specified period of time after implementing the 

measure.

Source: Vermont, 2005.

Chapter Five | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 137
over using the capital budget since there are fewer restrictions (e.g., voter approval is typically not required 

when using the operating budget). Long-term loans 

(e.g., longer than 12 months) are subject to any longterm debt restrictions the state may have.3

Banks will make loans for energy-efficient equipment 

purchases; however, they typically require a down 

payment that can be 20% or more, or is secured by 

compensating balances. The borrower’s ability to 

negotiate favorable terms on the down payment, interest rate, and payment structure depends primarily 

on the lender’s perception of the risk involved (U.S. 

EPA, 2008). However, some state agencies offer loan 

programs for public and non-profit agencies that offer 

below-market terms and can be used for clean energy 

activities. For example, revolving loan funds provide 

a key source of debt for state and local government 

LBE clean energy projects. These funds are designed 

to be self-supporting, in that states establish a pool of 

capital (funded, for example, by the state’s PBF policy) 

and provide low-interest loans to borrowers that then 

“revolves” over a multi-year period as payments are 

returned to the fund and lent anew to other borrowers 

(U.S. EPA, 2006b). (See Section 5.2.2., Funding Sources, 

for additional information on revolving loan funds and 

how state agencies have used these as finance sources 

for energy efficiency improvements in their facilities.)

Public Bonds

Bonds are debt instruments sold by public- and 

private-sector organizations that enable borrowing 

from the capital market (U.S. EPA, 2008). They allow 

amortization of capital costs over a multi-year repayment term and are therefore well suited to LBE investments that accrue annual energy cost savings. Public 

bonds can also be offered as investment vehicles – with 

no federal and, in many states, state income tax liabilities to the investors – that can result in lower interest 

rates than commercial lending or equipment leasing 

arrangements. On the other hand, bonds can involve 

a lengthy approval time, since they may require public 

referenda and/or legislative approval. 

These vehicles take many forms, including4

: 

3 Because most energy efficiency activities have a simple payback of more 

than one year, short-term financing typically works best as bridge financing, as 

long as long-term financing is also available.

4 Industrial development and revenue bonds are also common and used to 

acquire assets that are, in turn, leased to private sector organizations. Therefore, they are usually inappropriate for LBE clean energy investments.

138 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Five

■ Revenue bonds, which are supported directly from the 

revenues of the activity being financed. 

■ General obligation bonds, which are backed by the federal, state, or local issuing entity, and typically require 

voter approval. They generally provide the most favorable interest rates since they are subject to the least risk. 

■ Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs), which were 

established in May 2005 by federal legislation that 

provides for $1 billion of tax-credit bonds to be issued 

between 2006 and 2008 to finance renewable energy 

projects for public utility companies. These bonds, 

which can be issued by states, provide the equivalent 

of an interest-free loan for qualified energy projects. 

(Bond Buyer Online, 2005; ELPC, 2006).

Some states have worked with educational, health, and 

environmental bond issuance authorities to fund LBE 

activities or have added LBE features to planned facility 

bonds. For example, New Jersey’s Economic Development Authority, in partnership with New Jersey’s Board 

of Public Utilities, offers a variety of renewable energy 

and energy efficiency incentives (New Jersey, 2007). 

It is important to consider the ancillary costs associated 

with issuing a bond. Bond issues can:

■ Involve a time-consuming, costly, and complex process 

that requires an extensive legal opinion, setting up a 

trustee, and retaining accounting services to ensure 

compliance. 

■ Require taxpayer approval or be subject to other restrictions on new debt. Meeting these requirements can 

be time consuming and result in political vulnerability.

■ Incur costs to rate the bond, obtain insurance, set aside 

a cash reserve for the first year, and pay for printing 

or marketing fees – additional costs that can exceed 

$50,000. (EPA, 2004c.)

Adding these bond issuance costs to the cost of energy 

efficiency activities can change the economics of the 

activity, depending on its size. Therefore, although a 

public bond may provide the lowest stated interest 

rate, it may or may not have the lowest net total cost. 

In addition, as with capital budget requests, bond 

requests are often assessed using accounting protocols 

that do not recognize their reduced operating costs 

even though they may more than offset the debt service 

obligations (EPA, 2004c). 
Energy Performance Contracts and TaxExempt Lease-Purchase Agreements 

States often look for financing options that allow 

them to pay for capital investments by drawing on 

operating budgets. Energy performance contracts 

and tax-exempt lease-purchase agreements are both 

well-matched to LBE activities that generate a stream 

of energy cost savings. As long as future energy costs 

are budgeted at current levels with rate escalators, an 

ongoing revenue stream will be generated that can pay 

for the investment. Both of these financial vehicles are 

described below.

Energy Performance Contracts

An energy performance contract is an arrangement 

with an energy service company (ESCO) or energy 

service provider (ESP) to implement and manage 

energy savings projects over their lifetime. The ESCO 

or ESP acts as the general contractor responsible for 

all aspects of the project and assumes the associated 

technical and performance risks. Energy performance 

contracts bundle energy-saving investments (e.g., energy audits, design and specification of new equipment, 

ongoing maintenance, measurement and verification of 

product performance, indoor air quality management, 

and personnel training) and financing into a package 

that can be attractive to public agencies. The contract 

allows a state to finance energy-saving capital improvements – usually over a 7–20 year term – with no initial 

capital investment by using money saved through 

reduced utility expenditures. As shown in Figure 5.2.1, 

about 82% of all performance contracts involve public 

entities [i.e., municipal facilities, universities, schools 

and hospitals (referred to as “MUSH”) plus federal and 

public housing].

An ESCO typically provides a guarantee that energy 

cost savings will meet or exceed annual payments covering all activity costs. Such guaranteed savings agreements are the most common type of performance contract for public sector clients.5

 If the savings do not occur, the ESCO pays the difference. Some performance 

contracts include a reserve fund to cover potential 

shortfalls, while others provide security enhancements 

in the form of performance bonds or letters of credit. 

In some instances, performance insurance or “shared 

savings” may be available. When surplus energy savings result from the project, these savings are shared 

5 Another type of agreement is an “own-operate” agreement, in which the 

ESCO maintains ownership of the facility, and sells back its “output” to the 

state entity.

between the state and the ESCO or ESP, as negotiated 

in the energy performance contract (U.S. EPA, 2008).

Financing may be offered as part of the performance 

contract. However, because ESCOs are private sector 

firms that borrow at taxable, commercial rates, it is 

often possible for a state to secure better financing arrangements by taking advantage of lower, tax-exempt 

interest rates available to government entities. 

Several states have created enabling legislation and 

developed model ESCO programs. For example, the 

Kansas Facility Conservation Improvement Program 

enables public agencies to enter agreements with prePerformance Contracting Resources

Rebuild Colorado’s Energy Performance Contracting Web site

Colorado launched Rebuild Colorado in 1997 to help building 

owners identify and implement energy saving opportunities. 

The Web site provides guidance materials, case studies, and 

information on the benefits of performance contracting and 

steps for success (Rebuild Colorado, 2006b). Web site: http://

www.state.co.us/oemc/rebuildco/epc.htm

California Energy Commission Resources 

CEC has compiled a variety of handbooks on financing energy 

efficiency projects, including: 

How to Hire an Energy Service Company provides guidance 

on selecting and working with ESCOs (CEC, 2000). Web site: 

http://www.energy.ca.gov/reports/efficiency_handbooks/400-

00-001E.PDF

Summary of Energy Service Companies: Summary of 

Responses, a directory of California ESCOs, many of which 

provide services in other states (CEC, 2005). Web site: http://

energy.ca.gov/2005publications/CEC-400-2005-001/CEC400-2005-001.PDF

For other resources on ESCOs, see ■ Appendix E, Resources for 

Funding LBE Programs.

City of Amherst, New York: Using ESCOs

Amherst, New York, which has an electricity budget of 

$2.7 million and a total operating budget of $100 million, 

used an energy performance contract to implement energy 

efficiency upgrades in a number of its facilities. 

The town entered into a guaranteed savings agreement with 

an ESCO that maximized the amount of new equipment that 

could be purchased from the energy savings. The result was 

a $5.2 million project that included the city’s ice skating rinks, 

police station, three community and recreational centers, four 

libraries, a museum, and the local wastewater treatment facility. 

The ESCO guaranteed $5 million in savings on these projects. 

The actual savings exceeded projected savings by 16%. 

Source: U.S. EPA, 2004c. 

Chapter Five | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 139
approved ESCOs. Through this program, agencies can 

continuously rely on the expertise of ESCO staff and 

use the program’s low-cost financing to fund activities 

(Kansas Corporation Commission, 2003b). 

Tax-Exempt Lease-Purchase Agreements

A tax-exempt lease-purchase agreement, also known 

as a municipal lease, is a low-interest financing vehicle 

exclusively available to the public sector.6

 These mechanisms are frequently used as the financing instrument 

underlying energy performance contracts because they 

allow governments to avoid using capital budgets to 

pay for energy efficiency upgrades. Because tax-exempt 

lease-purchase agreements often include non-appropriation language (that effectively limits an agreement’s pay6 Lenders do not have to pay federal income tax on the interest earned on 

qualifying transactions and pass the benefit through to the borrower (lessee).

ment obligation to the current operating budget period), 

these agreements do not constitute debt in most states 

and therefore typically do not require voter approval.

Lease-purchase agreements, unlike commercial rental 

agreements, enable the lessee to own the equipment at 

the end of the lease term. This is a standard arrangement for many agencies, which already lease a portion 

of their equipment. It is often possible to add a clean 

energy activity to an existing leasing agreement, especially if a master lease is in place with a lending institution (Hatcher and Dietsche, 2001; Zobler and Hatcher, 

2008; NAESC, Undated, U.S. EPA, 2008). 7

Grants and Rebates

Governments and private foundations offer grants for 

specific activities with definable social benefits. Grants 

do not have to be repaid, which reduces the financing 

needed to complete a project and effectively reduces 

the associated payback period.

Most energy-related rebates are funded by Public 

Benefits Funds (PBFs), which are administered by state 

energy offices, local utilities, or other program administrators (see Section 5.2.2, Funding Sources - Public 

Benefits Funds and System Benefits Charges for more 

information). 

Other Short-Term Financing Alternatives

Because most clean energy programs and activities 

cannot be paid off within a single fiscal year, states 

often must decide whether to enter long-term financing agreements or to delay the activity. For a budgeted 

activity (i.e., for which funds will become available in a 

known time frame), an alternative is for a state to start 

the activity immediately by issuing notes (i.e., a promise to pay). Common notes that government entities 

can issue include Tax Anticipation Notes (TANs), Bond 

Anticipation Notes (BANs), and Revenue Anticipation 

Notes (RANs). These short-term (e.g., less than 12 

months) debt securities can be issued in anticipation 

of collecting future tax, bond, or revenues needed to 

pay for the activity, but they must be paid off in full 

at the end of their term. While this payment schedule 

may make short-term notes inappropriate for financing 

most energy efficiency projects, in some cases it can be 

a good business decision to mix financial vehicles (e.g. 

7 A master lease is similar to a “lease line of credit” in that it allows a variety 

of equipment with different useful lives and delivered at different times to be 

financed under one agreement, thereby reducing the paperwork required for 

approval.

Financing New Heating Systems in the 

Shenendehowa Central School District, Clinton 

Park, New York

In the face of escalating energy and maintenance costs, the 

Shenendehowa Central school district installed new energyefficient equipment that could be paid for from future energy 

cost savings. With assistance from NYSERDA, they hired an ESP

that guaranteed energy savings. 

Instead of bundling the financing under the performance 

contract, the district chose to obtain the funds directly from 

a commercial lender using a tax-exempt lease-purchase 

agreement for a 10-year term. The lease-purchase agreement 

contained non-appropriation language, which limited 

payments to the operating budget savings. This financing 

option allowed school officials to successfully install energyefficient equipment without raising taxes. 

Source: U.S. EPA, 2004c. 

Washington Energy Performance Contracting 

Program

In 2001, Washington passed legislation requiring state agencies 

to perform energy audits in their facilities. The legislation 

requires agencies to use energy performance contracts to 

conduct upgrades in facilities where audits reveal energy 

saving opportunities. The Washington Department of General 

Administration has designed a program to assist state agencies, 

local governments, and other public institutions in entering into 

energy performance contracts. The Department has formed an 

Energy Team to administer the program and provide program 

participants with a pre-qualified list of approved ESCOs, an 

experienced energy engineer to provide technical assistance, 

and assistance obtaining low-interest state treasurer financing. 

Source: Washington, 2007.

140 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Five
via a short-term note and a long-term agreement) to 

minimize the costs of delaying activities.

5.2.2 Funding Sources 

This section describes how and when to use different funding sources, which are distinguished from 

financial vehicles. Sources of funding for LBE activities 

– including PBFs, revolving loans, pension funds, and 

private foundations – are accessed through the financial vehicles described above to provide the capital for 

clean energy activities. For example, a funding source 

such as a revolving loan fund or a state-run PBF can 

provide funding to a state agency via a financial vehicle 

such as a loan or a grant. 

Energy Efficiency Program Administrators

States can work with their energy efficiency program 

administrators, such as utilities (e.g., PG&E) or 

third-party entities (e.g., the Mass Technology Trust 

or Efficiency Vermont) to obtain funding for their 

LBE programs. These organizations deliver efficiency 

measures and services with monies collected via public 

benefits funds, utility cost recovery mechanisms, or 

other funding sources. . 

In the case of a PBF (also called a system benefits 

charge), state fund dedicated to supporting energy 

efficiency and/or renewable energy, paid for by a “per 

kWh” surcharge on electricity sales (typically 2 to 5 

mills per kWh).8

 As of 2006, 19 states had implemented PBF programs for energy efficiency, collecting and 

reinvesting more than $1 billion per year, and 16 states 

were collecting more than $300 million per year for 

clean energy supply (U.S. EPA, 2006b). While PBFs are 

typically used to support clean energy programs aimed 

at homeowners and the private sector, several states use 

them to pay for LBE activities. 

Example: the Mass Technology Collaborative (MTC) – 

an entity that oversees the allocation of funding from the 

Massachusetts Renewable Trust, a fund generated from 

system benefits charges – provided funding in the form 

of a grant to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and 

Wildlife to evaluate the potential for integrating renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies into the 

design of a new state facility (EOEEA, 2007).

8 1 mill = one-tenth of a cent.

Revolving Loan Funds

Revolving loan funds are capital funds that make loans, 

collect payments, and then re-lend the loan payments 

to finance new activities. The original capitalization 

can come from sources such as PBFs, oil overcharge 

refunds, legal settlements, bond issues, or billing corrections. Revolving loan funds typically offer belowmarket rate long-term loans for energy efficiency or 

renewable energy activities.

Revolving loan funds can vary from state to state, according to type of qualifying project, financing terms, 

maximum loan amounts, interest rates, fees, and application and approval processes. Some revolving loan 

funds cover all capital expenditures while others are 

on a cost-shared basis. To contribute to state energy 

goals and be self-sustaining, revolving funds must be 

well-capitalized (e.g., large enough to meet a significant 

portion of the market need) and/or long-term (e.g., to 

allow funds to fully recycle and be re-loaned to a sizable number of borrowers). To maintain a large pool of 

capital, it is important for states to consider tradeoffs 

such as the balance between private and public sector 

loans and between short-term and long-term loans. 

Additionally, if a fund holds only a few loans made to 

similar types of borrowers, it can be exposed to default; 

a fund with many diverse loans spreads the risks. 

New Hampshire Building Energy Conservation (BECI) 

Initiative

The New Hampshire BECI prompted an evaluation of options 

for improving energy efficiency in state-owned buildings. The 

state’s Treasury Department was concerned about increasing 

the state’s debt, which could adversely affect its credit rating. 

State officials determined that by setting up a tax-exempt 

master lease program (MLP) to underwrite its performance 

contracts, the state could obtain lower cost financing. Because 

the non-appropriation language of the MLP would allow 

the lease to be repaid from operating funds, there would 

be minimal impact on the state’s credit rating. The state 

arranged two rounds of MLP funding for its facilities, totaling 

approximately $25 million. 

This low-cost financing enabled state officials to install a 

broader range of energy-efficient equipment than if they 

had used the financing bundled into an ESP’s performance 

contract. As a result, more projects met the legislated payback 

requirements. Ten buildings have been renovated through the 

BECI program. Avoided energy costs for these facilities exceed 

$200,000 annually. When fully implemented, it is anticipated 

that the BECI will be responsible for upgrades in more than 500 

state-owned buildings, with energy savings of up to $4 million 

a year. These energy efficiency improvements will reduce CO2 

emissions by approximately 35,000 tons per year. 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2004c; New Hampshire, 2006; U.S. EPA, 2006b.

Chapter Five | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 141
A number of states have revolving loan funds that are 

successfully providing capital for clean energy activities, including LBE activities. These funds can be coordinated with tax incentives [e.g., the Oregon Business 

Energy Tax Credit (BETC)], have varying degrees of 

private commercial lender involvement (e.g., the New 

York Energy $mart Loan Program), or can be run as a 

direct lender (e.g., Texas LoanSTAR Program). 

Example: The Maryland Energy Administration provides loans to state agencies for cost-effective energy efficiency improvements in state facilities through its State 

Agency Loan Program (SALP), which awards about 

$1 million in new loans each fiscal year. State agencies 

pay zero interest with a 1% administration fee. Their 

repayments are made from the agency’s fuel and utility 

budget, based on the avoided energy costs of the activity. 

This self-sustaining fund is capitalized with national oil 

overcharge funds (MEA, 2005).

Pension Funds 

Some states use pension funds to invest in clean energy 

activities. Pension fund managers seek a mix of investments that ensure stable returns for their contributors 

after they retire, and energy cost savings can generate a 

solid return to the pension fund. 

ExampleS: Washington Real Estate Holdings, a real 

estate manager for the Washington State Investment 

Board, which manages the state’s pensions, completed 

a $3.5 million SMART ENERGY and energy efficiency 

upgrade of Union Square that lowered building energy 

costs by 40% and created 30 jobs for a year (Feldman, 

2005). 

CalPERS (California Pubic Employees Retirement 

System) and CalSTRS (California State Teachers Retirement System), which are among the country’s largest 

pension funds for state and local government employees, 

hosted a conference in 2005 on environmental investing 

in San Jose, California, stating that “there is a growing 

demand in our global economy for cleaner, more efficient 

energy and technological solutions.” (CalPERS, 2005.) 

Private Foundations

A number of private foundations (e.g., nonprofit organizations or charitable trusts) help fund scientific, educational, or other charitable activities. The most common 

types of financing provided by these foundations include 

grants and program-related investments (which are 

usually set up with a repayment schedule). While foundations are sometimes reluctant to finance government 

Iowa Energy Bank

The Iowa Energy Bank combines private and public funds to 

finance energy efficiency improvements in state facilities by 

using saved energy costs to pay for the projects. The Energy 

Bank conducts an energy audit and engineering analysis, and 

negotiates financing terms with private lenders. The bank 

has facilitated more than $130 million in energy efficiency 

measures since its inception in 1989. Common energy 

efficiency improvements include fluorescent lamp and ballast 

replacement, motor replacement, exit sign replacement, pipe 

insulation, lighting controls, low volume toilets, biomass fuels, 

envelope insulation, and wind energy purchases.

Source: Iowa, 2006.

Oregon: State Business Tax Credit for 

Efficiency and Renewables

Oregon’s Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC), which any business 

and public entity can qualify for, has stimulated business 

investment in energy conservation, renewable energy resources, 

recycling, and less-polluting transportation fuels since 1980. 

The tax credit is 35% of the eligible project costs (i.e., the 

incremental cost of the system or equipment that is beyond 

standard practice). The credit is taken over five years: 10% in the 

first and second years and 5% each year thereafter. The unused 

credit can be carried forward up to eight years. Recipients with 

eligible project costs of $20,000 or less can take the tax credit 

in one year. Through 2003, more than 7,400 Oregon energy tax 

credits had been awarded. Altogether, these investments saved 

or generated energy worth about $215 million a year. 

A key feature of the program is its innovative “pass-through 

option,” in which a project owner can transfer a tax credit 

to a pass-through partner in return for a lump-sum cash 

payment (the net present value of the tax credit) upon project 

completion. The pass-through option allows public entities and 

businesses with and without tax liability to use the energy tax 

credit by transferring their tax credit for an eligible project to a 

partner with a tax liability.

Source: Oregon, 2006a. 

LoanSTAR Revolving Loan Program

The Texas LoanSTAR (Saving Taxes and Resources) Program is 

a self-sustaining program of the State Energy Conservation 

Office (SECO), which provides low-interest loans to finance 

energy conservation in public facilities. Loans are repaid using 

cost savings from verified energy reductions. Legislatively 

mandated to be funded at a minimum of $95 million at all 

times, the LoanSTAR Program had funded projects in 191 

facilities as of April 2006, with energy savings averaging 15%, 

an average payback period of 5.6 years, and 3% annual interest 

rates. The program has achieved cumulative energy savings of 

more than $210 million and has prevented 7,073 tons of NOx, 

2.1 million tons of CO2, and 4,788 tons of SO2. 

Sources: SECO, 2006b and ACEEE, 2007

142 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Five
activities, clean energy activities that meet a foundation’s 

specific objectives (e.g., improved indoor air quality in 

public buildings) may qualify for assistance. 

5.2.3 Strategies for Overcoming

Financial Obstacles

The previous two sections describe financial vehicles 

and funding sources that states can use to finance their 

clean energy LBE programs. This section summarizes 

strategies and best practices states can use to mitigate 

financial barriers to their LBE programs. 

■ Consider Multiple Financing Options. LBE activities 

compete with many other programs for limited financial resources. In addition, capital is often difficult to 

access and financial requirements may be difficult to 

meet. Strategies for addressing financial issues include: 

■ Use alternative financing options, including municipal lease-purchase agreements, performance 

contracting, and revolving loan funds. 

■ Reform budgeting procedures to allow agencies to 

borrow from operating budgets to supplement capital budgets.

■ Communicate the fact that in the long run, costeffective clean energy LBE activities help extend 

limited financial resources.

■ Modify State Procurement and Accounting Rules. State 

policies sometimes present barriers to implementation. 

Some states have modified their public procurement 

and accounting methods to encourage energy efficiency investments and renewable energy procurements. 

Barriers and potential solutions include:

■ Modify purchasing requirements that require using 

least first-cost and lowest bid approaches. This is 

critical because performance contracts and other 

energy-saving investments can increase upfront capital costs while resulting in lower life-cycle costs over 

the long term. In some cases, legislative authority or 

policy changes may be needed to modify procurement regulations to require life-cycle costing. For 

example, the Vermont State Agency Energy Plan for 

State Government requires life cycle cost analyses to 

be conducted on state purchases, where applicable 

(Vermont, 2005). (Also see Section 5.2.1, Financial 

Vehicles, Capital Budgets and Procurement Budgets.)

■ Permit long-term contracting, which is often needed 

to implement performance contracts.

■ Revise financing and leasing regulations so that 

public entities can pass through tax benefits (i.e., tax 

credits) to private entities. This is necessary for attracting private investors.

■ Modify budgeting and accounting practices so that 

agencies or facilities are allowed to keep a portion 

of the energy cost savings. Otherwise, energy cost 

savings could simply result in reduced budgets in 

subsequent years, discouraging facility managers 

from developing energy efficiency activities.

■ Change state budget “scoring” rules, so that the benefits of performance contracting, bond issues, or other 

debt obligations are considered along with their costs.

States are Developing Ways to Share or Retain their 

Energy Savings

Iowa Executive Order 41 requires agencies to retain energy 

savings and reinvest them in facility infrastructure.

South Carolina legislation states that an agency’s budget must 

not be reduced by the full amount of money saved through 

energy conservation measures. Instead, energy savings must 

be divided among the agency, the general fund, and debt 

retirement of capital expenditures on energy efficiency. In 

addition, the legislation requires the use of financial incentives 

to encourage agencies to reinvest their energy cost savings 

into energy conservation areas, where practical. 

Recent Connecticut legislation requires development of a 

strategic plan to improve the management of energy use in state 

facilities. The resulting financial benefits to states and the overall 

electric system will be measured and distributed as follows: 

■ 75% retained by electric ratepayers

■ 12.5% reinvested in EE programs in state buildings

12.5% invested in EE programs and technologies for energy ■

assistance programs administered by the Department of Social 

Services.

Sources: Iowa, 2005; South Carolina, no date given; Connecticut, 2007.

Utah Policy to Advance Energy Efficiency in the 

State – Financing Options

The governor’s policy for improving energy efficiency in state 

facilities recognizes the need for agencies to explore a variety 

of methods for funding energy-saving programs in buildings, 

including:

■ Funding from the state legislature

■ Utility energy-efficiency contracts

■ Performance contracts

■ Petroleum violation escrow fund

■ Federal grants

Source: Utah, 2006.

Chapter Five | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 143
■ Develop standard agreements for sharing or retaining energy savings. State budget policies sometimes 

require savings from LBE activities to be deducted 

from an agency’s or department’s budget and transferred to the state general fund, rather than benefiting the agency or department. States are addressing 

this problem by revamping purchasing rules, developing standard agreements and protocols, issuing 

executive orders, and passing legislation for sharing 

or retaining energy savings. 

■ Aggregate Purchasing Contracts for Green Power, Equipment Procurement, and Service Contracting. Purchasing 

authority is often dispersed across agencies. Some 

states have lowered their costs by aggregating purchasing contracts across state agencies. For example, combining the electricity requirements of several agencies 

into a single contract enables states to negotiate lower 

prices for green power. 

ExampleS: The California Local Energy Efficiency Program coordinates municipal LBE programs that are, in 

many cases, very small jurisdictions with limited energy 

use. By coordinating their green power purchases, these 

municipalities can obtain better rates for their green 

power purchases. 

In 2004, the New York Municipal Wind Buyers Group 

was able to negotiate a 5% price reduction from the initial 2¢/kWh premium on a renewable energy purchase 

that aggregated the energy demands of 27 communities 

(Bird and Swezey, 2004). 

In Colorado, a 2007 executive order directs the state 

Department of Personnel and Administration to pursue 

opportunities to aggregate purchases of hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles with neighboring states (Colorado, 

2007).

■ Address “Split Incentives” Issues. Split incentives involve 

situations where the economic benefits of reducing 

energy consumption do not accrue to the entity that 

takes the action. Two types of split incentives can occur 

when implementing LBE programs:

■ State building occupants may not have an incentive 

to pay the upfront costs of energy efficiency since 

they do not see the savings from their investments. 

Increased communications and outreach (e.g., workshops and employee recognition programs) that raise 

the profile of clean energy LBE activities and their 

benefits can help overcome this barrier. 

■ When states lease facilities from private owners, the 

owners may pass energy costs on to the building occupants and therefore have no incentive to purchase 

energy-efficient equipment or implement other clean 

energy measures. Similarly, designers and contractors for new buildings do not pay life-cycle operating 

costs, which instead fall on the tenants. Requiring 

life-cycle cost accounting and taking advantage of 

financial vehicles – such as performance contracting 

and municipal lease-purchase agreements – can help 

address these concerns. Other strategies include making the business case for energy efficiency to building 

owners and managers, and establishing an award 

system that gives the owner a share of the benefits. 

Example: In Wisconsin, state officials are working to 

incorporate ENERGY STAR criteria into lease agreements when they are renegotiated for renewal (Mapp et 

al., 2006).

5.3 Conduct Communications 

and Outreach: Building and

Maintaining Support for an LBE

Program

Once an LBE program or activity has been initiated, 

it is important to continue to build and maintain support to ensure effective program implementation. This 

King County, Washington – Win Win Program

More than 130 government agencies throughout King County, 

Washington take advantage of the county Fleet Administration 

Division’s Win-Win Program. The program uses savings 

from aggregated purchases to provide services to regional 

government agency fleets. These services include acquisition, 

maintenance, replacement, and disposal of more than 3,000 

vehicles and equipment, worth over $2 billion. Agencies can 

save up to $4,000 per vendor when purchasing fleet-related 

products through the county. The county provides these 

services at cost–government agencies can obtain services 

through the program at the same cost of purchasing on their 

own, while benefiting from the county’s expert advice. 

Source: King County, 2006.

Energy Efficiency in Government-Leased Buildings

States can lead by example by using their spending power to 

encourage private sector building owners to adopt energyefficient building standards. California, Hawaii, and Virginia have 

used executive orders or legislation to direct state agencies to 

give preference to ENERGY STAR and LEED-certified spaces 

when pursuing building spaces for lease or purchase. 

Sources: California, 2007; Hawaii, 2006; Virginia, 2007. 

144 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Five
section outlines communication and outreach strategies for obtaining ongoing LBE program or activity 

support from state agency personnel, the public, and 

other community stakeholders. Additional resources 

are provided in Appendix E, Resources for Conducting 

Communications and Outreach for LBE Programs.

5.3.1 Gain State Agency Personnel

Support

Despite its many benefits, clean energy is often assigned a lower priority than other issues. In addition, 

the relevant agency, facility, or managers may find it 

difficult and time-consuming to implement new LBE 

activities, or may not have the specific knowledge or 

staff support needed to do so. States can employ a variety of methods to mitigate these barriers while gaining 

the support of state staff. These strategies include:

■ Develop Contacts With State Employees. It is important to identify state employees who might represent 

roadblocks to LBE efforts, as well as those who can be 

champions for the state LBE program, and to share information about the merits of LBE activities with these 

individuals. For example:

■ Develop contacts with high-level personnel, especially facility and finance managers, who might present 

potential roadblocks to LBE efforts.

■ Identify the champions in each state agency who are 

working to implement clean energy activities and 

give them the implementation support.

■ Identify staff who may be uncertain about the merits 

of LBE activities and include them in program planning and implementation.

■ Supplement limited staff availability by hiring interns 

(Massachusetts, 2006a) and obtaining governor support for hiring additional staff (Utah, 2006).

■ Provide Incentives to Key State Agencies and Personnel.

Giving verbal and/or written credit to state agencies 

and employees who are instrumental in helping to 

plan, implement, and participate in LBE activities communicates the importance of these activities, thereby 

encouraging others to offer support and instill clean 

energy awareness into the institutional culture. 

Example: Colorado recognizes state employees who 

have promoted the goals and objectives of its Greening 

the Government program (Colorado, 2005).

■ Require participation in LBE program design. States can 

require key personnel to participate in LBE program/

activity development and ensure participation through 

a regular reporting and meeting process.

Example: When the New York “Green and Clean” 

State Buildings and Vehicles Executive Order was 

enacted, the governor obtained support by convening 

agency heads in a state panel to implement the order 

and follow up with regular reports to the governor’s office (NYSERDA, 2006).

■ Improve coordination among state agencies. The expertise required for an effective LBE program is often 

dispersed across different state agencies. Consequently, 

coordinating among agencies that have varied technical and programmatic focus (e.g., energy efficiency, 

finance, facilities construction and management, 

Massachusetts Approach to Obtaining LBE Support 

From Key State Agencies

A key reason for the success of the Massachusetts State 

Sustainability Program has been the ability of the lead LBE

agency, the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA), to 

successfully develop contacts with key state agency personnel. 

This process involved engaging high-level EOEA officials to 

contact each of the agency commissioners and ask them 

to appoint sustainability coordinators. EOEA also develops 

contacts with building facility directors and key finance staff. 

To date, EOEA has been able to obtain the support of key 

personnel in 50 of the largest state agencies, with the largest 

potential clean energy impacts. One effective approach for 

gaining support from these key personnel involved highlighting 

the non-environmental benefits (e.g., cost savings, personnel 

savings) in addition to the environmental and energy benefits 

of the program. 

Source: Massachusetts, 2006a. 

State Employee Incentives in Colorado

Through its Employee Sustainability and Pollution Prevention 

Incentive Awards Program, Colorado offers recognition to state 

employees who excel in promoting the goals and objectives 

of Executive Order D005 05, Greening of State Government. 

Selection criteria include: 

■ Degree of innovation

Longevity of outcome (i.e., length of impact) ■

■ Potential for environmental results and improvements

Level of impact ■

Application to Executive Order goals ■

Effect on public awareness of opportunities for incorporating ■

sustainable practices

Source: Colorado, 2006b.

Chapter Five | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 145
environmental issues) can be instrumental in implementing clean energy programs.

5.3.2 Conduct Communications and 

Outreach with State Agency Personnel

Conducting communications and outreach with state 

agency personnel is integral to gaining and maintaining 

support for the implementation of clean energy programs. The following strategies can help states ensure 

that staff at all levels are well informed so that they can 

effectively implement state LBE program and activities.

■ Develop a communications and outreach plan. States 

can develop and implement a communications and 

outreach plan that outlines their approach for informing staff about the LBE program, its benefits, and how 

to support these efforts. A successful plan includes 

identification of the communications goal, target 

audience, key messages, strategies, specific activities 

to implement the strategies, and an approach for 

evaluating the plan’s effectiveness. EPA has developed 

guidelines and support materials for developing a communication plan for ENERGY STAR activities, which 

can be applied to many clean energy LBE communication activities (U.S. EPA, 2006h). In addition, EPA is 

developing a guide to help states determine how to 

design, implement, and evaluate a program to educate 

and inform stakeholders about climate change and the 

benefits of clean energy [U.S. EPA, Forthcoming(b)].

■ Emphasize the broad range of clean energy benefits. The 

benefits of clean energy LBE programs are sometimes 

not obvious to state officials, state agency staff, and 

other participants in the LBE process. Using outreach 

materials, education and training sessions, and guidance documents to report the dollars and kWh saved, 

GHG emissions avoided, and other environmental, 

economic, and energy reliability benefits can be an effective way to promote clean energy (also see Section 

5.3.3, Communicate the Benefits of Clean Energy to 

Stakeholders).

■ Develop outreach materials. States can develop 

outreach materials to educate state employees about 

LBE plans and engage their active participation in 

implementing the plans. Communication materials, 

from very simple reminders to more detailed materials 

and fact sheets, can describe the state’s LBE activities, 

agency staff responsibilities, and information about the 

benefits of LBE programs. 

ExampleS: Minnesota Executive Order 04–08 requires 

state departments to biannually email fact sheets to 

state employees about steps they can take at work and at 

home to reduce air pollution (Minnesota, 2005). 

California has developed fact sheets describing state 

LBE measures (e.g., green building initiatives and solar 

power in state facilities), which include statistics on accomplishments (Green California, 2006b). 

■ Provide Training Sessions, Workshops, and Conferences. 

LBE training sessions, workshops, and written guidance can help show agencies how to develop their own 

LBE plans quickly and at low cost. 

Example: In Colorado, Rebuild Colorado offers energy 

management training workshops for state agency staff. 

Colorado held a Greening of State Government Conference to inform state employees, including purchasing 

officials, energy managers, facilities staff, custodial managers, and fleet managers, of the benefits of the state’s 

LBE program and to share information on successful 

strategies, lessons learned, and available resources 

(Colorado, 2006a).

■ Educate new employees. It is important to ensure that 

new employees are informed about the LBE program, 

the specific measures that are being implemented, and 

related benefits. 

■ Develop LBE guidance documents. Knowing how an 

LBE activity applies to a particular office and its employees can increase the level of participation by state 

personnel and improve the effectiveness of an LBE 

program. Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and 

Vermont, for example, have developed guidance documents for state agencies that provide an approach to 

implementing their LBE program, including strategies 

for promoting the program and communicating its 

benefits to state employees. 

Vermont: Emphasizing the Benefits of Clean Energy

This 2005 state plan includes a chapter describing ways to 

obtain buy-in from state agency staff through education, 

promotion, and communication, including to:

Explain why the state LBE program is critical to reducing global 

warming; what state policies, laws, and agreements have been 

instituted; and how to implement LBE plans and strategies.

Provide statistics on past and present electrical and heating fuel 

usage as compared to targeted energy usage goals. 

Source: Vermont, 2005.

146 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Five
5.3.3 Communicate the Benefits of

Clean Energy to Stakeholders

Creating a sustainable, effective LBE program involves 

persuading stakeholders about the initiative’s merit. 

Thus, it is important to describe the benefits of the LBE 

program to the public, the private sector, and other 

community stakeholders, and to explain why these 

benefits are in their interest. States can communicate 

these benefits to stakeholders in a variety of ways:

■ Develop a clean energy LBE Web site. Web sites provide 

an important source of information for the public. 

ExampleS: The Energy Resources Council of Maine 

has developed a Web site for energy consumers, called 

MaineEnergyInfo.com. One section of the site describes 

state LBE accomplishments and activities (Maine, 2006). 

The California Green Action Team, maintains a Webbased online media center that includes links to photos 

and videos highlighting LBE accomplishments (Green 

California, 2006a). 

■ Issue press releases. States can issue press releases to announce new LBE policies, explain the benefits of clean 

energy, and highlight LBE successes. 

Example: An August 2006 press release announced the 

Pennsylvania governor’s decision to double the state’s 

green power purchase (e.g., wind and hydroelectric energy) from 10% to 20% of the state government’s electricity 

consumption. The press release states that by leading the 

way on renewable energy resources, the state will create 

jobs, enhance homeland security, and provide significant 

environmental improvements (Pennsylvania 2006d). 

■ Publish newsletters, brochures, and fact sheets. States can 

develop outreach materials to explain the benefits of 

clean energy and illustrate the state’s role in taking the 

lead in clean energy activities. 

ExampleS: Massachusetts publishes quarterly newsletters that highlight LBE activities and provide information on innovative and cost-effective sustainability 

activities at state agencies, authorities, and colleges 

(Massachusetts, 2006b). 

California has recently initiated an on-line newsletter 

to share information on the state’s actions to meet its 

energy efficiency and resource conservation goals (Green 

California, 2006b). 

For states targeting municipal LBE programs, it can be 

helpful to work within “community outreach channels” 

to help build program support. A community outreach 

channel is an organization or process that deals with 

core issues of concern in the community, such as managing public buildings, reducing pollution, creating 

jobs, serving disadvantaged populations, and/or creating economic development opportunities. 

Example: CALeep, for example, used the existing 

outreach channel of the San Joaquin Valley Regional 

Jobs Initiative (originally established to increased employment) to promote energy efficiency in municipalities 

(CALeep, 2006).

Clean energy LBE activities frequently involve new 

technologies or practices that might be perceived as 

unproven, and can present barriers to implementation. 

Strategies for addressing these perceptions include:

Rebuild Colorado Training Sessions

The Colorado Governor’s Office of Energy Management and 

Conservation’s Rebuild Colorado offers a variety of technical 

services to state agencies and institutions, cities, counties, 

schools, and other local governments. Services include Energy 

Management Training Workshops for State Agencies, which 

are monthly, 90-minute, teleconferences for facilities and 

maintenance staff of state agencies and higher education 

institutions. Sessions are held on a variety of topics in energy 

management, including, for example, retro-commissioning.

Source: Rebuild Colorado, 2006a.

Massachusetts Agency Sustainability Planning and

Implementation Guide

The Massachusetts State Sustainability Program developed 

a planning and implementation guide for state agencies that 

articulates the program’s goals and offers specific strategies 

for agencies and employees to increase sustainability in 

state government. The guide is organized according to 

five LBE program areas: climate change/energy efficiency, 

waste reduction and recycling, sustainable design, water 

conservation, and environmentally preferable purchasing.

It includes a five-step sustainability plan template and a sample 

action plan worksheet to help agencies identify sustainability 

activities and the key staff necessary to ensure program success. 

The guide serves as a foundation from which agencies can 

develop sustainability plans. It also encourages agencies 

to incorporate their own ideas into the program, with the 

aim of producing greater interest in the program’s effective 

implementation.

Source: Massachusetts, 2004.

Chapter Five | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 147
■ Conduct communication and outreach. States can use 

workshops, presentations, and fact sheets to illustrate 

successful LBE programs launched by other states, and/

or to provide tangible program benefits.

■ Provide incentives. When developing green buildings, 

some facilities managers, architects, and designers must 

commit sufficient effort to make the integrated design 

process fully effective. States can communicate the 

importance of these actions by offering designers and 

architects energy performance bonuses if the building 

meets an agreed-upon energy efficiency target. 

Example: Rebuild Colorado provides grants to state 

agencies, school districts, and universities as an incentive 

for public facilities managers to participate in its highperformance building design program (U.S. DOE, 2007). 

■ Offer technical expertise. In some cases, the perceived 

concern involves a real operational or financial risk 

(e.g., new clean energy technologies may involve O&M 

risks, and some regions might have limited access to 

ESPs with well-established track records). States can 

help relieve these risks by obtaining technical expertise 

and screening or preauthorizing vendors or contractors.

5.4 Provide Technical and

Financial Assistance to Local

Governments

While some local governments are already leading by 

example through clean energy programs9, other city 

and county governments lack sufficient staff and resources to initiate LBE programs. Consequently, it can 

be important for states to provide technical support 

and financial assistance to local government agencies – public hospitals; public schools, colleges, and 

universities; and other city- and county-level government facilities. Assisting local governments with their 

LBE activities can enable states to meet statewide clean 

energy and GHG goals.

Example: In July 2007, the Maryland governor 

launched the emPOWER Maryland initiative, with the 

goal of reducing statewide per capita energy consumption by 15% by 2015. One of the seven steps intended to 

help the state government reach this goal is to expand 

9 See, for example, Section 3.5.5, Local Governments or Other State/Public 

Organizations Adopt Programs that Support State Goals and/or Influence 

State Adoption of LBE Programs and Chapter 2, Potential Lead by Example 

Activities and Measures.

the Community Energy Loan Program (CELP), which 

provides in low-interest revolving loans to local governments and nonprofit organizations to install energy 

efficient improvements (Maryland, 2007). 

Working with local governments can also lead to 

enhanced information-sharing networks that can both 

increase awareness of the benefits of clean energy 

at the local level and provide opportunities for local 

governments to share their LBE successes with states. 

(Additional resources are provided in Appendix F, 

Resources on Technical and Financial Assistance to Local 

Governments.)

Benefits of State Technical and Financial

Assistance Programs

Facilitate development and implementation of local clean ■

energy programs

■ Encourage information sharing among state and local agencies

■ Help states meet their statewide clean energy targets

Help ensure the development of consistent and successful ■

clean energy practices

5.4.1 Technical Assistance Programs 

A number of states have developed technical assistance 

programs for local governments and other public 

entities. Examples of successful state LBE technical assistance programs are presented below.

California: Technical Assistance in Existing and New 

Buildings

The CEC’s Energy Partnership Program offers technical 

assistance to cities, counties, and hospitals by helping 

these local groups identify opportunities to improve 

energy efficiency in buildings. The program provides 

such technical services as conducting energy audits, 

preparing feasibility studies, developing equipment 

performance specifications, reviewing existing proposals and designs, reviewing equipment bid specifications, 

and assisting with contractor selection and commissioning. The CEC also helps identify state loans and other 

financing sources for project installation (CEC, 2006b). 

Web site: http://www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/

partnership/index.html

148 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Five
New York: Energy-Efficient Product Procurement 

Assistance

As part of its Energy $mart initiative, NYSERDA 

administers the New York State Local Government 

Energy-Efficient Product Procurement Program 

(GEEP-NY) to provide local governments with tools, 

education, and guidance to assist them in purchasing or leasing ENERGY STAR equipment. Resources 

include fact sheets, case study briefs, demonstration 

projects, an electronic resource center, a model for 

estimating savings potential, a “how-to” guide, and 

PowerPoint briefings (NYSERDA, 2004a).

Web site: http://www.nyserda.org/programs/geep-ny/

index.asp

Oregon: Energy Audits and Design Reviews for Public 

Schools and Local Governments

The Oregon Department of Energy provides technical 

assistance to public schools and local governments by 

conducting energy audits, assessments, and design reviews. Through its Building Commissioning Program, 

the department helps train building operators to improve building documentation, detect potential energy 

deficiencies, and tune up building control systems. 

Resources include commissioning handbooks and a 

toolkit that guides public school and local government 

building managers through the commissioning process

(Oregon, 2006b, 2006b).

Web sites: http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/

GOV/govhme.shtml (Energy Information for 

Governments)

http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/BUS/comm/

bldgcx.shtml (Building Commissioning) 

Pennsylvania: Energy Management Plan Assistance 

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental 

Protection has developed communication materials 

(including a Web site and a PowerPoint presentation) 

to provide energy conservation assistance to local governments, and assists local governments in developing 

energy management plans based on initial evaluations 

of energy efficiency improvement opportunities. The 

Web site contains a list of information and resources 

on conservation and energy efficiency measures, 

alternative energy approaches, and financial incentives

(Pennsylvania, 2006a).

Web site: http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/energy/cwp/

view.asp?a = 1379&q = 485061 

Texas: Schools and Local Government Program

Administered by the Texas SECO, this program provides 

services to help public school districts, colleges, universities, and nonprofit hospitals establish and maintain 

energy efficiency programs through school partnerships, 

energy management training workshops, and direct 

energy-related services. The school partnerships component of the program includes activities such as helping 

schools establish student-involved energy projects and 

developing energy-related educational materials. The 

energy management training workshops cover both the 

administrative aspects of clean energy LBE programs 

(e.g., energy accounting and retrofit financing) and the 

technical aspects (e.g., energy management technologies and building design). Direct technical support is 

provided through facility-related services that address 

energy accounting, energy-efficient facility O&M, indoor air quality, water conservation, and comprehensive 

energy planning. SECO also offers a Preliminary Energy 

Assessment Service to assist energy managers in reducing costs, increasing available capital, spurring economic 

growth, and improving working and living environments. The assessment service offers recommendations 

for energy efficiency upgrades at no cost (SECO, 2006a).

Web site: http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/sch-gov.htm

Types of Technical Assistance

■ Training seminars and workshops

Guidance documents and resources, including clean energy ■

LBE Web sites for local governments

■ Outreach programs

■ School partnerships and energy education programs

Direct assistance, such as conducting energy audits, preparing ■

feasibility studies, and assisting with contractor selection and 

building commissioning

Energy management and planning support ■

Technical Assistance Topics

■ Energy efficiency measures

■ Energy management technologies

■ Green building design

■ Building codes

■ Energy accounting

■ Retrofit financing

■ Building commissioning

■ ENERGY STAR resources

■ Energy-efficient procurement practices

Chapter Five | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 149
West Virginia: Building Professionals Energy Training 

Program

This program, administered by the West Virginia Development Office, disseminates information concerning current energy codes and building technologies to 

local government officials and county and school facilities managers. With the assistance of DOE, program 

staff organize training seminars covering topics such as 

“Overview of the 2000 International Building Codes,” 

“High Performance Schools,” and “ENERGY STAR 

Portfolio Manager” (West Virginia, 2006).

Web site: http://www.wvdo.org/community/code.html

5.4.2 Financial Assistance Programs

State agencies responsible for clean energy LBE programs can provide direct financial assistance to local 

governments and/or provide resources about financial 

opportunities available through other sources. 

A number of state programs offer loans to local governments that can be paid by using savings from the 

energy efficiency upgrades funded by the loan. Other 

states help local governments with their energy savings 

performance contracting and/or provide guidance on 

financing opportunities for local agencies. Examples 

of state financial assistance programs for local governments are provided below.

California: Energy Efficiency Financing Program

This CEC program provides low-interest loans to 

schools, hospitals, and local governments to fund 

energy audits, feasibility studies, and energy efficiency 

measures. The interest rate is 4.5%, and the maximum 

loan per application is $3 million. Recipients who complete their projects within 12 months of the loan and 

meet all requirements specified in the loan application 

receive a reduced interest rate of 4.1%. The repayment 

schedule is negotiable up to 15 years and is based on 

the annual projected energy cost savings from the aggregated projects (CEC, 2006a). 

Web site: http://www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/

financing/index.html

Kansas: Facility Conservation Improvement Program

This program enables local governments to use an 

energy service performance contract to access financing for planning and implementing LBE activities. The 

state program has a master agreement with four preapproved ESCOs that provide services ranging from 

activity identification and assessment to design management. Leases for energy savings activities through 

the program are tax-exempt to benefit the public agencies, and the interest paid by the lessee is exempt from 

federal and Kansas income tax (Kansas Corporation 

Commission, 2003a).

Web site: http://www.kcc.state.ks.us/energy/fcip/

financing.htm

Oregon: State Energy Loan Program (SELP)

This program provides low-interest loans for public, 

residential, and commercial energy efficiency activities 

(including projects in schools, cities, counties, Indian 

New Jersey Clean Energy Program: Providing 

Financing for Schools and Local Governments

New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program administers the Clean 

Energy Financing for Schools and Local Governments program, 

which offers financial incentives and low-interest financing 

to schools and governments to develop energy efficiency and 

renewable energy generation projects. The program combines 

a rebate program with incentives and financing, giving schools 

and local governments the flexibility to implement costeffective projects immediately. 

The following sample analysis for a comprehensive energy 

efficiency building upgrade, developed by the New Jersey 

Clean Energy Program, illustrates potential costs and savings:

Sample Cost Savings Analysis

Project Costs

Comprehensive energy efficiency 

upgrade (includes lighting and HVAC)

$500,000

Installation of a 200 kW solar energy 

system

$1,200,000

Total project costs $1,700,000

Financing

New Jersey Clean Energy Program 

Grant

$890,000

Total financing—15-year term at 4.8% $810,000

Total finance payment $6,321 per month

Savings

Energy savings (from efficiency 

upgrades and solar system installation)

$8,917 per month

Monthly cost savings (Years 1–15) $2,596 per month

Annual cost savings (Years 16–25) $35,000 per year

Total savings (over and above the 

cost of the equipment and financing 

charges)

$817,280

Source: New Jersey, 2005. 

150 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Five
tribal communities, and state and federal agencies). 

Eligible activities include energy production from 

renewable resources, using recycled materials to create 

products, using alternative fuels, and installing energy 

saving technologies such as energy-efficient lighting 

and weatherization. Limited funds are also available for 

energy evaluations for schools and public buildings. As 

of December 2007, 765 loans exceeding $420 million 

had been made through SELP. Of these, more than 

200 loans were made to municipal organizations. Loan 

terms vary from five to 15 years. The program is selfsupported (using no tax dollars) and most loans are 

designed so the energy savings from the project equal 

the loan payment (Oregon, 2006d).

Web site: http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/LOANS/

selphm.shtml

Pennsylvania: Local Government Handbook

Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) developed a handbook for local governments, developers, and businesses that describes the 

DEP’s financial and technical assistance programs 

across a range of environmental and energy topics 

(Pennsylvania, 2008). 

Web site: http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/ocrlgs/lib/

ocrlgs/localgovernmenthandbook2008.pdf.

5.5 Information Sharing: 

Federal, State, and Local LBE

Resources

Clean energy programs and activities are being implemented and funded across the country on federal, 

state, and local levels. LBE managers and administrators can increase the effectiveness of their programs by 

coordinating with other agencies, programs, and organizations, sharing information about their experiences, 

and sharing LBE-related resources and tools.

5.5.1 Opportunities for Networking

and Information Sharing

Successful implementation of an LBE program or activity can require considerable information and technical expertise, and involve skills ranging from designing 

programs to conducting financial analyses. Networking, one-on-one discussions, and sharing information 

with officials from other states and municipalities 

can provide insights about methods, best practices, 

useful tools, and strategies for alleviating barriers 

(see Appendix G, State LBE Programs and Contacts,

for a list of LBE initiatives by state, including contact 

information). In addition, organizations that include 

representatives from multiple states (e.g., the National 

Association of State Energy Officials) can serve as 

clearinghouses for information on clean energy and 

LBE programs. These organizations provide a forum 

for discussion and can facilitate information-sharing 

sessions among governments. 

Exchanging information about LBE goals, plans, programs, and issues can be especially helpful when states 

share similar situations. For example, information 

sharing can be particularly beneficial among states with 

extensive college systems that include many large universities with their own physical plant, purchasing officers, and administrators. States, including California 

and New York, have assembled extensive information 

on how to implement LBE activities and have shared 

this information via Web sites, published guidance 

Leveraging Technical Expertise and Credibility

The Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), which works with 

private and public sector partners to advance energy efficiency, 

has assisted municipalities in implementing energy-efficient 

traffic signals. CEE helps municipalities adopt the ENERGY STAR 

traffic signal specification, which is based on the Institute of 

Transportation Engineers standard. This provides cost savings 

to municipalities that may not have had the resources to 

develop a specification of their own. But more importantly, 

having a technically sound and well-established specification 

helps pave the way for more rapid adoption of energy-efficient 

traffic signals. Having a credible specification provides an 

assurance to traffic departments of the safety and reliability of 

the signals. 

Source: CEE, 2006. 

Maryland’s Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan 

Program (JELLP) 

Maryland operates the Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan 

Program (JELLP) – which recently replaced the Community 

Energy Loan Program (CELP) – to provide local governments, 

nonprofits, and businesses with financial assistance to reduce 

operating costs associated with energy efficiency upgrades 

(e.g., technical assessments, plans and specifications, and 

construction costs). Eligible projects include those that save 

energy and have a simple payback of seven years or less. 

Energy savings generated by efficiency upgrades can be the 

major source of loan repayment. Currently, the program funds 

nearly $1.5 million in new projects each fiscal year; a total of 

58 loans have been made providing more than $15 million 

for energy efficiency improvements, with cumulative energy 

savings of more than $20 million.

Sources: Maryland, 2006; Maryland, 2008. 

Chapter Five | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 151
documents, presentations, and training sessions (CEC, 

2007a and NYSERDA, 2004c).

5.5.2 Federal, State, and Local

Information Resources

Numerous federal, state, and local resources are available to LBE managers and administrators as they 

establish their programs. An extensive list of resources 

is provided in the appendices to the LBE Guide. This 

section highlights some of the key federal and state 

information sources.

Federal Government Information Resources 

The federal government sponsors a variety of programs 

and provides technical assistance to states implementing LBE programs. Table 5.5.1, Federal Government 

Information Resources, presents a summary of the major federal programs that address clean energy issues 

and provide guidance documents and other resources 

relating to LBE programs. 

State Information Resources

Several states have developed Web sites with substantial LBE support documents, including language for 

executive orders, legislation, and regulations; LBE 

implementation guides; and resources for particular 

LBE activities. Examples are presented in Table 5.5.2. 

Local Information Resources

Local governments are also developing clean energy 

LBE programs. Table 5.5.2 summarizes some of the 

LBE guidelines, best practices, and other resources that 

municipalities have developed.

References

■ACEEE. 2007. Potential for Energy Efficiency, Demand 

Response, and Onsite Renewable Energy to Meet 

Texas’s Growing Electricity Needs. Available: http://

aceee.org/pubs/E073.htm. Accessed 3/7/2007. 

■Bird, L. and B. Swezey. 2004. Green Power Marketing 

in the United States: A Status Report. NREL/TP-620-

36823. September 2004. Available: http://www.eere.

energy.gov/greenpower/pdfs/36823.pdf. Accessed 

4/26/2007. 

152 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Five

■Bond Buyer Online. 2005. Proposed Tax-Credit 

Energy Bonds Will Find a Market, Players Say. July 

21, 2005. Available: http://www.elpc.org/documents/

CREBArticle07-15-05.pdf. Accessed 12/9/2006.

■CALeep. 2006. Local Energy Efficiency Program 

Workbook. March. Available: www.caleep.com/

workbook/workbook.htm. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■California. 2007. Green California, Department of 

General Services, State Facilities Leasing. Available: 

http://www.green.ca.gov/GreenBuildings/leases.htm. 

Accessed: 2/18/2008.

■CalPERS. 2005. CalPERS and CalSTRS to Host 

Conference on Environmental Investing March 29 

in San Jose, California. March 8, 2005 Press Release. 

California Public Employees’ Retirement System. 

Available: http://www.calpers.ca.gov/index.jsp?bc 

= /about/press/pr-2005/march/env-conference.xml. 

Accessed 12/16/2006.

■CEC. 2000. How to Hire a Construction Manager for 

Your Energy Efficiency Project. Handbook. P400-00-

001E. Available: http://www.energy.ca.gov/reports/

efficiency_handbooks/400-00-001E.PDF. Accessed 

12/16/2006.

■CEC. 2005. Summary of Energy Services 

Companies, Summary of Responses. Staff Report. 

CEC-400-2005-001. January. Available: http://

energy.ca.gov/2005publications/CEC-400-2005-001/

CEC-400-2005-001.PDF. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■CEC. 2006a. Energy Efficient Financing. Available: 

http://www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/financing/index.

html. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■CEC. 2006b. Energy Partnership Program. Available: 

http://www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/partnership/index.

html. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■CEC. 2006c. New Information about the Solar Schools 

Program. Available: http://www.consumerenergycenter.

org/school/solar-school.html. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■CEC. 2007a. Green California Web Site. Available: 

http://www.green.ca.gov/default.htm. Accessed 4/24/07.

■CEE. 2006. Energy-Efficient Traffic Signals Fact Sheet. 

Consortium for Energy Efficiency, Boston, MA. 

Available: http://www.cee1.org/resrc/facts/led-fx.php3. 

Accessed 12/16/2006.
Table 5.5.1 Federal Government Information Resources

Title Description URL/Source

EPA Clean 

EnergyEnvironment 

State and Local 

Program

This program assists state and local governments in their clean 

energy efforts by providing technical assistance, analytical tools, and 

outreach support. It includes two programs: 

The Clean Energy-Environment State Partnership is a voluntary 

partnership program that supports state efforts to develop and 

implement cost-effective clean energy strategies that achieve public 

health and economic benefits. Through this partnership program, 

EPA provides technical assistance tailored to states’ needs.

The ■ Clean Energy-Environment Guide to Action provides an 

overview of clean energy programs, including LBE opportunities 

and information resources available to states.

The Clean Energy-Environment Municipal Network provides 

resources that supports local governments' efforts to use clean 

energy strategies to advance their community priorities.

EPA is currently developing ■ Municipal Clean Energy Best Practices 

guidance that will provide best practices information and resources 

about energy efficiency, energy supply, transportation and air 

quality, urban planning and design, waste management strategies 

to reduce energy use, and cross-cutting programs and resources.

A key resource for both programs is the:

■ Energy Efficiency Resources Database, which provides planning, 

policy, technical, analytical, and information resources for state 

and municipal governments.

Program Web site:

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energyprograms/state-and-local/index.html

State Partnership Web site:

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/

energy-programs/state-and-local/statepartnership.html

Guide to Action:

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energyprograms/state-and-local/state-bestpractices.html

Municipal Network Web site:

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energyprograms/state-and-local/local.html

Municipal Best Practices:

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energyprograms/state-and-local/local-bestpractices.html

Energy Efficiency Resources Database:

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energyprograms/napee/resources/database.html

EPA Combined 

Heat and Power 

Partnership 

The voluntary CHP Partnership seeks to reduce the environmental 

impact of power generation by promoting the use of CHP. The 

Partnership works closely with energy users, the CHP industry, 

state and local governments, and other stakeholders to support the 

development of new projects. 

The ■ Catalog of CHP Technologies offers information for 

regulators, policymakers, and agency officials on CHP systems and 

applications. 

Partnership Web site:

http://www.epa.gov/chp

Catalog of CHP Technologies:

http://www.epa.gov/CHP/project_

resources/catalogue.htm

EPA ENERGY

STAR Program

The ENERGY STAR program provides numerous resources to 

governments, schools, and businesses to help them achieve 

superior energy management and realize resulting cost savings and 

environmental benefits. A list of ENERGY STAR resources applicable 

to LBE activities is provided in Section 2.1, Energy Efficiency 

Measures in Government Buildings. 

http://www.energystar.gov

EPA

Environmentally 

Preferable 

Purchasing

This EPA program provides assistance in purchasing products and 

services that have a reduced impact on the environment. The Web 

site describes options for procuring environmentally preferable 

office equipment, information on green buildings, and opportunities 

for networking with representatives of other green programs. It also 

contains a list of Web-based tools to assist with environmentally 

preferable purchasing. 

http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/epp/pubs/

about/about.htm

EPA Green 

Power 

Partnership

The EPA Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program to boost 

the market for green power sources. State and local government 

partners receive EPA technical assistance and public recognition.

The Guide to Purchasing Green Power provides an overview of 

green power markets and describes opportunities and procedures 

for buying green power. 

Partnership Web site:

http://www.epa.gov/greenpower

Guide to Purchasing Green Power:

http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/

buygreenpower/guide.htm

Chapter Five | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 153
Table 5.5.1 Federal Government Information Resources (cont.)

Title Description URL/Source

National Action 

Plan for Energy 

Efficiency

The National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency presents policy 

recommendations for creating a sustainable, aggressive national 

commitment to energy efficiency through gas and electric utilities, 

utility regulators, and partner organizations. The National Action 

Plan Web site contains resources, technical support, and networking 

opportunities.

http://www.epa.gov/cleanrgy/actionplan/

eeactionplan.htm

DOE Building 

Technologies 

Program

This program works in partnership with private and public sector 

organizations to improve building efficiency. The Web site provides 

assistance on energy efficiency in buildings; it contains guidelines, 

training information, information on financial resources, and a 

database of high performance buildings.

http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings

DOE Federal 

Energy 

Management 

Program 

FEMP works to reduce the operating costs and environmental 

impacts associated with federal facilities and to improve the energy 

efficiency of federally-procured products. Resources include an 

online database of federal high performance buildings, an annual 

training conference, and various workshops. 

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/

DOE Solar 

Energy 

Technologies 

Program

This program aims to develop strategies for implementing solar 

technologies around the country. Through such programs as the 

Million Solar Roofs initiative and the Solar America Initiative, the 

federal government partners with state and local governments to 

encourage the expansion of solar energy. 

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/

DOE State 

Energy Program

This program provides funding and technical assistance resources 

to state energy offices. Many states have used State Energy Program 

resources to support LBE programs.

http://www.eere.energy.gov/state_energy_

program/

DOE Technical 

Assistance 

Project

TAP helps state and local officials in cross-cutting areas that are not 

currently covered by existing DOE programs. Assistance is available 

on: system benefit charges; renewable or energy efficiency portfolio 

standards; use of clean energy technologies; and use of renewable 

energy on public lands.

http://www.ornl.gov/adm/wfo/exthome.

htm

DOE Wind and 

Hydropower 

Technologies 

Program

This program aims to improve wind energy technology, and develop 

cost-effective technologies that will enhance environmental 

performance and improve energy efficiency. The Web site presents 

opportunities for using wind and water for energy generation and 

provides resources on financing projects.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/

windandhydro/

Table 5.5.2 State Information Resources

Title Description URL

California The Green California program is the product of the governor’s 

creation of a Green Action Team to implement sustainable policies 

statewide. The program provides information on how the state is 

leading by example by reducing energy and resource consumption. 

The Web site offers information on LBE opportunities, including 

a library of resources and fact sheets, and multiple guidance 

documents pertaining to sustainable building design/performance, 

onsite energy generation, and environmentally preferable 

purchasing. 

http://energy.ca.gov/reports/efficiency_

handbooks/index.html

154 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Five
Table 5.5.2 State Information Resources (cont.)

Chapter Five | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 155

Description 

California 

www.caleep.com/workbook/workbook.

htm

Colorado 

http://www.colorado.gov/

greeninggovernment/index.html

http://www.mass.gov/envir/Sustainable/

Planning and Implementation Guide http://

www.mass.gov/envir/Sustainable/pdf/

ss_guide_web.pdf

http://www.nyserda.org/programs/State_

Government/default.asp?i = 13

http://www.gggc.state.pa.us/gggc/site/

default.asp

Vermont 

http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pdf/

VTStateEnergyPlan.pdf

Database of 

state Incentives 

for renewable 

energy

http://www.dsireusa.org
Table 5.5.3 Local Government Information Resources

Table 5.5.3. Local Government Information Resources

Title Description URL/Source

Alameda County, 

California

Alameda County has developed Implementation Guidelines for 

its model environmental procurement policy. The county’s model 

policy has been adopted by several California local governments. 

http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/epp/LawPolicy/

AlaPolImp.doc

Boulder, 

Colorado

Boulder, Colorado has developed a Historic Building Energy 

Efficiency Guide for implementing energy efficiency measures in 

historic government buildings. Energy efficiency measures can 

be implemented without compromising historic authenticity and 

architectural or aesthetic integrity.

http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.

php?option=com_content&task=view&id=

8217&Itemid=22

Hennepin 

County, 

Minnesota

The Board of Commissioners in Hennepin County has authorized 

the creation of a Lead by Example Incentive Fund that will award 

a combined $100,000 to county departments that invest in 

environmentally preferable products. The Board has developed a 

set of Lead by Example Initiative Guidelines to assist department 

staff in meeting the program’s requirements. 

http://wwwa.co.hennepin.mn.us/files/

HCInternet/EPandT/Environment/

Green%20Government/LBE%202007%20

guidelines%20and%20instructions.pdf

King County, 

Washington

The King County Environmental Purchasing Program has 

established a Model Environmentally Preferable Products Policy for 

local governments and other organizations.

http://www.metrokc.gov/procure/green/

mdpolicy.htm

Madison, 

Wisconsin

The Madison Mayor’s Energy Task Force has developed a Blueprint 

for Madison’s Sustainable Design and Energy Future to recommend 

strategies for the city to lead by example in energy efficiency and 

renewable energy. 

http://www.cityofmadison.com/mayor/

pdfs/GreenCapitalReport_1.pdf

Philadelphia, 

Pennsylvania

The Philadelphia High Performance Building Renovation Guidelines 

provide guidance on major government renovation projects. Each 

guideline includes an overview of project materials, implementation 

strategies, and benefits. 

http://www.phila.gov/pdfs/

PhiladelphiaGreenGuidelines.pdf

San Antonio, 

Texas

San Antonio has developed an Energy Efficiency Plan that outlines 

measures the city plans on implementing to reduce energy 

consumption in local government facilities and operations. 

http://www.sanantonio.gov/enviro/pdf/

Cosa Energy Plan Rev 10-03.doc

San Francisco, 

California

The San Francisco Municipal Green Building Compliance Guide 

provides guidance for the design and construction of new 

government buildings in San Francisco.

http://www.sfenvironment.com/aboutus/

innovative/greenbldg/gb_compliance_

guide.pdf

156 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Five

■Colorado. 2005. Greening Colorado Government. 

Colorado Greening Government Web site. Available: 

http://www.colorado.gov/greeninggovernment/index.

html. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■Colorado. 2006a. Greening of State Government 

Conference. Colorado Greening Government Web 

site. May. Available: http://www.colorado.gov/

greeninggovernment/events/conference/2006/index.

html. Accessed: 12/16/2006.

■Colorado. 2006b. The Governor’s Pollution Prevention 

Advisory Board’s Employee Sustainability and 

Pollution Prevention Incentive Awards Program2006. 

Available: http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/el/p2_

program/emplawards.html. Accessed 12/16/2006. 

■Colorado. 2007. Executive Order D0012 07. Available: 

http://www.colorado.gov/governor/press/pdf/executiveorders/2007/ExecutiveOrder-Greening-GovernmentImplementationMeasures.pdf. Accessed 4/26/2007. 
■Connecticut. 2007. Public Law 07-242, An Act 

Concerning Electricity and Energy Efficiency, Section 

101. Available: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2007/ACT/

PA/2007PA-00242-R00HB-07432-PA.htm. Accessed 

11/27/2007.

■DSIRE. 2007. Database of State Incentive for 

Renewable Energy. Available: http://www.dsire.org/. 

Accessed 4/5/2007. 

■ELPC. 2006. Clean Renewable Energy Bond 

Allocations Announced. Environmental Law and 

Policy Center. Available: http://www.elpc.org/energy/

farm/crebs.php. Accessed 12/9/2006.

■EOEEA. 2007. Massachusetts Executive Office of 

Energy and Environmental Affairs. Leading by 

Example Program: Sustainable Design Initiative 

Web site. Available: http://www.mass.gov/envir/

Sustainable/initiatives/initiatives_SusD.htm#MTC. 

Accessed: 3/11/08.

■Feldman, R. 2005. Apollo Washington “policy menu” 

shoots for the stars. Sustainable Industries Journal 

Northwest. May 1. Available: http://www.sijournal.

com/commentary/1512972.html. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■Flex Your Power. 2006. Energy Efficient Affordable 

Housing Opens in San Francisco. March 26. Available: 

http://www.fypower.org/news/index.php?page_id = 

448&edition = 566. Accessed 12/28/2006.

■Florida. 2007. Energy Act of 2006. Available: http://

www.dep.state.fl.us/energy/energyact/default.htm. 

Accessed 4/25/2007. 

■Green California. 2006a. Media Center. Green 

California News and Events Web site. October 31. 

Available: http://www.green.ca.gov/NewsandEvents/

MediaCenter.htm. Accessed: 12/16/2006.

■Green California. 2006b. Welcome to Green 

California News. Green California Web site. Available: 

http://www.green.ca.gov/Newsletter/default.htm. 

Accessed: 12/16/2006. 

■Hatcher, K. and T. Dietsche. 2001. Manage energy 

uncertainty: Use quick financing for energy efficiency 

projects. Public Management, May.

■Hopper, N., C. Goldman (Lawrence Berkeley 

National Laboratory), D. Gilligan and T. Singer 

(National Association of Energy Service Companies), 

D. Birr (Synchronous Energy Solutions). 2007. A 

Survey of the U.S. ESCO Industry: Market Growth and 

Development from 2000 to 2006 LBNL-62679. May. 

Available: http://eetd.lbl.gov/ea/ems/reports/62679.

pdf. Accessed: 11/23/2008.

■ Iowa. 2005. Executive Order Number 41. Available: 

http://www.dsireusa.org/documents/Incentives/IA09R.

pdf. Accessed: 11/27/2007.

■Hawaii. 2006. Act 96: An Act Relating to Energy. 

Available: http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/

efficiency/state/Act96_reprint.pdf. Accessed 4/20/2007.

■ Iowa. 2006. Iowa Energy Bank. Available: http://www.

iowadnr.com/energy/ebank/index.html. Accessed 

12/16/2006.

■Kansas Corporation Commission. 2003a. Facility 

Conservation Improvement Program (FCIP). Web site 

revised June 6, 2005. Available: http://www.kcc.state.

ks.us/energy/fcip/index.htm. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■Kansas Corporation Commission. 2003b. Facility 

Conservation Improvement Program (FCIP) Project 

Financing. Available: http://www.kcc.state.ks.us/

energy/fcip/financing.htm. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■King County. 2006. Win Win Program. Available: 

http://www.metrokc.gov/kcdot/flett/win-win.stm. 

Accessed 4/26/2007. 

■Maine. 2006. MaineEnergyInfo.Com, a Project 

of the Maine Energy Resources Council. State 

Government Leading by Example. Available: http://

www.maineenergyinfo.com/examples.html. Accessed: 

12/16/06.

■Mapp, J., Bair, N., and B. Smith (Wisconsin Division 

of Energy). 2006. State Government Buildings: 

Meeting the ENERGY STAR Challenge. 2006. ACEEE 

Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings.

■Maryland. 2006. Maryland Energy Administration 

Energy Solutions for Local Governments. Available: 

http://www.energy.state.md.us/programs/government/

energy_brochure.pdf. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■Maryland. 2007. EmPOWER Maryland. Press 

Release. Available: http://www.gov.state.md.us/

pressreleases/070702.html. Accessed 3/10/2008. 

■Maryland. 2008. Maryland Energy Administration. 

Community Energy Loan Program. Available: 

http://energy.maryland.gov/incentives/state-local/

janeelawton.asp. Accessed: 10/24/2008.

Chapter Five | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 157
■Massachusetts. 2004. Agency Sustainability Planning 

and Implementation Guide. Commonwealth of 

Massachusetts State Sustainability Program. Available: 

http://www.mass.gov/envir/Sustainable/pdf/ss_guide_

web.pdf. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■Massachusetts. 2005. Recent State Sustainability 

Initiatives. Massachusetts State Executive Office of 

Environmental Affairs State Sustainability Program. 

Available: http://www.mass.gov/envir/Sustainable/. 

Accessed 12/15/2006.

■Massachusetts. 2006a. Personal communication with 

Eric Friedman and Ian Finlayson, Executive Office of 

Environmental Affairs. June 1, 2006. 

■Massachusetts. 2006b. State Sustainability Program 

Newsletters. State Sustainability Program Web site. 

Available: http://www.green.ca.gov/Newsletter/default.

htm. Accessed 12/15/2006.

■MEA. 2005. Maryland Energy Administration State 

Agency Loan Program November 2005. Available: 

http://www.energy.state.md.us/programs/government/

stateagencyloan.htm. Accessed 12/15/2006. 

■Minnesota. 2005. Clean Air Minnesota Executive Order 

Implementation Guide 1/20/05 Version. Available 

at: http://www.moea.state.mn.us/lc/ippat/0408-

Implementationguide.pdf. Accessed 12/16/06.

■Montgomery County. 2004. Regional Wind Power 

Purchase. Available: http://www.montgomerycountymd.

gov/content/dep/awards/wind.doc. Accessed 4/26/2007. 

■NAESC. Undated. Money for Your Energy Upgrades: 

An Introduction to Financing Energy Efficiency 

Upgrades in the Public Sector. Presentation by Neil 

Zobler, Catalyst Financial Groups, Inc. Available: 

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/Self_Guide_ES_

Finance.pdf. Accessed 12/15/2006.

■New Hampshire. 2006. Building Energy Conservation 

Initiative. Available: http://nh.gov/oep/programs/

energy/beci.htm. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■New Jersey. 2005. Clean Energy Financing for State 

and Local Governments. Updated October 25. 

Available: http://newjersey.sierraclub.org/ConCom/

CoolCities/CEF_Schools_and_Local_Gov_2.pdf. 

Accessed 8/28/07.

■New Jersey. 2007. New Jersey Economic Development 

Authority: Clean Energy Financing and Assistance 

Programs Web Site. Available: http://www.njeda.com/

clean_energy_assistance.asp. Accessed9/8/2007.

■New York. 2004. Executive Order No. 111: “Green 

And Clean” State Buildings and Vehicles Guidelines. 

George E. Pataki Governor December 2004, Second 

Edition. Available: http://www.nyserda.org/programs/

State_Government/exorder111guidelines.pdf. Accessed 

12/15/2006.

■NYSERDA. 2004a. Local Government EnergyEfficient Product Procurement Program in New York 

(GEEP-NY). New York State Energy Research and 

Development Authority. Available: http://www.nyserda.

org/programs/geep-ny/index.asp. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■NYSERDA. 2004b. State Government. Energy 

Efficiency Improvements. Available: http://www.

nyserda.org/programs/State_Government/default.asp?i 

= 13. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■NYSERDA. 2004c. New York State Research and 

Development Authority Web site. Available: http://

www.nyserda.org/default.asp. Accessed 12/12/2006.

■NYSERDA. 2006. Conversation with Brian Henderson, 

Charl-Pan Dawson, and Matthew Brown. June 2, 2006.

■ORNL. 2003. U.S. DOE Research and Technical 

Assistance Program. Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 

Available: http://www.ornl.gov/adm/wfo/exthome.

htm. Accessed 4/5/2007. 

■Oregon. 2006a. Business Energy Tax Credits. 

Available: http://egov.oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/

BUS/BETC.shtml. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■Oregon. 2006b. Commissioning for Better Builders in 

Oregon. Available: http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/

CONS/BUS/comm/bldgcx.shtml. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■Oregon. 2006b. Energy Information for Governments. 

Available: http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/

GOV/govhme.shtml. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■Oregon. 2006d. Energy Loan Program. Available: 

http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/LOANS/selphm.

shtml. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■Pennsylvania. 2006a. Energy Conservation Help for 

Local Governments. Available: http://www.depweb.

state.pa.us/energy/cwp/view.asp?a = 1379&q = 

485061. Accessed 12/16/2006.

158 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Five
■Pennsylvania. 2006b. Governor’s Green Government 

Council. Available: http://www.gggc.state.pa.us/gggc/

site/default.asp. Accessed 12/16/2006. 

■Pennsylvania. 2008. DEP Handbook for Local 

Governments, Developers, and Businesses. Available: 

Accessed 12/16/2006.

■Pennsylvania. 2006d. PAPowerPort Web site. 

Governor Rendell: Pennsylvania Redoubling its 

Purchase of Green Electricity. August 29. Available: 

http://www.state.pa.us/papower/cwp/view.asp?A = 

11&Q = 455731. Accessed: 12/16/06.

■Rebuild Colorado. 2006a. Energy Management 

Training Workshops for State Agencies. Rebuild 

Colorado Web site. December 2006. Available: 

http://www.colorado.gov/rebuildco/services/energy_

management/state/index.html. Accessed: 12/16/06.

■Rebuild Colorado. 2006b. Energy Performance 

Contracting. Rebuild Colorado Web site. November. 

Available: http://www.state.co.us/oemc/rebuildco/epc.

htm. Accessed 12/16/2006. 

■SECO. 2006a. Energy Management Training. 

Available: http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/sch-gov.htm. 

Accessed 12/12/2006.

■SECO. 2006b. LoanSTAR Revolving Loan Program. 

State Energy Conservation Office, Austin, TX. 

Available: http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/ls.htm. 

Accessed 12/16/2006.

■SFRA. 2005. Mayor Helps Celebrate Grand Opening 

of Affordable, Green Apartments. March 15. San 

Francisco Redevelopment Agency. Available: http://

www.fypower.org/pdf/SF_Green_PlazaApts.pdf. 

Accessed 12/15/2006.

■South Carolina. No date given. South Carolina 

Code: Chapter 52 Energy Efficiency, Article 6 State 

Government Energy Conservation, Section 48-52-630 

Energy conservation savings; division; reinvestment. 

Available: http://www.scstatehouse.net/CODE/

t48c052.doc. Accessed 11/27/2007.

■Thumann, A. and E. Woodroof. 2008. Energy Project 

Financing- Resources and Strategies for Success, 

Fairmont Press, Atlanta – Chapter 3 - Choosing the 

Right Financing for Your Energy Efficiency and Green 

Projects with ENERGY STAR®, by Zobler, N. and 

Hatcher, K. June.

■U.S. DOE. 2006a. Building Technologies Program. 

Available: http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/. 

Accessed 12/16/2006.

■U.S. DOE. 2006b. Federal Energy Management 

Program. Available: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/

femp/. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■U.S. DOE. 2006b. Solar Energy Technologies Program. 

Available: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/. 

Accessed 12/16/2006.

■U.S. DOE. 2006d. State Energy Program. Available: 

http://www.eere.energy.gov/state_energy_program/. 

Accessed 12/16/2006. 

■U.S. DOE. 2006e. Wind & Hydropower Technologies 

Program. Available: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/

windandhydro/. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■U.S. DOE. 2007. Rebuild Colorado: A Systematic 

Approach to Improve Performance of Public Buildings. 

March-April. Available: http://www.eere.energy.

gov/state_energy_program/feature_detail_info.cfm/

fid=63?print. Accessed 11/27/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2003. Cash Flow Opportunity Calculator. 

Available: http://www.epa.gov/Region8/humanhealth/

children/2003/CashFlowEnergyPerfEnvProtection.pdf. 

Accessed 10/8/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2004a. Easy Access to Energy Improvement 

Funds in the Public Sector. Available: http://www.

energystar.gov/ia/business/easyaccess.pdf. Accessed: 

12/16/06.

■U.S. EPA. 2004b. Guide to Purchasing Green Power.

ISBN: 1-56973-577-8. September. Available: http://

www.epa.gov/greenpower/buygreenpower/guide.htm. 

Accessed 12/16/2006.

■U.S. EPA. 2004c. A Primer for Public Sector Energy, 

Facility, and Financial Managers from the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR 

Program. Innovative Financing Solutions: Finding 

Money for Your Energy Efficiency Projects. Available: 

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/COO-CFO_

Paper_final.pdf. Accessed: 12/9/2006.

■U.S. EPA. 2006a. CHP Project Resources. Available: 

http://www.epa.gov/CHP/project_resources/catalogue.

htm. Accessed 12/16/2006.

Chapter Five | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 159
■U.S. EPA. 2006b. Clean Energy-Environment Guide 

to Action. Policies, Best Practices, and Action Steps 

for States. Available: http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/

stateandlocal/guidetoaction.htm. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■U.S. EPA. 2006d. EPA’s State and Local Clean Energy 

Programs. Available: http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/

stateandlocal/partnership.htm. Accessed: 12/16/2006.

■U.S. EPA. 2006e. Green Partnership. Available: http://

www.epa.gov/greenpower. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■U.S. EPA. 2006f. National Action Plan for Energy 

Efficiency. Available: http://www.epa.gov/cleanrgy/

actionplan/eeactionplan.htm. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■U.S. EPA. 2006g. Producing Reliable Energy & 

Preserving the Environment. Available: http://www.

epa.gov/chp. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■U.S. EPA. 2006h. Draft a Communications Plan. 

ENERGY STAR Web site. Available: http://www.

energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = drafting_plan.

ck_drafting_plan. Accessed: 12/16/2006.

■U.S. EPA. Forthcoming(a). Clean Energy Benefits 

Assessment Guidebook. 

■U.S. EPA. Forthcoming(b). Climate Change/Clean 

Energy Education and Outreach Guide.

■U.S. EPA. 2008. ENERGY STAR Building Upgrade 

Manual. Available: http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c=business.bus_upgrade_manual. Accessed: 

10/24/2008.

■Utah. 2006. Utah Policy to Advance Energy Efficiency 

in the State. April 26. Available: http://www.energy.

utah.gov/energy/governors_priorities/utah_policy_

to_advance_energy_efficiency_in_the_state.html. 

Accessed 9/29/2006.

■Vermont. 2004. The Vermont Statutes Online. Title 3: 

Executive Chapter 45: Administration 3 V.S.A. § 2291. 

State Agency Energy Plan. Available: http://www.leg.

state.vt.us/statutes/fullsection.cfm?Title = 03&Chapter 

= 045&Section = 02291. Accessed 12/16/2006.

■Vermont. 2005. Vermont State Energy Plan for State 

Government. July. Available: http://www.bgs.vermont.

gov/sites/bgs/files/pdfs/BGS-VTStateEnergyPlan.pdf

.Accessed: 10/11/08, 4/26/2007 and 12/16/2006. 

■Virginia. 2007. Executive Order 48 (2007). Energy 

Efficiency in State Government. Available: http://www.

governor.virginia.gov/initiatives/ExecutiveOrders/2007/

EO_48.cfm. Accessed: 2/17/2008.

■Washington. 2007. Energy Saving Performance 

Contracting. Available: http://www.ga.wa.gov/EAS/

epc/espc.htm. Accessed 9/14/2007.

■West Virginia. 2006. Building Professionals Energy 

Training Program. Available: http://www.wvdo.org/

community/code.html. Accessed: 12/16/2006.

■Zobler, N. and K. Hatcher. 2003. Financing energy 

efficiency projects. Government Finance Review, 

February. Available: http://www.energystar.gov/ia/

business/government/Financial_Energy_Efficiency_

Projects.pdf. Accessed: 12/16/2006.

160 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Five
Chapter Six

Tracking, Evaluating, 

and Reporting LBE

Program Progress

This chapter provides information 

on how to track, evaluate, and report 

on the performance of LBE programs 

and projects. 

Chapter Six | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 161

DOCuMENT MAP

Chapter one 

Introduction

Chapter tWo 

Potential LBE Activities and Measures

Chapter three 

Establish the LBE Program Framework

Chapter four 

Screen LBE Activities and Measures

Chapter fIve 

Develop LBE Program

Chapter sIx 

Track, Evaluate, and Report on Progress 

This information is primarily intended to help states 

measure and improve their LBE programs and projects 

after they have been implemented. The tracking and 

benchmarking methods presented here can be used for 

other purposes, such as developing energy use baselines to help in establishing LBE goals (see Chapter 2, 

Getting Started) and screening LBE activities and measures to determine which are the most likely to meet 

LBE energy savings goals (see Chapter 4, Screening LBE 

Activities and Measures).

An overview of the tracking, evaluating, and reporting 

process is summarized in Figure 6.1. The following 

four steps are involved: 

■ Step 1: Plan. The tracking, evaluation, and reporting 

plan defines what will be tracked and evaluated, when 

to conduct the evaluation, and how to present the 

results to target audiences. (See Section 6.1, Step 1: 

Develop a Tracking, Evaluation, and Reporting Plan.)

■ Step 2: Track and Benchmark. Tracking is the process 

of recording and documenting the performance of key 

indicators (e.g., energy savings and cost savings), or 

changes in key indicators, associated with an LBE program or project. The benchmarking process involves 

comparing the energy use of a building or group of 

buildings with other structures with similar characteristics and/or assessing how energy use varies from a 

Chapter Six Contents

6.1. Step 1: Develop a tracking, evaluating, and reporting 

plan 

6.2. Step 2: Conduct energy and emissions tracking and 

benchmarking 

6.3. Step 3: Conduct evaluations 

6.4. Summary of tracking and evaluation approaches

6.5. Step 4: Report LBE program results

Related appendices:

Appendix H, State LBE Tracking Tools and Resources. 

Provides information to help states identify and 

effectively use a variety of tracking tools, including tools 

for assessing building performance, emission inventory 

tools, energy savings tools and others.

Appendix I, M&V Protocols and Guidance. Summarizes 

federal guidelines that are designed for determining 

savings from individual projects (e.g., IPMVP, FEMP M&V 

Guidelines, and ASHRAE Guideline 14) as well as state 

and utility Program M&V guidelines

Appendix J, Resources for Reporting the Results 

of LBE Programs. Provides examples of how states 

have reported the results of their LBE programs and 

summarizes guidance on state reporting.
baseline. (See Section 6.2, Step 2: Conduct Energy and 

Emissions Tracking and Benchmarking.)

■ Step 3: Evaluate. Evaluation involves collecting and 

analyzing new data and using it in conjunction with information gathered from the tracking and benchmarking process to assess the LBE program or project. (See 

Section 6.3, Step 3: Conduct Evaluations and Section 

6.4, Summary of Tracking and Evaluation Approaches.)

■ Step 4: Report Progress. Once an LBE program has been 

implemented, it is important to periodically report on 

the program results and use the evaluation results to to 

modify and improve the LBE program, as appropriate. 

Reports can be targeted to different audiences, including a high level executive summary for the public and 

political leaders, and a detailed assessment for state 

agency staff and others. (See Section 6.5, Step 4: Report 

LBE Program Results.)

Tracking LBE program and project data, conducting 

evaluations, and reporting results are critical to successful LBE efforts. These actions help states:

■ Assess the performance of the state’s LBE program and 

projects. 

■ Improve existing and future programs and projects.

■ Present findings and conclusions to the governor, 

agency director, the public, and others. 

The program performance metrics that states typically 

assess include energy savings (kWh) and cost savings. 

Some states also quantify and report demand savings (kW),1

 avoided air pollution and greenhouse gas 

(GHG) emissions, and other program benefits such as 

investment or job creation.2 Techniques for evaluating 

savings range from simple analyses with limited physical measurements to the use of sophisticated surveys 

and analysis tools with real-time monitoring of energy 

and emissions data. 

1 Demand is expressed in kW and refers to the power requirement of a 

system at a given time (e.g., a specific time of day), or the amount of power 

required to supply customers at a given time. For example, annual average 

demand savings are defined as total annual energy savings divided by the 

hours in the year. Peak demand reductions involve determining the maximum 

amount of demand reduction during a specified period of time (NAPEE, 

2007).

2 The LBE Guide focuses on the direct benefits of LBE programs, defined as 

energy savings (in kWH), demand savings (in kW), cost savings, and emission 

reductions. Additional information on how to assess these and other energy 

system benefits, environmental quality and related human health benefits, 

and economic benefits will be provided in EPA’s A Guidebook for Assessing the 

Multiple Benefits of Clean Energy (U.S. EPA, Forthcoming). 

The remaining sections in this chapter provide guidance for those who are directly involved in carrying out 

tracking, evaluation, and reporting functions. For additional information on evaluation issues and methods, 

see the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency’s 

Model Energy Efficiency Program Impact Evaluation 

Guide (NAPEE, 2007).

Tracking and Evaluation Terminology

Terms used for tracking and evaluation can have different 

meanings for different applications. Common definitions are 

described below. 

■ Baseline: Conditions, including energy consumption and 

related emissions, that would have occurred in the absence 

of a program or project or that existed prior to program 

implementation. The baseline period is also referred to as 

the business-as-usual (BAU), pre-implementation, or preinstallation period.

■ Benchmarking: Establishing energy use, emissions, or 

generation characteristics best practices standards (e.g., miles 

per gallon, energy use per square foot, emissions per unit of 

energy consumed, percent renewables per agency) for the 

purposes of comparing the performance of existing operations 

and establishing targets for those operations. Automated 

benchmarking enables states to electronically upload building 

utility data into a performance rating system, such as ENERGY 

STAR. This capability allows governments to set up a system 

that automatically measures and tracks energy performance of 

all facilities, sets baselines, tracks CO2 emissions, and receives 

the benefits of a performance rating system with no manual 

data entry.

■ Evaluation: Conducting studies and activities aimed at 

determining the effects of a program or project. Evaluation can 

include any of a wide range of assessment activities associated 

with understanding or documenting program/project 

performance; assessing program -related markets and market 

operations; or assessing program-induced changes in energy 

efficiency markets, levels of demand or energy savings, and 

program cost-effectiveness. 

■ Indicator: A value or set of values that together or individually 

provide an indication of the status or direction of a project or 

program.

Measurement and Verification (M&V) ■ . Data collection, 

monitoring, and analysis associated with calculating gross 

energy and demand savings from individual sites or projects. 

M&V can be a subset of program impact evaluation. When M&V 

is used to evaluate projects as part of a program evaluation, the 

term EM&V can be used.

■ Reporting Period: The time following implementation of a 

program or project during which savings are to be determined. 

The reporting period is also referred to as the postimplementation or post-installation period.

■ Tracking: Recording and documenting critical information 

or indicators that define the program and its quantitative and 

qualitative performance—used for baseline establishment, 

program management, and evaluation.

162 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Six
 Figure 6.1. An Approach to Tracking, Evaluation, and Reporting

6.1 Step 1: Develop a Tracking, 

Evaluation, and Reporting Plan 

Developing a plan for tracking, evaluating, and reporting LBE program and/or project results is an important 

first step. It is important to develop this plan during the 

LBE program design phase so that the program budget, 

schedule, and resources can properly take evaluation 

requirements into account. It is also a way to ensure 

that data collection required to support expected 

efforts is accommodated at the time of program or 

project implementation. 

The plan describes the key performance indicators that 

will be tracked, specifies an evaluation approach, and 

outlines reporting requirements. A well-designed plan 

can help ensure that tracking and evaluation efforts are 

effective, reported results are meaningful, and adequate 

resources are available. Figure 6.1.1 summarizes the 

basic components and steps for developing the plan. 

An overview of selected issues related to LBE planning 

is provided below.

Determine Evaluation Goals

When determining program evaluation goals, it is 

important to consider key characteristics of the LBE 

program, including the stage of development (i.e., pilot 

programs, full-scale implementation, and mature programs). Table 6.1.1 illustrates how different stages of 

LBE program development are likely to have different 

program, evaluation, and tracking goals. For example, 

when implementing a new LBE program to improve 

the energy efficiency of state office buildings, a state 

may decide to conduct a pilot program in a limited 

number of facilities before implementing the program 

on a larger level. The evaluation goals and approach 

for this pilot program may be different than for a welldocumented, “mature” program that has been operating for a number of years. 

Definition of Program Versus Project

A program refers to a group of projects with similar 

characteristics that are used in similar applications. For example, 

a program could be an LBE activity to improve the energy 

efficiency of its existing public buildings or the implementation 

of energy-efficient procurement across all agencies within a 

state. The term is also used more generally to refer collectively 

to the overall suite of state clean energy LBE actions.

Project refers to a single activity at one location, such as an 

energy-efficient lighting retrofit in a state building or the 

purchase of energy-efficient products within a state facility or 

agency. 

Programs are often evaluated using a sample (versus a census) 

of projects, with the results applied to all projects that comprise 

that program.

Source: NAPEE, 2007.

Source: Schiller, 2006

Chapter Six | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 163

Implement Program 

or Project

T

STEP 1: Plan

Develop the Tracking, 

Evaluation, and Reporting plan: establish 

goals; define performance indicators; 

specify evaluation and reporting 

approaches; allocate resources

STEP 3: Evaluate

Conduct impact, process, and/

or market evaluations to determine 

benefits

STEP 2: Track/Benchmark

Develop tracking system; 

establish baseline reporting conditions; 

establish reporting period conditions; 

collect and organize performance data

STEP 4: Report

Report evaluation findings; 

assess results; modify LBE program or 

project as needed
Figure 6.1.1. Sample Outline for a Tracking, 

Evaluation, and Reporting Plan

Overview of a Tracking, Evaluation, and Reporting Plan

Identify evaluation goals and objectives in light of ■

overall LBE program goals 

Specify characteristics of the program and project ■

■ Specify implementation strategies

Specify types of evaluations (i.e., impact, process, and/or ■

market) that will be conducted

Specify level of accuracy for the tracking and evaluation ■

analysis

Determine the timing of tracking, evaluation, and ■

reporting

■ Define budget and resource requirements

■ Develop quality assurance procedures

Tracking (see Sections 6.2 and 6.4)

Determine the type of information to be tracked (e.g., ■

are data to be collected for state-owned facilities, 

facilities for which the state pays the utility bills, or all 

facilities, including those the state rents and does not 

pay utility bills?) 

Determine the specific data to collect ■

Determine who will collect the data and conduct the ■

tracking

■ Determine the format and period of data collection

Identify the software tools that will be used to collect ■

and track the data

If benchmarking will be used, define the parameters, ■

sources of data, and tools for establishing the 

benchmark. Energy benchmarking is externallybased (e.g., buildings are compared to other, similar 

buildings) or internally-based (e.g., energy use at a state 

government building or group of buildings is compared 

to other buildings owned by the state).

Evaluation (see Sections 6.3 and 6.4)

Identify type(s) of evaluation to be conducted (i.e., ■

impact, process, and/or market effects evaluations) and 

how it will occur. For example, for an impact evaluation:

■ Decide who will conduct the evaluation

Specify the M&V options, methods, and techniques to ■

be used for each LBE measure 

Specify data analysis procedures, algorithms, ■

assumptions, data requirements, and data products

Specify the metering points, period of metering, and ■

analysis and metering protocols (if any)

Reporting (see Section 6.5)

Specify the target audience. Consider developing ■

multiple reports based on audience. 

Specify the report format, contents, and how results will ■

be documented

Identify reporting schedule. ■

Why Track, Evaluate, and Report?

Tracking, evaluating, and reporting on LBE programs and 

projects provide states with timely information to improve 

program implementation. Tracking and evaluation can help 

states answer the following questions:

Is the program/project achieving its objectives? If so, how and ■

why?

How well has the program/project worked? What is the ■

magnitude of program/project savings?

How reliable is the program/project? will it continue to ■

generate benefits into the future?

■ What changes are needed to improve the program/project?

Should the program/project be expanded, adjusted, or ■

cancelled?

By answering these questions, states can:

Identify program approaches that are the most effective and ■

determine how to improve future programs.

Decide where to focus for greater savings. ■

Identify metrics that can be used in future estimates of benefits ■

(e.g., energy savings per square feet of office space).

By communicating results and benefits to key audiences, 

states can document progress being made towards their LBE 

goals and promote the benefits of clean energy, describe 

recommendations for improvement, and obtain continued 

support for their programs and projects.

164 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Six

Determine Level of Detail for Plan

Plans can change over time and vary in level of detail, 

depending on the desired scale and rigor of the tracking and evaluation effort. For example, an evaluation 

effort might cover a five-year program implementation 

period plus three years of additional follow-up evaluation. However, if the first two years of evaluation 

indicate benefits consistent with what was expected, 

evaluation efforts could be scaled down for the final 

years. A well-prepared but simple plan is more useful 

than a complex but incomplete one.

Determine Timing for the Evaluation

Timing of evaluations is a key issue. While tracking 

occurs continuously during the development and 

implementation of a program or project, evaluation 

typically occurs at fixed intervals. The best time to 

conduct evaluations is at the mid-point of a program 

or at regular intervals (e.g., annually) so that they can 

provide more timely and useful information. Evaluations that occur only at program completion are not 

suited to influencing or improving the program or 

related follow-on efforts.
Table 6.1.1 Sample Goals for Key Program Types

Program Type Sample Program Goals Sample Evaluation and Tracking Goals

Pilot Program Develop and document theory of how program ■

will work (i.e., a “program logic model”).

Define program outcomes. ■

Assess cost-effectiveness. ■

Establish indicators of, and metrics for, program ■

performance. 

Measure participant satisfaction. ■

Assess measurement methods and program scope. ■

Evaluate and track established indicators to ■

determine if program achieves expected savings 

and if it should be expanded or curtailedrequired 

accuracy is high.

Test tracking, evaluation, and analysis methods. ■

Document costs and benefits. ■

Use information to estimate potential for ■

expanded program.

Include thorough process evaluations. ■

Full-Scale 

Implementation 

Attain program goals and benefits. ■

Incorporate program refinements into formal ■

program design. 

Transform the market. ■

Track and evaluate established indicators to ■

determine if program achieves expected savings 

and if it should be continued–required accuracy is 

medium (assuming higher accuracy evaluation in 

the pilot program confirmed benefits). 

Document costs and benefits. ■

Document impacts attributable to the program. ■

Analyze implementation processes (process ■

evaluation).

Continue process evaluations. ■

May include market evaluation element. ■

Mature Program Strengthen goals and continue benefits. ■

Transform the market. ■

Same as full-scale implementation, but with a ■

market evaluation component.

Accuracy requirements may be low, since benefits ■

are already well-documented through pilot and 

full-scale implementation evaluations.

Chapter Six | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 165

Assess Available Resources

Another key issue to consider is budgeting. Evaluation budgets are typically between 1% to 8% of total 

program budgets. Challenges include balancing the 

cost, effort, and rigor of various approaches with the 

value of the information generated by these efforts. 

States can compare the costs of achieving high levels of 

confidence in the evaluation with the value of the benefits. In this way, evaluation involves risk management, 

where low-risk projects require less evaluation rigor 

than high-risk projects. The amount of acceptable risk 

is tied to: (1) the amount of savings expected from the 

program, (2) whether programs are expected to grow 

or shrink, (3) the uncertainty of expected savings, (4) 

the risk of not knowing the program results, and (5) 

the resources available to state agencies. 

It is important to plan early to ensure that adequate 

resources (e.g., staffing, funding) are available to meet 

the tracking, evaluation, and reporting objectives and 

realistically anticipate the required costs and levels of 

effort. A simple and less rigorous, but well thought out 

and adequately funded, evaluation effort usually provides better results than a rigorous but under-funded 

effort.

Readers seeking additional information on evaluation 

planning can see Section 7 of the Model Energy Efficiency Program Impact Evaluation Guide. It addresses 

how evaluation planning and reporting is integrated 

into the program implementation process, as well as 

key issues and questions to determine the scope and 

scale of an impact evaluation. 
Wyoming Energy Conservation Improvement 

Program: Measurement and Verification Plan 

Guidelines

The Wyoming Business Council State Energy Office (WBC) 

administers the Wyoming Energy Conservation Improvement 

Program (WYECIP), which supports public and non-profit 

facility owners in using energy performance contracts (EPCs) to 

finance energy conservation improvement projects. 

WBC has established a guidance manual for facility managers 

on how to use EPCs and work with ESCOs. The manual 

includes guidelines for developing a project-specific M&V plan 

that includes the following information:

Details of baseline conditions and data collected. ■

Documentation of all assumptions and data sources. ■

Items that will be verified. ■

Responsibilities for conducting the M&V activities. ■

Schedule for all M&V activities. ■

Discussion of risk and savings uncertainty. ■

Details of engineering analysis performed. ■

Details of baseline energy and water rates. ■

Performance period adjustment factors for energy, water, and ■

O&M rates, if used.

Methodology for energy and cost savings calculations. ■

Details of any O&M cost savings claimed. ■

Definition of O&M reporting responsibilities. ■

Definition of, and format for, post-implementation, ■

commissioning, annual, and periodic reports.

Discussion of how and why the baseline may be adjusted. ■

Definition of preventative maintenance responsibilities. ■

Source: Wyoming Business Council, 2007, 2007a.

166 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Six

6.2 Step 2: Conduct Energy 

and Emissions Tracking and

Benchmarking 

This section focuses on data requirements and methodology issues for tracking and benchmarking energy 

use, demand, energy savings, and avoided emissions 

from energy efficiency and renewable energy programs and projects. 

6.2.1 Establishing a Tracking System

All energy and demand savings analysis involves gathering data on baseline and reporting period energy use, 

together with information that affects energy use. This 

tracking process generally involves:

■ Collecting data to define the baseline or benchmarks 

before a program or project starts. This includes 

documenting:

■ Key indicators such as baseline energy use and 

demand, saved energy and demand, reduced energy 

costs, and emission reductions. 

■ Factors that affect baseline energy use and demand, 

such as weather (e.g., heating and cooling degree 

days),3 facility occupancy, square feet of building(s) 

involved, and facility operating hours. 

■ Baseline equipment and systems

■ Collecting data that describe the same conditions after 

program implementation. 

Baseline and post-implementation energy use and 

demand can be determined through site surveys; spot, 

short-term, or long-term metering; engineering analyses; computer simulations; and/or billing data analysis. 

Regardless of analysis approach, the types and quantities of data to be collected and tracked can be extensive 

and complex so it can be important to establish a 

database of this information. Some states have already 

established comprehensive databases that contain information for a wide range of program needs, and that 

can be tapped when developing an LBE program or 

project tracking system. 

Example: Vermont has developed a robust IT system 

that contains historical and current customer information including for example, building characteristics, 

key staff/contacts, metered energy and demand, implemented measures, measure savings assumptions, project 

tracking, and other data. This data system supports improved planning and evaluation, and serves as a tool for 

increased management effectiveness (Parker et al., 2008). 

The first step in tracking LBE program progress is to 

establish an inventory of energy use for at least one 

year. This first year of data helps form a baseline or 

benchmark, which can then be used to measure the 

success of future LBE programs or projects. 

Data on energy use can be collected at four different 

monitoring levels4

: 

3 Heating and cooling degrees, typically reported on a monthly basis, are 

calculated as the difference between outside air temperature and typical heating and cooling indoor temperature settings. They are indicative of relative 

heating and cooling requirements and ambient temperatures.

4 The four levels are described in terms of energy use at facilities or buildings. 

However, the same hierarchy can be used for generation assets (for renewable 

energy programs) or vehicle fleets (for transportation programs).
■ State Level: State authorities gather information on 

energy consumption for all government agencies. Typically, one state agency (e.g., the real estate/facilities or 

energy/environmental agency) takes the lead, setting 

up a reporting template and aggregating the data.

■ State Agency Level: Facility managers collect the information necessary to monitor energy consumption for 

all facilities owned or leased by their agency. 

■ Facility Level: Agencies owning or leasing multiple 

buildings can collect data for each facility. This level 

is particularly suited for benchmarking, and captures 

the interactive effects of a particular project (e.g., energy efficient lighting typically gives off less heat than 

conventional systems and may result in an increase 

in heating loads in winter). However, complications 

can occur if an agency does not pay for utilities in one 

or more of its rented facilities and/or rents space in a 

building without submeters.

■ Project Level: Within facilities, it is possible to measure 

energy consumption by end use (e.g., lighting, cooling, 

ventilation, space heating, and appliances) to evaluate the impact of specific energy efficiency measures. 

While this level of monitoring requires project-specific 

evaluation processes, it yields more detailed, end-use 

level information about savings, cost-effectiveness, 

and savings potential, thereby helping states prioritize 

across individual strategies and measures. However, 

end-use level monitoring does not capture the interactive effects of whole building analysis.

The information to collect depends on the desired level 

of detail and type of system or software used. States 

collecting data on energy use and/or costs by for all 

government-owned facilities can follow one of two 

key approaches (both of which can be conducted by 

consultants or internal staff): 

■ Collecting energy provider invoices and utility billings 

that are paid by each state agency

■ Sending an energy consumption questionnaire to each 

state agency. 

While the first method is typically faster, the second 

method has the advantage of transferring more responsibility to the state agency level, requiring them to 

collect and track their own energy consumption data. 

Once energy consumption (and/or demand) information is gathered, states can use commercially available 

energy accounting software to construct a database to 

store and display the data by multiple criteria, such as 

consumption by fuel type, by building or vehicle type, 

or by agency. Management of energy bills can also be 

subcontracted to private service and product providers 

(SPPs) that help organize and assess agency energy 

consumption, including organizing data into a database. These firms assess this information to provide 

the state with detailed information on energy costs and 

use, enabling identification of cost saving opportunities, better management, and improved efficiency. A list 

of SPPs is provided in Appendix H, State LBE Tracking 

Tools and Resources. 

Massachusetts’ Data Collection Approach: Energy 

and CO2 Inventory

Massachusetts established an Energy and CO2 Inventory for 

FY 2002 for all state agencies. Fuel consumption data were 

gathered and analyzed to determine total government CO2 

emissions, individual agency emissions, emissions from each 

fuel type, and emissions categorized by end-use function (i.e., 

buildings and transportation). 

For fuel oil, gasoline, diesel, ethanol, compressed natural 

gas (CNG), and propane, data were collected centrally from 

purchasing records and vendor reports from state contracts. 

This was accomplished with the cooperation of the Operational 

Services Division, the state’s central purchasing agency. 

Electricity and natural gas data were more difficult to obtain, 

since statewide contracts for these energy types were not 

in place. When consumption data were not available, the 

procurement records of cost data from the state accounting 

system were used to estimate consumption for those agencies. 

The state is working to obtain more accurate agency-by-agency 

natural gas and electricity consumption data in the future. 

Source: Massachusetts, 2004.

Georgia’s Energy Tracking System

The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority issued an RFP 

to develop an energy accounting system to track and analyze 

energy consumption and costs for all state facilities. The 

goal is to secure an in-house system that enables the state to 

accurately report its energy consumption and identify, initiate, 

and manage facility-specific or agency-wide cost savings 

strategies. The system will enable benchmarking of buildings 

against similar buildings using the EPA Portfolio Manager tool. 

It will also feature the ability to:

Create groups of similar facilities (e.g., prisons, office buildings, 

dorms)

Compare facilities (within a group and between groups) 

according to criteria such as cost per kWh, cost per therm, 

energy expenditure per square foot, energy expenditure per 

occupant, and energy use per square foot per degree day basis.

Sources: Georgia, 2006a, 2006b, 2006c. 

Chapter Six | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 167
Another option for states and municipalities is to track 

energy use and conduct building energy benchmarking 

using EPA’s Portfolio Manager tool, which rates facility 

performance relative to similar buildings nationwide 

based on EPA’s national energy performance rating 

system. Benchmarking enables states to rank their 

individual facilities on energy performance and to 

compare each facility with other buildings (and to itself) over time. EPA has worked with SPPs to integrate 

the ENERGY STAR energy performance rating system 

into their efficiency assessments in order to directly 

calculate the ENERGY STAR score for eligible building 

types.5

 By using Portfolio Manager, SPPs can apply the 

energy performance rating system without duplicating 

data entry efforts (see Section 6.2.3, Benchmarking and 

Assessing Potential Energy Savings for more information about benchmarking and Portfolio Manager).

Tracking total energy consumption and demand 

requires collecting information on all forms of energy, 

5 The energy performance rating (measured from 1 to 100) indicates the 

percentile rank of the buildings compared to similar buildings nationwide. 

The rating system accounts for the impacts of year-to-year weather variations, 

building size, location, and several operating characteristics. Buildings with 

ratings of 75 or greater may qualify for the ENERGY STAR label.

including electricity, natural gas, propane, fuel oil, and 

gasoline. To assess energy use, states also distinguish 

between the energy consumed for building operation 

and the energy used for transportation. This distinction 

enables states to construct indicators related to energy 

use, such as building energy consumption and demand 

per square foot, and vehicle fuel use per mile. 

To compare energy consumption data and accurately 

estimate energy and demand savings, states often 

account for the quantity of upstream energy that is 

consumed to produce the electricity consumed onsite. 

In this case, it is important to distinguish between site 

energy, which includes only the amount of energy consumed at the facility, and source energy, which includes 

the site energy plus the energy required to generate, 

transmit, and distribute electricity to a site (e.g., a 

building). Source energy can be a better measure than 

site energy for comparing total building energy use 

across fuel types since it enables a complete assessment 

of the impacts of clean energy in a building, including 

the associated environmental and economic impacts.6 

EPA’s Portfolio Manager tool rates energy performance 

based on source energy.

If the electricity is purchased from the grid, site energy 

is converted to its source equivalent using standard 

site-source energy conversion factors such as those 

shown in Table 6.2.1. As illustrated in the table, for 

electricity use, the source energy consumed annually by a building is about three times the site energy 

consumed annually by that building. Because the conversion factors are based on the national average, it is 

preferable to use more accurate state- or region-specific 

factors, which may be available from utilities, energy 

service providers, or state energy or public utility agencies (U.S. EPA, 2007a, 2007b). 

6 EPA’s Portfolio Manager energy performance rating system is based on 

source energy (U.S. EPA, 2007).

Energy Accounting 

Energy accounting is the term used to describe the process of 

tracking energy consumption and costs on a regular basis. 

CEC’s handbook, Energy Accounting: A Key Tool in Managing 

Energy Costs, provides background information about energy 

accounting, and describes energy accounting methodologies. 

Information on commercially available energy accounting 

software packages is also provided.

Source: CEC, 2000.

Tracking Renewable Energy Consumption

Renewable energy can replace conventional energy sources 

through the installation of on-site renewable energy devices. 

For example, the installation of solar panels or solar hot water 

heaters results in reduced energy consumption from traditional 

providers. Consumption of on-site renewable energy is 

frequently accounted for separately and is treated as “direct” 

energy savings rather than being included in total energy 

consumption. 

The CEC and the Western Governors’ Association is developing 

a renewable energy tracking system, the Western Renewable 

Energy Generation Information System (WREGIS), to track and 

account for renewable energy generation and registering RECs 

(CEC, 2006). 

Information on WREGIS is at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/

portfolio/wregis/index.html. 

Table 6.2.1 Site and Source Energy 

Conversion Factorsa

Fuel Type Site Source

Electricity 1 3.340

Steam 1 1.45

a National averages do not account for regional electricity 

generation differences.

Source: U.S. EPA, 2007a.

168 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Six
6.2.2 Tracking Air Emissions

Emissions from electricity generation and fuel combustion include criteria air pollutants and GHGs. Criteria 

air pollutants include the six most common air pollutants in the United States: carbon monoxide, lead, 

nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, and sulfur 

dioxide. The primary GHG is CO2, although states also 

track other GHGs with high global warming potential, 

such as methane. 

Air emissions are categorized as either direct or indirect. Direct emissions occur at the site being evaluated 

(e.g., from fuel combustion in boilers or gasoline used 

in a truck). Indirect emissions occur off-site (e.g., in 

a power plant that generates the electricity used in a 

facility). Indirect emissions are typically accounted 

for through inventories of energy-using systems and 

equipment. GHG accounting standards, such as the 

DOE’s 1605b program (U.S. DOE, 2007) and the 

California Climate Action Registry (California Climate 

Action Registry, 2007) protocols provide methods for 

these calculations. 

Once an energy use inventory has been constructed, 

it is possible to calculate emissions resulting from 

energy consumption by using emissions factors, which 

are expressed in units of emissions per unit of energy 

consumed or per volume consumed (e.g., pounds of 

NOx

 per kWh produced, pounds of CO per thousand 

gallons of gasoline consumed). Table 6.2.2 describes 

databases and tools for identifying emission factors 

and tracking air emissions.

Table 6.2.2. Tools and

Resources for Tracking Air 

Emissions and Identifying 

Emission Factors

Portfolio Manager: In addition to tracking and benchmarking the energy use of 

facilities, Portfolio Manager uses EGrid, a 

comprehensive data source on the environmental characteristics of all domestic electric power generation, to provide estimated 

carbon emissions for facilities based on their 

energy consumption. 

Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID): This EPA tool provides 

a comprehensive data source on the environmental characteristics of all domestic 

electric power generation. It contains default emission factors at varying levels of detail, including by generating company, state, 

North American Electric Reliability Council 

(NERC) region, and U.S. average. It provides 

numerous search options, including by individual power plants, generating companies, 

states, and regions of the power grid. The 

current version contains U.S. power plant 

emission totals for 1996 through 2000, and 

2002 through 2004. Web site: http://www.

epa.gov/cleanenergy/egrid/index.htm

Model Energy Efficiency Program Impact 

Evaluation Guide – Chapter 6, Calculating 

Avoided Air Emissions: A resource of the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency, this 

chapter describes two general approaches 

for determining avoided air emissions: emission factor and scenario analysis approaches. 

It presents several methods for calculating 

both direct onsite avoided emissions and reductions from grid-connected electric generating units and describes considerations 

for selecting a calculation approach. Web 

site: http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/documents/evaluation_guide.pdf

Power Profiler Tool: This is a Web-based 

tool that generates reports on the air emissions rates of electricity consumption by ZIP 

code. Web site: www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/

powerprofiler.htm

EPA Emission Inventory Improvement Program (EIIP): The EIIP is sponsored jointly by 

EPA and the National Association of Clean 

Air Agencies (NACAA). It provides guidance 

on how to conduct emissions inventories 

and can be used as a reference for methodological issues. Web site: http://www.epa.

gov/ttn/chief/eiip/

GHG Protocol: The World Resources Institute and the World Business Council for 

Sustainable Development (WRI/WBCSD) 

developed internationally-recognized GHG 

accounting standards and corresponding 

tools for developing local GHG inventories. The EPA Climate Leaders Program also 

provides guidance for developing local 

inventories based on the WRI/WBCSD protocol. Web sites: http://www.ghgprotocol.

org and http://www.epa.gov/climateleaders/

resources/index.html

Chapter Six | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 169

Clean Air and Climate Protection (CACP) 

Software: This Windows-based software 

tool helps state and local governments 

develop GHG and criteria air pollutant emissions inventories and strategies to reduce 

GHG and air pollution emissions. It allows 

the user to create a cross-sector emissions 

inventory, including building, transport, 

and waste management sectors, and helps 

quantify the emissions reduction of existing 

and proposed measures. Web site: http://

www.cacpsoftware.org/

Combined Heat and Power Emissions Calculator: This tool compares the anticipated 

carbon, CO2, SO2, and NOx emissions from 

a CHP system to the emissions from a number of systems using separate heat and power, and calculates the emissions reductions 

achieved by the CHP system. It also presents 

the carbon equivalency of these emissions 

reductions in terms of acres of trees planted 

and number of cars removed from the road. 

Web site: www.epa.gov/chp

(Additional resources are available in Appendix H, State LBE Tracking Tools and 

Resources.)
6.2.3 Benchmarking 

Once a baseline description of energy consumption, 

demand, energy costs, and/or air emissions has been 

developed, states can use this information to identify 

potential energy savings from LBE programs and 

projects, set targets to reduce energy consumption, 

prioritize LBE projects, and track progress over time. 

One way to gauge the efficiency of energy use is to 

compare, or benchmark, an LBE project with similar 

projects. States can conduct the following types of 

benchmarking:

■ External Benchmarking. External benchmarking involves comparing the building(s) being evaluated with 

other, similar buildings (e.g., other office buildings 

or K-12 schools). In addition to helping states track 

performance against similar facilities, the results can be 

used to compare energy performance against a national 

performance rating, identify best practices for improving buildings performance, increase understanding of 

how to analyze and evaluate energy performance, and 

identify high-performing buildings. States can use the 

ENERGY, STAR Portfolio Manager tool, described 

in more detail on in the text box at right, to conduct 

this benchmark comparison for select building types. 

Portfolio Manager normalizes for weather and other 

buildings and operational characteristics, and provides 

a benchmark score on a scale of 1-100. Portfolio Manager data are based on a national Commercial Building 

Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) survey conducted every four years by the Department of Energy’s 

Energy Information Administration, which includes 

data on building characteristics and energy use from 

thousands of buildings across the United States. (U.S. 

EPA, 2008; U.S. EPA, 2008a).

■ Internal Benchmarking. With internal benchmarking, states can compare the energy use and demand 

(e.g., building efficiency), energy generation (e.g., via 

clean power), or emissions for the building or portfolio of buildings that they are evaluating with other 

state-owned or leased buildings. Energy performance 

benchmarks are typically defined in terms of energy 

use and/or demand per square foot, and can be as 

simple as the average energy consumption per square 

foot of all the state’s buildings. This comparison enables 

states to identify buildings with the greatest potential 

for improvement, establish best practices that can be 

replicated in other state-owned or leased facilities, and 

to track performance over time, States that commit 

to a 10% improvement in energy efficiency – regardless of their starting levels of efficiency – can receive 

assistance and recognition under the ENERGY STAR 

Challenge. (U.S. EPA, 2008; U.S. EPA, 2008a).

■ Energy Utilization Indices. States can also conduct 

benchmarking based on developing their own benchmark metrics (e.g., the energy use performance of facilities in the top percentile of the existing state facility 

stock). For example, states can use energy accounting to 

develop information on performance or energy utilization indices (EUIs) for all buildings of interest based on 

such factors as building type (e.g., office buildings, hospitals, prisons), size (e.g., less than 10,000 square feet, 

between 10,000 and 100,000 square feet, and greater 

than 100,000 square feet), or vintage (e.g., pre-1960, between 1960 and 1990, and newer than 1990). The state 

Portfolio Manager and Automated Benchmarking 

EPA’s Portfolio Manager is an on-line, interactive, software tool 

that allows the user to monitor and manage energy data. It uses 

basic building data (e.g., size, type, and annual energy use) to 

calculate energy performance compared to similar buildings 

nationwide. States can use this rating to determine whether 

a building has a high, low, or typical energy-use intensity 

compared to other buildings. 

Data can be entered for individual or groups of buildings. 

Buildings can be grouped by various criteria, including by 

agency and by building manager. Portfolio Manager includes 

an easy-to-read facility summary page that provides detailed 

information for each building entered. The software also tracks 

changes in energy intensity (e.g., energy per square foot) over 

time.

To minimize the data entry associated with Portfolio Manager, 

a data transfer technique called automated benchmarking has 

recently been developed. This user-friendly capability uploads 

building utility bills directly into Portfolio Manager. This allows 

governments to set up a system that automatically measures 

and tracks energy performance of all facilities, sets baselines, 

and estimates CO2 emissions, with no manual data entry. EPA 

is collaborating with SPPs (which provide energy information, 

management, and bill handling services to states and other 

organizations) to offer ENERGY STAR benchmarking as part 

of their standard software package for planning, tracking, and 

managing energy costs.

California provides an example of a state that conducts 

automated benchmarking. The state owns 1,566 facilities 

across 34 state departments and about 16,000 buildings, and 

has adopted EPA’s Portfolio Manager as its benchmarking 

tool. To meet Green Building Executive Order S-20-04, 

the Department General Services, the California Energy 

Commission, and the state’s investor-owned utilities worked 

together to integrate automated benchmarking capabilities into 

the utility billing process. With this capability, it will be easier 

for facility managers to track energy consumption against the 

2003 baseline, and help meet the state’s energy reduction goal 

of 20% by 2015. 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2007; ENERGY STAR, unpublished; and Miller, 2008.

170 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Six
 Figure 6.2.1 New York’s Energy Utilization Index (EUI)

NYSERDA benchmarking efforts compare energy reduction targets for buildings against an energy use per square foot metric, which encompasses the square footage of most of the state buildings (i.e., 14,000 buildings at a total of 400 million square feet). This EUI metric accounts for 

the expansion (e.g., new building construction, building purchases) and contraction (e.g., facility consolidation, building sales) of state-owned 

and -operated space when compared to a base year. The EUI projection for each year is compared to the EUI for the base year of 1989 to 1990. 

The figure below illustrates projected EUI reduction targets to 2010 (35% reduction) and the energy consumption that will be avoided as a result 

of these energy efficiency improvements, compared to the base year. In 2002, the average reduction in EUI per square foot was close to 17,000 

Btus/Sq. ft. or 9%, representing about 25% of the 2010 target EUI reduction of about 67,000 Btus/Sq. ft.

Chapter Six | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 171

Source: NYSERDA, 2003.

can then look at all the buildings that are larger than, 

say, 50,000 square feet and set an EUI benchmark (or 

target) equal to the 80th percentile in terms of kWh per 

square foot. Thus, 20% of the 50,000 square foot and 

larger buildings would meet or exceed the benchmark 

and 80% would have a target for improvement. Figure 

6.2.1 provides an example of how New York established 

an EUI and target for its public buildings. 

To share resources and experiences, states can work 

with other organizations that actively benchmark 

buildings, including the International Facility Management Association (IFMA, 2006), the Building Owners 

and Managers Associations (BOMA, 2006), and Tradeline, Inc. (Tradeline, 2006). 

6.3 Step 3: Conduct Evaluations

As shown in Table 6.3.1, states can conduct three 

types of evaluations to assess their LBE programs: 

impact, process, and market effects evaluations. Impact 

evaluations involve determining the net benefits (e.g., 

energy savings, demand savings, emission reductions, 

renewable energy generated, cost savings) resulting 

from a program or project and are the focus of this section (see Section 6.3.1). Process evaluations and market 

effects evaluations are described briefly in Sections 

6.3.2 and 6.3.3, respectively. 

In terms of scope, impact and process evaluations can 

be conducted at the program and project levels, while 

market evaluations are appropriate only for programlevel analyses. Program evaluations estimate the total 

effects of all similar projects undertaken by the state, 

such as all energy efficiency lighting retrofits in state 

office buildings or a state LBE green power purchasing 

program. Project-level evaluations assess individual 

installations (e.g., an evaluation of an energy efficiency 

retrofit in a single building or a stand-alone PV system).
Table 6.3.1 Types of Evaluations

Evaluation Types Description Information Derived

Impact Evaluations Quantifies direct and indirect benefits of a program 

or project.

Determines the amount of energy and/or demand 

saved, the value of cost reductions, the amount of 

emissions reductions, and possibly, levels of indirect 

benefits.

Process Evaluations Indicates how to improve the structure of a 

program or project. These evaluations often involve 

conducting a survey of program stakeholders, 

analyzing their feedback, and using this information 

to identify opportunities for program improvement.

Determines how well program or project processes 

are performing and if these systems can be improved. 

Market Effects 

Evaluations

Indicates how a program affects the overall supply 

chain and market, including the extent to which a 

program influences future programs.

Determines changes that have occurred in state 

operations and/or private markets, and evaluates how 

the marketplace is different as a result of the program.

6.3.1 Impact Evaluations

Impact evaluations involve determining and quantifying the direct and/or indirect benefits of a program or 

project. Direct benefits include net energy savings, cost 

savings, and emission reductions. Indirect benefits include job creation associated with the development of a 

green building industry, the health benefits of reduced 

air emissions from reduced fuel combustion, and 

economic benefits associated with reduced spending 

on imported energy supplies. This section focuses on 

direct benefits associated with reduced energy use (i.e., 

energy efficiency) and more efficient or cleaner generation (e.g., cogeneration and clean power). 

Model Energy Efficiency Program Impact Evaluation 

Guide

This Action Plan guide provides detailed information on the 

processes and approaches for quantifying energy and demand 

savings, and avoided emissions resulting from energy efficiency 

programs. While the Guide focuses on impact evaluations, it 

also presents information on process and market evaluations.

The Guide is intended to assist in the implementation of the 

National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency’s five key policy 

recommendations for creating a sustainable, aggressive 

national commitment to energy efficiency.

Source: NAPEE, 2007.

Measurement and verification (M&V) is a subset of 

impact evaluation that refers to the process of determining the direct benefits associated with reduced 

energy demand and or efficient or cleaner generation 

at a single project site (e.g., an energy-efficient lighting 

retrofit in a state facility) using one or more techniques 

ranging from simple estimates of savings to actual 

measurements and computer simulations. For simplicity, this section refers to energy savings M&V, although 

M&V approaches can also be applied to cost savings 

and emissions reductions through the use of conversion factors (e.g., to $/kWh or CO2

 per kWh). 

Assessing the Multiple Benefits of Clean Energy 

EPA is currently developing a guidance document for state 

energy, environmental, and economic policy makers on 

assessing the many benefits of clean energy. This guidebook 

will address energy savings, energy system benefits, 

environmental quality and related human health benefits, and 

economic benefits of clean energy. While they are sometimes 

reported in qualitative terms, these benefits can also be 

estimated using computer simulations of a state’s economy 

(e.g., job creation, reduction in trade deficits), public health 

models (e.g., reductions in asthma), and other analytic tools.

The guidebook will describe each type of benefit; present 

methods, tools, and resources for estimating each type of 

benefit; and provide information on how states can use the 

results to build support for their clean energy programs. 

Source: U.S. EPA, Forthcoming.

172 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Six

A key step in conducting project-level M&V is to 

collect baseline and reporting period data, including 

energy, demand, and cost savings. This enables the 

analyst to make initial comparisons of the baseline and 

reporting period (i.e., post-implementation). In terms 
of reporting, results are typically presented for the first 

year of performance followed by regular interval (e.g., 

annual) M&V activities aimed at: (a) verifying the 

operation of the installed equipment/systems, (b) determining current year savings, and (c) estimating results 

for subsequent years to assess the persistence of savings. 

Numerous resources are available to help states evaluate the direct impacts from clean energy activities, 

including energy savings, cost savings, and emission 

reductions from LBE programs (see Appendix H, State 

LBE Tracking Tools and Resources.) Other indirect 

energy, economic, and environmental benefits can also 

be measured. Methods and tools for estimating these 

benefits are described in EPA’s forthcoming guidebook 

on Assessing the Multiple Benefits of Clean Energy (U.S. 

EPA, Forthcoming). 

Measurement and Verification Basics

Energy savings from an LBE project can be determined 

by comparing energy use before and after implementation of an energy savings project, using the following 

equation:

Energy savings = (Baseline energy use) – (Reporting 

period energy use) ± (Adjustments)

■ Baseline Energy Use is the energy consumption that 

would have occurred without implementing the project 

or program. It is sometimes referred to as “business-asusual” (BAU) energy use. 

■ Reporting Period Energy Use is the energy consumption 

that occurs after the project or program is implemented. It is sometimes referred to as “post-installation” 

energy use.

■ Adjustments ensure that baseline and post-installation 

energy use are measured under the same set of conditions (e.g., weather conditions, building occupancy, 

operating hours). For example, corrections for weather 

and occupancy may be required if the project involves 

heating or air-conditioning systems in a building (e.g., 

a more efficient air conditioner may consume more 

electricity after it is installed if the weather is warmer 

after installation as compared to before installation) 

or the number of occupants changes. On the other 

hand, weather does not influence the energy savings 

associated with most retrofits to industrial processes. 

Additional information on how to address these issues 

is provided below in Impact Evaluations – Savings 

Adjustments. 

The basic approach to M&V is illustrated in Figures 6.3.1 

and 6.3.2. Figure 6.3.1 presents a sample calculation of 

energy and cost savings from a school energy-efficient 

lighting project. Figure 6.3.2 illustrates the process of 

comparing energy use patterns of the pre-installation 

(baseline) period to the post-installation period. 

One or more approaches can be used to estimate baseline and post-installation energy use, including:

■ Inspectionsinspections can document the existence, 

characteristics, and operation of baseline or postinstallation equipment and systems, as well as factors 

affecting energy use. 

■ Engineering Methodsstandard formulas and assumptions can calculate the energy use of the baseline and 

post-installation energy systems.

■ Statistical Analysesanalyses can be conducted to 

compare “before” and “after” electric bills while taking into consideration changes in weather, facility 

occupancy, factory operating hours, and other factors. 

These assessments often involve using multivariate 

statistical models. 

■ Computer Simulation of System Performancemany 

computer models can predict the energy use of system 

performance, including F-Chart for active and passive solar energy systems (F-CHART Software, 2005), 

Calculating the Baseline

A first step in conducting impact evaluations is to establish a 

baseline. The baseline, also referred to as the “business-asusual” scenario, defines the conditions, typically including 

energy consumption and may also include related demand 

and emission reductions that would have occurred without 

implementing a project or program. 

Results are then calculated as the difference in energy use (and 

demand and emissions, as appropriate) between the baseline 

and the new project or program. The two primary options for 

determining baselines are: 

■ Project-specific baselines. A project-specific baseline uses 

the circumstances associated with the project or program 

to define the baseline. With an energy efficiency project this 

might involve using historical energy use or emissions data 

for a particular facility. For a renewable energy generation 

project, the baseline might be associated with historical power 

purchases from a local distribution company. 

■ Multi-purpose or standards baselines. For this type of 

baseline, energy use and emissions calculations are based on 

the energy codes or regulations that define energy use (e.g., 

state equipment efficiency standards) or conventional building 

practice guidelines. 

Chapter Six | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 173
Figure 6.3.1. Sample Energy 

Efficiency Project—

Calculation of Direct 

Benefits

A school district replaces its existing lighting with energy-efficient lighting. More than 

100 school buildings replace 30,000 fixtures 

that each consume 92 watts with the same 

number of fixtures that each consume 61 

watts. The hours of operation for the lights 

are estimated at 3,000 per year. In this case, 

a typical M&V approach would involve conducting an inventory of all the pre-retrofit 

and post-retrofit lighting fixtures to determine the reduction in power demand and 

then measuring the operating hours of a 

sample of fixtures in all the schools to determine actual energy savings. 

The savings are equal to the difference 

between the baseline energy use and the 

post-retrofit energy use. (This assumes, for 

example, that the school classroom hours 

do not change and that the retrofit does not 

increase the number of lighting fixtures.) For 

this project, the baseline energy usage is the 

sum of the baseline kWh consumption for 

the original fixtures and the post-retrofit energy usage is the kWh for the new fixtures.

The following simplified equation can be 

used to determine estimates of energy savings for lighting efficiency projects:

kWh savings t = [(kW/fixture baseline x

Quantity baseline) – (kW/fixture post x Quantity post)] x Operating hours

Where:

kWh savings ■ t = kWh savings realized during 

post-installation time period t

kW/fixture ■ baseline = lighting baseline demand per fixture 

kW/fixture ■ post = lighting demand per fixture 

during post-installation period

Quantity ■ baseline = quantity of affected fixtures before the lighting retrofit

Quantity ■ post = quantity of affected fixtures 

after the lighting retrofit 

operating hours ■ = total number of postinstallation operating hours (assumes number is the same before and after the lighting 

retrofit)

(Note that there are 1,000 watt-hours in a 

kWh)

Thus, the energy savings equal:

[(92 watts/fixture x 30,000 fixtures) – (61 

watts/fixture x 30,000 fixtures)] x 3,000 

hours= 2,790,000,000 watt hours or about 

2.8 GWh hours per year.

During the pre- and post-installation inventories of light fixtures, wattage values can be 

determined by fixture measurements with 

a power meter or from manufacturer data. 

Operating hours can be obtained from measurements of the number of hours that the 

fixtures are operating. This is typically done 

for a sample of the fixtures using a type of 

meter that records, over a period of time, 

the on and off status of light fixtures.

The calculated savings can be modified to 

account for a variety of factors. For a lighting project, these could include uncertainty 

in the savings calculation (e.g., uncertainty 

in operating hour measurements), baseline 

adjustments (e.g., minimum lighting fixture 

standards imposed by a state), and/or addition of savings for transmission and distribution losses between the school buildings 

and the power plant. Another common 

modification might be to account for the 

interactive savings associated with the lighting retrofit. For example, there might be 

a reduction in savings associated with an 

increase in classroom heating due to less 

lighting and thus less heat from the lights. 

However, for simplicity, no modifications are 

assumed in this example. 

To determine cost and emission savings, factors can be applied to the electricity savings 

estimate. For example:

Costs savings, based on $0.10/kWh, would ■

be $279,000 per year

■ CO2 emission reductions, based on 1.5 

pounds per kWh, would be 2,092 tons per 

year of CO2 reduction

Source: Schiller, 2006.

Figure 6.3.2. Hypothetical Comparison of Energy Use Before and After a Project is Implemented

174 Clean energy Lead by example Guide | Chapter Six
DOE-2 for buildings (LBNL, 2006; U.S. DOE, 2006), 

and a number of other calculation tools (Texas A & M, 

2006) These models are typically calibrated with actual 

performance data. 

■ Metering and Monitoringbaseline and post-installation energy use can be measured and monitored 

through metering and accounting for non-energy factors, such as weather conditions. 

■ Integrative Methodsthese methods combine some or 

all of the preceding approaches. For example, metering 

and engineering methods can calibrate computer simulations of baseline and post-installation buildings that 

receive efficiency retrofits.

Savings Adjustments

Before considering how to adjust for changes in energy 

use from the baseline to the reporting period, it is important to understand the factors that cause energy use 

to vary, including: 

■ Building Area Change: Changes in building size strongly influence energy consumption. If square footage is 

added to a facility, energy use is expected to increase.

■ Operations and Schedule Changes: Changes in building 

occupancy or schedules for building and equipment 

operation affect energy use. If a building is open longer 

hours, more energy is used for heating, cooling, and 

lighting. If a school cafeteria brings in pre-cooked 

meals in disposable containers instead of cooking and 

dishwashing on site, kitchen energy use is reduced.

■ Weather: Energy used for heating and cooling varies 

because of changing temperatures. Seasonal changes 

cause increased energy use for heating in the winter 

and increased use of electricity for cooling during the 

summer.

Variations in energy consumption due to the structural or activity changes described above need to be 

factored out of the impacts calculation. This can be 

accomplished by collecting basic activity data such as 

the square footage of buildings, number of occupants, 

miles traveled per vehicle, and weather characteristics. 

Indicators such as energy consumption per square foot 

allow for normalization of facility energy consumption 

based on the area in which energy is consumed. Such 

indicators are useful for comparing energy consumption among various buildings, projects, or facilities.

Weather Normalization

To isolate the impact of clean efficiency, the effects of weather 

(e.g., fluctuation in annual mean temperatures over time) on 

overall energy consumption need to be considered. This ensures 

that energy consumption calculations reflect comparable 

year-to-year energy consumption rather than changes due 

to variation in weather. The best way to normalize weather 

impacts is to use regression models that indicate a statistically 

valid relationship between energy use and outdoor ambient 

air temperature on a project-by-project basis. However, a 

simplified approach is to use heating and cooling degree days.

Heating and Cooling Degree Days (HDDs or CDDs) are measures 

of how cold or warm a location is over a period of time relative 

to a base temperature, most commonly specified as 65°F (i.e., if 

the average outside air temperature on a given day is below this 

base temperature, heating will be required; if the temperature is 

above this base temperature, cooling will be required). 

HDDs are summations of negative differences between 

the mean daily temperature and the 65°F base; CDDs are 

summations of positive differences from the same base. For 

example, CDDs for a station with daily mean temperatures 

during a seven-day period of 67°, 65°, 70°, 74°, 78°, 65°, and 

68°, are 2 (i.e., 67°−65°), 0, 5, 9, 13, 0, and 3, for a total of 32 

CDDs for the week.

HDDs and CDDs are used in energy analysis as an approximate 

indicator of heating and cooling energy requirements. States 

can normalize energy consumption by dividing the space 

heating- or air conditioning-related energy consumption of a 

particular month or year by the HDDs or CDDs corresponding 

to that month or year.

Building Energy Simulation Programs

For over 30 years, engineers and scientists have been 

developing computerized models that describe how the energy 

use of buildings changes in response to independent variables, 

such as weather. The sophistication and complexity of these 

models is quite varied. To learn about some of the building 

simulation models that are publicly available, see the Lawrence 

Berkeley National Laboratory Simulation Research Group Web 

page at http://gundog.lbl.gov and the Texas Energy Systems 

Laboratory Web page at < http://esl.eslwin.tamu.edu/ >.

Source: NAPEE, 2007.

Chapter Six | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 175

Rigor of M&V Analysis

Two ways to categorize M&V approaches for estimating energy or demand savings are by using either a 

“deemed savings” approach or a project-specific measurement (“measured savings”) approach. For simpler 

energy efficiency measures whose performance characteristics are well known and consistent, a deemed 

savings approach may be appropriate. This method involves multiplying the number of installed measures by 
the estimated (or deemed) savings per measure, which 

are derived from validated historical evaluations.

As discussed earlier in this chapter, more rigorous 

M&V approaches may be appropriate for larger and 

more complex efficiency projects, projects with a 

significant amount of savings, and projects with significant savings uncertainties. One way to identify the 

appropriate level of rigor – and to increase transparency – is to adopt a formal M&V protocol.such as the 

commonly-used International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP).7

 Many states 

base their M&V approaches on the IPMVP, coupled 

with their own requirements (e.g., the level of required 

accuracy and precision). 

Regardless of the specific methods adopted, there are 

two key elements to the M&V process: 

■ Verifying the potential to generate savings: this involves 

confirming that (1) baseline conditions are properly 

defined, and (2) the proper equipment and systems 

were installed and are performing to specification. This 

is evaluated through a review of designs, pre-installation savings estimates, and inspections.

■ Estimating energy savings: energy savings are calculated based on deemed savings values, energy bills, or 

calibrated computer simulation. As described above, 

it may be sufficient to verify the potential to generate 

7 A 2007 version of the IPMVP was recently released; see http://www.evoworld.org/.

savings and then simply stipulate that the LBE project 

savings will be deemed savings. In other situations, it 

may be preferable to determine the measured savings 

using one of four IPMVP options (described in more 

detail in the next section). When selecting the M&V 

option to use for a LBE project, it is important to review the objectives of the impact evaluation.

Some states, particularly those with aggressive timelines for implementing energy efficiency programs and 

with limited budgets, reach an advanced agreement 

on which LBE projects can be estimated using deemed 

savings and which projects require measured savings 

approaches. In general, deemed savings approaches are 

most reliable for technologies that:

■ Deliver energy savings independent of human factors, 

such as contractor installation practices or consumer 

behavior (e.g., plug-in products).

■ Have a clear standard by which to compare efficient 

and less efficient products [e.g., the Federal National 

Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) Standard or ENERGY STAR designation].

■ Have been promoted by other efficiency programs; 

have well-established usage patterns, measure life, and 

performance history; and where usage is not driven by 

weather.

The IPMVP and Other M&V Protocols 

A variety of M&V protocols and procedures have been 

established, including national-level guidelines such as 

the IPMVP (which are designed for determining savings 

from individual projects) and state guidelines (which 

specify their jurisdictional requirements for M&V). 

Table 6.3.2 lists some of the key M&V protocols and 

guidance. More detailed information on each resource is 

provided in Appendix I, M&V Protocols and Guidelines.

The IPMVP provides a framework and definitions that 

can help states develop M&V plans for their projects 

(e.g., implementing individual energy efficiency 

measures in a facility, conducting a whole building 

analysis).8

 It includes guidance on current best practice techniques for determining energy savings and 

verifying the results of energy efficiency, renewable 

energy, and water efficiency projects in commercial 

8 IPMVP covers project rather than program energy savings and describes 

what should be included in a project M&V plan. Some state programs, such 

as NYSERDA and the California Public Utilities Commission, already use the 

IPMVP. 

“Deemed” and “Measured” Savings

Deemed savings usually apply to the most common energy 

efficiency measures. Deemed savings are the per-unit energy 

savings that can be claimed from installing consistent and wellunderstood measures. Examples include agreed-to savings 

per fixture for a lighting retrofit or per vehicle for purchasing 

alternative fuel vehicles. Since they are stipulated and not 

subject to change, deemed savings can help simplify program 

planning and design. However, deemed savings can result in 

inaccurate estimates of savings if the projects or products do 

not perform as expected (e.g., if energy-efficient lights fail 

earlier than expected.)

Measured savings approaches typically result in a higher level 

of rigor through the application of end-use metering, billing 

regression analysis, or computer simulation. Measured savings 

approaches are usually used for custom measures and largescale projects. These approaches add to administrative costs 

but may provide more accurate savings values.

Source: U.S. EPA, 2006a.

176 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Six
Table 6.3.2 M&V Protocols and Guidelines for Individual Projectsa

Title URL

National or International EM&V Protocols and Guidelines

ASHRAE Guideline 14-2002 Measurement of Energy and 

Demand Savings

http://www.ashrae.org/; ASHRAE, 2006

Federal Energy Management Program M&V Guidelines http://ateam.lbl.gov/mv/; Applications Team, 2006

http://ateam.lbl.gov/mv/docs/26265.pdf; U.S. DOE, 2000

International Performance Measurement and Verification 

Protocol

http://www.evo-world.org/index.php?option = com_content&task = 

view&id = 61&Itemid = 80

Model Energy Efficiency Program Impact Evaluation Guide http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/pdf/evaluation_guide.pdf

State and Utility Program M&V Guidelines

California Utility Standard Performance Contracts (SPC) 

Program

http://www.pge.com/biz/rebates/spc_contracts/2001_manuals_forms/

index.html; PG&E, 2006

NYSERDA Energy $martSM Commercial/Industrial 

Performance Program

http://www.nyserda.org/programs/Commercial_Industrial/cipp.asp; 

NYSERDA, 2004

State of Hawaii Guide to Energy Performance Contracting http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/efficiency/state/performance/

State of Texas Programs http://www.oncorgroup.com/electricity/teem/candi/default.asp; TXU

Electric Delivery, 2007

Texas Loan Star Program http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/ls_guideline.htm; SECO, 2007

a

 For the purposes M&V, the terms protocol and guideline are typically used interchangeably.

Chapter Six | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 177

and industrial facilities. It is not a “cookbook” of how 

to perform specific project evaluations, but provides 

guidance and key concepts that are used in the U.S. and 

internationally (IPMVP, 2002).

The IPMVP provides a flexible set of four M&V approaches (Options A, B, C, and D) for evaluating energy 

savings in buildings. These four generic M&V options 

are summarized in Table 6.3.3. These options provide 

a range of approaches designed to match project costs 

and savings requirements with particular energy efficiency measures and technologies. States can select an 

option based on the specific project features, including: 

■ Complexity of the project

■ Uncertainty of the project savings 

■ Potential for changes in key factors between the baseline and post-installation period

■ Value of project savings

M&V options differ in their approach to the level, 

duration, and type of baseline, as well as the project 

performance period. For example, in terms of measurement levels: 

■ M&V evaluations using Options A and B are made at 

the end-use, system level (e.g., lighting, HVAC).

■ Option C evaluations are conducted at the whole 

building or whole-facility level.

■ Option D evaluations, which involve computer simulation modeling, are made at the system or the wholebuilding level.

In terms of measurement type and duration:

■ Option A involves using a combination of stipulation 

and measurement of the key factors needed to determine energy savings.
■ Options B and C involve using spot, short-term, and 

continuous measurements.

■ Option D may include spot, short-term, or continuous 

measurements9 to calibrate the model.

9 Spot measurements are one-time measurements (e.g., of the power draw 

of a motor). Short-term measurements can take place for a week or two, such 

as determining the operating hours of lights in an office. Continuous metering 

involves measuring key factors, such as power consumption or outdoor temperature, throughout the term of the valuation, which may continue for years.

While these options are directly associated with energy 

efficiency projects, the basic concepts are also applicable to clean power, transportation, and distributed 

generation activities. Each option has advantages and 

disadvantages based on project-specific factors and 

the needs and expectations of the participants. While 

each option defines a savings determination approach, 

it should be noted that options A-D produce estimates

of savings and not direct measurements. Since M&V 

Table 6.3.3 IPMVP Measurement and Verification Options

M&V Option

How Savings Are 

Calculated Cost Typical Applications

Option A. Partially Measured Retrofit 

Isolation: Savings determined by partial 

field measurement of the energy use 

of the system to which a measure was 

applied, separate from the energy use of 

the rest of the facility. Focuses on physical 

assessment of equipment changes to ensure 

the installation is to specification. Key 

performance factors (e.g., lighting wattage or 

chiller efficiency) are determined with spot 

or short-term measurements. Operational 

factors (e.g., lighting operating hours or 

cooling ton-hours) are stipulated based on 

analysis of historical data or measurements. 

Performance factors and proper operation 

are measured or checked annually. 

Engineering 

calculations 

using spot or 

short-term 

measurements, 

computer 

simulations, and/

or historical data. 

Dependent 

on number of 

measurement 

points. 

Approximately 1% 

to 5% of project 

construction cost 

of items subject 

to M&V. 

Lighting retrofit where power draw is 

measured periodically. Operating hours of 

the lights are assumed to be one-half hour 

per day longer than a store’s open hours. 

Used for simple project types where high 

accuracy is not required.

Option B. Retrofit Isolation: Savings 

determined after project completion by 

short-term or continuous measurements 

taken throughout the term of the contract at 

the device or system level. Performance and 

operations factors are monitored. 

Engineering 

calculations using 

metered data. 

Dependent on 

number and 

type of systems 

measured and the 

term of analysis/ 

metering. 

Typically 3% to 

10% of project 

construction cost 

of items subject 

to M&V. 

Application of controls to vary the load on 

a constant speed pump using a variable 

speed drive. Electricity use is measured 

by a kWh meter installed on the electrical 

supply to the pump motor. In the base year, 

this meter is in place for a week to verify 

constant loading. The meter is in place 

through the post-retrofit period to track 

variations in energy use.

Used for simple project types where high 

accuracy is not required.

Option C. Whole Facility: After project 

completion, savings determined at the 

“whole-building” or facility level using 

current year and historical utility meter (gas 

or electricity) or sub-meter data. Short-term 

or continuous measurements are taken 

throughout the post-retrofit period.

Analysis of utility 

meter (or submeter) data 

using techniques 

from simple 

comparison 

to multivariate 

(hourly or 

monthly) 

regression 

analysis. 

Dependent on 

number and 

complexity of 

parameters 

in analysis. 

Typically 1% to 

10% of project 

construction cost 

of items subject 

to M&V. 

Multifaceted energy management program 

affecting many systems in a building. 

Energy use is measured by gas and electric 

utility meters for a 12-month base year 

period and throughout the post-retrofit 

period.

Used for comprehensive and/or multi-site 

project types. Varying levels of accuracy 

possible. 

178 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Six
M&V Option

How Savings Are 

Calculated Cost Typical Applications

Option D. Calibrated Simulation: Savings 

determined through simulation of facility 

components and/or the whole facility. 

Simulation routines must be demonstrated 

to adequately model actual energy 

performance measured in the facility.

Calibrated energy 

simulation/

modeling; 

calibrated 

with hourly or 

monthly utility 

billing data and/

or end-use 

metering.

Dependent on 

number and 

complexity 

of systems 

evaluated. 

Typically 3% to 

10% of project 

construction cost 

of items subject 

to M&V. 

Multifaceted energy management program 

affecting many systems in a building but 

where no base year data are available. 

Post-retrofit period energy use is measured 

by gas and electric utility meters. Base year 

energy use is determined by simulation 

using a model calibrated by the postretrofit period utility data.

Used for comprehensive and/or multi-site 

project types. Varying levels of accuracy 

possible.

Source: IPMVP, 2002. 

T

Chapter Six | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 179

involves measuring the absence of energy, direct estimates are not possible.

One readily available resource for tracking energy 

efficiency at the whole building level is the ENERGY 

STAR Portfolio Manager. It employs an M&V methodology that is similar to IPMVP Option C, as described 

above. Table 6.3.4 presents a comparison of the energy 

rating requirements of IPMVP Option C and Portfolio 

Manager. Both methodologies encourage monitoring at 

the whole building level, which assesses the interactive 

effects of multiple energy conservation measures 

(ECMs). One minor difference is that the IPMVP determines savings separately for each meter or sub-meter 

serving a building so that performance changes can 

be assessed for separately metered parts of the facility, 

whereas Portfolio Manager aggregates all meters in a 

building so that performance changes can be assessed 

at the facility level. This approach promotes systemwide energy reductions and facilitates the recognition 

of top-performing buildings. Additionally, because the 

Portfolio Manager approach combines multiple meters, 

it must account for differences among fuel types. This is 

done by converting utility meter data into source energy 

(or primary energy) consumption. If a building has only 

one meter and one fuel type, such as a supermarket 

powered by electricity, the two methods of analysis are 

identical.

Program-Based EM&V Guidance Documents 

The IPMVP and other M&V guidance documents 

described above focus on determining energy savings 

from individual projects. Evaluation, Measurement, & 

Valuation (EM&V) protocols provide established procedures for determining savings from a large number 

of similar projects, or a program. These procedures 

are usually associated with utility-sponsored energy 

efficiency programs where a regulatory body oversees 

and/or reviews the evaluation results for the purposes 

of ensuring ratepayer value and improving programs. 

In these situations, a sample of projects is investigated 

and the savings from these investigated projects are 

State Applications of the IPMVP

California

The 2006 California Energy Efficiency Evaluation Protocols ■

require the IPMVP as the basis for planning M&V activities for 

impact evaluations. A basic level of M&V is defined as involving 

a statistically adjusted engineering model with metering/

monitoring per IPMVP Option A.

An enhanced level of rigor is also defined that is based on IPMVP ■

Option B (retrofit isolation) or Option D (calibrated simulation).

Details are defined in a program M&V plan that is expected to ■

be reviewed for adequacy on a case-by-case basis.

New York 

NYSERDA’s Commercial/Industrial Performance Program offers 

several strategies to obtain financial incentives for energy 

efficiency projects in government, industrial, commercial, and 

other buildings. M&V protocols are based on the 2002 IPMVP 

(Options A–D) and FEMP M&V Guideline 2.2. 

Source: Schiller, 2006.
Table 6.3.4 Comparison of IPMVP Option C and ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager Requirements

IPMVP Option C Requirements ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager Requirements

Uses utility meters or whole building sub-meters to assess energy 

performance of a whole building.

Same.

Several meters may be used to measure the flow of one energy 

type into a building.

Same; participants of Portfolio Manager may enter/use several 

meters for measuring energy flow.

Meters serving non-interacting energy flows for which savings are 

not to be determined can be ignored, such as separately metered 

outdoor lighting circuits. 

Same; only meters that are associated with indoor or space type 

energy savings are included in energy savings calculations.

If several different meters are read on separate days, each meter 

having a unique billing period should be separately analyzed. The 

results can be combined after each individual analysis.

Portfolio Manager combines all utility meters in a single building 

and then performs an analysis on the whole building. 

Energy data are often derived from utility meters, either through 

direct reading of the meter, or from utility invoices.

Same. 

Savings reported under Option C include the impact of any other 

changes made in facility energy use (positive or negative).

Same.

Savings should be determined separately for each meter or submeter serving a building so that performance changes can be 

assessed for separately metered parts of the facility.

Savings are determined at the building level and not at the 

individual meter level. 

Must have 9 to 12 months of continuous energy use data to 

establish a base year before implementation of an energy 

management plan.

Same; must have 11 months of continuous use data to establish 

a benchmark before implementation of an energy management 

plan.

Option C usually requires 12, 24, or 36 months (i.e., one full year or 

multiple years) of continuous base year (daily or monthly) energy 

data, and continuous data during the post-retrofit period.

Users can compare any two 12-month periods, even if they 

overlap. They can choose to set the 12-month periods to comply 

with IPMVP. 

The plan should specify details of how calculations of variables 

should be made or measured (e.g., run-time hours, electrical 

consumption in a lighting fixture, kW/ton). 

Same; variables and units are displayed on the screen in Portfolio 

Manager.

Energy use is normalized for weather (degree days may be used) 

and occupancy (e.g., hours of operation, days of occupancy/week). 

Other parameters predicted to have a significant effect on energy 

savings should be included in routine adjustments.

Same; in addition, other parameters predicted to have a significant 

effect on energy savings are included in regression models (vary 

depending on space type).

Savings targets are advised to be ≥ 10% at the facility level. Portfolio Manager users may set targets at any level; EPA typically 

encourages targets of 10% or better. 

Source: U.S. EPA, 2006b.

180 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Six

then extrapolated to the entire population of participants. The overall approach is called program impact 

evaluation. A key resource for information on program-based evaluation methods and policy guidance 

is the Action Plan’s Model Energy Efficiency Program 

Impact Evaluation Guide. The California Measurement 

Advisory Council (CALMAC) also has established 

guidance for conducting program impact evaluations. 

6.3.2 Process Evaluations

The goal of process evaluations is to produce improved 

and more cost-effective programs. These evaluations 

usually consist of surveying program stakeholders, 

analyzing their feedback, and identifying opportunities 

for program improvement. Thus, process evaluations 

indicate whether best practices are being incorporated 
and consider participant satisfaction. Administrators 

often want early and timely process evaluation feedback to make program changes as needed or to review 

early findings. Process evaluations are particularly 

valuable when:

■ The program is new or has many changes

■ Benefits are being achieved more slowly than expected

■ There is limited program participation or stakeholders 

are slow to begin participating

■ The program has a slow startup

■ Participants are reporting problems

■ The program appears not to be cost-effective

Process evaluations are usually accomplished through 

data collection (e.g., surveys, questionnaires, and 

interviews) from administrators, designers, participants (such as facility operators), implementation staff 

(including contractors, subcontractors, and field staff), 

and key policymakers. Other elements of a process 

evaluation can include: (1) workflow and productivity 

measurements; (2) reviews, assessments and testing 

of records, databases, program-related materials, and 

tools; and (3 ) collection and analysis of relevant data 

from third-party sources (e.g., equipment vendors, 

trade allies). To ensure credibility, the process evaluation is often conducted by a third-party that is independent of the program implementers. 

Table 6.3.5 lists examples of the issues that are typically 

assessed during a process evaluation. Typical process 

evaluation results involve recommendations for changing a program’s structure, implementation approaches, 

or program design, delivery, and goals.

Evaluation Resources

The Nation Action Plan for Energy Efficiency’s Model Energy ■

Efficiency Program Impact Evaluation Guide provides: 

■ A framework that jurisdictions and organizations can use to 

define their “institution-specific” evaluation requirements

■ Standard evaluation planning and implementation process 

that can be used for calculating savings

■ Definitions, best practices on key evaluation issues, and a list 

of evaluation resources. 

Web site: http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/documents/

evaluation_guide.pdf

The CALMAC Web site provides a comprehensive resource for ■

program impact evaluation guidance. The site contains:

■ California Energy Efficiency Evaluation Protocols: 

Technical, Methodological and Reporting Requirements for 

Evaluation Professionals. These protocols and predecessor 

versions have been used for hundreds of evaluations of 

California programs (http://www.calmac.org/publications/

EvaluatorsProtocols_Final_AdoptedviaRuling_06-19-2006.

pdf; California, 2006).

■ A searchable database of over 400 evaluation reports on 

a variety of general and program specific topics. Web site: 

http://www.calmac.org; (CALMAC, 2007)

The CEE Market Assessment and Program Evaluation ■

Clearinghouse provides a source of evaluation reports for 

programs throughout the United States. Web site: http://www.

cee1.org/eval/clearinghouse.php3. 

Table 6.3.5. Elements of a Typical Process Evaluation

Program Design

■ The program mission

Assessment of program logic ■

■ Use of new practices or best practices

Program Administration

Program oversight ■

Program staffing ■

■ Management and staff training

■ Program information and reporting

Program Implementation 

Quality control ■

■ Operational practicehow program is implemented

■ Program targeting, marketing, and outreach efforts

■ Program timing

Participant Response

Participant interaction and satisfaction ■

■ Market and government allies interaction and satisfaction

Chapter Six | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 181

6.3.3 Market Effects Evaluations

Market effects evaluations estimate the extent to which 

a program influences future clean energy activities. 

These evaluations often involve a significant undertaking since they are designed to determine whether the 

market, in and outside of government, is changing. 

For example, a market effects study could evaluate increases in the adoption of the products or services being promoted by an LBE program. Such an evaluation 

might answer the question of whether more state office 

buildings are implementing energy efficiency technologies as a result of the LBE effort. Market effects are 

sometimes considered the ultimate test of a program’s 

success, since they indicate whether LBE best practices 

will continue in the government and marketplace, even 

after the LBE program ends. 
Market effects evaluations usually consist of surveys, reviews of market data, and analysis of the survey results 

and collected data, and ask the following questions: 

■ Are the state agencies that undertook LBE programs 

implementing additional programs or incorporating 

additional technologies in their facilities that were not 

directly induced by the LBE program? This might indicate that the facility operators have become convinced 

of the value of the initial LBE programs, and are undertaking their own programs.

■ Are agencies that did not implement LBE programs 

now adopting LBE-encouraged concepts and technologies? This might indicate that pilot programs have 

convinced other facility operators of the advantages of 

the LBE concepts.

■ Are private facility operators undertaking programs 

that were influenced by public sector LBE activities? 

This might indicate a “crossover” of public to private 

investments.

Possible results from a market assessment include:

■ Total market effects

■ Estimate of how much of the market effect is due to the 

program being evaluated

■ Estimate of whether the market effect is sustainable.

6.3.4 Example of a Program Evaluation

Figure 6.3.3 presents a case study of an evaluation 

of San Diego’s Local Government Energy Efficiency 

(LGEE) program. This study combined an impact evaluation to estimate the electric and natural gas energy 

savings from the program with a process evaluation to 

assess the program design and implementation process.

Figure 6.3.3. Evaluation, Measurement and Verification 

of the 2004-2005 the San Diego Local Government Energy 

Efficiency Program

The San Diego LGEE program is a performance contract incentive program that 

targets energy efficiency retrofit projects 

of local government facilities. Sponsored 

by the San Diego Regional Energy Partnership (SDREP) and administered and implemented by the San Diego Regional Energy 

Office (SDREO), the program is designed to 

reduce local governments’ upfront costs 

for upgrading or installing cost-effective, 

high-efficiency energy savings measures 

and energy management and information 

systems in local government-owned and 

tenant-occupied buildings, water facilities, 

and other high-energy use facilities.

SDREO conducted a process and impact ■

evaluation of its 2004-2005 LGEE program, which included 68 energy efficiency 

projects and 29 energy management system 

projects. The evaluation included the following data collection and analysis activities: 

Review of program documents and development of an LGEE Program Logic Chart

Analysis of data in the Program Activity ■

Tracking Database

In-person and telephone interviews with ■

local government partners and SDREO program managers

Telephone interviews with a program M&V ■

consultant

Site inspection and analysis of claimed ■

energy savings of a sample of completed 

projects

The SDREO impact evaluation concluded 

that while the program achieved significant 

electrical energy savings, the savings were 

below program goals. A larger shortfall for 

natural gas savings was identified.

Process evaluation activities focused on 

assessing the LGEE program design and 

implementation process. SDREO examined 

the LGEE program objective, market barriers, 

and elements of the program design (e.g., 

market sector, program strategy, program 

offerings, incentive pricing) by reviewing 

program and project activities, characterizing program participation, and surveying 

local government participants. 

Program recommendations included:

■ A timeframe of at least three years, and preferably four years, should be allowed for contract negotiations with the program administrator, investor-owned utility (IOU) service 

provider, and local government participants.

■ Additional time should be provided following implementation for contractors to complete M&V reviews.

The project management offering could be ■

reworked so that human resources are offered, rather than just project management 

money. Cities that choose not to take project management funds should have access 

to more funds in the form of incentives.

Source: Nexant, 2006.

Metric

Net Savings 

Goals

Project Savings

Gross Net % of Goal

Coincident Peak kW 650 466 373 57%

Annual kWh 6,499,574 4,662,034 3,729,627 57%

Therms 85,447 33,812 27,050 32%

182 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Six
6.4 Summary of Tracking and

Evaluation Approaches

Table 6.4.1 summarizes typical evaluation approaches, 

performance indicators, and data to be collected for 

different types of LBE programs. Note that the primary 

performance indicator is usually energy saved, with 

other indicators flowing from the energy savings. 

6.5 Step 5: Report LBE

Program Results

After a state’s LBE program is up and running, energy 

savings are being tracked, and the evaluation plan is in 

place, it is important for states to report on the ongoing 

results of its program. While reporting requirements 

are frequently imposed by the legislation or executive 

Table 6.4.1 Summary of Tracking and Evaluation Approaches 

by Type of Clean Energy Program

Program Type and 

Description Typical Evaluation Approaches

Examples of Performance 

Indicators to be Tracked and 

Evaluated

Data Collected to Measure 

Primary Indicators

Energy efficiency 

in new buildings 

designing new and 

renovated stateowned facilities 

that reduce energy 

use and minimize 

environmental impacts.

Impact, process, and market ■

evaluations. 

Typical impact evaluations ■

compare energy use of energy 

efficient designs with standard 

buildings or existing building 

codesbenchmarking is often 

used. 

Energy savings usually analyzed ■

with computer simulations.

Energy savings per square foot ■

■ Energy cost savings (and costeffectiveness)

Emissions reduced ■

■ “Sustainability” indicators

Emerging technology ■

indicators 

■ Job creation

Number and characteristics of ■

buildings retrofitted or built

Energy efficient building ■

characteristics

■ Schedule

■ Program costs

■ Weather data

■ Building characteristics

■ Building occupancy

■ Energy costs

Emission factors per unit of ■

energy

Characteristics of standard ■

design buildings

Energy efficiency in 

existing buildings

implementation of 

energy conservation 

measures to improve 

the energy efficiency of 

existing state and local 

facilities.

Impact and process ■

evaluations. 

Typical impact evaluations ■

compare energy use of 

retrofitted building with what 

energy use would have been 

without retrofitbenchmarking 

is often used.

Energy savings usually ■

calculated with deemed 

savings, some measurements, 

computer simulations, and/or 

utility bill analyses.

Energy savings per square foot ■

■ Energy cost savings (and costeffectiveness)

Emissions reduced ■

■ “Sustainability” indicators

Emerging technology ■

indicators 

■ Job creation

Number and characteristics of ■

buildings retrofitted

■ Types of retrofits

■ Schedule

■ Program costs

■ Weather data

■ Building characteristics

■ Energy costs

Emission factors per unit of ■

energy

Chapter Six | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 183
Program Type and 

Description Typical Evaluation Approaches

Examples of Performance 

Indicators to be Tracked and 

Evaluated

Data Collected to Measure 

Primary Indicators

Energy-efficient 

products procurement

minimum energy 

efficiency specifications 

are established for a 

range of products (e.g., 

appliances, equipment, 

vehicles). 

Impact, process, and market ■

evaluations. 

Typical impact and market ■

evaluations compare changes 

in number and types of energyefficient products that are sold; 

can be compared with other 

markets that do and do not 

have similar programs. 

Program purchases in dollars, ■

percent of total purchases, 

energy and cost savings, 

emissions savings 

■ Environmental benefits

■ Job creation

Cost-effectiveness of ■

procurement program

Percentage of procurement ■

affected

Impact on vendor ■

■ Procurement practices

■ Lessons learned

Types and number of ■

equipment purchases 

(e.g., number of light bulbs 

purchased)

■ Schedule

■ Equipment and program costs

■ Schedule

Number and location of ■

vendors and manufacturers 

involved

Green power 

purchasing

purchase and use of 

renewable energy for 

state and local facilities. 

Impact, process, and market ■

evaluations. 

Typical impact and market ■

evaluations compare changes 

in amount of green power 

purchases (e.g., MWh) 

and types of green power 

purchases (e.g., PV, wind); 

can be compared with other 

markets that do and do not 

have similar programs.

Program purchases in dollars ■

and kWh

Program purchases as a ■

percent of total of power 

purchases

■ Energy and cost savings

Emissions savings ■

■ Job creation

Cost-effectiveness of ■

purchasing program

■ Price stability impacts

Impact on green power ■

industry

Lessons learned ■

■ Types of power procured

■ kWh of power procured

■ Location of power sources

Clean energy 

generation

generating onsite 

renewable power (e.g., 

wind and PV) and/or 

using near-site clean 

DG technologies for 

backup or emergency 

power. 

Impact and process ■

evaluations.

Market evaluation can include ■

whether program has influence 

on increased sales of clean 

energy generation systems.

Clean energy generated per ■

year

■ Energy cost savings (and costeffectiveness of system)

Net energy use of facility ■

(considering fuel purchases) 

Emissions impact ■

Peak demand reductions from ■

use of on-site generation. 

■ Job creation

■ Price stability impacts

Number and characteristics of ■

generation systems

■ Operational schedule

■ Program costs

■ Weather data

■ Facility characteristics

■ Energy costs

Emission factors per unit of ■

energy

■ Lessons learned

T

184 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Six
order initiating the LBE activities, it should be undertaken by program managers regardless. The audience 

for LBE reporting varies by state but usually includes 

state agencies, including the budget agency and any 

advisory council; the governor; the state legislature; 

and the public.

Reporting requirements vary by state, but typically 

include some or all of the following:

■ A Narrative Description of the LBE Actions Taken During the Year. The State of Colorado Greening Government Status Report, for example, includes a description 

for each state agency of (1) new high performance 

building projects, (2) energy management activities, 

and (3) energy performance contracting (Colorado, 

2006). Some states also include specific factors that 

contributed to program successes and the barriers and 

challenges faced during implementation (Washington, 

2005). Other states provide in-depth descriptions of 

some of their key clean energy projects. 

■ Data on Energy Use. A key component of LBE reports 

is information on annual energy use compared to 

baseline energy use and LBE targets, by state facility, 

agency, or the entire state. For example, Wisconsin 

reports annual energy use in BTU/sq. ft./year for its 

baseline year and subsequent years. Data are provided 

for each state agency and school system, and for individual facilities (Wisconsin, 2006). 

■ Additional Data Tracked by the State. Some states also 

report detailed information on other data that they 

track to evaluate their LBE programs. In New York, for 

example, NYSERDA issues an annual energy report 

based on data provided by individual agencies that 

includes (New York, 2003):

■ Building square footage

■ Number of buildings

■ Energy use (in MMBTUs) and the percentage of 

state energy use by fuel type

■ Estimated cost of energy by fuel type

■ NOx

, SO2, and CO2 emissions and emission reductions by fuel type (other states track and report GHG 

emissions)

■ Average EUI in BTUs/sq. ft. for base year, reporting 

year, and target year 

■ Avoided cost savings

■ Peak electricity demand

■ Number of clean vehicles purchased

■ Renewable generationboth kWh purchased and 

generated on-site

■ Number of buildings that meet ENERGYSTAR 

criteria

■ Summary of Findings from Program Evaluations. State 

reports can also include a summary of the findings 

from any program evaluation that has been conducted. 

A complete analysis of evaluation results may be provided as a separate document. 

■ Recommendations for Revising the LBE Approach. It is 

important to include any recommendations for changing or adding new LBE activities to better meet LBE 

targets. In addition, tracking and evaluation methods 

can be reviewed and revised, as needed. 

Appendix J, Resources for Reporting the Results of LBE 

Programs, provides additional information on ways 

that states are reporting the results of their LBE activities. It includes state reports, tracking forms, agency 

survey forms, and additional guidance.

References

■Applications Team. 2006. Measurement and 

Verification Documents. Available: http://ateam.lbl.

gov/mv/. Accessed 1/9/2007.

■ASHRAE. 2006. Advancing HVAC&R to Serve 

Humanity and Promote a Sustainable World. Available: 

http://www.ashrae.org/. Accessed 1/9/2007.

■BOMA. 2006. National Association of Building 

Owners and Managers International Web site. 

Available: http://www.boma.org. Accessed: 

12/28/2006.

■California. 2006. California Energy Efficiency 

Evaluation Protocols: Technical, Methodological, 

and Reporting Requirements for Evaluation 

Professionals. April. Available: http://www.calmac.

org/publications/EvaluatorsProtocols_Final_

AdoptedviaRuling_06-19-2006.pdf. Accessed 1/9/2007. 

■California Climate Action Registry. 2007. California 

Climate Action Registry Web Site. Available: http://

www.climateregistry.org/Default.aspx?refreshed=true. 

Accessed: May 8, 2007.

Chapter Six | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 185
■CALMAC. 2007. Welcome to CALifornia 

Measurement Advisory Council (CALMAC). 

Available: http://www.calmac.org. Accessed 1/9/2007. 

■CEC. 2000. Energy Accounting: A Key Tool 

in Managing Energy Costs. California Energy 

Commission. January. Available: http://www.energy.

ca.gov/reports/efficiency_handbooks/400-00-001B.

PDF. Accessed: 12/16/2006.

■CEC. 2006. Western Renewable Energy Generation 

Information System. What is WREGIS? Available: 

http://www.energy.ca.gov/portfolio/wregis/index.html. 

Accessed 1/9/2007.

■Colorado. 2006. State of Colorado Greening 

Government Status Report. August. Available: http://

www.colorado.gov/greeninggovernment/reports/

Status_Report.pdf. Accessed: 12/16/2006.

■Connecticut. 2004. Energy Management in State 

Facilities: A New Direction. A Report Prepared 

Pursuant to Public Act 03-132. The Office of Policy & 

Management Strategic Management Division. February 

3. Available: http://www.opm.state.ct.us/pdpd2/

energy/PA_03-132_Report.doc. Accessed: 12/16/2006.

■ENERGY STAR. Unpublished. Automated 

Benchmarking With Energy Star Portfolio Manager – 

Opportunities For States. 

■F-Chart Software. 2005. F-Chart Software Web site. 

Available: https://www.fchart.com/index.shtml. 

Accessed: 12/16/2006.

■Georgia 2006a. Energy Accounting and Analysis for 

Georgia State Government Request For Proposals 

(RFP). Issued by the Georgia Environmental Facilities 

Authority, Division of Energy Resources. February. 

■Georgia. 2006b. Personal communication with Kevin 

Kelly, Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority. June 

8, 2006.

■Georgia. 2006c. Georgia Environmental Facilities 

Authority (GEFA) EnergyCAP Tracking System 

Web site. Available: http://www.gefa.org/Index.

aspx?page=184. Accessed: 2/28/2008.

■ IFMA 2006. International Facility Management 

Association Web site. Available: http://www.ifma.com. 

Accessed: 12/28/2006.

■ IPMVP. 2002. International Performance 

Measurement & Verification Protocol: Concepts and 

Options for Determining Energy and Water Savings, 

Volume 1. DOE/GO-10202-1554. March. International 

Performance Measurement & Verification Committee. 

Available: http://www.evo-world.org/index.php?option 

= com_content&task = view&id = 61&Itemid = 80. 

Accessed: 12/06/2006. 

■LBNL. 2006. DOE-2. Lawrence Berkeley National 

Laboratory Simulation Research Group. DOE-2 Web 

site. Available: http://gundog.lbl.gov/dirsoft/d2whatis.

html. Accessed: 12/16/2006.

■Massachusetts. 2004. Fiscal Year 2002 Massachusetts 

Greenhouse Gas Inventory for State Agencies.

Massachusetts State Sustainability Program. February. 

Available: http://www.mass.gov/envir/Sustainable/

pdf/MA_GHG_Inventory_FY02_web.pdf. Accessed: 

12/16/2006.

■Miller, J. 2008. Memo on California’s Building Energy 

Use Data. February 14.

■National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency (NAPEE).

2007. Model Energy Efficiency Program Impact 

Evaluation Guide. Prepared by Steven R. Schiller, 

Schiller Consulting, Inc. Available: http://www.epa.

gov/cleanenergy/documents/evaluation_guide.pdf. 

Accessed: December 7, 2007.

■Nexant. 2006. Final Report. Evaluation, Measurement 

& Verification of the 2004–2005 Local Government 

Energy Efficiency (LGEE) Program of the San Diego 

Regional Energy Office (SDREO). CPUC Program 

#1301-04. Submitted to SDREO. July 1.

■NYSERDA. 2003. Executive Order No. 111 “Green 

And Clean” State Buildings and Vehicles Annual 

Energy Report, July 2003. Prepared by New York 

State Energy Research and Development Authority 

and the Advisory Council on State Energy Efficiency. 

Available: http://www.nyserda.org/programs/pdfs/

execorder111finalreport7-03.pdf. Accessed: 12/16/06.

■NYSERDA. 2004. Enhanced Commercial/Industrial 

Performance Program. Available: http://www.nyserda.

org/programs/Commercial_Industrial/cipp.asp. 

Accessed 1/9/2007.

186 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Six
■Parker, S., B. Hamilton, and M. Wickenden. 2008. 

What Does it Take to Turn Load Growth Negative? 

A View from the Leading Edge. Vermont Energy 

Investment Corporation and Efficiency Vermont for 

the 2008 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings. Accessed: 11/08/2008.

■PG&E. 2006. 2001 SPC Program Manual and Forms. 

Available: http://www.pge.com/biz/rebates/spc_

contracts/2001_manuals_forms/index.html. Accessed 

1/9/2007. 

■Schiller, S. 2006. Personal communication with Steven 

Schiller, Independent Consultant. 12/5/06.

■SECO. 2007. LoanSTAR Technical Guidelines. 

Available: http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/ls_guideline.

htm. Accessed 1/9/2007.

■Texas A&M. 2006. Texas A&M System Energy Systems 

Lab. TEES, the Engineering Agency of the State of 

Texas Web site. Available: http://esl.eslwin.tamu.edu/

resources/software.html. Accessed: 12/16/2006.

■Tradeline. 2006. Leading-Edge Resources for Facilities 

Planning and Management Web site. Available: http://

www.tradelineinc.com/. Accessed: 12/28/2006.

■TXU Electric Delivery. 2007. Energy Efficiency 

Programs. Available: http://www.oncorgroup.com/

electricity/teem/candi/default.asp. Accessed 1/9/2007.

■U.S. DOE. 2000. M&V Guidelines: Measurement and 

Verification for Federal Energy Projects. Version 2.2. 

DOE/GO-102000-0960. Available: http://ateam.lbl.

gov/mv/docs/26265.pdf. Accessed 1/9/2007. 

■U.S. DOE. 2006. DOE-2 Web site. Available: www.

doe2.com. Accessed: 12/16/2006.

■U.S. DOE. 2007. Office of Energy Efficiency and 

Renewable Energy. Impact Evaluation Framework for 

Technology Deployment Programs. July. Available: 

http://www.eere.energy.gov/ba/pba/km_portal/docs/

pdf/2007/impact_framework_tech_deploy_2007_

main.pdf. Accessed: 2/20/2008.

■U.S. DOE. 2008. Energy Information Administration. 

Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption 

Survey - Commercial Energy Uses and Costs Web 

site. Available: http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cbecs/. 

Accessed: 3/22/2008.

■U.S. DOE. 2007. The Office of Policy and 

International Affairs. Enhancing DOE’s Voluntary 

Reporting of Greenhouse Gases (1605(b)) Program 

Web Site. Available: http://www.pi.energy.gov/

enhancingGHGregistry/index.html. Accessed: 

5/8/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2006a. Clean Energy-Environment Guide 

to Action: Policies, Best Practices, and Action Steps 

for States. April. Available: http://www.epa.gov/

cleanenergy/pdf/gta/guide_action_full.pdf. Accessed: 

12/16/2006.

■U.S. EPA. 2006b. Unpublished analysis conducted 

by EPA staff based on information contained in the 

ENERGY STAR Overview Web site (http://www.

energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = evaluate_performance.

bus_portfoliomanager) and IPMVP Library of 

Documents, Volume 1 (http://www.evo-world.org/

index.php?option = com_content&task = view&id = 

61&Itemid = 80). 

■U.S. EPA. 2007. Portfolio Manager Tool. Available: 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = evaluate_

performance.bus_portfoliomanager. Accessed: 

1/9/2007.

■U.S. EPA. 2007a. ENERGY STAR Performance Ratings 

Methodology for Incorporating Source Energy Use. 

December. Available: http://www.energystar.gov/

ia/business/evaluate_performance/site_source.pdf. 

Accessed: 2/23/2008.

■U.S. EPA. 2007b. Understanding Source and Site 

Energy Web site. Available: http://www.energystar.gov/

index.cfm?c=evaluate_performance.bus_benchmark_

comm_bldgs. Accessed: 2/23/2008.

■U.S. EPA. 2008. ENERGY STAR Building Upgrade 

Manual. Available: http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c=business.bus_upgrade_manual. Accessed: 

11/10/2008

■U.S. EPA. 2008a. Guidelines for Energy Management. 

Available: http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c=guidelines.download_guidelines. Accessed: 

11/10/208

■U.S. Green Building Council. 2006. What is LEED? 

Available: http://www.usgbc.org/. Accessed 1/9/2007. 

Chapter Six | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 187
■Washington. 2005. State of Washington, Department 

of General Administration. Sustainability Progress 

Report, for the period of Year 2: July 1, 2004—June 30, 

2005. October 15. Available: http://www.ga.wa.gov/S

ustainability/2005SustainabilityReport.pdf. Accessed: 

12/l6/2006.

■Wisconsin. 2006. Energy Use in State-Owned 

Facilities, Fiscal Year 2005. April. State of Wisconsin, 

Department of Administration. Available: http://www.

doa.state.wi.us/docs_view2.asp?docid = 990. Accessed: 

12/16/2006.

■Wyoming Business Council. 2007. Wyoming 

Energy Conservation Improvement Program: 

Program Manual. July 1. Available: http://www.

wyomingbusiness.org/pdf/energy/1-WYECIP_

Program_Manual_7-1-07.pdf. Accessed: 2/23/2008.

■Wyoming Business Council. 2007a. Wyoming Energy 

Conservation Improvement Program: Program 

Manual: Appendix 1K WYECIP Contract Attachment 

F, Measurement and Verification Plan Guidelines. 

May 22. Available: http://www.wyomingbusiness.org/

pdf/energy/Appx_1K-WYECIP_Contract_Attach_

FMandV_Plan_Guide.pdf. Accessed: 2/23/2008.

188 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Chapter Six

EPa 430-r-09-003
 

JUnE, 2009
 

www.epa.gov
 
Appendix A

State Executive Orders, 

Legislation, Policies, and Plans 

Initiating LBE Programs

This appendix provides a catalogue of state LBE executive orders, legislation, and policies through April 2008. 

Additional examples and details can be found throughout each chapter of the guide.

LEGEND:

∞ Executive Order, legislation, policy, and/or plan that directs or requires implementation of LBE actions, requires attainment of a specific LBE goal, or otherwise establishes numerical targets for specific LBE activities.

∞ Executive Order, legislation, policy, and/or plan that promotes --but does not require -- an LBE action, recommends an LBE action, establishes general or 

non-numerical goals, or requires pursuit of opportunities to implement LBE activities generally.

* Executive Order, legislation, policy, and/or plan is currently under consideration.

Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs

(Through April 2008)

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable 

FuelsOther 

Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

AL Executive 

Order 33

Executive order directs state agencies to reduce energy consumption in all conditioned facilities by 10% by the end of FY 

2008 and 20% by the end of FY 2010 from 2005 levels. An 

Energy Officer is to be assigned by each agency to oversee the 

implementation of energy-efficient programs. Agencies are 

directed to adopt energy conservation practices in construction and operation of state facilities and purchase ENERGY STAR 

equipment when cost-effective.

http://www.governorpress.alabama.gov/pr/ex-33-2006-05-10.

asp

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

AZ Executive 

Order 

2005-05

Executive order requires all new state-funded buildings to derive 

at least 10% of their energy from renewable sources. All new 

state-funded buildings shall meet LEED-Silver certification.

http://azgovernor.gov/dms/upload/2005_05.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞

Appendix A | Clean energy Lead by example Guide 
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.) 

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable 

FuelsOther 

Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

AZ Executive 

Order 

2006-13

Executive order establishes a goal to reduce GHG emissions in 

the state to 2000 levels by 2020 and to 50% below 2000 levels 

by 2040. Order requires all state agencies to purchase only 

vehicles that are hybrid, meet low GHG emissions standards, or 

use E-85 fuel, biofuels, or other low GHG alternative fuels, with 

the goal that by January 1, 2010 all state vehicles shall be hybrid, 

meet low GHG emissions standards, or use E-85 fuel, biofuels, 

or other low-GHG alternative fuels. 

http://www.governor.state.az.us/dms/upload/

EO_2006_13_090806.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞

AZ ARS 

9-500.04

Statute requires a city or town in a county of more than 1.2 million people to develop and implement a vehicle fleet plan for 

the purpose of encouraging and progressively increasing the 

use of alternative fuels and clean burning fuels. The plan shall 

include a timetable for increasing the use of alternative fuels and 

clean burning fuels in fleet vehicles either through purchase or 

conversion. 

http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/

ars/9/00500-04.htm&Title=9&DocType=ARS

∞

AZ ARS 34-451 House Bill 2324 (2003) requires the Arizona Department of 

Commerce to adopt and publish energy conservation standards for newly constructed state buildings. The Department 

of Administration, the Board of Regents, and the Department of 

Transportation are required to reduce energy use in state buildings by 10% per square foot of floor area on or before July 1, 

2008 and by 15% per square foot of floor area on or before July 

1, 2011, using July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002 as the baseline 

year. This bill requires state agencies to purchase ENERGY STAR 

products where available. 

http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/46leg/1r/bills/hb2324p.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

AZ House Bill 2606 (2007) revises ARS 34-451 to require the three 

affected agencies to reduce energy consumption per square 

foot by 30% by July 1, 2020 based on FY 2002 levels. Bill also 

requires all state agencies, on or before July 1, 2012, to purchase 

at least 10% of the energy from green power. In addition, all new 

or leased state buildings must be designed in accordance with 

the LEED rating system. 

http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/

legtext/48leg/1r/bills/hb2606p.htm

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

AZ ARS 34-452 Statute requires that new state building projects over 6,000 

square feet must follow prescribed solar design standards. Solar 

improvements must be evaluated on the basis of life-cycle costs. 

http://www.dsireusa.org/documents/Incentives/AZ05R.htm

∞ ∞ ∞

 Clean energy Lead by example Guide | Appendix A
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.)

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable 

FuelsOther 

Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

AZ ARS 41-803 Statute requires that for each year after December 21, 2000, 

specifically designated counties with a population of more than 

250,000 persons must operate at least 75% of their government 

fleet on alterative fuels and clean burning fuels. Purchases of 

all new motor vehicles for state fleets shall meet EPAct requirements for alternative fuel compatibility, including a requirement 

that for model year 2001 and all subsequent model years, 75% of 

new motor vehicles purchased shall be capable of operating on 

alternative fuels or clean burning fuels. 

http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/

ars/41/00803.htm&Title=41&DocType=ARS

∞

AR Session Act 

1770 (2005)

Act (House Bill 2445, the "Arkansas Energy and Natural Resource 

Conservation Act") states that agencies conducting a public 

building project or rehabilitation project are encouraged to refer 

to the LEED certification system. The Act outlines supplemental 

provisions for state buildings adopting LEED standards.

http://170.94.58.9/ftproot/acts/2005/public/act1770.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞

CA Executive 

Order 

S-7-04

Executive order directs state agencies to work with legislators 

to: 1) build a network of hydrogen refueling stations by 2010; 

2) ensure that hydrogen vehicles are commercially available for 

purchase; 3) incorporate hydrogen vehicles into the state fleet; 

4) develop safety standards for hydrogen refueling stations and 

vehicles; and 5) establish incentives to encourage the use of hydrogen vehicles and encourage the development of renewable 

sources of energy for hydrogen production.

http://www.hydrogenhighway.ca.gov/media/execorder_s704.

pdf#search=%22california%20s-7-04%22

∞ ∞ ∞

CA Executive 

Order 

S-20-04

Executive order directs state agencies to cooperate in taking 

measures to reduce grid-based energy purchases for state buildings by 20% by 2015 from 2003 levels. Measures should include: 

seeking ENERGY STAR-labeled buildings for lease and purchase, 

purchasing ENERGY STAR-qualified products, adopting LEEDSilver standards for all new and existing state-funded buildings 

. The California Public Utilities Commission is urged to: inform 

building operators about the economic benefits of energy efficiency measures; improve commercial building efficiency 

programs to help achieve the 20% goal; and submit a biennial 

progress report to the Governor commencing in September 

2005. A complementary Green Building Action Plan outlines 

cost-effective measures. The Plan creates the Green Action 

Team to oversee implementation.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/energy/ExecOrderS-20-04.htm

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Appendix A | Clean energy Lead by example Guide 
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.) 

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

CA California 

Government 

Code 

Section 

14684

2001 legislation modified CA Government Code 14684 to require the Department of Administration, in consultation with 

the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development 

Commission, to ensure that solar energy equipment is installed, 

no later than January 1, 2007, on all state buildings and state 

parking facilities, where feasible. The department shall establish 

a schedule designating when solar energy equipment will be 

installed at each facility.

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/

displaycode?section=gov&group=14001-

15000&file=14660-14684.1

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

CA Assembly Bill 532 (2007) extends a previously established 

deadline requiring the Department of Administration, in consultation with the State Energy Resources Conservation and 

Development Commission, to install solar energy equipment on 

all state buildings and state parking facilities where feasible. The 

deadline is now January 1, 2009 (previously January 1, 2007). 

AB 532 also requires all new state buildings or parking facilities 

to install solar energy where feasible if construction begins on 

or after January 1, 2008. According to the original code - CA 

Government Code 14684 - installation of solar energy is feasible 

if there is adequate space on the building and the solar energy 

equipment is cost-effective.

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_0501-0550/

ab_532_bill_20071013_chaptered.pdf

∞

CA AB 2321 

(2006) (not 

enacted)

Bill would codify the existing Governor’s Green Action Team 

(created under Executive Order S-20-04) with the expanded 

mission of overseeing and directing progress toward reducing 

electricity purchases for state-owned buildings by 20% by 2015 

and to achieve comparable reductions in electricity purchases 

for other entities of state government, for local government, for 

schools, and for commercial buildings. The Governor’s Green 

Action Team would be required to develop and implement a 

10-year action plan to accomplish certain action items and to 

coordinate programs in certain areas. The team would be required to annually assess progress made.

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/index.html

* * * * * * *

CA Public 

Resources 

Code 

Division 34

The Sustainable Building Act of 2007 would require the 

California Integrated Waste Management Board to adopt regulations for sustainable building standards for the construction 

or renovation of state buildings after July 1, 2010. The Board 

would be required to consider the requirements of existing 

guidelines, including LEED's Gold Standard, EPA's "Federal Green 

Construction Guide for Specifiers," and DOE's "Green Federal 

Facilities."

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_0001-0050/

ab_35_bill_20070919_enrolled.pdf

∞ ∞

4 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix A
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.)

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

CA AB 722 

(2007) 

(under 

consideration)

The "How Many Legislators Does it Take to Change a Light 

bulb Act" would ban the sale of incandescent light bulbs after 

January 1, 2012, in favor of energy-saving compact fluorescent 

light bulbs.

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_0701-0750/

ab_722_bill_20070222_introduced.pdf

CA Section 

25722.7 

Public 

Resources 

Code

Statute (Assembly Bill 2264) modifies existing law that requires a 

10% reduction in energy used by the state fleet. The bill requires 

the Energy Commission to define a minimum permissible miles 

per gallon (mpg) for passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks in 

the state fleet that are powered solely by internal combustion 

engines using fossil fuels by June 1, 2007. All new fleet purchases after January 1, 2008 must adhere to this standard. 

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/05-06/bill/asm/ab_2251-2300/

ab_2264_bill_20060929_chaptered.pdf

∞ ∞

CA California 

Energy Plan 

(2005)

Key action items include improving energy efficiency in state 

buildings and increasing the use of fuel flexible vehicles and 

dedicated non-petroleum-fueled vehicles in the state’s fleet of 

passenger cars and light-duty trucks. Plan calls for an increase 

in the use of non-petroleum fuels in the state’s fleet of medium 

and heavy-duty on-road and off-road vehicles.

http://www.energy.ca.gov/energy_action_plan/2005-09-21_

EAP2_FINAL.PDF

∞ ∞

CO Executive 

Order D 

014 03

Executive order directs state agencies to conduct a feasibility 

study for a performance contract that is comprehensive in scope 

to implement a wide range of cost-effective energy-saving projects in all buildings, considering a financing term of 12 years or 

more to capture substantial avoided costs. Where determined 

feasible, agencies shall implement performance contracts. 

http://www.colorado.gov/governor/eos/d01403.pdf

∞

CO Executive 

Order D 005 

05

Executive order directs the Executive Directors of all state agencies and departments to evaluate business operations in accordance with the goals of this Order and develop and implement 

policies and procedures to promote environmentally sustainable 

practices, including, but not limited to: adopting the LEED rating system for existing and new buildings to ensure reductions 

in energy use; and initiating an energy management program 

to monitor and manage utility usage and costs. Requires an 

energy management program to monitor and manage utility 

use and costs. Establishes the Colorado Greening Government 

Coordinating Council (Council) to include representatives from 

each state agency and department.

http://www.colorado.gov/governor/eos/d00505.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞

Appendix A | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 5
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.) 

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

CO Executive 

Order D 

0011 07

Order creates a Greening Government Manager to facilitate 

statewide LBE efforts, requires the Greening Government 

Council to prepare an annual report card on the achievements under this order, and requires the Council to develop 

educational materials for state employees. The Department of 

Public Health and Environment shall maintain an environmental 

outcomes database to track environmental measurements for 

Greening Government efforts. Order directs agencies to: reduce 

energy consumption by 20% by 2012, based on 2006 levels; assess an implement the development of state renewable energy 

projects; reduce paper and water use by 2012 by 20% and 10%, 

respectively; reduce petroleum consumption by state fleets 

by 25% by 2012, based on 2006 levels, while increasing fleet 

efficiency. 

http://www.colorado.gov/governor/press/pdf/executiveorders/2007/ExecutiveOrder-Greening-State-GovernmentGoalsObjectives.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

CO Executive 

Order D 0012 

07 (Regarding 

Implementation 

of Executive 

Order D0011 07) 

Requires agencies to: develop energy management plans; to 

engage in performance contracting (where not feasible, agencies shall strive to reduce energy use by 10% by 2012 from 2006 

levels); work to achieve a goal of "zero waste" from construction 

and operation of buildings; purchase equipment that is ENERGY 

STAR certified; require consideration of life-cycle costs in purchasing policies; give priority to replacing pre-1996 vehicles that 

have ratings of less than 25 mpg; use a minimum of B20 for diesel vehicles; adopt a goal of fueling flex fuel and diesel vehicles 

with alternative fuels a minimum of 50% of the time. Energy 

Office must provide technical support for the use of on-site 

renewable energy. Greening Council must develop sustainable 

standards for new leases of state facilities. 

http://www.colorado.gov/governor/press/pdf/executiveorders/2007/ExecutiveOrder-Greening-GovernmentImplementationMeasures.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

CO CRS 

24-30-1104

Statute requires that by July 10, 2010, the Executive Director 

of the Department of Personnel must adopt a policy that at 

least 10% of all state-owned bi-fuel vehicles must be fueled 

exclusively with an alternative fuel. Requires the state to adopt 

uniform rules for motor vehicle acquisition, operation, maintenance, repair, and disposal standards. Uniform rules pertaining to acquisition of motor vehicles by lease or purchase shall 

provide that low energy consumption shall be a favorable factor 

in determining the low responsible bidder. The size of any passenger motor vehicle shall not be greater than necessary to accomplish its purpose.

http://198.187.128.12/colorado/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=fsmain.htm&2.0

∞

6 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix A
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.)

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

CO CRS 24-82 Statute requires that all state buildings designed or rehabilitated 

after 1981 to: 1) be designed or improved to achieve a 55 BTU/

square foot/year energy performance goal for heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation energy; 2) make maximum use of 

passive solar concepts such as energy conservation, natural 

lighting, and orientation and incorporation of thermal-mass; 3) 

make maximum use of economically feasible renewable energy 

systems; and 4) pursue the feasibility of retrofit with renewable 

energy systems. State buildings which are not office buildings 

shall be designed for maximum use of passive solar concepts.

http://198.187.128.12/colorado/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=fsmain.htm&2.0

∞ ∞ ∞

CO CRS 

24-30-1301

Statute requires Office of the State Architect to adopt a high 

performance standard certification program. State-funded 

buildings are to be certified as meeting these standards if the 

cost premium can be recovered within 15 years. 

http://www.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2007A/csl.nsf/fsbillcont

3/8EFE2CB5022F6CF687257251007C22D3?Open&file=051_enr.

pdf

∞ ∞

CO SJR 06-032 Enacted in 2006, this bill "urges" the state of Colorado and its 

agencies and departments to design and construct facilities to 

achieve LEED silver certification to the extent it is cost effective 

as a choice in design, construction, and renovation in order to 

provide operational and/or other savings over a twenty-year 

period.

http://www.colorado.gov/greeninggovernment/legislation/

resolution.pdf

∞ ∞

CT Executive 

Order 32

Executive order requires state to use the Shared Savings 

Program, with a portion of savings going towards the purchase 

of green power. Order directs state agencies and universities to 

replace increasing shares of electricity with renewable energy by 

20% in 2010, 50% in 2020, and 100% in 2050. 

http://www.ctenergy.org/pdf/ExOrder32.pdf

∞ ∞

CT Public Act 

07-242

Act modifies CGS 16a-38k to require that building construction 

standards for state-funded new construction or major renovation be developed by January 2007. The standards must be 

consistent with, or exceed, the Silver rating of the LEED rating 

system, and must include energy standards that exceed ASHRAE 

Standard 90.1 by at least 20%. Act requires the Department of 

Administrative Services and other purchasing agencies to buy 

appliances and equipment that meet federal ENERGY STAR 

standards. 

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2007/ACT/Pa/pdf/2007PA-00242-

R00HB-07432-PA.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Appendix A | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 7
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.) 

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

CT PA 08-98 PA 08-98 requires the state to reduce greenhouse gases 10% 

below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% below 2001 levels by 2050. 

The Act requires identification of activities and improvements 

to state facilities to save energy, and identification of policies 

and regulations to achieve GHG targets. The Act also requires 

the establishment of a Subcommittee to address the impacts of 

climate change on natural resources and ecological habitats, 

public health, agriculture, and infrastructure.

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2008/ACT/PA/2008PA-00098-R00HB05600-PA.htm

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

CT CGS 4a-67 Statute requires that cars and light-duty trucks purchased by the 

state on or after January 1, 2003, must have an average EPA estimated fuel economy of at least 40 mpg. Purchases must comply with EPAct's state fleet acquisition requirements and must 

obtain the best achievable fuel economy per pound of carbon 

dioxide emitted in its vehicle class. State agencies shall procure 

only equipment and appliances that meet or exceed federal 

energy conservation standards set forth in EPAct. Purchases of 

equipment and appliances for which energy performance standards have been established shall be made consistent with those 

standards. 

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2005/pub/Chap058.htm#Sec4a-67d.

htm

∞ ∞ ∞

CT Climate 

Change 

Action Plan 

(2005)

Plan includes recommendations for 1) establishing incentives 

and initiatives to encourage acquisition of low-GHG vehicles for 

state fleets; 2) building energy-efficient, cost-effective buildings; 

3) identifying new ways to encourage agencies to undertake energy efficiency initiatives; 4) benchmarking public buildings; 5) 

promoting procurement of environmentally preferable products 

and services by state agencies; and 6) promoting the use of renewable energy sources and CHP systems in state facilities. Plan 

establishes a goal for new construction and major renovations 

of all building projects that receive some State funding must 

meet LEED standards. Recommends that the state undertake a 

pilot project using a biodiesel blend for heating applications at 

state facilities. 

http://ctclimatechange.com/StateActionPlan.html

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

CT Governor's 

Policy 

Memo, 

12-14-2005

In a policy memorandum titled "Energy Efficiency Call to 

Action," the governor directed state agency heads to set an example of conservation and savings by cutting energy consumption in state buildings by 10% in 2006, and by implementing various steps to encourage a ‘culture of energy efficiency’ in state 

government. The governor called for energy efficiency goals to 

be included in each state agency's budget and for state agencies 

to purchase clean-fuel, low-emission, and/or hybrid-electric vehicles and energy-efficient products, when feasible. 

http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.

asp?A=1761&Q=307676

∞ ∞ ∞

8 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix A
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.)

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

CT Connecticut 

Energy Plan 

(2006)

Establishes goals for: adopting high-performance building standards for all State projects and municipal projects that received 

at least 25% State funding; state government to use of 10% 

biofuels by state vehicle fleet by 2012; purchase of 20% of the 

power for State of Connecticut facilities from Class I clean renewable sources by 2010, increasing to 50% by 2020 and 100% 

by 2050 as mandated by Executive Order 32; installing renewable energy sources at highly visible State facilities such as State 

office buildings, schools and universities; use of alternative fuel 

vehicles and biodiesel fuel for heating State buildings; and purchasing of “green” environmentally-friendly products, ENERGY 

STAR-rated products, and energy-conserving vehicles whenever 

possible.

http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.

asp?A=1809&Q=320142

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

DC Green 

Building Act 

of 2006

Statute establishes requirements for public buildings. New 

non-residential buildings greater than 10,000 square feet 

must be designed to achieve 75 points on the ENERGY STAR 

Target Finder rating scale and be benchmarked annually using 

the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool. Additionally, nonresidential projects other than public school shall be verified as 

achieving LEED-Silver standards within two years of occupancy. 

Residential buildings greater than 10,000 square feet must fulfill 

or exceed the Green Communities 2006 standard or a substantially equivalent standard. Where renovations to existing buildings involve HVAC systems, buildings in excess of 30,000 square 

feet are required to meet LEED certification.

http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/

images/00001/20061218152322.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

DC Clean and 

Affordable 

Energy Act 

of 2007

The Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2007 would modify 

the requirements of the Green Building Act of 2006 to require 

D.C. government buildings or 10,000 square feet or more to be 

benchmarked annually using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager 

beginning in 2009. Private commercial buildings of 10,000 

square feet or more would also be required to be benchmarked 

beginning in 2010 and following a schedule that is based on the 

size of the building. New construction and major renovation 

projects of 10,000 square feet or more in the district must use 

Target Finder to estimate design performance beginning in 2012. 

http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/

images/00001/20071108120109.pdf

* * *

DC DC Code 

1-1181.1 to 

1-1191.2

The Procurement Practices Act has been amended by the 

ENERGY STAR Efficiency Amendment Act of 2004 to allow 

Washington, D.C. agencies to enter into energy performancebased contracts for products procurement. The ENERGY STAR 

Efficiency Amendment Act directs that for the purchase or lease 

of energy-using products, the agency shall include a specification that the products be ENERGY STAR labeled; provided, that 

there are at least 3 manufacturers that produce products with 

the ENERGY STAR label, and that there are at least 3 responsible 

vendors offering ENERGY STAR-labeled products.

http://counsel.cua.edu/dclaw/GovCont/Procurement.cfm

∞ ∞

Appendix A | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 9
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.) 

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

DC City 

Administrative 

Policy

In 2004, the Washington, D.C. City Administrator’s Office enacted a policy requiring 90% of the city government’s light-duty 

vehicle acquisitions to be alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs).

http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/37407.pdf

∞

DC Regional 

Green 

Building 

Standards

In December 2007, the Metropolitan Washington Council 

of Governments, which includes 21 jurisdictions within the 

Washington, D.C. region, adopted green building standards for 

new government and commercial structures. The standards require affected buildings to be built to achieve LEED certification. 

http://www.mwcog.org/news/press/detail.asp?NEWS_ID=282

∞ ∞

DC Comprehensive 

Energy Plan

Plan establishes a goal for Washington, D.C. government to 

reduce energy consumption by 1% per year. It recommends 

that each agency to submit an energy management plan and to 

implement project SAVE (save agencies valuable energy). Plan 

recommends that agencies implement building automation and 

control systems adopted by ASHRAE. All new buildings will incorporate these networks. The plan includes recommendations 

for incorporating LEED standards for existing buildings. The 

plan recommends performance contracting and procurement of 

energy-efficient equipment, particularly ENERGY STAR products. 

http://dceo.dc.gov/dceo/frames.asp?doc=/dceo/lib/dceo/

DC_Comprehensive_Energy_Plan_III.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

DE Executive 

Order 31

Executive order creates the state Energy Task Force to be 

charged with the task of developing the Delaware Energy Plan, 

which addresses the use of clean energy, energy efficiency, 

and expansion of renewables market in the state. The resultant 

draft Energy Plan established a goal for state facilities to reduce 

energy consumption by 10% by 2010 from 2000 levels through 

such strategies as purchasing requirements, energy audits, and 

alternative energy sources.

http://www.state.de.us/governor/orders/webexecorder31.

shtml#TopOfPage

∞ ∞ ∞

DE Executive 

Order 82

Executive order calls for legislation to enable the state to purchase a portion of its electricity from renewable sources. The 

order requires the Energy Office to complete a state energy 

consumption profile by March 8, 2006. The order requires the 

state to work with local governments, schools, and institutions 

of higher education to aggregate electricity consumption. The 

order requires the state to develop strategies for implementing 

energy savings and conservation techniques for state agencies, 

including the use of performance contracting and demand-side 

management. 

http://www.state.de.us/governor/orders/e%20o%20%2082.

shtml

∞ ∞

DE Title 29, 

Delaware 

Code (pertaining to 

procurement)

Statute [House Bill 435 (2004)] requires state agencies to purchase ENERGY STAR qualified products if they are available 

competitively. 

http://www.legis.state.de.us/LIS/LIS142.NSF/vwLegislation/

HB+435?Opendocument

∞ ∞

10 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix A
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.)

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

FL Executive 

Order 

05-241

Executive order directs agencies to continue energy conservation efforts to reduce energy demand. Agencies are further 

encouraged to develop innovative conservation initiatives to 

serve as a model for all Floridians. In addition, all departments 

and agencies, as well as all local governments, are encouraged 

to develop and implement long-term conservation initiatives. 

Executive order calls for state agencies to assist in the development of a comprehensive energy plan.

http://www.flaseia.org/ExecutiveOrderNumber05-241.pdf

∞ ∞

FL Executive 

Order 

07-126

Order establishes targets for state agencies under the direction 

of the executive to reduce GHG emissions from current levels by 

10% by 2012, 25% by 2017, and 40% by 2025. Order directs each 

agency to audit energy consumption during FY 06-07 and to 

post the baseline assessment on Florida's Governmental Carbon 

Scorecard. Order directs Department of Management Services 

to adopt LEED standards for all new construction and existing 

buildings and to strive for Platinum certification. All new leases 

must be in ENERGY STAR-labeled buildigns. The Department is 

directed to develop energy conservation measures and guidelines for all new and existing office spaces greater than 20,000 

square feet. The Department is directed to develop a Climate 

Friendly Preferred Products List that includes energy efficiency 

as a criteria. 

http://www.flgov.com/pdfs/orders/07-126-actions.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

FL Florida 

Energy 

Conservation 

in Buildings 

Act of 1974

Florida law requires use of solar technologies and energy efficiency strategies in state buildings when life-cycle costs indicate 

they are economically feasible. The Florida Energy Conservation 

in Buildings Act of 1974 mandates the use of energy-efficient 

equipment and design and the use of solar energy devices for 

heating and cooling state buildings where life-cycle cost analysis determines that the solar systems will be cost-effective over 

the life of the building.

http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/GenericIncentive.

cfm?Incentive_Code=FL04R¤tpageid=3&EE=1&RE=1

∞ ∞

FL Florida 

Statute 

403.714

Statue requires each state agency and institution of higher 

learning to work with the Department of Management Services 

for the collection of all recyclable materials generated in state 

offices and institutions throughout the state. The purpose of the 

“Greening Florida Government” program is to get the word out 

on the importance of recycling and what better group to start 

with than state employees. 

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/recycling/pages/

GreenGovMain.htm

∞

FL Chapter 

2006-230 

Session 

Laws 

Section 72

The Florida Energy Act of 2006 requires the state Department 

of Environmental Protection to develop a report detailing the 

state's LBE activities. The report must outline current programs 

and provide recommendations for a rebate program for purchases of energy-efficient appliances. 

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/energy/energyact/default.htm

∞ ∞

Appendix A | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 11
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.) 

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

FL Leadership 

by Example - 

Energy 

Efficiency and 

Conservation 

Report

This report was completed in accordance with the Florida 

Energy Plan and resultant Florida Energy Act of 2006. The Act 

requires this report to present information on state LBE activities, including costs and savings. Additionally, the report is to set 

forth recommendations for a rebate program for purchases of 

energy-efficient appliances. The report recommends that state 

agencies purchase ENERGY STAR qualified products. 

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/energy/reports/files/energy_

leadership_report.pdf

∞ ∞

FL Florida 

Energy Plan 

(2006)

Plan recommends an energy council to provide policy advice and counsel to the Governor, Speaker of the House, and 

President of the Senate. Recommends that all new state government buildings to meet LEED standards. Establishes a goal for 

a reduction of energy consumption in existing state facilities 

by 25% from 2002 levels by 2007. Promotes continued investment in green fleets and AFVs. The recommendations of this 

plan were codified into legislation with the passing of the Florida 

Energy Act of 2006.

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/energy/fla_energy/files/energy_plan_

final.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

GA Executive 

Order 

2.28.06.01

Executive order calls for the creation of a State Facilities Energy 

Council responsible for developing strategies for state facilities that will reduce costs and consumption of energy by state 

government. 

http://www.gov.state.ga.us/ExOrders/02_28_06_01.pdf

∞

GA Executive 

Order 

2.28.06.02

Executive order directs agencies to "lead by example" through 

promotion of energy efficiency, use of renewable energy, and 

other innovative energy savings strategies. Agencies are required to prioritize high fuel efficiency and flexible fuel vehicles 

in their procurement decisions. State-owned fueling facilities 

will maximize the purchase of alternative fuels.

http://www.gov.state.ga.us/ExOrders/02_28_06_02.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞

GA State Energy 

Strategy for 

Georgia

Plan encourages the state to lead by example. The Plan recommends that state agencies commit to purchasing a certain 

amount of electricity generated from renewable Georgia 

resources when economically feasible. Plan calls for governments to create energy management teams and plans that 

establish baselines, audit buildings, implement energy efficiency 

measures, and monitor performance with the goal of reducing energy consumption in public buildings. Encourages state 

employees to use mass transit and to reduce the total vehicle 

miles traveled by state fleets. Recommends procurement of 

energy-efficient products and encourages the use of ENERGY 

STAR standards. 

http://www.georgiaenergyplan.org/suppmat/STATE_ENERGY_

STRATEGY_FINAL_12_14_06.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

12 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix A
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.)

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

HI Administrative 

Directive 

98-03

Administrative directive mandates that effective January 1, 1999, 

all plans and designs for new or renovated facilities using state 

funds or located on state land and incorporating the use of hot 

water shall conduct a comparative analysis to determine the 

cost-benefit of using conventional water heating systems or 

solar water heating systems. If the life-cycle analysis is positive, 

the facility shall incorporate solar water heating. 

http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/efficiency/state/

ad98-03.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞

HI Administrative 

Directive 

06-01

Administrative directive states that for all state-funded buildings, newly constructed and renovated buildings must adhere to 

LEED standards, and adhere to LEED-Silver standards where feasible. Agencies must incorporate energy efficiency measures to 

prevent heat gain by providing insulation and high-performance 

windows, and where possible, buildings are to be oriented to 

maximize natural ventilation and daylighting and to optimize 

roof exposure for solar water heating. Solar water heating 

systems should be installed where cost-effective. Requires 

agencies to use life-cycle analysis to purchase energy-efficient 

equipment such as ENERGY STAR products. Agencies are required to implement waste management and water-efficient 

strategies as well.

http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/efficiency/state/

AD-06-01.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

HI Act 96 

(2006)

Act (House Bill 2175) codifies the requirements of Administrative 

Directive 06-01. Additionally, the statute directs that state 

agencies shall purchase the most fuel-efficient vehicles possible, 

and purchase alternative fuels and ethanol blended gasoline 

when available. In the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2006, at least 

20% of newly purchased light-duty vehicles shall be energyefficient, increasing 10% annually over the next two years, thereafter increasing 5% annually. Directs agencies to seek leases and 

purchases of buildings with ENERGY STAR label.

http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/efficiency/state/

Act96_reprint.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

ID Executive 

Order 

2005-12

Executive order requires energy conservation strategies to be 

used in state facilities to reduce energy use. Strategies include 

adjusting settings for thermostats, shutting off lights and computers, and evaluating machinery (HVAC) for efficiency. 

http://gov.idaho.gov/mediacenter/execorders/eo05/

eo_2005-12.htm

∞

IL Executive 

Order 6 

(2002)

Executive order requires the Department of Central 

Management Services and affected executive state agencies to 

purchase sufficient quantities of renewable energy so that 5% of 

the overall annual electricity requirements of buildings owned 

or operated by executive state agencies will be met through renewable energy resources by 2010, increasing to 15% by 2020. 

http://www100.state.il.us/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.

cfm?SubjectID=3&RecNum=1751

∞

Appendix A | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 13
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.) 

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

IL Executive 

Order 11 

(2001)

Executive order requires state agencies to adopt energyefficient best practices, including purchasing ENERGY STARapproved appliances, reducing the amount of gasoline and 

diesel fuel used in state fleets, increasing use of ethanol in state 

fleets, and establishing green building guidelines. Order establishes requirements for waste management operations as well. 

The Illinois Green Government Council is tasked with providing 

state agencies with technical assistance. 

http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.

cfm?SubjectID=3&RecNum=1603

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

IL Executive 

Order 11 

(2006)

The Order on Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction 

creates the Illinois Climate Change Advisory Group to advise 

the governor on how to reduce statewide GHG emissions. The 

order pronounces the intent of the state to join the Chicago 

Climate Exchange and to reduce emissions from governmental 

activities by 6% by 2010. Calls on the Illinois EPA to produce an 

annual report to the governor tracking GHG emissions by state 

government. 

http://www.illinois.gov/Gov/pdfdocs/execorder2006-11.pdf

∞

IL Governor's 

Renewable 

Energy 

Challenge

Illinois Lt. Governor has committed the state to the "3-4-5 

Renewable Energy Challenge." The state is committed to buying 

3% of its energy needs from RECs beginning in January 2007, 

ramping up to 4% in May 2008, and to 5% in 2009. This goal 

supersedes the earlier goal established by Executive Order 6 in 

2002.

http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/incentive2.

cfm?Incentive_Code=IL06R&state=IL&CurrentPageID=1&RE=1

&EE=1

∞

IL 30 ILCS 

500/25-75

House Bill 4137 (2007) amends the state procurement code to 

require all automobiles purchase using state funds to be flexfuel vehicles.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=4137&G

AID=8&GA=94&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=21989&SessionID=50

∞

IL 30 ILCS 

500/45-60

Statue requires that in awarding contracts that require procurement of vehicles, state agencies must give preference to an otherwise qualified bidder who will fulfill the contract through the 

use of vehicles powered by ethanol produce from Illinois corn or 

biodiesel fuels produced from Illinois soybeans.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=00300

5000HArt%2E+45&ActID=532&ChapAct=30%26nbsp%3BILCS%

26nbsp%3B500%2F&ChapterID=7&ChapterName=FINANCE&Se

ctionID=7815&SeqStart=13100000&SeqEnd=14700000&ActNa

me=Illinois+Procurement+Code%2E

∞

14 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix A
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.)

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

IL 20 ILCS 

3105/10.04 

Statute [Senate Bill 0250 (2005)] requires any construction or 

renovation of state-owned facilities to use the best available 

energy conservation technologies. Requires training to raise 

awareness about green buildings and rating systems. Mandates 

that 3 projects be used as case studies to achieve certification from a green building rating system. Establishes a Green 

Building Advisory Committee to assist in determining guidelines 

for which State construction and major renovation projects 

should be developed to green building standards 

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=09400SB

0250lv&SessionId=50&GA=94&DocTypeId=SB&DocNum=250&

GAID=8&LegID=&SpecSess=&Session=&print=true

∞ ∞

IL 20 ILCS 

3105/ 

10.09-5

Public Act 094-0815 (Senate Bill 2868) requires the adoption of 

rules implementing a statewide energy code for the construction or repair of state facilities. The energy code shall incorporate standards promulgated by ASHRAE. 

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.

asp?Name=094-0815

∞ ∞

IL Senate Joint 

Resolution 

027 (2007) 

(under consideration)

Proposes that all new and renovated State of Illinois “shall be 

designed to and achieve a minimum delivered fossil-fuel greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting energy consumption performance 

standard of one-half the U.S. average for that building type as 

defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the 

EPA's Target Finder.” The fossil fuel reduction standard for all 

new buildings shall be increased to: 60% in 2010, 70% in 2015, 

80% in 2020, 90% in 2025, and carbon-neutral by 2030. 

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=&Session

Id=51&GA=95&DocTypeId=SJR&DocNum=27&GAID=9&LegID=

29887&SpecSess=&Session=

* *

IN Executive 

Order 05-21

Executive order requires state agencies to establish goals and 

work to reduce office paper usage whenever possible. Order 

requires that environmentally preferable products be specified 

whenever possible. All fleet vehicles based in Indianapolis capable of using E-85 are directed to refuel with E-85 whenever 

possible. Facilities shall continue to implement measures to 

enhance energy efficiency in new building projects and in ongoing building and equipment operations. This order continues 

the Indiana Greening the Government Initiative established by 

Executive Order 99-07.

http://www.in.gov/gov/media/eo/EO_05-21_Greening_the%20

Govt.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

IN Lieutenant 

Governor's 

Press 

Release

In a February 2007 press release, the Lt. Governor announced 

that state buildings located in Marion County will purchase 10% 

of their energy from renewable energy resources by 2010, beginning with 7% in 2007.

http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/incentive2.

cfm?Incentive_Code=IN07R&state=IN&CurrentPageID=1&RE=

1&EE=1

∞

Appendix A | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 15
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.) 

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

IN State 

Strategic 

Energy Plan

Plan recommends that the state to replace all fleet vehicles with 

flexible-fuel units as they are retired, with the goal of the entire 

fleet becoming flexible-fuel compatible by 2010. Recommends 

that the state commit to purchasing 10% of its electric load for 

all state government buildings in Marion County from renewable 

generators in Indiana by 2010 and 25% by 2025.

http://www.in.gov/gov/media/pdfs/2006StrategicEnergyPlan.

pdf

∞ ∞

IA Executive 

Order 41

Executive order directs state government to implement energyefficient measures and increase the consumption of ethanol 

blended and biodiesel fuels. Requires the state to reduce energy 

consumption per sq. ft. per degree day in all "conditioned facilities" an average of 15% by 2010 from 2000 levels. Requires that 

10% of electricity purchased by state-owned facilities come 

from alternative energy, preferably from on-site sources. By 

2010, the state's light-duty vehicle fleets must consist of hybrid 

and/or AFVs, with the exception of law-enforcement vehicles. 

Bulk diesel fuel purchased by the state must contain 5% renewable fuel (such as biodiesel) by 2007, increasing to 20% by 2010. 

Agencies shall retain energy cost savings and apply them to reinvest in facilities.

http://www.dsireusa.org/documents/Incentives/IA09R.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

IA Executive 

Order 6 

(2008)

Establishes Green Government Initiative. A Steering Committee 

is to provide guidance for task forces. An Energy Excellent 

Buildings Task Force shall focus on greening new and existing 

office buildings and evaluating leased space to identify opportunities for energy efficiency improvements with payback 

periods shorter than the remaining lease term. The goal of this 

force is to reduce energy use in buildings by at least 15% in five 

years, accounting for workforce growth and changes in building operations. A Biofuels Task Force shall focus on increase use 

of biofuels in the state fleet, reducing vehicle miles traveled, 

and increasing fuel efficiency of the fleet. A third task force is to 

focus on using sustainable materials. Order calls for mandatory 

audits for all state agencies. 

http://www.governor.iowa.gov/administration/docs/

eo/06-080221.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

IA Iowa Energy 

Plan (2004)

Plan establishes a goal to reduce energy consumption in stategovernment-owned or -occupied buildings by an average of 

10% by 2008. The Department of Natural Resources and the 

Department of Administrative Services will work to develop a 

baseline of energy consumption information for state facilities 

for a report of progress and recommendations.

http://www.iowadnr.com/energy/info/files/04plan.pdf

∞

IA Iowa Energy 

Independence 

Plan (2007)

Plan recommends requiring all existing state-owned buildings to 

have energy audits and implement energy efficiency measures, 

and that all new state buildings be designed to achieve high energy performance standards. Recommends creating opportunities for state employees to reduce VMT through telecommuting 

and other measures. 

http://www.energy.iowa.gov/OEI/docs/Final_Plan.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

16 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix A
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.)

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

KS Executive 

Directive 

07-373

Directive calls for a survey of state employees to develop a 

list of energy efficiency measures. Directs the Department of 

Administration to adopt a policy to require that any facilities 

consider for leasing be audited for energy consumption. The department is directed to collect energy data from all state-owned 

and -leased facilities and to ensure that all vehicles purchased 

beginning in 2010 have mileage ratings at least 10% higher 

than the 2007 average. Directs the department to ensure that 

products purchased are energy efficient and are ENERGY STARqualified. 

http://da.ks.gov/ps/subject/arc/executivedirectives/2007/

ExeDir%2007%20373.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

KS Senate Bill 

262 (2007)

Act requires state agencies to purchase vehicles that utilize E85 

fuels whenever the E85 vehicle is less than $250 more expensive 

than a conventional vehicle of the same model. 

http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/262.pdf

∞

KS K.S.A. 

75-4616

Statute codifies federal EPAct requirements: as of Model Year 

2000, 75% of new light-duty motor vehicle acquisitions by the 

state fleet and its agencies are to be AFVs.

http://kansasstatutes.lesterama.org/Chapter_75/

Article_46/75-4616.html

∞

KS K.S.A. 

74-616

Statute [House Bill 2642 (2006)] creates the Energy Policy 

Advisory Group, which will become effective January 1, 2007. 

The Group shall advise the Governor and others on energy 

policies and make recommendations beneficial for the state in 

that regard. The group has the task of identifying conservation 

opportunities.

http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2006/2642.pdf

KY Executive 

Order 122 

(2005)

Executive order establishes a Utility Savings Council to evaluate 

all state agencies' energy costs and to make recommendations. 

The Council's objective will be to reduce overall state government energy costs by at least 10%. 

http://apps.sos.ky.gov/Executive/Journal/EJimages/2005-

CRREST-172806.pdf

∞

KY Executive 

Order 

2006-1297

Executive order requires the Department of Education to assist school districts in designing and planning energy-efficient 

schools that can be ENERGY STAR-certified. Also calls on the 

Department of Education to request that the Capital Planning 

Advisory Board develop recommended guidelines for incorporating energy-efficient criteria into the school design procedure. 

http://apps.sos.ky.gov/Executive/Journal/EJimages/2006-

CRREST-177212.pdf

∞ ∞

Appendix A | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 17
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.) 

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

KY Executive 

Order 

2006-1298

Executive order requires the Finance and Administration Cabinet 

to improve the fuel efficiency of Kentucky's fleet by procuring 

more fuel-efficient/alternative-use vehicles. Requires the Office 

of Energy Policy to commit $1,000,000 over the next biennium 

to the research, development, deployment, and commercialization of clean energy projects, including a study of the net benefits for consumers to purchase ENERGY STAR products. 

http://apps.sos.ky.gov/Executive/Journal/EJimages/2006-

CRREST-177213.pdf

∞ ∞

KY K.R.S. 

Chapter 152

Statute [House Bill 299 (2006), Kentucky Energy Security 

National Leadership Act] requires a life-cycle cost comparison of 

at least two types of energy-efficient HVAC equipment, including geothermal equipment when feasible, for every bid for new 

construction or for existing facility upgrade.

http://www.lrc.ky.gov/RECORD/06RS/HB299/bill.doc

∞ ∞

KY K.R.S. 

Chapter 56 

and 45A

House Bill 1 (2007) creates a new section of KRS 56.770 to 

56.784 to encourage the Finance and Administration Cabinet to 

use the LEED or Green Globe rating systems and to incorporate 

ENERGY STAR products into state procurements. Amends KRS 

56.784 to encourage a review of utility usage in state-owned 

property and amends KRS 56.782 to require reporting. Creates 

a new section of KRS Chapter 45A to require a strategy for a 

cleaner state vehicle fleet and directs an LRC staff study on 

energy-efficient building and design practices. 

http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/07S2/HB1.htm

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

KY Kentucky 

Energy Plan

Plan recommends that the state encourage high-performance, 

energy-efficient design for new state facilities. Plan recommends that the state require its state fleet to use a 10% blend 

of ethanol (E10) and gasoline and a 2% blend of biodiesel 

(B2) wherever these clean fuels are available, and encourage 

Kentucky’s post secondary institutions to adopt similar initiatives. The state should design policies to promote the use of a 

20% blend of biodiesel in the public school bus fleet.

http://www.energy.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/8E6F3FFE-5DC6-4FC6-

9B5A-EA9D2AC89E7A/0/KentuckyEnergyPlan.pdf

∞ ∞

LA Executive 

Order 

2008-08

Order directs the Division of Administration to set energy efficiency goals for state facilities by August 2008 and to establish 

programs for energy analyses in state-owned buildings and 

identify opportunities for energy consumption reductions, giving special consideration to opportunities for performance 

contracting. Order directs the Division to evaluate its purchasing 

practices to ensure 100% compliance with existing state requirements for energy conservation, to adopt best practices for purchasing energy-efficient products, and to increase procurement 

standards to meet ENERGY STAR specifications. Order directs 

Division to develop fleet fuel economy goals and to ensure 

those goals are met by 2010. Goals should address use of hybrid 

and AFVs. 

http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/portal/portals/0/news/

pdf/2008EOGreenGovernment.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

18 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix A
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.)

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

LA Revised 

Statutes 

40:1730.49

Senate Bill 240 (2007) directs the Office of Facility Planning and 

Control to adopt rules and regulations that optimize energy 

performance in state-funded buildings, increase use of materials 

made in Louisiana, improve environmental quality by conserving energy and using local renewable energy sources, encourage life-cycle cost analysis, encourage obtaining ENERGY STAR 

designation for facilities. Major projects are to be designed to 

exceed the state building energy code by at least 30% as long as 

the payback period is 30 years or less. 

http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.

asp?did=449761

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

ME Executive 

Order 8 

(2003)

Executive order requires newly constructed and renovated 

buildings to adhere to LEED standards in order to maximize energy efficiency and sustainability.

http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.

php?topic=Gov_Executive_Orders&id=21346&v=Article

∞ ∞ ∞

ME Executive 

Order 11 

(2004)

Executive order requires the Department of Environmental 

Protection to annually report on the fleet fuel economy for state 

vehicles and emissions profiles for all new vehicles purchased 

by the state. The Department of Administrative and Financial 

Services will work with agencies to identify state positions that 

incur paid mileage expenses for travel in excess of 20,000 miles 

per year. The State shall purchase or assign the most fuel efficient, lowest emission vehicles, considering life cycle costs, 

available resources, and other appropriate considerations. Order 

requires each agency to report vehicle miles traveled. Promotes 

teleconferencing and carpooling by state employees as strategies for reducing vehicle miles traveled. 

http://www.maine.gov/governor/baldacci/news/executiveorders/EX_ORDER_3_17_04.doc

∞ ∞ ∞

ME MRSA Title 

38 343-H

Statute establishes the Clean Government Initiative to assist 

state agencies and state-supported institutions of higher learning in meeting applicable environmental compliance requirements and to incorporate environmentally sustainable practices 

into all state government functions. Initiative is intended to 

facilitate improvements in energy efficiency, including facility 

siting, design, construction, and management and increase procurement of environmentally friendly commodities and services, 

recycling of waste products, and enhanced fleet efficiency. 

http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/38/title38sec343-H.html

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

ME MRSA Title 5 

1764-A

Statute requires that state-funded new buildings and renovations over 5,000 square feet involve consideration of architectural designs and energy systems that are based on life-cycle 

costing, and that include an energy-use target that exceeds at 

least 20% of the energy efficiency standards in effect for commercial and institutional buildings. 

http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/5/title5sec1764-A.html

∞ ∞

Appendix A | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 19
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.) 

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

ME MRSA Title 5 

1770

Statute establishes a goal for state facilities to reduce energy 

consumption by 25% by 2010 relative to 1998, as long as the 

achievement of the goal is accomplished in a manner that 

does not interfere with other goals, plans or policies of the 

state. Statute also requires the Department of Environmental 

Protection to develop an energy savings pilot project in at least 

10 facilities to achieve the above goal using performance-based 

contracts. This goal is consistent with the Conference of New 

England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers goal of improving energy efficiency in public facilities by 25% by 2012.

http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/5/title5sec1770.html

∞

ME MRSA Title 5 

1766-A

LD 785, passed in 2007, requires that no later than January 1, 

2010, all electricity consumed in state-owned buildings must be 

supplied by renewable resources. The chair of the state Energy 

Resources Council shall develop a plan to implement this rule 

and shall submit that plan including suggested legislation to the 

state legislature by April 1, 2008.

http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.a

sp?ID=280023361&LD=785&Type=1&SessionID=7

∞

ME MRSA Title 5 

1812-E

Statute mandates that except for cars and light-duty trucks purchased for law enforcement and other special use purposes as 

designated by the State Purchasing Agent, the State Purchasing 

Agent may not purchase or lease any car or light duty truck for 

use by the state or any department or agency of the state unless 

the car has a manufacturer's estimated highway mileage rating 

of at least 45 mpg and the light-duty truck has a manufacturer's 

estimated highway mileage rating of at least 35 mpg.

http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/5/title5sec1812-e.html

∞

ME MRSA Title 

38 575

Statute codifies state goal of reducing GHG emissions to 1990 

levels by January 1, 2010, and to 10% below 1990 levels by 

January 1, 2020, as established by the Conference of New 

England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers. Requires 

the development of a GHG emissions inventory for state-owned 

facilities and state-funded programs.

http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/38/title38ch3-Asec0.html

∞

ME Governor's 

Environmental 

Agenda

Agenda establishes a goal for state government to purchase at 

least 50% of its electricity from renewable power sources, paid 

for by energy conservation improvements in all state buildings. This goal was met by a contract agreement committing 

over 800 accounts under one service agreement in 2003. As 

of March 2007, 100% of the state's power demand is met by 

renewable energy sources. The state government is purchasing renewable energy credits for 70% of its demand, while the 

remaining 30% is obtained through the statewide renewable 

energy portfolio standard.

http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/incentive2.

cfm?Incentive_Code=ME08R&state=ME&CurrentPageID=1&RE

=1&EE=1

∞

20 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix A
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.)

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

ME State 

Environmentally 

Preferable 

Procurement 

Policy

This policy statement directs the state to identify and set graduated targets for the procurement of environmentally preferable 

products, and to eliminate non-environmentally preferable 

products.

http://www.maine.gov/cleangovt/rulesanddocuments/

eeppolicyprogdocs.doc

∞

MD Executive 

Order 

01.01.2001. 

02

Executive order establishes a goal for 6% of electricity purchased by state-owned facilities to come from "green energy." 

Order requires that new and renovated state buildings follow 

LEED and ENERGY STAR-modeled guidelines, to be developed 

the Green Buildings Program. Requires the procurement of 

ENERGY STAR products. Requires facilities to reduce energy 

consumption per gross sq. ft. by 10% by 2005 and 15% by 2010 

relative to 2000 levels. Directs the state to ensure that 50% of 

fuel used by bi-fuel and flex-fuel vehicles be alternative fuel. 

The state shall help develop infrastructure to make certain types 

of AFVs practical. Order calls for agencies to increase pollution 

prevention by recycling at least 20% of waste created. 

http://www.mde.state.md.us/assets/document/EO-0101200102.

pdf#search=%22maryland%20executive%20order%20

01.01.2001.02%22

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

MD Maryland 

Code: State 

Finance and 

Procurement 

Section 

4-808

Requires the Department of General Services to include an evaluation of the use of renewable energy generation systems and 

energy-efficient measures in creating standards for determining 

a building's life-cycle costs. An energy consumption analysis is 

required for each major piece of equipment added to building 

systems. 

http://mlis.state.md.us/asp/statutes_Respond.

asp?article=gsf§ion=4-808&Extension=HTML

∞ ∞ ∞

MD Board of 

Public 

Works 

Policy

A September 2007 Board of Public Works policy statement requires state agencies to increase use of hybrid and bio-fueled 

vehicles. The policy will increase the number of hybrid vehicles 

in the state fleet from 40 to 1000 within three years. In addition, 

the policy will increase the fleet's number of vehicles that run on 

biofuels or ethanol from 2,000 to 2,400 over the same period. 

http://www.eere.energy.gov/state_energy_program/project_

brief_detail.cfm/pb_id=1202

∞

MD Chapter 427 

- Session 

Laws 2006

Senate Bill 267 (2006) requires the Department of General 

Services to set reductions in energy consumption for State 

buildings: 5% by 2009 and 10% by 2010. This bill excludes the 

Department of Transportation's buildings. 

http://mlis.state.md.us/2006rs/bills/sb/sb0267e.pdf

∞

Appendix A | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 21
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.) 

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

MD Chapter 

115 - 2007 

Session 

Laws

Senate Bill 332 establishes the Maryland Green Building Council. 

On or before September 30, 2007, the council shall evaluate 

current high performance building technologies and provide 

recommendations concerning the most cost-effective green 

building technologies that the state might consider requiring in 

the construction of state facilities, including consideration of the 

additional cost associated with the various technologies. On or 

before November 1, 2007, and every year thereafter, the council 

shall report to the governor and the general assembly.

http://mlis.state.md.us/2007RS/billfile/sb0332.htm

∞

MD EmPOWER 

Maryland 

Initiative

The governor's EmPOWER initiative includes steps for state 

government to reduce electricity consumption by 15% by 2015. 

The initiative calls for: energy-efficient building operations, energy performance contracting, increased funding for the State 

Agency Loan Program, requirements for new buildings over 

20,000 square feet to designed based on the recommendations 

of the state Green Building Task Force, ENERGY STAR-qualified 

product procurement. The governor created the position of 

Director of the Office of Energy Performance and Conservation 

to oversee these activities. 

http://www.energy.state.md.us/press/2007-07-02.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

MA Executive 

Order 438

Executive order creates a Sustainability Coordinating Council to 

develop a State Sustainability Program. With the assistance of 

the Program, state agencies shall develop programs to reduce 

energy consumption through energy efficiency and conservation, improve state energy efficiency in products procurement, 

sustainable design, and renewable energy development, and 

well as implement other sustainable programs for recycling and 

waste reduction. 

http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/ExecOrders/eo438.txt

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

MA Executive 

Order 484 

(2007)

Requires agencies to reduce energy consumption by 20% by 

2012, and 35% by 2020, based on 2002 levels. Agencies must 

reduce GHG emissions by 25% by 2012, 40% by 2020, and 80% 

by 2050. Agencies are required to obtain 15% of electricity from 

renewable sources by 2012, 30% by 2020. Agencies must use 

biofuels for 3% of heating oil in winter of 2007-2008, 5% in 

winter 2008-2009. Agencies must meet state LEED-Plus building standards for all new construction and major renovations 

- and obtain third-party commissioning - and consider energy 

performance when leasing. Agencies must reduce potable 

water consumption 10% by 2012, 15% by 2020. Facilities larger 

than 100,000 sq. ft. must be retrofitted for energy efficiency 

by 2012. Order prohibits purchase of incandescent light bulbs 

and requires purchase of energy-efficient products, particularly 

ENERGY STAR-qualified products.

http://www.mass.gov/Agov3/docs/Executive%20Orders/

Leading%20by%20Example%20EO.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

22 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix A
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.)

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

MA Executive 

Office for 

Administration 

and Finance 

Bulletin 11

Bulletin directs the State Sustainability Coordinating Council to 

convene a State Agency Conservation Task Force that will guide 

state government agency conservation programs. Bulletin requires state agencies to reduce building energy consumption by 

15% by 2010. Calls for procurement of ENERGY STAR equipment 

and implementation of energy saving maintenance practices. 

http://www.mass.gov/Eeoaf/docs/administrativebulletin11.doc

∞ ∞ ∞

MA Executive 

Office for 

Administration 

and Finance 

Bulletin 12

Effective September 1, 2006, all executive agencies shall follow new sustainable design and construction standards for all 

new construction and major renovation projects where the cost 

of renovation is greater than 50% of the assessed value of the 

building. Standards are designed to ensure that state buildings 

are at least 20% more efficient than the current energy code. 

For projects of 20,000 square feet or larger, all agencies shall 

adhere to the newly created "Massachusetts LEED Plus" standard 

for new construction and major renovation projects. 

http://www.mass.gov/Eeoaf/docs/administrativebulletin12.doc

∞ ∞ ∞

MA Executive 

Office for 

Administration 

and Finance 

Bulletin 13

Bulletin empowers the Office of Administration and Finance to 

set minimum percentage requirements for E85 usage in state 

flex-fuel vehicles. Mandates that by FY 2010, all agencies will 

use a minimum of 15% biodiesel in both on-road and off-road 

diesel engines. These requirements can be met through use of 

B5 and/or B20, or any other blend, as long as a minimum of 5% 

by FY 2008 and 15% by FY 2010 of total diesel fuel used is equivalent to 100% biodiesel. Bulletin calls for state agencies, no later 

than the winter of 2007-2008, to use a minimum of 3% biodiesel in all #2 fuel oil applications. This requirement can be met 

through the use of average B3 blend or any other blend as long 

as a minimum of 3% of the total #2 fuel consumed is equivalent 

to 100% biodiesel. 

http://www.mass.gov/Eeoaf/docs/administrativebulletin13.doc

∞

MA SB 1797 (not 

enacted)

Bill would establish a commission to study the state government's energy use and reduce it by 10 %.

http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/st01/st01797.htm

MA SB 2220 

(not 

enacted)

In October 2005, SB2220 passed the state senate and was referred to committee in the House. If passed, it would have required Massachusetts to purchase AFVs or hybrids at a rate of at 

least 5% (of the total vehicle purchases) annually, and that 50% 

of the state's fleet is AFV or hybrid by 2010.

http://www.dsireusa.org/documents/Incentives/MD07R1.pdf

*

Appendix A | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 23
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.) 

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

MI Executive 

Directive 

2005-4

Executive directive requires the Department of Management 

and Budget to establish an energy efficiency savings target for 

all state buildings. The goal shall be to attain a 10% reduction in 

energy use by December 31, 2008 and a 20% reduction in gridbased energy purchases by December 31, 2015, when compared 

to energy use and energy purchases for the state fiscal year 

ending September 30, 2002. The directive calls for the establishment of a program based on ENERGY STAR to analyze building energy use, and for building design to be LEED compatible. 

Directive also requires the purchase of ENERGY STAR-qualified 

equipment. It also requires state departments and agencies 

to purchase hybrid vehicles and alternative fuels, where costeffective and available. 

http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-21975_22515-

116177--,00.html

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

MI Executive 

Directive 

2007-22

Directive supersedes ED 2005-4. Requires Department of 

Management and Budget to reduce energy consumption in 

state buildings by 10% by 2009, and reduce grid-based electricity use by 20% by 2015, based on FY 2002 use. Agencies within 

executive branch are to reduce energy use using a baseline of 

FY 2006. Department is directed to include hybrid vehicles in 

the state fleet, to use alternative fuels when feasible, and encourage use of biodiesel. Department shall require agencies 

to consider life-cycle costs when purchasing products and to 

specify ENERGY STAR products. Department shall seek to design 

and lease ENERGY STAR-labeled buildings. New buildings, and 

renovated existing buildings, shall be designed to meet LEED 

certification. 

http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-36898-180298--

,00.html

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

MN Executive 

Order 

04-08

Executive order directs state agencies to reduce air polluting 

emissions by implementing the following actions: 1) purchase 

or lease the most fuel-efficient and least polluting vehicles possible; 2) refuel with the cleanest fuel available; 3) encourage 

employees to consider alternative transportation strategies; 4) 

reduce state energy use through purchasing energy-efficient 

office equipment; 5) employ energy-conserving strategies in 

state-owned or leased buildings; 6) procure and use products 

with the lowest potential to contribute to air pollution; 7) employ landscaping that reduces the need for gasoline-powered 

equipment; and 8) purchase electricity from renewable sources. 

State agencies are required to produce fact sheets describing 

steps employees can take to reduce pollution.

http://www.governor.state.mn.us/priorities/governorsorders/

executiveorders/2004/PROD005584.html

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

24 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix A
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.)

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

MN Executive 

Order 04-10

Using 2005 as a baseline, the State of Minnesota shall reduce the 

use of gasoline by on-road vehicles owned by state departments 

by 25 % by 2010 and by 50 % by 2015, and the use of petroleumbased diesel fuel by those vehicles 10 % by 2010 and 25 % by 

2015. At least 75% of purchases of new on-road vehicles must 

use "cleaner fuels" and have a fuel efficiency rating that exceeds 

30 mpg for city usage and 35 mpg for highway usage. The 

Commissioner for the Department of Administration shall chair 

a SmartFleet Committee to assist state departments in implementing the requirements of the order.

http://www.governor.state.mn.us/priorities/governorsorders/

executiveorders/2004/PROD005586.html

∞

MN Executive 

Order 05-16

All state agencies will take measures to reduce energy usage 

in state owned buildings by 10% over the next calendar year, 

including but not limited to: specified maximum and minimum heating temperatures for state facilities; incorporating 

Minnesota Sustainable Guidelines for new construction; implementing energy efficiency improvements in existing buildings 

through partnering with energy services companies and funding 

the projects through lease purchase agreements; and procuring 

alternative heating fuels. 

http://www.governor.state.mn.us/priorities/governorsorders/

executiveorders/2005/PROD005605.html

∞ ∞

MN Executive 

Order 06-03

Executive order directs that all state employees utilizing vehicles from the state's fleet shall, whenever practical, use E85 

fuel when operating flexible-fuel vehicles. The Smart Fleet 

Committee is directed to develop a plan to facilitate usage of 

E-85 and biodiesel in state vehicles. This includes actively pursuing the establishment of additional E-85 refueling facilities at 

public retail outlets throughout the state. 

http://www.governor.state.mn.us/priorities/governorsorders/

executiveorders/2006/march/PROD005613.html

∞

MN Minnesota 

Statutes 

Section 

216C

Senate File 145 (2007) establishes a goal of reducing per capital 

fossil fuel consumption by 15% by 2015 and 25% by 2025 statewide. Bill directs the Commissioner of Commerce to develop a 

report for the legislature on policy options, barriers, and economic benefits and costs for state government operations to 

achieve the energy savings goals set forth in Section 216B.2401. 

Bill establishes a goal for reducing statewide GHG emissions 15% 

below 2005 levels by 2015, 30% by 2025, and 80% by 2050

https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldbill.php?bill=S0145.2

.html&session=ls85

MN Minnesota 

Statutes 

Section 

216C

Statute requires Commissioner of Commerce to issue a report 

to the legislature by February 1, 2008 identifying policy options, 

barriers, and economic benefits and costs for state government 

operations to achieve the energy savings goals established for 

the state as a whole (annual energy savings equal to 1.5% of annual retail energy sales of electricity and natural gas). 

http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldbill.php?bill=S0145.2.

html&session=ls85

∞

Appendix A | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 25
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.) 

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

MO CSR 140-7 Rule establishes a minimum energy efficiency standard for construction of a state building, substantial renovation of a state 

building where major energy systems are involved, or a building which the state or state agency considers for acquisition or 

lease. The minimum energy efficiency standard is to conform 

with the ASHRAE 90.1 and 90.2 standards.

http://www.sos.mo.gov/adrules/csr/current/10csr/10c140-7.pdf

∞ ∞

MO RSMo 

414.365

On or before October 1, 2003, the Missouri Department of 

Transportation shall develop a program that provides for the opportunity to use fuel with at least the biodiesel content of B-20 

in its vehicle fleet and heavy equipment that use diesel fuel. 

Such program shall have the following goals, provided that such 

program and goals do not prohibit the department from generating and selling EPAct credits pursuant to section 414.407: on 

or before July 1, 2004, at least 50% of the department's vehicle 

fleet and heavy equipment that use diesel fuel shall use fuel with 

at least the biodiesel content of B-20; on or before July 1, 2005, 

at least 75% of the department's vehicle fleet and heavy equipment that use diesel fuel shall use fuel with at least the biodiesel 

content of B-20.

http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C400-499/4140000365.

HTM

∞

MO RSMo 

414.400 and 

410

Statute directs that any state agency operating a fleet of more 

than 15 motor vehicles must develop an alternative fuel plan, 

and ensure that 50% of new vehicles acquired by the fleet are 

capable of running on alternative fuels. Any state agency which 

operates a fleet of more than fifteen motor vehicles shall acquire vehicles capable of using alternative fuels as follows: at 

least 10% of the agency's fleet vehicles acquired between July 

1, 1994, and July 1, 1996; at least 30% of the agency's fleet vehicles acquired between July 1, 1996, and July 1, 1998; and at 

least 50% of the agency's fleet vehicles acquired between July 

1, 1998, and July 1, 2000, and each biennial period thereafter. 

Excess acquisitions of AFVs may be credited towards future biennial goals.

http://www.moga.mo.gov/STATUTES/C414.HTM

∞

MT Governor's 

20x10 

Initiative

In November 2007, the governor announced this initiative to 

reduce energy consumption by state agencies by 20% by 2010. 

This initiative was announced along with the state Climate 

Change Action Plan. 

http://governor.mt.gov/news/pr.asp?ID=513

∞

26 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix A
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.)

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

MT Climate 

Change 

Action Plan 

(2007)

Plan recommends a number of LBE activities, including: all new 

buildings should be designed to achieve high energy performance and to be certified as meeting the requirements of the 

Silver level of the LEED rating system. Existing buildings should 

be upgraded for energy efficiency over the next 15 years and 

should be benchmarked within three years. Recommends requiring ENERGY STAR qualification for purchases and recommends purchasing these products in bulk. Establishes a goal of 

reducing energy consumption per square foot by 20% by 2020 

in existing buildings and by 40% by 2020 in new buildings. Also 

establishes a goal of using 25% renewable energy in existing 

state government buildings by 2025. 

http://www.mtclimatechange.us/ewebeditpro/items/

O127F14042.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

MT Section 

90-4-605, 

MCA

Statute (House Bill 12) directs the Department of Environmental 

quality to identify state buildings that have a potential for energy 

savings, based on age, energy use, function, and condition of 

the building. The department shall select certain facilities for 

in-depth energy analyses to identify the technical and financial 

feasibility of making energy conservation improvements to the 

facilities. If the estimated savings are determined to be greater 

than the bond payment costs for a particular project, the department shall notify the department of administration. Upon 

receipt of the notification, the department of administration 

shall implement a design and construction project using bond 

proceeds for the costs of the project. 

http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2001/billhtml/HB0012.htm

∞

MT Section 

90-4-1011, 

MCA

Statute encourages the use of alternative fuels and fuel blends, 

recommending that state and local governments should be encouraged to set an example with their vehicle fleets in the use of 

alternative fuels and fuel blends.

http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2003/mca/90/4/90-4-1011.htm

∞

MT HJR 26 (enrolled 2003)Bill establishes the Montana Hydrogen Futures Project as a key 

economic development focus of the state. The Project goal is 

that by 2020, 50% of all vehicles and equipment in Montana and 

100% of all state-run vehicles will be powered by alternative 

fuels.

http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/BillPDF/HJ0026.

pdf#search=%22house%20joint%20resolution%2026%20

montana%22

∞

NE Executive 

Order 

2005-03

Executive order directs the Transportation Services Bureau 

and the Nebraska Department of Roads to immediately take all 

reasonable actions necessary to investigate ways in which to 

strengthen the infrastructure for increasing the availability of 

E85 and B2 for the State's flexible-fuel fleet and to allow for the 

procurement of 2% blends of biodiesel (B2) fuel for the State's 

diesel-powered vehicle fleet. Additionally, all state employees 

utilizing the State's fleet of vehicles shall use E85 and 2% blends 

of biodiesel (B2) fuel when operating flexible-fuel vehicles and 

diesel-powered vehicles, whenever practical, in the course of 

their state employment.

http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/docs/pilot/pubs/eofiles/05-03.pdf

∞

Appendix A | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 27
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.) 

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

NV NAC 

486A.160

Statute requires that fleets containing 10 or more vehicles 

that are owned, leased, or operated by the state are mandated 

to acquire AFVs or EPA-certified ultra-low emission vehicles. 

Beginning in FY 2000 and each year thereafter, 90% of new 

vehicles obtained by covered fleets must be either AFVs or certified low-emission vehicles (LEVs). 

http://ndep.nv.gov/nac/486a.pdf#search=%22nevada%20

administrative%20code%20486A.160%22

∞

NV NRS 701 

title 58

Statute creates the Office of Energy within the Office of the 

Governor. The Director of the Office of Energy shall prepare 

a state energy reduction plan which requires state agencies, 

departments and other entities in the Executive Branch to reduce grid-based energy purchases for state-owned buildings by 

20% by 2015 (Session Law 76, 22nd Special Session, 2005). The 

Director is also required to adopt guidelines establishing Green 

Building Standards for all occupied public buildings and to adopt 

a Green Building Rating System, such as LEED. Creates a task 

force to advise the Office of Energy on Renewable Energy and 

Energy Conservation. 

http://leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-701.html

∞ ∞ ∞

NH Executive 

Order 

2004-07

Executive order directs Department of Administrative Services 

to develop an energy information system to track and report 

state energy usage. Additionally, each department is required 

to: inventory facilities for energy use; train staff in ENERGY STAR 

benchmarking program; develop procedures for annual tracking 

and reporting of energy use. Order establishes a steering committee to develop recommendations for: conducting energy 

audits of facilities scoring between 40% and 60% on ENERGY 

STAR's rating scale; developing ENERGY STAR products procurement guidelines; developing energy-efficient guidelines for designing and commissioning new buildings; establishing a policy 

to purchase the most fuel-efficient and low-emission vehicles; 

and encouraging ride-sharing.

http://www.sos.nh.gov/EXECUTIVE%20ORDERS/Benson2004-7.

pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

NH Executive 

Order 

2005-4

Executive order requires state to reduce energy use in its facilities by 10% in accordance with the ENERGY STAR Challenge. 

Requires all agencies to work with the State Energy Manager to 

ensure that existing energy efficiency polices are fulfilled. The 

Department of Administrative Services shall implement an energy information system to measure progress, including a rating 

system for agencies to rate and track progress. Every agency is 

required to purchase ENERGY STAR equipment. New construction or renovation must exceed state energy code by 20%. Every 

agency shall implement a Clean Fleets Program with the following components: minimum rating of 27.5 mpg, new purchases 

must be LEVs, and alternative transportation methods such as 

carpooling.

http://www.nh.gov/governor/orders/documents/Executive_

order_2005-4.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

28 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix A
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.)

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

NH New 

Hampshire 

State Energy 

Plan

Plan recommends that the state consider purchasing a fixed percentage of its power from renewable generation. Recommends 

that the state consider incorporating "performance contracting" 

into new building construction. Recommends that the state 

commit to purchasing office equipment that is ENERGY STAR 

rated. Recommends that the state should transition the entire 

state fleet to biodiesel or hybrid vehicles. 

http://www.nh.gov/oep/programs/energy/StateEnergyPlan.htm

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

NJ Governor's 

Mandate

Former governor McGreevey’s office delivered a mandate for a 

minimum of 10% green power purchases for all state agencies. 

As a result, an aggregation of New Jersey state agencies currently use renewable energy for ~12% of their electricity.

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dsr/bscit/GreenPower.pdf

∞

NJ Executive 

Order 94 

(1999)

Executive order directs state agencies to exercise leadership in 

the acquisition and use of ATVs and AFVs. The State shall exceed 

the EPAct AFV acquisition requirements for State government 

fleets by 5% for each model year. In Model Years 1999 and 2000, 

those additional vehicles acquired to fulfill this enhanced commitment shall meet or exceed California Air Resources Board 

LEV standards in effect for those model years. In Model Year 

2001, and thereafter, those additional vehicles acquired to fulfill 

this enhanced commitment shall meet or exceed CARB ultra 

low-emission vehicle standards in effect for those model years. 

http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/circular/eow94.htm

∞

NJ Executive 

Order 24 

(2002)

Executive order requires all newly constructed schools in the 

state to be designed according to LEED standards.

http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/circular/eom24.htm

∞ ∞

NJ Executive 

Order 11 

(2006)

Executive order creates the position of Director of Energy 

Savings in the Department of the Treasury. Director will be responsible for improving the energy efficiency of all procurement 

programs for state facilities. Additionally, all state agencies shall 

select ENERGY STAR energy-efficient products when acquiring 

new energy-using products or replacing existing equipment. 

The Director of the Division of Purchase and Property in the 

Department of Treasury shall issue standards and guidelines 

to implement this requirement. For products that do not have 

ENERGY STAR labels, State agencies shall follow guidelines established by the New Jersey Clean Energy Program. Each State 

agency shall purchase recycled products, provided the recycled 

products are competitive.

http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/circular/eojsc11.htm

∞ ∞ ∞

NJ Executive 

Order 54 

(2007)

Within six months from the date of this Order, the Director of 

Energy Savings in the Department of Treasury shall develop 

specific targets and implementation strategies for reducing usage by State agencies through improved energy efficiency at 

State facilities and by reducing the State’s vehicle fleet’s fuel 

consumption. 

http://www.state.nj.us/governor/news/news/

approved/20070213a.html

∞ ∞

Appendix A | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 29
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.) 

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

NJ State 

Revised 

Statutes 

Title 52, 

Chapter 34

Senate Bill 341 (2006) requires the state to purchase only products bearing the ENERGY STAR label when buying products for 

state government use. 

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/S0500/341_T1.HTM

∞ ∞

NJ State 

Revised 

Statutes 

Title 52

Assembly Bill 3983 (2007) requires all state agencies with purchasing authority to replace all incandescent light bulbs used 

in state-owned buildings with compact fluorescent light bulbs 

within three years. 

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/PL07/156_.PDF

∞

NM Executive 

Order 

2004-19

Executive order creates the Clean Energy Development Council 

to develop policy recommendations that will enhance the opportunities for successful clean energy growth in New Mexico. 

The council shall recommend to the governor the creation of 

task forces to work with existing clean energy programs and 

work on specific initiatives and issues, including reducing energy 

use in public buildings.

http://www.governor.state.nm.us/orders/2004/EO_2004_019.

pdf

∞

NM Executive 

Order 05-33

Order creates the a Change Action Council to review and provide recommendations regarding climate change policy and the 

New Mexico Climate Change Advisory Group to present proposals to the Council to reduce the state's total GHG emissions 

to 2000 levels by 2012, 10% below 2000 levels by 2020, and 

75% below by 2050. In addition, this order directs the General 

Services Department to develop recommendations to reduce 

GHG emissions in state government capital projects. The department will further propose changes to procurement policies 

for new state vehicles to have hybrid electric engines or utilize 

alternative fuels. 

http://www.governor.state.nm.us/orders/2005/EO_2005_033.

pdf

∞ ∞ ∞

NM Executive 

Order 

2005-49

Executive order directs all state agencies, public schools, and 

institutions of higher education to take immediate action toward 

obtaining 15% of total transportation fuel requirements from renewable fuels by 2010. Directs all state agencies and schools to 

comply with requirements of the Alternative Fuel Acquisition Act 

of 1978, which requires that 75% of all vehicles acquired by the 

state be capable of operating on alternative fuels or be hybrids. 

Also requires agencies to develop procedures to allocate and/

or assign vehicle usage based on fuel economy, to investigate 

carpooling, and to procure vehicles that have the highest fuel 

economy. 

http://www.governor.state.nm.us/orders/2005/EO_2005_049.

pdf

∞ ∞ ∞

30 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix A
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.)

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

NM Executive 

Order 

2006-001

Executive order requires the adoption of LEED-Silver standards 

in new public buildings in excess of 15,000 square feet and/or 

using over 50 kW peak electrical demand. Such buildings must 

achieve a minimum delivered energy performance standard of 

50% of the average consumption for that building type. New 

construction and renovation of existing buildings between 5,000 

and 15,000 square feet will achieve a minimum delivered energy 

performance standard of 50% of the average consumption for 

that building type. Renovations of existing buildings in excess 

of 15,000 square feet and/or using over 50 kW peak electric demand must meet LEED-Silver standards and achieve a minimum 

delivered energy performance standard of 50% of the average 

for that building type.

http://www.governor.state.nm.us/orders/2006/EO_2006_001.

pdf

∞ ∞ ∞

NM Executive 

Order 

2006-69

Executive order establishes Climate Change Action 

Implementation Team responsible for developing a GHG emissions registry and reporting mechanism and energy management programs for state agencies. The order requires the 

Department of General Services to establish policies for green 

power purchasing, modify state procurement processes, ensure low greenhouse gas emissions from state vehicles, and 

require mandatory recycling. Requires the Department of the 

Environment to submit a proposal to implement a state clean 

car standard consistent with clean car standards adopted by 

other states no later than January 1, 2008.

http://www.governor.state.nm.us/press/2006/dec/122806_01.

pdf

∞ ∞ ∞

NM Executive 

Order 

2007-053

Order directs all executive branch agencies to achieve a 20% 

reduction below 2005 levels in energy usage in state buildings 

by 2015, based on the average energy usage per square foot of 

building space. Executive branch agencies are also directed to 

achieve a 20% usage reduction below 2005 levels in the state 

fleet and transportation-related activities by 2015, based on 

the average transportation-related energy usage per sate employee. Order establishes a statewide goal of reducing energy 

consumption per capita by 20% from 2005 levels by 2020 (10% 

by 2012). The General Services Department and Energy, Mineral, 

and Natural Resources Department are directed to develop a 

plan to meet these goals. Order creates the position of Lead by 

Example Coordinator to direct LBE activities. Order requires creation of a database to track state government energy efficiency 

improvements. 

http://www.governor.state.nm.us/orders/2007/EO_2007_053.

pdf

∞ ∞

NM 13-1B NMSA 

1978 

The Alternative Fuel Acquisition Act of 1992 requires that 75% 

of state government and educational institution fleet vehicles 

acquired in FY 2003 and after be bi-fuel or dedicated AFVs or 

gas-electric hybrid vehicles.

http://www.conwaygreene.com/nmsu/lpext.

dll?f=templates&fn=main-h.htm&2.0

∞ ∞

Appendix A | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 31
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.) 

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

NM Session 

Law (2005) 

Chapter 176

Session law (House Bill 32) directs the Department of Energy, 

Minerals, and Natural Resources to develop a state plan for the 

installation, no later than the end of fiscal year 2010, of energy 

efficiency measures in state buildings and school district buildings. The plan shall include the maximum amount of on-site 

renewable energy measures. The statute creates an energy efficiency and renewable energy bonding fund to pay for energy 

efficiency upgrades. 

http://legis.state.nm.us/Sessions/05%20Regular/bills/house/

HB0032.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞

NY Executive 

Order 111

Executive order directs the state to implement energy efficiency measures in state and school district buildings by 2010. 

Requires most state agencies to acquire an increasing percentage of hybrids/AFVs. By 2005, at least 50% of new light-duty 

vehicles acquired by each agency and affected entity must be 

AFVs; by 2010, 100% of all new light-duty vehicles must be AFVs, 

with exceptions for designated police and emergency vehicles. 

Directed state agencies to increase purchase of electricity from 

renewable sources to 10% of all electricity purchases by 2005, 

increasing to 20% by 2010. The order calls for this goal to be 

achieved using on-site generation of renewable power, a mix of 

on-site generation and open-market procurement, or purchase 

of all renewable-power requirements on the market. 

http://www.nyserda.org/programs/exorder111orig.asp

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

NY Executive 

Order 142

Executive order directs state agencies to ensure that all vehicles 

capable of operating on E85 fuel shall do so whenever feasible. All agencies shall prepare plans to ensure that flex-fueled 

vehicles already in the state fleet use ethanol fuels whenever 

feasible. State agencies and public authorities shall purchase, 

allocate, distribute, and use B100 for state fleets at a 2% rate in 

2007, graduating to 10% in 2012. By 2005, at least 50% of new 

light-duty vehicles acquired shall be AFVs. By 2010, 100% of all 

new light-duty vehicles shall be AFVs. (These last two requirements are modifications of Executive Order 111.) State agencies 

and public authorities shall purchase, allocate, distribute, and 

use B100 for heating in state agencies at a 0.5% rate in 2007, 

graduating to 5% in 2012.

http://www.ogs.state.ny.us/purchase/spg/pdfdocs/EO142_EEP.

pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

NY State Law 

5-108-a 

Law directs NYSERDA to establish minimum efficiency standards 

for specific energy-using products and appliances purchased by 

or for the state or any of its agencies. These standards are promulgated in 21 New York Conservation Rules and Regulations 

Part 506. 

http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menugetf.

cgi?COMMONQUERY=LAWS

∞

32 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix A
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.)

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

NY Governor's 

15x15 

Initiative

A new green building initiative of Governor Spitzer's "15 x 15" 

plan to reduce energy use in state government by 15% by 2015 

was announced on August 28, 2007. Following the plan, New 

York State's Dormitory Authority--responsible for roughly one 

billion dollars of libraries, classrooms, and other public buildings 

each year--will be required to meet energy-efficiency standards 

of the U.S. Green Buildings Council (US GBC). 

http://www.ny.gov/governor/press/0419071.html

∞ ∞

NC Executive 

Order 156

Executive order directs state agencies to seek opportunities to 

reduce environmental impacts associated with capital improvements and to implement initiatives that result in energy-efficient 

operations in facilities. Order establishes a goal for at least 75% 

of all new light duty cars and trucks purchased after January 1, 

2004, be alternative-fueled or low emission vehicles. Agencies 

shall implement measures to reduce vehicle miles driven by 

state employees. Agencies shall give consideration to environmentally preferable products. Electronic equipment purchased 

by state agencies shall be ENERGY STAR qualified. State agencies shall give priority to the purchase of fleet vehicles that use 

less-polluting fuels and have the highest available mpg rating.

http://www.p2pays.org/ref/03/02221.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

NC GS 143-64. 

10-15

Statute directs the Department of Administration to develop 

procedures to ensure that State purchasing practices improve 

energy and water efficiency. The department shall adopt and 

implement Building Energy Design Guidelines that include 

energy use goals and standards, economic assumptions for lifecycle cost analysis, and other criteria on building systems and 

technologies. The department shall modify the design criteria 

for construction and renovation of facilities to require that a 

life-cycle cost analysis be conducted. The department shall 

identify energy conservation M&O procedures that are designed 

to reduce energy consumption and that require no significant 

expenditure of funds. State agencies shall implement these 

recommendations. 

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/

ByArticle/Chapter_143/Article_3B.html

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

NC GS 143-215. 

107C

Along with Executive Order 156, this law codifies EPAct requirements, establishing a requirement that on and after January 1, 

2004, at least 75% of new or replacement light-duty cars and 

trucks purchased by the state will be AFVs or low-emission 

vehicles. 

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/

BySection/Chapter_143/GS_143-215.107C.html

∞

Appendix A | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 33
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.) 

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

NC Session Law 

2005-276 

Section 19.5

Law requires that all state agencies, universities, and community 

colleges that have state-owned vehicle fleets must develop and 

implement plans to improve the state's use of alternative fuels, 

synthetic lubricants, and efficient vehicles. The plans are directed to achieve a 20% reduction or displacement of the current 

petroleum products consumed by January 1, 2010. Before implementation of any plan, all affected agencies shall report their 

plan to the Department of Administration. The Department of 

Administration will compile a report on the plans submitted and 

report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental 

Operations. Agencies must implement their plans by January 1, 

2006.

http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2005/Bills/Senate/PDF/S622v9.

pdf

∞ ∞

NC Session Law 

2007-546

New buildings and major renovations of 20,000 square feet 

must be designed to exceed the energy requirements of ASHRAE 

90.1-2004 standard (by 30% for new buildings, 20% for major 

renovations). New buildings must consume 20% less potable 

water than state code requires, and consume 50% less outdoor 

water than conventional facilities. Existing buildings must replace all conventional exit signs with LED ones, replace all incandescent light bulbs with CFLs, install low-flow water fixtures 

and take other measures to reduce indoor water consumption 

by 20% relative to a 2002-2003 baseline. New equipment must 

meet ENERGY STAR qualification. Existing buildings must reduce 

energy consumption per square foot by 20% by 2010 and 30% 

by 2015 based on the 2003-2004 year. 

http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2007/Bills/Senate/HTML/

S668v6.html

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

NC SB2051 

(2006)

The Department of Administration shall develop a plan for a 20% 

reduction in petroleum products consumed in State-owned 

vehicle fleets by January 1, 2010. In an effort to improve energy 

and water conservation by State agencies, the Joint Legislative 

Oversight Committee on Capital Improvements shall study: 

reducing energy and water use in existing facilities by 20% by 

January 1, 2012; the construction and design of new facilities 

and facility renovations with the goal of reducing energy and 

water use by 20% by January 1, 2012; and the costs and benefits 

of constructing green, LEED-certified buildings, building commissioning, and other design and construction techniques when 

constructing new State-owned facilities, facility additions, and 

facility renovations.

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2005/Bills/Senate/HTML/

S2051v6.html

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

NC North 

Carolina 

Energy Plan

Plan contains a chapter on Energy Use in the Public Sector that 

includes a number of recommended policies and programs, 

including goals for energy reducing energy use in existing state 

buildings to save 20% by 2008 (a reduction of 4% per year or 

more for the next 5 years), and goals for establishing minimum 

percentage requirements for renewable energy use. 

http://www.energync.net/sep/docs/sep_12-04.

pdf#search=%22%22energy%20plan%22%20%2B%22state%20

facilities%22%22

∞ ∞

34 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix A
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.)

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

OH Executive 

Order 

2005-18

The Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) fleet is 

required to use at least one million gallons of biodiesel and 

30,000 gallons of ethanol blends in fleet vehicles each year. 

Additionally, new ODOT light-duty vehicle purchases must be 

flexible-fuel vehicles capable of operating on E85.

http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/view_ind.

cgi?afdc/6026/0

∞

OH Executive 

Order 

2007-02S

Agencies are directed to implement procedures for: establishing energy efficiency and conservation standards; designing a 

common life-cycle costing method for facilities; and increasing 

the purchase of energy-efficient products. The Department of 

Administrative Services is directed to develop a tool for measuring energy consumption which can be used to calculate a 

"carbon footprint." Agencies are directed to achieve a reduction 

of 5% in building energy use within the first year of the biennium and 15% within four years. Agencies are directed acquire 

alterative-fuel vehicles. DAS is directed to prepare plans to establish pumps for E85 fuel, and to develop and implement a plan 

to raise biodiesel fuel consumption to at least 25% of state diesel 

purchases by 2008.

http://governor2.ohio.gov/Portals/0/Executive%20Order%20

2007-02S.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

OH Ohio 

Revised 

Code 

Sections 

122, 125, 

4511 and 

5735

Statute (House Bill 245) requires that beginning July 1, 2006, all 

new motor vehicles acquired for state fleet be capable of using 

alternative fuels and sets minimum E85 and biodiesel use requirements for those vehicles. The bill requires the Department 

of Administrative Services to quarterly compile all data relating 

to the purchase by each state department and agency of alternative fuels. Subject to rules adopted by the Director of DAS, the 

motor vehicles must use at least 60,000 gallons of E85 blend 

fuel per calendar year by January 1, 2007, with an increase of 

5,000 gallons per calendar year each calendar year thereafter, 

and at least one million gallons of biodiesel per calendar year by 

that date, with annual increases of 100,000 gallons per calendar 

year.

http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=126_HB_245

∞

OH Ohio 

Revised 

Code 

Section 123, 

125, and 

3345

Statute [House Bill 251 (2005)] requires the efficient use of energy in all state facilities based on standards developed by the 

Ohio School Facilities Commission. Requires the Department of 

Administrative Services to give preference in procuring products 

and services to those that meet the energy efficiency guidelines 

set by the EPA and Department of Energy. Requires each state 

institution of higher education that receives capital appropriations for a specific project to use energy-efficient designs in the 

project. Bill prescribes a state fleet average fuel economy.

http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText126/126_HB_251_

PH_Y.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Appendix A | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 35
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.) 

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

OR Executive 

Order 03-03

Executive order requires the Oregon Sustainability Board to 

develop "Sustainability Guidance" for state agencies. State 

agencies are required to designate a manager as the agency's 

sustainability coordinator. This coordinator will be responsible 

for developing a plan to implement the guidance strategies developed by the board.

http://sustainableoregon.net/execOrder/sustain_eo.cfm

OR Executive 

Order 06-02 

Executive order requires the Sustainability Board to develop a 

"sustainable practices toolbox" for state and local governments. 

Calls on the board to promote sustainable economic investment 

and development, especially in renewables. The board is required to assist agencies in various sustainable initiatives, including sustainable procurement programs, tracking GHGs, tracking 

fleet emissions, and renewable fuel use. The state Department 

of Energy is required to implement strategies to assist state 

agencies in meeting the governor's goal of 20% energy savings 

in state government within 10 years. 

http://sustainableoregon.net/sust_act/2006_exec_order.cfm

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

OR OAR 

330-130 

Statute establishes the SEED program. Requires all renovation 

and construction projects for state facilities to exceed Oregon’s 

energy conservation building codes by at least 20%. Agencies 

are required to achieve a 10% energy reduction. The state’s 

Department of Energy administers the program and provides 

technical expertise on each project, helping agencies identify and design the most cost-effective energy conservation 

measures.

http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/rules/OARs_300/

OAR_330/330_130.html

∞ ∞

OR ORS 

276.900

Statute requires that facilities constructed or purchased by state 

agencies be designed, constructed, renovated, and operated to 

serve as models of energy efficiency. Facilities constructed or 

renovated after June 30, 2001 shall exceed the energy conservation provisions of the state building code by 20% or more.

http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/276.html

∞ ∞

OR ORS 

279C.005 

to ORS 

279C.670

New or renovated public buildings must include solar technologies. Investments in solar energy (electric or thermal) must 

amount to at least 1.5% of the total contract price for the building. Passive solar can be used if it results in an overall energy 

consumption reduction of at least 20%. 

http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/incentivesearch.

cfm?Incentive_Code=OR23R&Search=TableType&type=Constr&

CurrentPageID=7&EE=0&RE=1

∞ ∞

OR ORS 

283.327 and 

267.030

Statutes require that the state agencies and transit districts purchase AFVs to the maximum extent possible, except when it is 

not economically or logistically possible to purchase or refuel 

an AFV.

http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/vol7.html

∞

36 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix A
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.)

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

OR Oregon 

Renewable 

Energy 

Action Plan

Plan provides goals and suggested actions for LBE activities. 

Recommends that 100% of the diesel used by the state fleet be 

B20 by 2025 and that 10% of the gasoline used by the state fleet 

be E85 by 2010 and 25% by 2025. By the end of 2006, 10% of 

the state government's total electricity needs should be met 

by renewable energy sources; 10% of the diesels used by the 

state fleet should be B20; 75% of the gasoline used by the state 

fleet should be E10. Recommends the use of on-site renewable 

energy for state facilities. In a 2006 press release, the governor 

modified this plan so that new renewable electricity would account for 100 % of state government’s electrical needs. 

http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/RENEW/docs/FinalREAP.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

PA Executive 

Order 

1998-1

Executive order creates the Governor's Green Government 

Council to facilitate the incorporation of energy-efficient and 

sustainable practices across state government. The council is 

required to review individual agency Green Plans, which are to 

outline each agency's goals for incorporating sustainable practices and reducing net emissions to zero. 

http://www.gggc.state.pa.us/gggc/lib/gggc/documents/1998-1.

pdf

PA Executive 

Order 

2002-08

Executive order creates the Interagency Task Force on Energy to 

coordinate state agency action and to identify opportunities for 

state agencies to lead by example. Requires state agencies to 

submit annual energy plans to outline goals and review accomplishments pertaining to the efficient use of energy resources.

http://www.oa.state.pa.us/oac/cwp/view.asp?A=351&Q=175752

PA Executive 

Order 

2004-12

Executive order requires state agencies to develop no-cost or 

low-cost energy conservation measures for all Commonwealthowned and leased buildings. Agencies are directed to continue 

to explore the use of ESCO Projects, ENERGY STAR products, 

Green Building Practices, and other similar energy conservation 

measures and implement such programs where appropriate. 

http://www.oa.state.pa.us/oac/cwp/view.asp?A=351&Q=196122

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

PA Governor's 

Renewable 

Energy 

Policy

Since 2001, Pennsylvania has been purchasing green power to 

provide for its state government energy demands. Beginning 

with an initial purchase that constituted 5% of total energy demand, Governor Rendell has since twice doubled the size of the 

renewable energy contract with Community Energy, Inc. State 

agencies now obtain 20% of the their energy needs from renewable sources. 

http://www.dgs.state.pa.us/dgs/lib/dgs/green_energy_purchase.

doc

∞

Appendix A | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 37
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.) 

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

PA Facilities 

Strategic 

Energy Plan

Department of General Services Strategic Energy Plan outlines 

strategies for improving the energy efficiency of state facilities. 

General goals include increasing procurement of green power, 

benchmarking the energy consumed by state facilities on the 

basis of an "energy utilization index," communicating the usage 

history of significant energy-consuming buildings to stakeholders, encouraging conservation efforts from all employees as well 

as managers, using life-cycle cost analysis, conducting training 

sessions for facility managers, developing pollution prevention 

energy efficiency programs, and designing new buildings in a 

manner consistent with LEED standards. 

http://www.dgs.state.pa.us/dgs/lib/dgs/dgs_strategic_energy_

plan.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

PA Green 

Transportation 

Plan

The governor's Green Transportation Plan creates an alternativefuel pilot project with a goal of purchasing 30 hybrid vehicles 

for the state fleet by 2006, to be increased to 50 by 2008, and 

75 by 2010. By 2011, at least 25% of all new passenger vehicles 

purchased for the fleet will be hybrid.

http://www.dgs.state.pa.us/dgs/lib/dgs/news/

homepage/08_22_05R-Hybrid_Pilot2.doc

∞ ∞

RI Executive 

Order 05-13

Executive order requires that state fleet purchases of vehicles 

must comply with the EPAct by ensuring that a minimum of 75% 

of the vehicles purchased shall be alterative fueled and the remaining 25% of all new vehicles purchased be hybrid electric vehicles. All new light-duty trucks in the state fleet will achieve a 

minimum of 19 mpg city for the fleet and be certified as at least 

a low-emission vehicle. All new passenger vehicles will achieve 

a minimum of 23 mpg for the state fleet. 

http://www.ri.gov/GOVERNOR/view.php?id=614

∞ ∞ ∞

RI Executive 

Order 05-14

Executive order requires that any new or renovated public building must meet the standards developed by LEED. The design, 

construction, operation and maintenance of any new, substantially expanded, or renovated public building shall also evaluate 

all feasible energy-efficiency measures on the basis of their total 

life-cycle costs of installation, operation, and maintenance.

http://www.ri.gov/GOVERNOR/view.php?id=614

∞ ∞ ∞

RI Executive 

Order 06-02 

Executive order creates the position of Chief Energy Advisor to 

the governor. Directs the State Energy Office to conduct an energy audit of state facilities and operations as well as an energy 

education campaign aimed at reducing energy costs.

http://www.dsireusa.org/documents/Incentives/RI13R.pdf

RI Governor's 

Energy Goal

In January 2006, Rhode Island’s governor established a goal for 

the state government to buy 15% of its electricity from renewable-energy resources by 2016. In September 2006, the goal 

was accelerated to 20% by 2011. The Office of the Governor 

anticipates that qualifying electricity will be generated by wind 

turbines and hydropower facilities.

http://dsireusa.org/library/includes/incentive2.cfm?Incentive_C

ode=RI13R&state=RI&CurrentPageID=1&RE=1&EE=1

∞

38 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix A
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.)

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

RI Governor's 

Energy 

Agenda

Agenda designates a senior energy advisor to undertake an audit 

of state energy use in order to identify inefficiencies and to develop and implement strategies to reduce energy consumption 

in state government.

http://www.governor.ri.gov/documents/energy-agendabackground.pdf

SC South 

Carolina 

Codes Title 

48.52.1

H3034 (passed in 2007) requires new state-funded projects of 

10,000 square feet or more to be designed to meet LEED-Silver 

certification. As an alternative option to the LEED requirement, 

projects may be designed to achieve two globes on the Green 

Globes Rating System. If obtaining certification from Green 

Globes, project must earn at least 20% of the available points 

for energy performance; if using LEED-Silver, project must earn 

at least 40% of the available points for energy performance. All 

major projects obtaining LEED-Silver certification must receive 

regular third-party commissioning. State Budget and Control 

Board must report aggregate energy cost savings annually.

http://www.scstatehouse.net/sess117_2007-2008/bills/3034.

doc

∞ ∞ ∞

SC South 

Carolina 

Codes Title 

48.52.6

The South Carolina Energy Efficiency Act requires the development of a comprehensive energy plan, which shall incorporate 

individual agency plans. The statute requires the State Energy 

Office to develop energy efficient code standards for stateowned and leased buildings, including public school buildings. 

These standards must provide for life-cycle cost-effectiveness. 

State agencies are required to purchase energy-efficient products certified by the State Energy Office. Energy savings are to 

be divided between the agencies, the general fund, and debt 

retirement of capital expenditures on energy efficiency.

http://www.scstatehouse.net/code/t48c052.htm

∞ ∞ ∞

TN Public Law 

Chapter 33 

(2007)

Senate Bill 266 (2007) authorizes the governor, utilizing the resources of certain state departments and agencies, to develop a 

comprehensive state energy conservation plan.

http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/asp/

WebBillInfo/BillCompanionInfo.aspx?BillNumber=SB0266

TN Public Law 

Chapter 401 

(2007)

Senate Bill 146 requires the comptroller of the treasury to conduct a performance audit of those agencies and departments 

responsible for conservation of energy, the study and production of alternative sources of energy, and energy security by 

January 8, 2008, and every five years thereafter.

http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/asp/

WebBillInfo/BillCompanionInfo.aspx?BillNumber=SB0146

TN Public Law 

Chapter 532 

(2007)

S123/H1146, signed June 27, 2007, requires that at least 30% of 

the motor vehicles purchased for the state fleet each fiscal year 

be energy-efficient. The requirement applies to vehicles designed for carrying six or fewer adult passengers. 

http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/asp/

WebBillInfo/BillCompanionInfo.aspx?BillNumber=SB0123

∞

Appendix A | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 39
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.) 

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

TN Public Law 

Chapter 489 

(2007)

H723/S109, signed June 21, 2007, requires state agencies, universities, and community colleges to develop and initiate implementation of plans to reduce or displace motor vehicle fleet use 

of petroleum products by 20% by January 1, 2008. 

http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/asp/

WebBillInfo/BillCompanionInfo.aspx?BillNumber=HB0723

∞ ∞

TX Executive 

Order RP 49

Executive order requires that each state agency develop a plan 

for conserving energy and to set a percentage goal for reducing its electric, gas, and natural gas usage. Each state agency 

shall submit the energy conservation plan to the Office of 

the Governor and the Legislative Budget Board no later than 

December 1, 2005. 

http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/exorders/rp49

∞

TX TX Code § 

2166

Statute requires that for all new construction and renovation to 

existing buildings in which repair involves installing or replacing 

all or part of an energy system, energy source, or energy-consuming equipment, a written evaluation of energy alternatives 

for the project shall be prepared. If the use of alternative energy 

devices for a particular function is economically feasible, then 

the use of alternative energy devices must be included in the 

construction plans. "Alternative energy" refers to renewable energy sources, including solar energy, biomass energy, geothermal energy, and wind energy. "Alternative energy devices" include alternative energy collectors or alternative energy storage 

mechanisms that collect, store, or distribute alternative energy.

http://www.dsireusa.org/documents/Incentives/TX06R.htm

∞ ∞

TX TX Code § 

2158.004

Statute requires that agencies with more than 15 vehicles purchase or lease only AFVs and hybrids. 

http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/gv.toc.htm

∞ ∞

TX 19 TX 

Administrative 

Code 34.1.C

Statute requires that before beginning construction of a new 

state building or a major renovation project, a state agency or an 

institution of higher education shall submit to the State Energy 

Conservation Office (SECO) a copy of the certification by the 

design architect or engineer that verifies to the agency or institution that the construction or renovation complies with the 

standards that are established under this chapter. 

http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.

TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_

ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=34&pt=1&ch=19&rl=34

∞ ∞

TX TX Code § 

447.004

Statute (Senate Bill 982) requires the State Energy Conservation 

Office to establish and publish mandatory energy and water 

conservation design standards for each new state building or 

major renovation project, including a new building or major 

renovation project of a state-supported institution of higher 

education. A state agency may not begin construction of a new 

state building or a major renovation project before the design 

architect or engineer for the construction or renovation has 

confirmed that the building meets the design standards.

http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/GV/content/pdf/

gv.004.00.000447.00.pdf

∞ ∞

40 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix A
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.)

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

TX TX Code 

Sections 44 

and 2158

HB 3693 (2007) an omnibus energy efficiency bill, which established efficiency provisions applicable to school districts and to 

certain institutions of higher education and executive branch 

state agencies, requiring them to establish a goal of reducing 

their annual electricity consumption by 5% for each of six state 

fiscal years beginning September 1, 2007. Also directs state 

agencies to purchase energy-efficient products designated 

as ENERGY STAR-qualified and to install energy-efficient light 

bulbs. 

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

UT Executive 

Order 

2006-0004

Executive order directs state employees to sign up for and heed 

PowerForward email alerts and to adopt energy conservation 

principles in state facilities by implementing conservation practices, such as adjusting building temperatures, reducing power 

usage, and replacing light fixtures. Order requires state facilities managers to adopt practical conservation practices and 

procedures. Order directs the Department of Environmental 

Quality to prepare for the Governor's review a comprehensive 

annual report regarding the functioning of and responses to 

PowerForward within each State agency, and regarding each 

agency's efforts to achieve the State's 2015 energy efficiency 

goals.

http://www.rules.utah.gov/execdocs/2006/ExecDoc113478.htm

∞

UT Session Law 

2006-

Chapter 278

Statute (House Bill 80) requires the Department of Facilities 

Construction and Management to administer the State Building 

Energy Efficiency Program. The Program will be responsible for 

developing guidelines for energy efficiency in state buildings 

and assisting state agencies in using the guidelines. Additionally, 

the Division is charged with developing incentives to promote 

energy conservation and to provide annual energy savings reports to the governor and legislature. The State Building Board 

is required to work with the Division to establish design criteria, 

standards, and procedures for planning new state buildings and 

renovating existing state buildings. Bill also declares that it is 

the state's policy to procure energy-efficient products wherever 

possible. 

http://www.le.state.ut.us/~2006/bills/hbillenr/hb0080.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞

UT Utah Policy 

o Advance 

Energy 

Efficiency 

in the State 

(2006)

Policy calls for the creation of programs for energy-efficient 

products procurement, energy design standards setting, and 

high-performance building rating. The policy encourages energy-efficient practices, such as installing the most efficient lighting systems and recommissioning. The policy calls for the use of 

hybrids and AFVs, and encourages the use of public transportation through the "eco-pass" program. Policy establishes a goal 

that state government will develop programs to install on-site 

renewable energy sources to reduce energy consumption by 

2% by 2015 compared to 2005 levels. Policy also supports the 

adoption of an accelerated timetable for achieving the Western 

Governors' Association of increasing energy efficiency by 20% 

from 2020 to 2015.

http://energy.utah.gov/energy/governors_priorities/energy.

html#

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Appendix A | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 41
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.) 

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

UT Utah Code 

Section 

63A.9.401 

-402

House Bill 110 requires agencies that use state fleet vehicles 

to design programs that will reduce fleet costs by increasing 

energy efficiency through decreasing the volume of fuel used, 

increasing fleet mpg, and implementing improved maintenance 

of vehicles, among other approaches. Each agency submitted a 

fleet cost efficiency plan by November 1, 2007, that includes a 

plan of action to increase energy efficiency. 

http://le.utah.gov/~2007/bills/hbillenr/hb0110.pdf

∞ ∞

UT Utah Energy 

Efficiency 

Strategy: 

Policy 

Options

This strategy was developed for the Governor's Office by the 

Southwest Energy Efficiency Project and Utah Clean Energy. 

The strategy presents options for achieving the Governor's goal 

of improving energy efficiency in the state by 20% by 2015. The 

strategy includes three policy options for public sector entities: energy savings requirements for state agencies; energy 

efficiency activities in local governments and K-12 schools, including expansion of the state's revolving loan fund; and energy 

efficiency education in K-12 schools. 

http://www.swenergy.org/pubs/UT_Energy_Efficiency_Strategy.

pdf

∞ ∞ ∞

VT Executive 

Order 14-03

Executive order establishes a Climate Neutral Working Group to 

coordinate efforts to meet state GHG emission reduction goals. 

Additionally, all agencies are directed to: purchase only those 

products that meet ENERGY STAR or comparable standards; 

purchase vehicles that have the highest available fuel efficiency 

and produce fewer emissions; and develop programs that 

encourage state employees to use alternative means of transportation. Order requires Department of Buildings and General 

Services to investigate opportunities to purchase renewable 

energy for state facilities. 

http://www.vermont.gov/tools/whatsnew2/index.php?topic=Ex

ecutiveOrders&id=249&v=Article

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

VT Executive 

Order 02-04

Executive order directs the Vermont Clean State Council to 

manage wastes by state government through actions such as 

giving preference to pollution prevention, source reduction, and 

recycling strategies in advance of those representing treatment 

and disposal. Calls for the rededication and expansion of a Clean 

State Program for state agencies. 

http://www.vermont.gov/tools/whatsnew2/index.php?topic=Ex

ecutiveOrders&id=634&v=Article

∞

VT Title 49, 

Chapter 29 

Government 

Code

This statute guides the State Office of Purchasing. The purpose 

of the law is to "maximize the state's use of waste and recycled 

materials and products, particularly where the added cost of using waste materials is less than the cost avoided by not having 

that waste in the waste stream." The statute allows for purchases of recycled material by state government agencies to be of a 

cost up to 10% higher than comparable non-recycled products. 

http://www.leg.state.vt.us/statutes/fullsection.cfm?Title=29&Ch

apter=049&Section=00903

∞

42 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix A
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.)

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

VT Vermont 

State 

Agency 

Energy Plan 

for State 

Government

Plan pursues the goal that state building energy efficiency 

will be improved to the greatest extent possible. Ideally, state 

buildings will receive the ENERGY STAR and will reduce energy 

consumption by 20%. Plan recommends that state agencies 

purchase ENERGY STAR compliant equipment when practical 

and consider fuel efficiency and alternative fuels when purchasing fleet vehicles. According to Section 2291b of Title 3 V.S.A., 

state agencies are required to develop implementation plans 

outlining compliance with the State Agency Energy Plan for 

State Government.

http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pdf/VTStateEnergyPlan.

pdf#search=%22vermont%20energy%20plan%22

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

VA Executive 

Order 54 

(2003)

Directs state agencies to reduce energy consumption by at least 

7% by 2004 and 10% by 2006, relative to 2002 levels. Directs the 

Department of mines, Minerals, and Energy to provide agencies 

with technical assistance. Directs agencies to implement energy 

management plans.

http://www.governor.virginia.gov/initiatives/ExecutiveOrders/

pdf/EO_48.pdf

∞

VA Executive 

Order 48 

(2007)

Establishes a goal for state agencies to reduce annual energy 

costs by 20% by 2010, relative to 2006 levels. Agencies that 

reduced energy costs by 10% from 2003 to 2006 are required 

to reduce costs by an additional 15% by 2010, relative to 2006 

levels. State-owned facilities over 5,000 sq. ft. and renovations 

of greater than 50% shall be designed consistent with the LEED 

and ENERGY STAR rating systems. When leasing facilities, agencies must seek spaces within a quarter mile of public transit and 

give preference to LEED or ENERGY STAR certified buildings. If 

photovoltaics or green roofs are cost-effective over a 15-year 

period, agencies are directed to incorporate said technologies into new designs or major renovations. The Department of 

General Services shall include in its policies requirements for the 

purchase of fuel-efficient LEVs, and all agencies shall maximize 

use of biodiesel and ethanol in fleets. Agencies shall take necessary actions to minimize VMT. Agencies shall purchase ENERGY 

STAR appliances an

http://www.governor.virginia.gov/initiatives/ExecutiveOrders/

pdf/EO_48.pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

VA House Bill 

1195 (in 

committee)

Bill requires achievement of LEED-Silver standards for all statefunded construction projects.

http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/asp/

WebBillInfo/BillCompanionInfo.aspx?BillNumber=HB0723

* *

VA VA Energy 

Plan (2001; 

2007)

Plan presents recommended strategies for achieving specific 

goals for state government to reduce energy use. Conservation 

strategies include: requiring the use of ENERGY STAR as an 

energy use management tool; requiring that all new construction and major renovation to existing buildings meet or exceed 

ASHRAE standards; requiring that ENERGY STAR equipment be 

made available through state contract; encouraging the use of 

alternative means of transportation; promoting the use of photovoltaics and biomass energy resources.

http://www.mme.state.va.us/de/energyframe.html

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Appendix A | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 43
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.) 

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

WA Executive 

Order 02-03

Executive order calls for each state agency to establish sustainability objectives and prepare a biennial sustainability plan to 

modify practices regarding resource consumption; vehicle use; 

purchase of goods and services; and facility construction, operation, and maintenance. 

http://www.governor.wa.gov/execorders/eoarchive/eo_02-03.

htm

WA Executive 

Order 05-01

Executive order requires state construction projects over 25,000 

sq. ft. to be designed according to LEED-Silver standards. 

Requires a reduction in agency energy use by 10% by September 

1, 2009 using a FY 2003 baseline, using measures such as renewable on-site resources. Directs state agencies to achieve 

a 20% reduction in petroleum use in the operation of state 

vehicles by September 1, 2005. Directs General Administration 

to incorporate hybrid vehicles into procurement policies. By 

September 1, 2009, state agencies shall replace standard diesel 

with a 20% biodiesel blend. Agencies are ordered to reduce the 

use of paper materials by 30%, to recycle 100% of used office 

paper, and to increase the percentage of environmentally preferable paper to at least 50% by 2009. 

http://www.governor.wa.gov/execorders/eoarchive/eo_05-01.

pdf

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

WA Executive 

Order 07-02

Executive order establishes the Washington Climate Change 

Challenge. This challenge establishes a number of statewide targets for reducing GHG emissions. The order reasserts the state's 

intention to reduce energy use by state agencies by achieving the 

goals established in Executive Order 05-01. Additionally, the order 

directs state agencies to work with local governments to maximize coordination and effectiveness of local and state initiatives.

http://www.governor.wa.gov/execorders/eo_07-02.pdf

WA RCW 

39.35C.020

Statute (House Bill 2247) requires energy audits at state facilities 

no later than October 1, 2001. If the audits produce opportunities to save energy, improvements will be accomplished using 

performance contracting by June 30, 2004.

http://www.ga.wa.gov/eas/epc/espc.htm

∞

WA RCW 39.35D Statute requires that all major facility projects of public agencies receiving any funding in a state capital budget must be 

designed, constructed, and certified to at least the LEED-Silver 

standard and must include building commissioning as a component of the design process. Public agencies must monitor and 

document ongoing operating savings resulting from the projects 

designed under these standards, and report said savings to the 

Department of Administration. The department is to provide 

the governor and legislature with a biennial consolidated report. 

The department is required to develop and issue guidelines for 

administering this law for public agencies. 

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=39.35D.030

∞ ∞

WA RCW 

43.19.637

Statute requires that at least 30% of all new vehicles purchased 

through a state contract must be clean-fuel vehicles; this percentage shall increase at the rate of 5% each year. 

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.19.637

∞ ∞

44 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix A
Table A.1 State Executive Orders, Legislation, Policies, and Plans Initiating LBE Programs (Through April 2008) (cont.)

Approach

Energy Efficiency 

in Buildings

Equipment 

Procurement

Clean 

Energy 

Supply

Transportation 

and Vehicle 

Procurement 

Activities

Other LBEActivities 

State

Title Description

New BuildingsExisting BuildingsENERGY STARLabel or ToolsLEED StandardsEnergy-Efficient Product ProcurementENERGY STARQualification Renewable Energy 

Use

Clean Energy GenerationFleet Efficiency Renewable FuelsOther Water Efficiency, Recycling, etc.

WA SB 6518 (not 

enacted)

Bill would encourage each state agency to reduce energy consumption by 15% from 2005, using all practicable, cost-effective 

means available, including energy efficiency programs and the 

use of on-site renewable resources. 

http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2005-06/Pdf/Bills/

Senate%20Bills/6518-S.pdf

* * *

WV WVC 

5A-2A-2

Statute gives the Secretary of Administration the authority to 

implement EPAct requirements that state, county, and municipal 

government fleets purchase AFVs on the following schedule: 

20% of new vehicles acquisitions in FY 1995, increasing to 50% 

in FY 1997, and 75% from FY 1998 thereafter. 

http://www.legis.state.wv.us/WVCODE/05a/masterfrmFrm.htm

∞

WI Executive 

Order 141

Executive order requires state agencies to improve fleet efficiency through the reduction of petroleum-based gasoline in 

state-owned vehicles by 20% by 2010 and by 50% by 2015, and 

the reduction of petroleum-based diesel fuel by those vehicles 

10% by 2010 and 25% by 2015. Order encourages state employees to strive to use renewable fuels when operating flex fuel and 

diesel powered vehicles. 

http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/journal_media_detail.

asp?locid=19&prid=1781

∞ ∞ ∞

WI Executive 

Order 145

Order directs the Department of Administration to set energy 

efficiency goals for state facilities. The goals should reduce 

overall actual energy usage by at least 10% by FY08 from a FY05 

baseline and 20% by 2010. The Department is further directed 

to: establish programs for energy analysis of state-owned buildings; ensure that new state facilities are constructed to be 30% 

more efficient than code; establish sustainable building operation guidelines based on LEED; ensure that new construction 

incorporates an integrated design process; and pursue demonstration projects at state facilities regarding use of photovoltaics 

and other renewable technologies. Agencies are required to 

work with the Department to develop sustainability and energy 

efficiency goals. 

http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/journal_media_detail.

asp?locid=19&prid=1907

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

WI Wisconsin 

Act 141 

Act (Senate Bill 459) requires the Department of Administration to 

set goals for the use of renewable energy by the six state agencies that consume the great majority of electricity purchased 

by the state. The individual agency goals shall be designed to 

accomplish the overall goal that, by the end of 2007, 10% of the 

electricity purchased by the state be derived from renewable resources and, by the end of 2011, 20% be derived from renewable 

resources. Act directs the Department to establish energy efficiency standards for equipment installed in state buildings. 

http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/lc_act/act141-sb459.pdf

∞ ∞

Appendix A | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 45

Appendix B

State and Local Clean Energy LBE

Programs: Examples, Tools, and 

Information Resources

This appendix presents a series of tables that provide 

examples of clean energy LBE activities that state 

and local governments have implemented, as well as 

resources for each of the six activities described in 

Chapter 3, Identifying Options: Potential LBE Activities 

and Measures.

Appendix B Contents

■ Table B.1 Energy Efficiency in Buildings

■ Table B.2 Energy Management in Green Buildings

■ Table B.3 Energy-Efficient Product Procurement 

■ Table B.4 Green Power Purchases

■ Table B.5 Clean Energy Supply

■ Table B.6 Other Energy Saving Opportunities

Table B.1 Energy Efficiency in Buildings State and Local Examples, Tools, and Resources

State or Title Description URL

Examples of State and Local Programs 

California Title 24, Part 6 of the California Code of Regulations, contains 

the state’s Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings.

http://www.energy.ca.gov/

title24/2005standards/index.html

Illinois The state has adopted an Energy Conservation Code for State 

Buildings based on the ASHRAE 90.1 Standard for all state-funded 

construction projects. 

http://www.commerce.state.il.us/

dceo/Bureaus/Energy_Recycling/

IECC.htm

Maine Through the Maine State Building Program, the Bureau of General 

Services has developed a “Maine Benchmark” to assist state agencies 

in meeting the requirement that public buildings be 20% more 

energy efficient than code, as directed by Title 5 MRSA 1764-A. 

http://www.efficiencymaine.com/

other_programs_sbp.htm

Michigan The Michigan Energy Office State Facility Energy Efficiency 

program assists state agencies in reducing energy consumption by 

10% by 2009, as directed by Executive Directive 2005-4.

http://www.michigan.

gov/cis/0,1607,7-154-

25676_25689_33337---,00.html

Minnesota The Energy Conservation Information for Minnesota State 

Employees Web site provides strategies for reducing energy 

consumption in state-owned buildings by 10% by the end of 2006, 

as directed by Executive Order 05-16. 

http://www.savingenergy.state.

mn.us/index.htm

Appendix B | Clean energy Lead by example Guide 
State or Title Description URL

Missouri The State has adopted State Building Minimum Energy Efficiency 

Standards for new and existing state buildings based on the 

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning 

Engineers (ASHRAE) standards.

http://www.sos.mo.gov/adrules/

csr/current/10csr/10c140-7.pdf

New Hampshire The state Building Energy Conservation Initiative analyses state 

buildings for energy efficiency investment opportunities, such as 

lighting upgrades; HVAC upgrades; domestic hot water systems; 

energy management controls; water conservation measures; and 

building envelope improvements. 

http://www.nh.gov/oep/programs/

energy/beci.htm

New York The state New Construction Program provides assistance to state 

agencies to incorporate energy efficiency measures into the design, 

construction, and operation of new state buildings. 

http://www.nyserda.org/programs/

New_Construction/default.

asp?i=PON%20815%27) 

North Carolina The Utility Savings Initiative provides assistance to each state 

agency and public university in an effort to reduce energy 

consumption by at least 20%. The program concentrates on 

four key areas: utility accounting, operations and maintenance, 

performance contracting, and awareness and training.

http://www.energync.net/

programs/usi.html

Oregon The State Energy Efficiency Design program assists state 

agencies in meeting the state’s requirement that all renovation 

and construction projects exceed Oregon’s energy conservation 

building codes by at least 20%. The Oregon Department of Energy 

provides technical consulting services to help agencies meet 

standards outlined in the SEED Guidelines.

http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/

CONS/SEED/SEEDhome.

shtml#work

The Energy Savings Performance Contracting program under the 

state Department of Energy provides public facilities with assistance 

in using performance contracts to audit and improve energy use. 

http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/

CONS/school/perfcontract.shtml

http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/

CONS/school/docs/ESPCGuide.pdf

(Guide to Performance Contracting)

Utah The state Energy Efficiency Strategy included 23 policy options, 

including three LBE activities. This report provides information on 

how the state screened and selected these policy options. 

http://www.swenergy.org/pubs/

UT_Energy_Efficiency_Strategy.pdf

Under its Local Climate Action Plan, Salt Lake City has significantly 

reduced its energy costs by adopting aggressive energy efficiency 

measures. 

http://www.slcgreen.com/CAP/

default.htm

Vermont The Guidelines for Energy Efficiency Commercial Construction 

establish minimum energy use and application criteria to 

complement the Vermont Fire Prevention and Building Code, 

existing energy requirements in the state, and regional efforts 

to coordinate and simplify commercial energy codes among 

neighboring states.

http://publicservice.vermont.

gov/energy-efficiency/ee_

commstandards.html

Wisconsin The Wisconsin Energy Initiative was initiated in 1992 to 

comprehensively address energy savings opportunities, with 

a goal of reducing energy use in state buildings by 15%. The 

state Department of Administration (DOA) hired an ESCO to 

conduct audits of energy use in state facilities and to implement 

improvements.

http://www.doa.state.

wi.us/press_releases_detail.

asp?prid=123&divid=4

Table B.1 Energy Efficiency in Buildings State and Local Examples, Tools, and Resources (cont.)

2 Clean energy Lead by example Guide | Appendix B
State or Title Description URL

Resources for Energy Efficiency in Buildings

ASHRAE Standard 

90.1—Energy Standard 

for Buildings Except 

Low-Rise Residential 

Buildings

This standard is one of a series developed by ASHRAE relating to 

HVAC systems. ASHRAE standards are often referenced in building 

codes.

http://www.constructionbook.com/

ashrae-standard-901-2007-energystandard-for-buildings-exceptlow-rise-residential-buildings-ipedition-ansi-approved-iesna-cosponsored-1041-2336/ashraestandards/

Benchmarking Fact 

Sheet

This Green California fact sheet describes opportunities for building 

managers to improve a building’s performance through frequent 

assessment and rating.

http://www.documents.

dgs.ca.gov/green/eeproj/

BenchmarkingFactSheet.doc

Best Practices Guide This South Carolina Energy Office document provides guidance 

to facility directors of each state agency with useful strategies for 

reducing energy consumptions.

http://www.energy.sc.gov/

publications/Energy%20Plan%20

Guide%203-07.pdf

Blueprint for Madison’s 

Sustainable Design and 

Energy Future

The Madison Mayor’s Energy Task Force has developed a Blueprint 

for Madison’s Sustainable Design and Energy Future to recommend 

strategies for the city to lead by example in energy efficiency and 

renewable energy. 

http://www.cityofmadison.com/

sustainable_design/

Building Investment 

Decision Support

This document provides an overview of the qualitative and 

quantitative benefits of high-performance buildings.

http://www.aia.org/SiteObjects/

files/BIDS_color.pdf

California Handbook 

for Energy Efficiency in 

State Facilities 

The Green California Online Handbook outlines a program for 

implementing and funding energy efficiency projects in state 

facilities. 

http://www.green.ca.gov/

EnergyEffProj/default.htm

Community Jobs in the 

Green Economy

The Apollo Alliance developed this report to outline the community 

economic benefits of investing in energy efficiency and renewable 

energy.

http://www.urbanhabitat.org/files/

Community-Jobs-in-the-GreenEconomy-web.pdf

Connecticut Report 

on Energy Efficiency 

Opportunities at State 

Facilities 

The Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control produced 

an Energy Efficiency Opportunities at State Facilities report for 

Governor Jodi Rell that highlights energy efficiency opportunities in 

state buildings.

http://www.neep.org/

newsletter/1Q2005/Report_to_

Gov_Rell_05.pdf

Energy-Aware Planning 

Guide

This guide, developed by the California Energy Commission with the 

assistance of representatives from 49 local governments, identifies 

energy-related planning opportunities in land use, transportation, 

buildings, water use, and waste management.

http://www.energy.ca.gov/energy_

aware_guide/P700-93-001.PDF

Energy Conservation 

Measures

The New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning has compiled a 

list of energy conservation measures as a framework around which 

ESCOs are required to plan upgrades. 

http://www.nh.gov/oep/programs/

energy/EnergyConservation 

MeasureDescriptions.htm

Energy and Cost 

Savings through Telecommunication and 

Tele-conferencing

The state of Nebraska conducted this study to assess available 

information on cost and energy saving opportunities through 

telecommunications and teleconferencing. The report also 

highlights the features of other state programs.

http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/epubs/

E5700/B044-1994.pdf

Energy and 

Environment: Best 

Practices

This report by the U.S. Conference of Mayors provides examples of 

clean energy activities undertaken by local governments across the 

nation. Topics include public facilities, fleets, and energy sources.

http://www.usmayors.

org/climateprotection/

AtlantaEESummitCDROMVersion.pdf

Table B.1 Energy Efficiency in Buildings State and Local Examples, Tools, and Resources (cont.)

Appendix B | Clean energy Lead by example Guide 
State or Title Description URL

Energy Conservation 

Standards for New 

Federal Buildings

In 2006, DOE issued regulations requiring all new federal buildings 

to be designed in accordance with new energy efficiency standards 

based on ASHRAE 90.1 Standard.

http://energycode.pnl.gov/

pdf/71FR-70275-FedCom.pdf

Energy Design 

Resources Web Site

The Energy Design Resources Web site provides a guide to energyefficient design practices, including building commissioning, 

integrated energy design, and energy-efficient technologies.

http://www.energydesignresources.

com/

Energy Efficiency Policy 

Toolkit

This document, produced by the Regulatory Assistance Project, 

summarizes clean energy regulatory policies for policymakers. It 

covers four primary subjects: energy efficiency, renewable energy, 

distributed resources, and rate design. 

http://www.arkansas.gov/psc/

EEInfo/EEPToolkit-Pt1.pdf

Energy Efficiency: The 

Smart Way to Reduce 

Global Warming 

Pollution in the 

Northeast

This report by the National Association of State PIRGs discusses 

the benefits of energy efficiency in the Northeast, and outlines the 

potential impacts of energy-efficient policy.

http://www.rggi.org/docs/rggi_

energy_8_24_05.pdf

Energy Performance 

Contracting Success 

Story

This case study from the Colorado Energy Office provides an 

overview of the performance contracting activities of one Colorado 

state agency. 

http://www.colorado.gov/energy/

in/uploaded_pdf/CDHSCaseStudy.

pdf

ENERGY STAR Labeling The ENERGY STAR certification program is based on EPA’s national 

energy performance rating system. State and local facilities that 

achieve a rating of 75 or higher (based on a performance rating 

scale of 1 to 100) and are professionally verified to meet current 

indoor environment standards are eligible to apply for the ENERGY 

STAR label. 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c = evaluate_performance.

bus_portfoliomanager_intro

ENERGY STAR Portfolio 

Manager

The ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager software program allows 

building managers to benchmark the energy performance of their 

buildings against that of similar buildings across the nation. 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c = evaluate_performance.

bus_portfoliomanager

ENERGY STAR Upgrade 

Manual for Buildings

The ENERGY STAR Upgrade Manual for Buildings is a guide for 

planning and implementing profitable upgrades that will improve 

energy performance. The guide also provides information that can 

assist in the development of a comprehensive energy management 

plan.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c = business.bus_upgrade_

manual

Energy Use Policy 

and Energy Design 

Guidelines

The Wisconsin Department of Administration’s Division of State 

Facilities has developed Energy Use Policy and Energy Design 

Guidelines for state buildings.

http://www.doa.wi.gov/category.a

sp?linkcatid=785&linkid=135&loci

d=4

EnviroCalc EnviroCalc is a Vermont Department of Buildings and General 

Services spreadsheet-based tool designed to estimate the 

environmental benefits of purchasing recycled-content and energyefficient products. This tool combines a wide range of available 

methodologies and models for assessing the environmental impacts 

of purchasing.

http://bgs.vermont.gov/purchasing/

epp

Federal Energy 

Management Program

FEMP has issued a ruling requiring federal government buildings 

to achieve at least 30% energy savings over prevailing ASHRAE 

standards for the private sector. 

http://www.ornl.gov/sci/femp/

Financing Energy 

Efficiency Projects

This ENERGY STAR article describes how energy cost savings can be 

used to finance energy-efficiency investments.

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/

business/government/Financial_

Energy_Efficiency_Projects.pdf

Table B.1 Energy Efficiency in Buildings State and Local Examples, Tools, and Resources (cont.)

4 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix B
State or Title Description URL

Green Office Guide The Green Office Guide was developed by the City of Portland, 

Oregon, Office of Sustainable Development as a guide to resourcesaving strategies for companies and agencies to implement within 

the office.

http://www.rmi.org/images/other/

GDS/GDS-GrnOfficeGuide.pdf

Greening the Building 

and the Bottom Line

This Rocky Mountain Institute report provides case studies of 

businesses that have experienced tangible productivity benefits as a 

result of improving energy efficiency in their facilities. 

http://www.rmi.org/images/other/

GDS/D94-27_GBBL.pdf

A Guide to EnergyEfficient Lighting 

Upgrades in State 

Facilities

Developed by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and 

Energy, this document provides state agencies with energy-efficient 

lighting measures. It demonstrates energy-efficient lighting as a 

cost-effective measure that can produce significant cost savings.

http://www.mme.state.va.us/de/

chap8b.html

Guide to Reducing 

Energy Use in Office 

Equipment

This guide, developed by the City of San Francisco and the 

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, describes how to develop 

and implement programs for reducing electricity use in offices by 

focusing on “plug load” and proper use of office equipment. 

http://eetd.lbl.gov/bea/sf/GuideR6.

doc

High Performance 

Building Renovation 

Guidelines

The Philadelphia High Performance Building Renovation Guidelines 

provide guidance on major government renovation projects. Each 

guideline includes an overview of project materials, implementation 

strategies, and benefits. 

http://www.phila.gov/pdfs/

PhiladelphiaGreenGuidelines.pdf

Jobs from Renewable 

Energy and Energy 

Efficiency

This fact sheet provides statistics on the economic and jobs impacts 

of investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency in the U.S.

http://www.eesi.org/

briefings/2007/Energy%20&%20

Climate/11-8-07_green_jobs/

EEREJobsFactSheet_11-8-07.pdf

LEED for Existing 

Buildings (LEED-EB)

The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED-EB standard maximizes 

operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. It 

provides a performance-based benchmark for building owners and 

operators to measure operations, improvements, and maintenance 

on a consistent scale. 

http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.

aspx?CMSPageID = 221

Model Energy Audit 

Agreement

The Florida Department of Management Services has developed 

this model for state agencies to use when contracting with private 

energy auditing firms. The agreement includes requirements 

for collecting facility information, analyzing existing systems, 

establishing baselines, recommending energy conservation 

measures, and reporting results.

http://dms.myflorida.com/content/

download/26976/126434/version/1/

file/Audit+agreement+(DMS+-

+Progress+Energy).doc

Nevada Energy 

Conservation Plan for 

State Government

This guidance document is intended to assist agencies in the 

development of individual energy conservation plans. It provides 

immediate, short-term, and long-term measures that can be 

incorporated into agency plans. 

http://energy.state.nv.us/

conservation%20plan%20for%20

state%20government.pdf

New Building Design This ENERGY STAR Web site provides an number of information 

resources and tools to assist in designing energy-efficient buildings. 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c=new_bldg_design.new_

bldg_design

New Energy for States: 

Energy Saving Policies 

for Governors and 

Legislators

The Apollo Alliance produced this best practices guidebook to 

provide state policy makers with information and examples of how 

energy conservation practices can be incorporated into state policy.

http://www.apolloalliance.org/

downloads/resources_apollostate_

report.pdf

Table B.1 Energy Efficiency in Buildings State and Local Examples, Tools, and Resources (cont.)

Appendix B | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 5
State or Title Description URL

New York “Green and 

Clean” State Buildings 

and Vehicles Guidelines

Executive Order No. 111 “Green and Clean” State Buildings and 

Vehicles Guidelines were developed by NYSERDA to assist state 

agencies in implementing energy efficiency measures in state 

buildings.

http://www.nyserda.org/

programs/State_Government/

exorder111guidelines.pdf

North Carolina 

Measures to Conserve 

Energy

The State Energy Office has compiled a collection of web-based 

conservation resources for residential consumers, schools, 

government buildings, and industry; these tools range from noand low-cost to significant capital improvement incentives such as 

performance contracting.

http://www.energync.net/efficiency

Office Building Energy 

Use Profile

The National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency has developed a 

profile of office buildings in the U.S. that provides information on 

average energy consumption, cost, and end-use figures.

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/

documents/sector-meeting/4bi_

officebuilding.pdf

Performance 

Contracting

This Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy Web 

site provides guidance for state agencies on how to use energy 

performance contracting to improve energy efficiency in state 

facilities.

http://www.dmme.virginia.

gov/DE/StateAgencyProgs/

performancecontracting.shtml

Potential for Energy 

Efficiency, Demand 

Response, and Onsite 

Renewable Energy in 

Texas

This ACEEE report provides a number of policy recommendations 

for the state of Texas to increase the use of clean energy. One of the 

recommendations is for a program to implement energy efficiency 

measures in public buildings at the state and local government level.

http://www.aceee.org/pubs/e073.

htm

Rebuild America 

Technical Assistance 

Services

The DOE Rebuild America Technical Assistance Services provide 

targeted tools and analysis that can facilitate major energy 

efficiency or renewable energy improvements in public local and 

state governments.

http://www.eere.energy.gov/

buildings/program_areas/rebuild_

ta_guidance.html

Reduce Energy Use in 

State Facilities Through 

Conservation Measures

This Flex Your Power guidance document provides strategies and 

examples of California efforts to improve energy conservation in 

state facilities.

http://www.fypower.org/pdf/BPG_

State1_Con&Eff.pdf

State Building Operators 

and Managers Energy 

Conservation Action 

Plan

The State of Minnesota has compiled a list of 37 energy conservation 

measures for immediate implementation, as well as nine items for 

long-term future implementation, that are expected to significantly 

improve energy efficiency in state government buildings.

http://www.savingenergy.state.

mn.us/managers_plan.htm

State Energy Codes 

Database

DOE created a State Energy Codes Database that details the status 

and nature of each state’s commercial and residential energy codes.

http://www.energycodes.gov/

implement/state_codes/index.stm

Resources for Building Commissioning

California 

Commissioning Guide: 

Existing Buildings

This Green California guide provides an overview of the 

commissioning process for facility managers and discusses the 

benefits and costs of commissioning existing buildings.

http://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/

green/commissionguideexisting.pdf

Cost-Effectiveness of 

Commercial Buildings 

Commissioning

This LBNL document provides a quantitative review of energy and 

non-energy impacts in existing buildings and new construction in 

the United States.

http://eetd.lbl.gov/EMills/PUBS/CxCosts-Benefits.html

Federal Energy 

Management Program 

Operations and 

Maintenance Best 

Practice Guide

This FEMP guidance document highlights O&M programs for 

reducing energy costs by 5% to 20% and provides federal energy 

managers with information and actions aimed at achieving these 

results.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/

pdfs/omguide_complete.pdf

Table B.1 Energy Efficiency in Buildings State and Local Examples, Tools, and Resources (cont.)

6 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix B
State or Title Description URL

Practical Guide for 

Commissioning Existing 

Buildings

Produced by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Practical Guide 

for Commissioning Existing Buildings guides building managers 

through commissioning processes.

http://eber.ed.ornl.gov/

commercialproducts/retrocx.htm

Resource Guide 

to Building Energy 

Management

The Iowa Energy Bank Building Energy Management Program

uses energy cost savings to assist in the financing of improvements 

to public and nonprofit facilities. 

http://www.iowadnr.com/energy/

efficiency/schools.html

Retro-Commissioning 

Buildings in New York 

State

This NYSERDA Web site, Retro-Commissioning Buildings in New 

York State, describes New York’s retro-commissioning approach 

and provides numerous case studies and resources.

http://www.nyserda.org/programs/

Commissioning/default.asp

Retro-Commissioning 

Fact Sheet

This Green California fact sheet was completed as part of the 

California online handbook for energy efficiency in state facilities. 

It presents quantified estimates of the benefits and costs of retrocommissioning.

http://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/

green/eeproj/retrocommfactsheet.

doc

Retro-Commissioning 

Handbook for Facility 

Managers

The Retro-commissioning Handbook for Facility Managers was 

developed for the Oregon Office of Energy to provide building 

owners and managers with basic information about retrocommissioning. 

http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/

CONS/BUS/comm/docs/retrocx.pdf

The Oregon Retro-Commissioning Handbook has an accompanying 

Commissioning Toolkit that helps guide facility managers through 

the commissioning process.

http://egov.oregon.gov/ENERGY/

CONS/BUS/comm/Cx_Guide.shtml

Resources for Energy Efficiency in K-12 Schools

American School and 

University Energy 

Resources

The American School and University Web site provides numerous 

energy-related resources for school administrators and facility 

operators. 

http://asumag.com/energy/

Benchmarking Energy 

Use in Schools

This report by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory discusses methods 

for benchmarking energy performance in schools. 

http://eber.ed.ornl.gov/

commercialproducts/98%20

Schools%20Energy%20

Benchmarking.pdf

Daylighting in Schools: 

An Investigation 

into the Relationship 

Between Daylighting 

and Human 

Performance

This report was produced for the California Board on Energy 

Efficiency to assess the benefits of daylighting on student 

performance in schools located in California, Colorado, and 

Washington.

http://www.coe.uga.edu/sdpl/

research/daylightingstudy.pdf

Dwindling Support: 

Annual School O&M 

Cost Study

This American School and University report addresses the trend of 

decreasing school maintenance and operation budgets across the 

country.

http://asumag.com/images/

archive/04as21.pdf

Energy Design 

Guidelines for High 

Performance Schools

The DOE has published eight reports that provide guidance for 

designing high performance schools in eight unique climate 

regions. 

http://www.eere.energy.gov/

buildings/info/publications.

html#energysmartschools

Energy Efficiency and 

Indoor Air Quality in 

Schools

This ENERGY STAR report describes the relationship between 

energy efficiency upgrades, such as HVAC retrofits, and indoor air 

quality in schools. 

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/

business/k12_schools/Ee&iaq.pdf

Table B.1 Energy Efficiency in Buildings State and Local Examples, Tools, and Resources (cont.)

Appendix B | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 7
State or Title Description URL

Energy Resources for 

Schools

This EnergyIdeas Clearinghouse fact sheet provides information on 

energy efficiency in K-12 schools.

http://www.energyideas.org/

documents/factsheets/EIC_schools.

pdf

EnergySmart Schools 

“How-to” Guides

The DOE EnergySmart Schools program has developed “howto” guides for planning, designing financing, and operating and 

maintaining energy-efficient schools. 

http://www.eere.energy.gov/

buildings/energysmartschools/

howto.html

Energy Solutions for 

School Buildings

This DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Web 

site provides a wealth of information and examples showing 

opportunities for energy efficiency in school building design, 

construction, and operation. 

http://www.eere.energy.gov/

buildings/info/schools/index.html

ENERGY STAR Building 

Upgrade Manual

The ENERGY STAR Building Upgrade Manual provides information 

on implementing a staged upgrade approach to improving energy 

efficiency in buildings. 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c=business.bus_upgrade_

manual

ENERGY STAR 

Operations and 

Maintenance Reports

ENERGY STAR has collected a number of resources on energyefficient operations and maintenance practices. http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c=business.bus_om_reports

Energy-Efficient 

Education – Cutting 

Utility Costs in Schools

This Texas State Energy Conservation Office guidance document 

provides ten strategies for reducing energy costs in public schools.

http://www.window.state.tx.us/tspr/

energy/

Green Schools: 

Attributes for Health 

and Learning

This report by the National Research Council of the National 

Academies offers recommendations for green school guidelines 

based on health and productivity benefits associated with green 

schools.

http://www.masstech.org/

renewableenergy/green_schools/

NRCreport10_2_06.pdf

Green Schools Program The Alliance to Save Energy has used this program to reduce energy 

use in participating schools by 5% to 15%.

http://www.ase.org/section/

program/greenschl

Greenhouse Gas 

Reductions Manual for 

Schools

The New Jersey Sustainable Schools Network has developed this 

guidebook for New Jersey schools to help them reduce their GHG 

emissions. 

http://www.globallearningnj.org/

GHGmanual.doc

Greening America’s 

Schools: Costs and 

Benefits

This Capital E report discusses the cost-effectiveness of designing 

new school buildings with energy-efficient and sustainable features.

http://www.cap-e.com/

ewebeditpro/items/O59F11233.pdf

Greening Schools This Illinois state initiative seeks to inform school district 

administrators and teachers of ways to incorporate green practices 

and lessons into school design and operations. 

http://www.greeningschools.org/

Hawaii High 

Performance Schools 

Guidelines

These technical guidelines were developed by the state Department 

of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. 

http://www.archenergy.com/

services/sda//hi%20high%20

performance%20school%20

guidelines.pdf

High Performance 

School Characteristics

This American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air 

Conditioning Engineers’ report addresses the features, benefits, and 

costs associated with designing high performance schools. 

http://www.chps.net/info/

ASHRAE%20Journal%20May%20

2006.pdf

Indoor Air Quality Tools 

for Schools Program

This EPA program provides information to school district officials, 

teachers, and parents on ways to monitor and maintain good indoor 

air quality in schools.

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/

index.html

Table B.1 Energy Efficiency in Buildings State and Local Examples, Tools, and Resources (cont.)

8 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix B
State or Title Description URL

Maine High 

Performance Schools

The state of Maine has developed a program to provide energyefficient design and implementation assistance to public schools. 

The program offers various workshops and seminars, as well as 

project financing opportunities. 

http://www.efficiencymaine.com/

other_programs_hps.htm

Managing the Costs of 

Green Buildings

This report for the California Sustainable Buildings Task Force 

describes the costs of incorporating energy and environmental 

features in several types of buildings, including K-12 schools, and 

addresses opportunities and strategies for managing these costs .

http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/

greenbuilding/Design/

ManagingCost.pdf

Massachusetts Green 

Schools Initiative

Administered by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and 

the Massachusetts School Building Authority, this program provides 

school districts with information and resources to help them build 

high performance schools.

http://www.masstech.org/

renewableenergy/green_schools.

htm

Menu of ENERGY STAR 

Offerings for K-12 

Education

This table provides school officials with guidance on how ENERGY 

STAR can assist with energy efficiency upgrades.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c=k12_schools.bus_schoolsk12

National Best Practices 

Manual for Building High 

Performance Schools

This report presents design strategies covering ten different 

disciplines, such as building envelope, lighting and electrical 

systems, ventilation, maintenance, and water conservation.

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/

high_performance.html

National Clearinghouse 

for Educational 

Facilities

NCEF maintains a collection of resources relevant to improving 

energy performance in schools. 

http://www.edfacilities.org/rl/high_

performance.cfm

National Energy 

Foundation

This non-profit organization promotes the development, 

dissemination, and implementation of energy-related educational 

materials. 

http://www.nef1.org/

National Review 

of Green Schools: 

Costs, Benefits, and 

Implications for 

Massachusetts

This report was produced by Capital E for the Massachusetts 

Technology Collaborative. It describes the financial costs and 

benefits of green schools compared to conventional schools, 

and presents the cost-effectiveness of greening schools in 

Massachusetts.

http://www.cap-e.com/

ewebeditpro/items/O59F7707.pdf

National Science 

Teachers Association

This organization offers guidance to educators and administrators on 

how to incorporate energy-related learning into classroom studies. 

http://www.nsta.org/

School Energy 

Efficiency Program

This Resource Solutions Group program – funded by the California 

Public Utilities Commission - offers no-cost technical and financial 

assistance to California school districts for energy efficiency 

upgrades. 

http://www.

schoolsenergyefficiency.com/

School Operations 

and Maintenance: Best 

Practices for Controlling 

Energy Costs

Prepared for DOE, this guidebook is designed to provide school 

district staff with technical information and information on barriers 

to implementing energy efficient O&M practices.

http://www.ase.org/uploaded_

files/greenschools/School%20

Energy%20Guidebook_9-04.pdf

Tips for Implementing 

a School-Wide Energy 

Efficiency Program

The Alliance to Save Energy has developed a list of 10 action items 

for implementing energy efficiency measures in K-12 schools. 

http://www.ase.org/content/article/

detail/637

Vermont High 

Performance Schools

The Vermont High Performance Schools partnership coordinates 

stakeholders from state agencies, industry groups, and trade 

organizations. 

http://www.neep.org/HPSE/vt.php

Table B.1 Energy Efficiency in Buildings State and Local Examples, Tools, and Resources (cont.)

Appendix B | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 9
State or Title Description URL

Washington 

Sustainable School 

Protocol Pilot Program

This protocol is a variant of the California CHPS standard that 

requires high performance in public schools throughout the state. 

http://www.k12.wa.us/SchFacilities/

SustainableSchools.aspx

Information Resources on Commissioning K-12 Schools

Commissioning for 

Schools

This Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and 

Tourism fact sheet provides information on the estimated costs of 

commissioning a broad range of school building components. 

http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/

info/energy/publications/schools/

commissioning.pdf

The Cost-Effectiveness 

of Commercial Buildings 

Commissioning

This Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory report assesses the cost 

and benefits of commissioning several types of buildings, including 

schools. 

http://eetd.lbl.gov/emills/PUBS/

PDF/Cx-Costs-Benefits.pdf

Lessons Learned from 

Commissioning 15 

Schools

This report identifies a number of commissioning issues and 

challenges encountered by California schools undergoing building 

commissioning processes. 

http://resources.cacx.org/library/

holdings/202.pdf

Information Resources on CHPS Initiatives

CHPS Best Practices 

Manual

The Collaborative for High Performance Schools has developed 

guidance for planning, designing, constructing, and operating high 

performance schools.

http://www.chps.net/manual/index.

htm

CHPS web site Collaborative for High Performance Schools Web site. The 

Collaborative for High Performance Schools is a program that has 

been used in several states that oversees a green building rating 

program designed exclusively for K-12 schools.

http://www.chps.net/

Massachusetts 

Collaborative for High 

Performance Schools

The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative adapted the California 

CHPS model, building on the model’s strongest features and adding 

more stringent requirements in certain aspects. 

http://www.masstech.org/

renewableenergy/green_schools/

gs_publications.html

New York Collaborative 

for High Performance 

Schools

The New York CHPS is based on the Massachusetts CHPS, but is 

tailored to meet New York state building energy codes. 

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/

facplan/documents/NY-CHPS_

Sep2007finalNYSERDA.doc

Northeast Energy 

Efficiency Partnerships

The Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships have developed a 

protocol for designing high performance schools in the Northeast. 

http://www.neep.

org/HPSE/NECHPS/

Northeastchpsmay2007edits.pdf 

Table B.1 Energy Efficiency in Buildings State and Local Examples, Tools, and Resources (cont.)

10 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix B
Table B.2 Energy Management in Green Buildings

State or Title Description URL

Examples of State Programs 

California The state Green Building Action Plan, and resultant Green Building 

Program, were designed in response to Executive Order S-20-04. 

http://www.green.ca.gov/

GreenBuildings/default.htm

Green Building Action Plan:

http://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/

green/GreenBuildingActionPlan.pdf

Massachusetts Executive Office for Administration and Finance Bulletin 12 outlines 

the “Massachusetts LEED Plus” standard. Agencies are required 

to follow this new design and construction standard for projects 

20,000 square feet or larger.

http://www.mass.gov/Eeoaf/docs/

administrativebulletin12.doc

Minnesota The state Green Building Program began with the publication of a 

sustainable design guide.

http://www.pca.state.mn.us/oea/

greenbuilding/design.cfm

New Jersey The SmartStart Buildings Initiative was created to provide energyefficient alternatives to conventional buildings.http://www.njsmartstartbuildings.

com/

New York NYSERDA’s Green Building Services provide assistance for state 

agencies to ensure compliance with Executive Order 111. 

http://www.nyserda.org/Programs/

Green_Buildings/Default.asp

Pennsylvania The Pennsylvania Governor’s Green Government Council Green 

Building Program provides guidelines and resources for designing 

and constructing high performance state facilities.

http://www.gggc.state.pa.us/gggc/

cwp/view.asp?a=515&q=156866

Wisconsin The Wisconsin Sustainable Facilities Policy, created in response 

to Executive Order 145, sets forth sustainable “guidelines and 

minimum standards” to be incorporated in all state facilities.

ftp://doaftp04.doa.state.wi.us/

master_spec/Sustainable%20

Facilities%20Guidelines/

Sustainable%20Facilities%20

Guidelines.pdf 

Resources for Designing State Green Buildings

A Blueprint for 

Sustainable State 

Facilities

The California Sustainable Building Task Force produced A 

Blueprint for Sustainable State Facilities that provides guidance for 

interagency collaboration in the development of California’s green 

building program. 

http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/

GreenBuilding/Blueprint/2001/

Blueprint.pdf

Analysis of State Green 

Building Programs

This report, prepared for the Massachusetts Executive Office of 

Environmental Affairs and Sustainable Design Roundtable, assesses 

features of progressive green building programs in four states. 

http://www.mass.gov/Eoeea/docs/

eea/lbe/report_iec.pdf

California Online 

Guidebook for Energy 

Efficiency in State 

Facilities

The Green California Online Guidebook outlines a program for the 

streamlined implementation of green principles in state buildings.

http://www.green.ca.gov/

EnergyEffProj/default.htm

California 

Commissioning Guide: 

New Buildings

This Green California guide provides an overview of the 

commissioning process for facility managers and discusses the 

benefits and costs of commissioning new buildings. 

http://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/

green/commissionguidenew.pdf

Commissioning Toolkit 

for Small Buildings

This resource was developed as part of the Green California Online 

Handbook for energy efficiency in state facilities. It includes a 

sample commissioning plan and a list of suggested performance 

tests.

http://www.green.ca.gov/CxToolkit/

default.htm

Appendix B | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 11
State or Title Description URL

Costing Green: A 

Comprehensive Cost 

Database and budgeting 

Methodology

This report, produced by Davis Langdon, uses actual building 

construction cost data to compare the cost of green buildings with 

conventional buildings. The paper also presents a green building 

budgeting methodology.

http://www.davislangdon.com/USA/

Projects/CostingGreen/

Daylighting Standard The Wisconsin Department of Administration Division of State 

Facilities has developed a daylighting design standard for new state 

facilities.

http://www.doa.state.wi.us/dsf/

masterspec_view_new.asp?catid=21

Energy Design 

Resources: Guide to 

Energy Efficiency Design 

Practices

This Energy Design Resources Web site provides energy efficiency 

tools and information for designing and building high performance 

buildings.

http://www.energydesignresources.

com/

Examining the Potential 

for Energy Efficiency 

to Help Address the 

Natural Gas Crisis in the 

Midwest

This ACEEE report describes the economic benefits of energy 

efficiency activities related to natural gas prices in the Midwest. The 

study examines how energy efficiency can be used to stabilize the 

natural gas market in the region.

http://www.aceee.org/pubs/

u051full.pdf

Green Building Costs 

and Financial Benefits

This report by Capital E provides an overview of green building 

opportunities, costs, and benefits particular to the state of 

Massachusetts. 

http://www.cap-e.com/

ewebeditpro/items/O59F3481.pdf

Green Building 

Initiative

The Green Building Initiative’s Green GlobesTM system allows 

building managers to assess, rate, and track the progress of 

environmentally friendly building designs. This Web-based system is 

integrated with EPA’s ENERGY STAR Target Finder tool. 

http://www.thegbi.org/home.asp

Green Building Toolkit The American Institute of Architects has developed a toolkit to 

provide information on green building. The toolkit includes sample 

policy language that local governments have sued to implement 

green building policies. 

http://www.aia.org/static/state_

local_resources/adv_sustainability/

Green Buildings: 

Breaking New Ground 

With Sustainable Design

This presentation by the Pennsylvania Governor’s Green 

Government Council examines the cost-effectiveness of green 

buildings.

http://www.gggc.state.pa.us/gggc/

lib/gggc/documents/green_for_

le$$01.pdf

Greening Federal 

Facilities

DOE’s Greening Federal Facilities provides strategies for energy 

efficiency, water conservation, and resource conservation. 

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/

pdfs/29267.pdf

Greening Georgia 

Facilities

This report presents the analysis by the Georgia Environmental 

Facilities Authority of the impacts of various green building 

programs and policies on the state. 

http://www.gefa.org/Index.

aspx?page=192#a2

Guideline for High 

Performance Building

The University of Buffalo’s Guideline for High Performance Building 

uses LEED criteria, but arranges the credits to match the chronology 

of the pre-design, design, and construction process. 

http://wings.buffalo.edu/ubgreen/

leos/hbhpguidelines.pdf

Guiding Principles for 

Federal Leadership in 

High Performance and 

Sustainable Buildings

These Guiding Principles were established as a collaborative 

effort between multiple federal agencies. The memorandum of 

understanding establishes standards for integrated design, energy 

performance, water conservation, and indoor environmental quality.

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/

business/Guiding_Principles.pdf

High Performance 

Building Design in 

Minnesota

The Weidt Group performed a study of the costs and benefits of 

41 high performance buildings in Minnesota for the state Office 

of Environmental Assistance. This report documents the study’s 

findings. 

http://www.pca.state.mn.us/oea/

publications/highperformanceweidt.pdf

Table B.2 Energy Management in Green Buildings (cont.)

12 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix B
State or Title Description URL

High Performance 

Building Guidelines

The New York City Department of Design and Construction High 

Performance Building Guidelines include a chapter on technical 

strategies for achieving optimal energy efficiency. 

http://www.nyc.gov/html/ddc/

downloads/pdf/guidelines.pdf

High Performance 

Building Renovation 

Guidelines

The Philadelphia High Performance Building Renovation Guidelines 

provide guidance on major government renovation projects. Each 

guideline includes an overview of project materials, implementation 

strategies, and benefits. 

http://www.phila.gov/pdfs/

PhiladelphiaGreenGuidelines.pdf

High Performance 

Buildings

This presentation by the Weidt Group describes in visual detail the 

integrated aspect of high performance buildings design.

http://www.swenergy.org/

workshops/2006/Leaf.pdf

High Performance 

Green Building 

Guidelines

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Green Government Council High 

Performance Green Building Guidelines are intended to familiarize 

decision-makers with both theoretical and practical concepts and 

provide recommendations.

http://www.gggc.state.pa.us/gggc/

cwp/view.asp?a = 3&q = 151854

High Performance 

Green Buildings

This EPA State Clean Energy-Environment Technical Forum paper 

addresses public sector opportunities for green buildings and their 

associated energy and environmental benefits.

http://www.keystone.org/html/

documents.html

High Performance 

Guidelines for Public 

Buildings

The North Carolina High Performance Buildings Guidelines were 

developed by the Triangle J Council of Governments as part 

of the statewide high performance buildings pilot project. The 

Guidelines cover all aspects of design and construction including 

quality management, site planning, water management, energy 

and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environment and 

innovation.

http://www.energync.net/

programs/docs/buildings/hpg.doc

Impacts on Energy 

Efficiency and 

Renewable Energy on 

Natural Gas Markets

This ACEEE report assesses the positive impacts of energy efficiency 

and renewable energy activities on the national prices for natural 

gas. 

http://www.aceee.org/pubs/

e052full.pdf

Integrated Building 

Design

Energy Design Resources has published this design brief explaining 

the process and benefits of integrated building design.

http://www.energydesignresources.

com/resource/13/

Jobs from Renewable 

Energy and Energy 

Efficiency

This fact sheet provides statistics on the economic and jobs impacts 

of investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency in the U.S.

http://www.eesi.org/

briefings/2007/Energy%20&%20

Climate/11-8-07_green_jobs/

EEREJobsFactSheet_11-8-07.pdf

Leading by Example: A 

Green Building Action 

Plan

This action plan was completed by the Massachusetts Sustainable 

Design Roundtable as a guide to developing the state’s Green 

Building in State Construction Program. The plan presents five 

recommendations for state action to develop the program. 

http://www.mass.gov/Eoeea/docs/

eea/lbe/susdesign_report.pdf

LEED Initiatives in 

Governments and 

Schools

This U.S. Green Building Council Web site provides a list of LEED 

requirements in governments and schools, including a number of 

state government initiatives.

https://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.

aspx?DocumentID=691

Los Alamos National 

Library (LANL) 

Sustainable Design 

Guide

This LANL guide presents a specific planning and design process 

for creating and meeting sustainability goals, including energy 

reduction, indoor environmental quality, water quality, and site 

preservation. The recommendations are based largely on research 

conducted at the LANL. 

http://www.eere.energy.gov/

buildings/highperformance/

pdfs/sustainable_guide/32763_

sustainable_guide.pdf

Table B.2 Energy Management in Green Buildings (cont.)

Appendix B | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 13
State or Title Description URL

Michigan Major Project 

Design Manual for State 

Agencies 

The manual, produced by the Michigan Department of Management 

and Budget, outlines the requirements for planning major capital 

outlay design and construction projects for agencies and consultants 

and lists other requirements for State of Michigan buildings. 

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dmb/DMB494January2007final_187868_7.pdf

Municipal Green 

Building Compliance 

Guide

The San Francisco Municipal Green Building Compliance Guide 

provides guidance for the design and construction of new 

government buildings in San Francisco.

http://sfenvironment.

org/downloads/library/

gbcomplianceguide.pdf

Professional Engineer’s 

Guide to the ENERGY 

STAR Label for Buildings

This ENERGY STAR document provides design modules to help 

engineers better understand the requirements of their role in 

ensuring optimal performance in new construction. The document 

is structured in modules.

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/

business/evaluate_performance/

pm_pe_guide.pdf

Sustainable Design 

Guide

This Minnesota guide, developed with assistance from the 

state Office of Environmental Assistance, provides guidance for 

incorporating regional values into LEED standards.

http://www.sustainabledesignguide.

umn.edu

Sustainable Facilities 

Policy

The Wisconsin Sustainable Facilities Policy, created in response to 

Executive Order 145, sets forth sustainable guidelines and minimum 

standards to be incorporated in all state facilities. 

http://www.doa.state.wi.us/docs_

view2.asp?docid=5396

Top 6 Benefits of High 

Performance Buildings

This fact sheet highlights the findings of a study that quantified the 

benefits of 41 high performance buildings in Minnesota.

http://www.pca.state.mn.us/oea/

publications/highperformancebrochure.pdf

Towards a ClimateFriendly Built 

Environment

This Pew Center on Global Climate Change report outlines current 

trends in building-related GHG emissions, barriers to improvement, 

needs for research and development, and viable policy options for 

governments. 

http://www.pewclimate.

org/docUploads/

Buildings%5FFINAL%2Epdf

2030 Challenge Architecture 2030 has issued the 2030 Challenge asking the global 

building communities to adopt specific fossil fuel reduction targets. 

This Web site includes case studies and relevant resources.

http://www.architecture2030.org/

open_letter/index.html

Washington HighPerformance Building 

Submittal Template

The Washington Department of Administration developed this 

template to assist planners in complying with standards for 

designing and constructing high-performance state government 

buildings. The template includes a worksheet detailing elements of 

high performance design. 

http://www.ga.wa.gov/EAS/green/

GASubmittalForms.xls

“Whole-Building” Design 

Guide

The “Whole-Building” Design Guide is a Web-based portal providing 

access to information on a wide range of building-related guidance. 

http://www.wbdg.org/index.php

Resources on the Costs of Green Buildings

Costs and Financial 

Benefits of Green 

Buildings

This comprehensive report to the California Sustainable Building 

Task Force by Capital E and LBNL reviews existing research on the 

financial implications of green buildings.

http://www.usgbc.org/Docs/News/

News477.pdf

Green Building Costs 

and Financial Benefits

This report provides a summary of the report to the California 

Sustainable Building Task Force by Capital E and LBNL. This report 

applies the findings of the original within the context of the state of 

Massachusetts.

http://www.cap-e.com/

ewebeditpro/items/O59F3481.pdf

U.S. General Services 

Administration (GSA) 

LEED Cost Study

The GSA produced a LEED Cost Study to estimate the costs of 

developing green federal facilities using the rating system.

http://www.resourcesaver.

org/file/toolmanager/

CustomO16C45F60590.pdf

Table B.2 Energy Management in Green Buildings (cont.)

14 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix B
State or Title Description URL

Resources for Designing High Performance Schools

Best Practices Manual The Best Practices Manual produced by the California Collaborative 

for High Performance Schools includes a list of energy and 

performance criteria.

http://www.chps.net/manual/

documents.htm

Building Healthy, High 

Performance Schools

This Environmental Law Institute report describes the components, 

challenges, and keys to high performance school building programs 

in three states.

http://www.elistore.org/reports_

detail.asp?ID = 10925

Energy Design 

Resources: Resources 

for Schools

This Energy Design Resources Web site contains a number of design 

briefs, online tools, and case studies on high performance schools.

http://www.energydesignresources.

com/category/schools/

High-Performance 

Schools Guidelines

The New York Collaborative High-Performance Schools Guidelines 

includes a score sheet for benchmarking schools. 

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/

facplan/

Maine High 

Performance Schools 

Program

This Efficiency Maine program provides local school officials and 

their design teams with information regarding energy-efficient 

technologies and funding mechanisms available through the state 

high performance schools program. 

http://www.efficiencymaine.com/

other_programs_hps.htm

New Jersey High 

Performance Schools 

Information Center

Created in response to an executive order that requires all schools 

to incorporate LEED standards, this information clearinghouse 

provides resources on planning, design, construction, and operation 

of high performance educational facilities in New Jersey.

http://www.hpsnj.org/

High Performance Design Tools 

ENERGY STAR Target 

Finder

ENERGY STAR offers a Target Finder tool for determining 

appropriate energy targets for new buildings.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c = new_bldg_design.bus_

target_finder

ENERGY-10 ENERGY-10 is a conceptual design tool for conducting “wholebuilding” analysis and evaluating energy and cost savings achieved 

by applying energy-efficient strategies. 

http://www.nrel.gov/buildings/

energy10.html

Leadership in Energy 

and Environmental 

Design

The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED system is a widely-accepted 

measurement for rating the performance of buildings.

http://www.leedbuilding.org/

Resources for Case Studies

Green Building 

Technology Database

The state of North Carolina Green Building Technology Database 

collects information on green buildings in the state. The database 

allows searches by 140 techniques and sorts by location, building 

type, and site condition.

http://www.ncgreenbuilding.org/

site/ncg/

High Performance 

Building Database

The DOE High Performance Building Database collects data on 

high performance buildings.

http://www.eere.energy.gov/

buildings/database/

High Performance 

Federal Building 

Database

The DOE High Performance Federal Building Database showcases 

examples of high performance federal government buildings. 

http://www.eere.energy.gov/femp/

highperformance/

Table B.2 Energy Management in Green Buildings (cont.)

Appendix B | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 15
Table B.3. Energy-Efficient Product Procurement

State and Local Examples, Tools, and Resources

State or Title Description URL

Examples of State and Local Programs

Arizona The Arizona State Procurement Office has developed a policy to 

guide state agencies in purchasing energy-efficient products, as 

required by Arizona Revised Statute 34-451.

http://www.azleg.state.az.us/

FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/

ars/34/00451.htm

California The Department of General Services issued a Memo on 

Procurement of Energy-Efficient Products directing state agencies 

to purchase only those products that meet recommended 

standards. Department guidelines for major construction projects 

require that equipment, appliances, and roofing systems purchased 

for these projects be ENERGY STAR compliant.

http://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/

osp/sam/mmemos/mm01_14.pdf

Connecticut The Environmental Purchasing Program requires the state to 

buy products that may contain recycled content, minimize 

waste, conserve energy or water, and reduce the amount of 

toxins disposed of or consumed.

http://www.das.state.ct.us/

purchase/Epp/Index.htm

Massachusetts The state’s Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP) 

Procurement Program features ENERGY STAR-labeled appliances, 

air conditioners, and office equipment. and provides resources to 

assist states and other organizations in developing procurement 

programs. 

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID 

= osdtopic&L = 3&sid = 

Aosd&L0 = Home&L1 = 

Buy+from+a+Contract&L2 = Enviro

nmentally+Preferable+Products+(EP

P)+Procurement+Program

Green Spending: An Update on Massachusetts’ Environmental 

Purchasing Program Incorporating ENERGY STAR Office Equipment 

provides information on Massachusetts’ experiences, including 

associated benefits and challenges, with incorporating ENERGY 

STAR products into an existing environmentally preferable products 

purchasing program.

http://www.cee1.org/gov/purch/

mass-case.pdf

Minnesota The Environmentally Preferable Purchasing program assists state 

agencies in meeting the energy-efficient product procurement 

requirements of Executive Order 04-08. The program includes a 

quarterly newsletter and procurement workshops. 

http://www.pca.state.mn.us/oea/

epp/index.cfm

New York NYSERDA has developed energy-efficient product procurement 

standards for a number of products, as required by Article 5, 

Section 5-108a of the New York State Laws.

http://www.nyserda.org/programs/

equipstds.asp

New York City WasteLe$$ program provides assistance for 

municipal agencies in complying with the energy-efficient product 

purchasing requirements laid out in NYC Local Law 30 of 2003.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/

nycwasteless/html/at_agencies/

energy_efficiency.shtml

North Carolina Executive Order 156 requires state agencies to purchase ENERGY 

STAR qualified electronic equipment. The state Environmentally 

Preferable Procurement program provides agencies with model 

templates for developing procurement policies.

http://www.p2pays.org/epp/

stagencies.asp

Vermont To assist state agencies in meeting the energy-efficient product 

procurement requirements of Executive Order 14-03, the state 

Environmentally Preferable Program provides numerous resources, 

including a tool for calculating the environmental benefits of using 

ENERGY STAR products. 

http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/PCA/epp/

envirocalc_guide.doc

16 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix B
State or Title Description URL

Resources on Energy-Efficient Product Procurement

Consortium for Energy 

Efficiency (CEE) State 

and Local Government 

Purchasing Initiative 

The CEE initiative was launched to assist government officials in 

procuring energy-efficient products. The CEE has produced four 

purchasing guidebooks designed to inform policymakers and 

purchasing officials.

http://www.cee1.org/gov/purch/

guides.php3

Energy-Efficient 

Procurement Resources

Washington State University has compiled this collection of energyefficient procurement information resources.http://www.energy.wsu.edu/

documents/engineering/Proc_

Resources.pdf

Energy-Efficient 

Purchasing by State and 

Local Governments

This CEE paper reviews state and local purchasing programs and 

discusses how such programs are initiated. The paper also examines 

the strategic role of governments in fostering the development of 

energy-efficient product markets.

http://www.cee1.org/gov/

purch/2004_purchasing.pdf

Energy-Efficient Traffic 

Signals

This Consortium for Energy Efficiency fact sheet provides 

information on the benefits of converting traffic signals to energyefficient LEDs.

http://www.cee1.org/resrc/facts/

led-fx.pdf

ENERGY STAR 

Purchasing and 

Procurement

This ENERGY STAR Web site provides savings calculators for energyefficient products and equipment.http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c = bulk_purchasing.bus_

purchasing

FEMP Purchasing 

Energy Efficiency 

Requirements

FEMP issues energy efficiency specifications for more than 50 types 

of products commonly purchased by federal government agencies. 

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/

procurement/index.html

Flex Your Power Best 

Practices

Flex Your Power, a California PUC initiative, has developed multiple 

local government guidance documents on various topics. Many of 

these guides address issues of relevance to energy-efficient product 

procurement. 

http://fypower.org/res/tools/

res_search_results.html?skip = 

220&keywords = &topic = all&res_

facts = on®ion = all

Guide to EnergyEfficient Heating and 

Cooling

This ENERGY STAR resource provides comprehensive checklists for 

improving HVAC system energy efficiency. 

http://www.energystar.gov/

ia/products/heat_cool/

GUIDE_2COLOR.pdf

Helping Agencies 

Buy Energy-Efficient 

Products

DOE has developed this paper to provide information to federal 

purchasers on the benefits of purchasing energy-efficient products 

and how to obtain assistance in developing energy-efficient 

product procurement programs.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/

pdfs/eeproducts_fs.pdf

Institutional Purchasing: 

Save Money, Time and 

the Environment

This ENERGY STAR document provides an overview of the benefits 

of purchasing energy-efficiency products at the institutional level. 

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/

partners/reps/pt_reps_purch_

procu/files/general_purchasing_

new_10-4.pdf

Jobs from Renewable 

Energy and Energy 

Efficiency

This fact sheet provides statistics on the economic and jobs impacts 

of investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency in the U.S.

http://www.eesi.org/

briefings/2007/Energy%20&%20

Climate/11-8-07_green_jobs/

EEREJobsFactSheet_11-8-07.pdf

NYSERDA Minimum 

Efficiency Standards

Following legislative mandate, NYSERDA established minimum 

efficiency standards for specific energy-using products and 

appliances purchased by or for New York State or any of its 

agencies. 

http://www.nyserda.org/programs/

equipStandardRegulations.pdf

Table B.3. Energy-Efficient Product Procurement State and Local Examples, Tools, and Resources (cont.)

Appendix B | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 17
State or Title Description URL

Online Guide to 

Energy-Efficient 

Commercial Equipment 

This American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) 

guide provides building owners and managers with information 

on purchasing office equipment. The guide provides detailed 

information on applications that favor one type of equipment over 

another.

http://aceee.org/ogeece/ch1_index.

htm

Online Guide to 

Energy-Efficient Office 

Equipment

This ACEEE guide provides an overview of the costs and benefits of 

purchasing different energy-efficient office products. 

http://www.aceee.org/ogeece/

ch5_office.htm

Potential Energy, 

Cost, and CO2 Savings 

from Energy-Efficient 

Government Purchasing

This LBNL report estimates the potential energy, cost, and CO2 

savings from government purchasing of energy-efficient products. 

The report presents detailed FEMP analyses of 21 products.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/

pdfs/government_purchasing.pdf

Procuring EnergyEfficient ProductsThis document was produced by the Consortium for Energy 

Efficiency as a guidebook for state and local government 

purchasing agencies. 

http://www.cee1.org/gov/purch/

gb1-rev2.pdf

Purchasing 

Specifications for 

Energy-Efficient 

Products

FEMP’s Purchasing Specifications for Energy-Efficient Products 

helps government purchasers identify types of highly efficient 

products. A list of all ENERGY STAR-qualified or FEMP-designated 

products is available for download.

http://www.eere.energy.gov/femp/

procurement/

State and Local 

Government 

Purchasing Initiative

Though no longer active, this Consortium for Energy Efficiency 

project provides information on state and local government 

purchasing, including guidebooks and case studies. 

http://www.cee1.org/gov/purch/

purch-main.php3

Strength in Numbers: 

An Introduction 

to Cooperative 

Procurements

This National Association of State Procurement Officials resource 

provides an overview of the benefits of and strategies for entering 

into cooperative procurement agreements. 

http://www.naspo.org/documents/

CooperativePurchasingBrief.pdf

Resources on Environmentally Preferable Product Procurement

Assessment of 

Massachusetts’ EPP 

Procurement Program

This Office of Environmental Affairs report provides a history of the 

state EPP procurement program, describes the program’s basics, 

and includes quantitative and qualitative program benefits.

http://www.mass.gov/Aosd/

docs/EPP/EPP%20Program%20

Assessment%20Final%20Report%20

Dec02.doc

California 

Environmentally 

Preferable Purchasing 

Best Practices Manual

The Green California Environmentally Preferable Purchasing 

Best Practices Manual provides state purchasing officials with 

information on environmentally friendly products and services. 

http://www.green.ca.gov/EPP/

Introduction/default.htm

Environmentally 

Preferable Purchasing

This New American Dream Web site serves as a clearinghouse of 

resources on environmentally preferable purchasing. It includes 

case studies and model policies as well as guidance on developing 

comprehensive purchasing programs. 

http://www.newdream.org/work/

rpn.php

Environmentally 

Preferable Purchasing 

Database

This EPA database provides information on EPPs and services sorted 

by category.

http://yosemite1.epa.gov/oppt/

eppstand2.nsf

EPA Environmentally 

Preferable Purchasing

This EPA program encourages and assists agencies in purchasing 

products and services that have a reduced impact on the 

environment. 

http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/epp/

pubs/about/about.htm

Table B.3. Energy-Efficient Product Procurement State and Local Examples, Tools, and Resources (cont.)

18 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix B
State or Title Description URL

Final Guidance on 

Environmentally 

Preferable Purchasing

This EPA guidance was developed in response to federal Executive 

Order 13101, which requires federal agencies to implement EPP 

purchasing policies. 

http://www.epa.gov/epp/

pubs/guidance/finalguidance.

htm#GuidingPrinciple1

Green Procurement 

Initiative

The California Energy Commission has compiled a list of state, 

county, and local purchasing programs. 

http://www.cec.org/files/PDF/

ECONOMY/Green-Procurement_

Initiatives_en.pdf

Green Purchasing: 

A Guide for Local 

Governments and 

Communities

This document, developed by the New Jersey Department of 

Environmental Protection, provides guidance to New Jersey 

communities in establishing and implementing green purchasing 

activities. 

http://www.state.nj.us/dep//opsc/

docs/green_purchasing_guide_

local_governments.pdf

Green Spending: A Case 

Study of Massachusetts’ 

Environmental 

Purchasing Program

This EPA report provides background information on the state’s 

purchasing program and outlines its achievements. It also includes 

a discussion of program challenges that might inhibit the success of 

the program. 

http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/case/

mass.pdf

Guide to Greening 

Government Through 

Powerful Purchasing 

Decisions

The National Association of Counties has developed an 

Environmental Purchasing Starter Kit to assist local governments. 

The kit was produced with the assistance of EPA.

http://www.naco.org/Content/

ContentGroups/Programs_and_

Projects/Environmental1/Energy/

Introduction.pdf

Hennepin County, 

Minnesota Lead by 

Example Initiative 

Guidelines

The Board of Commissioners in Hennepin County has authorized 

the creation of a Lead by Example Incentive Fund that will award a 

combined $100,000 to county departments that invest in EPPs. The 

Board has developed a set of guidelines to assist department staff in 

meeting the program’s requirements. 

http://www.hennepin.us/portal/site/

HCInternet/menuitem.3f94db53874f

9b6f68ce1e10b1466498/?vgnextoid

=43ac9bb82e9fc010VgnVCM10000

00f094689RCRD

Implementation 

Guidelines for Model 

Policy

These guidelines for implementing a model procurement policy 

were developed by Alameda County. The county’s model policy has 

been adopted by several California local governments. 

http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/epp/

LawPolicy/AlaPolImp.doc

Introduction 

to Cooperative 

Procurement

The National Association of State Procurement Officials has 

developed a primer on the benefits and strategies of cooperative 

procurement.

http://www.naspo.org/content.cfm/

id/About_Coop

King County 

Environmental 

Purchasing Policy

King County, Washington, provides county personnel with 

information and technical assistance to help them identify and 

evaluate economical and effective EPP. This Web site includes 

environmental purchasing bulletins that focus on different 

purchasing opportunities. 

http://www.metrokc.gov/procure/

green/index.htm

Massachusetts Recycled 

and EPP and Services 

Guide

The Massachusetts Recycled and EPP and Services Guide provides 

information on how to use state contracts, tips on writing green 

specifications, definitions, and model “buy recycled” policies. The 

Product, Contract, and Vendor Information section provides up-todate details on existing state contracts for EPPs, including contract 

terms, vendor contact information, and pricing, when available.

Recycled and EPP and Services 

Guide: 

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=osd

terminal&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Buy+

from+a+Contract&L2=Environmen

tally+Preferable+Products+(EPP)+P

rocurement+Program&L3=Downlo

ad+Publications%2C+Reports+and

+Tools&sid=Aosd&b=terminalconte

nt&f=EPP_osd_es_epp_download_

publications_guides&csid=Aosd

Table B.3. Energy-Efficient Product Procurement State and Local Examples, Tools, and Resources (cont.)

Appendix B | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 19
State or Title Description URL

Massachusetts Recycled 

and EPP and Services 

Guide (cont.)

Product, Contract, and Vendor 

Information: 

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=osds

ubtopic&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Buy+fr

om+a+Contract&L2=Environmental

ly+Preferable+Products+(EPP)+Proc

urement+Program&sid=Aosd

Minnesota 

Environmentally 

Preferable Purchasing 

Guide

The Minnesota Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide is a 

reference tool for Minnesota government and school purchasers. 

It provides strategies to reduce energy consumption and protect 

natural resources by identifying environmentally preferable 

alternatives in 16 green building product areas and building services.

http://greenguardian.com/EPPG/

National Association 

of State Procurement 

Officials

This organization works with state procurement officials to facilitate 

information exchange and to aid purchasers in obtaining costeffective products through cooperative procurement. 

http://www.naspo.org/

National Institute 

of Governmental 

Purchasing

This non-profit organization provides assistance and information to 

public purchasers on a range of issues.

http://www.nigp.org/genlinfo/

AboutUs.htm

Responsible Purchasing 

Network

The Responsible Purchasing Network is a project initiated by 

purchasing stakeholders. The Network has compiled multiple 

responsible purchasing guides on fleets, electronics, office 

equipment, and paints. 

http://www.responsiblepurchasing.

org/

Information Resources for End-of-Life Management of Electronic Products

Electronics Waste 

Management in the 

United States

This EPA report presents a national analysis of current trends in 

disposal and management of electronic products. 

http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/

hazwaste/recycle/ecycling/manage.

htm

End-of-Life 

Management

The Federal Electronics Challenge has developed a Web site to 

provide federal facilities with information on purchasing green 

electronics products. The Challenge maintains a collection of 

resources on end-of-life management. 

http://www.

federalelectronicschallenge.net/

resources/eolmngt.htm

Guidelines for the 

Procurement, Use, 

and End-of-Life 

Management of 

Electronic Equipment

This report was developed for the California Integrated Waste 

Management Board to provide state agencies with tools to 

implement cost-saving procurement practices that have minimal 

energy and environmental impacts. 

http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/

Electronics/Procurement/PUEOL/

FinalGuide.pdf

Model Policies for Energy-Efficient and EPP Procurement

Environmental 

Purchasing Policies 101

The Center for a New American Dream has developed this guidance 

document to provide purchasers with a collection of best practices 

relating to environmentally preferable purchasing. This document 

includes a sample EPP purchasing policy.

http://www.cec.org/files/pdf//

NAGPI%20Policy%20Paper2e.pdf

Model Environmentally 

Preferable Products 

Policy

The King County Environmental Purchasing Program has 

established this model policy for cities and other organizations.

www.kingcounty.gov/operations/

procurement/Services/

Environmental_Purchasing/~/media/

operations/.../EP_Policy_Model.ashx

Table B.3. Energy-Efficient Product Procurement State and Local Examples, Tools, and Resources (cont.)

20 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix B
State or Title Description URL

New American Dream 

Collection of Green 

Purchasing Polices

The New American Dream has collected a list of annotated 

examples of green purchasing policies.

http://www.newdream.org

Tools and Certification for Energy-Efficient and EPP Procurement

ENERGY STAR 

Purchasing and 

Procurement

ENERGY STAR provides certification for energy-efficient products. 

In general, ENERGY STAR-qualified products use up to 50% less 

energy than conventional products of the same utility. 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c = bulk_purchasing.bus_

purchasing

ENERGY STAR 

Purchasing and 

Procurement Briefings

ENERGY STAR provides monthly Webcasts that identify the 

resources available, including the product calculators.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c = business.bus_internet_

presentations_actionplans

EPEAT EPEAT is a system to help purchasers compare and select computer 

equipment based on a product’s environmental attributes. EPEAT 

certification is intended to meet ENERGY STAR qualification 

standards for energy efficiency. 

http://www.epeat.net/

Green Purchasing 

Training

The Office of the Federal Environmental Executive provides 

opportunities for free online training and frequent classroom 

training to procurement officials interested in green purchasing.

http://ofee.gov/gp/training.asp

Green Seal Green Seal is a non-profit organization that establishes standards 

for EPPs and administers its own certification program. The 

organization produces Choose Green Reports that provide 

information on a range of EPPs. 

http://www.greenseal.org/ 

Table B.3. Energy-Efficient Product Procurement State and Local Examples, Tools, and Resources (cont.)

Appendix B | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 21
Table B.4 Green Power Purchases State Examples, Tools, and Resources

State or Title Description URL

Examples of State Programs 

Connecticut The State of Connecticut has locked in electric supply for state 

facilities through June 30, 2012. The supply contracts include 

19% (not including RPS) to be green power from Class I renewable 

sources. This equates to 112 million kWh of green power annually. 

When RPS requirements are factored in, as of 2012 28% of the 

electricity used by Connecticut State Government will come from 

Class I renewable resources.

http://www.ctclimatechange.

com/documents/DetailedUpdates 

onRAs2006Progress.pdf

CTClean Energy Options:

http://www.ctcleanenergyoptions.

com/index.htm

Iowa The Department of Natural Resources provides implementation 

guidance for Executive Order 41, which includes a requirement that 

state agencies obtain 10% of energy from renewable sources.

http://www.iowadnr.com/energy/

eo41.html

Maine More than 800 individual state accounts were aggregated 

to facilitate green power purchasing. As of November 2005, 

approximately 30% of the state government's electricity was 

generated by renewable-energy resources -- mostly hydropower 

and biomass.

http://www.maineenergyinfo.com/

docs/Maine%20Renewable%20

Energy.pdf

New Jersey Over 180 accounts have been aggregated to purchase 

approximately 12% of the state’s energy from renewable sources. 

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dsr/

bscit/GreenPower.pdf

New York NYSERDA’s Power Naturally program assists state agencies in 

meeting the renewable energy requirements established by 

Executive Order 111.

http://www.powernaturally.org/

Oregon The Renewable Energy Action Plan requires that 25% of all state 

government electricity needs be met by new renewable energy 

sources by 2010 and 100% by 2025. 

http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/

RENEW/docs/FinalREAP.pdf

Wisconsin The Governor’s Task Force of Energy Efficiency and Renewables has 

drafted a report on the cost of using renewable energy use in state 

government buildings. 

http://energytaskforce.wi.gov/

docview.asp?docid=32

Resources on Green Power Purchases

A Check List for Local 

Government Green 

Power RFPs

The Local Government Commission has developed this checklist 

to guide local governments through the competitive process of 

selecting green power providers. 

http://www.lgc.org/freepub/energy/

factsheets/fact3.html

Assessing the 

Economic Development 

Impacts of Wind Power

This report provides examples that document the economic 

development implications of investing in wind power. 

http://www.nationalwind.org/

publications/economic/econ_final_

report.pdf

Clean Energy Funds: 

An Overview of State 

Support for Renewable 

Energy

This LBNL report provides examples of states that have used system 

benefits charges to promote renewable energy throughout state 

and local organizations and communities. 

http://eetd.lbl.gov/ea/ems/

reports/47705.pdf

Customer Aggregation: 

An Opportunity for 

Green Power

This NREL report assists state and local governments in negotiating 

lower green power prices with utilities. 

http://www.eere.energy.gov/

greenpower/resources/pdfs/

lb29408.pdf

DSIRE The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy provides 

information on state and local government renewable energy and 

energy efficiency incentives. 

http://www.dsireusa.org/

22 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix B
State or Title Description URL

Emerging Markets 

for Renewable 

Energy Certificates: 

Opportunities and 

Challenges

This LBNL report describes the current market for RECs. It 

provides an overview of how RECs are marketed and identifies key 

challenges to broader expansion of REC markets.

http://www.eere.energy.gov/

greenpower/resources/pdfs/37388.

pdf

Environmental 

Resources Trust

The Environmental Resources Trust certifies RECs through its 

EcoPower certification program. 

http://www.ert.net/

EPA Clean EnergyEnvironment Guide to 

Action

Chapter 5.5, Fostering Green Power Markets, of the EPA Clean 

Energy-Environment Guide to Action provides states with a 

framework for developing suitable environments in which green 

power markets can become effective and productive.

http://www.epa.gov/solar/

documents/gta/guide_action_

chap5_s1.pdf

EPA Communications 

Guide for Green Power 

Partners

The EPA Green Power Partnership has developed this 

communications and outreach guide to assist partners in promoting 

their organizations’ green power purchases. 

http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/

pubs/index.htm

EPA Green Power 

Partnership

EPA’s Green Power Partnership is a voluntary partnership between 

EPA and organizations that are interested in buying green power. 

Through this program, EPA supports organizations that are buying, 

or planning to buy, green power. 

http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/

FEMP Renewable 

Energy

The DOE FEMP program provides information on federal 

government initiatives for using renewable energy, including on-site 

generation.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/

renewable_energy/index.html

Green Power Marketing 

in the United States, A 

Status Report

This NREL report provides an overview of current trends in green 

power prices and the state of renewable energy technologies. 

http://erendev.nrel.gov/greenpower/

resources/pdfs/40904.pdf

Green-e Green-e is a voluntary certification and verification program for 

wholesale, retail, and commercial electricity products, tradable 

renewable certificates, and utility green pricing programs in the 

United States. Green-e certifies about 100 retail and wholesale 

green power marketers across the country. 

http://www.green-e.org/

Guide to Purchasing 

Green Power

This EPA Green Power Partnership guide provides information on 

planning and implementing green power purchases. 

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/

pdfs/purchase_green_power.pdf

Power Quality Problems 

and Renewable Energy 

Solutions

This Massachusetts Technology Collaborative report looks at the 

relative benefits of renewable energy compared to conventional 

energy generation with regard to power reliability, power quality, 

and power availability. 

http://www.mtpc.org/Project%20

Deliverables/PP_General_Power_

Quality_Study.pdf

Jobs from Renewable 

Energy and Energy 

Efficiency

This fact sheet provides information on existing and projected 

energy efficiency- and renewable energy-related jobs in the U.S. by 

sector. 

http://www.eesi.org/

briefings/2007/Energy%20&%20

Climate/11-8-07_green_jobs/

EEREJobsFactSheet_11-8-07.pdf

Power Scorecard The Power Scorecard is a Web-based information tool created by 

a coalition of environmental groups, which enables consumers 

to compare the environmental impacts of green power and 

conventional power products.

http://www.powerscorecard.org/

Table B.4 Green Power Purchases State Examples, Tools, and Resources (cont.)

Appendix B | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 23
State or Title Description URL

Putting Renewables to 

Work: How Many Jobs 

Can the Clean Energy 

Industry Generate

This University of California – Berkeley report shows the economic 

benefits of investing in renewable energy in terms of jobs created. 

http://rael.berkeley.edu/files/2004/

Kammen-Renewable-Jobs-2004.pdf

Regulator’s Handbook 

on Renewable Energy 

Programs & Tariffs

This report by the Center for Resource Solutions provides an 

overview of state renewable energy programs. The report includes 

case studies on different states’ methods of implementing 

renewable energy programs.

http://www.resource-solutions.

org/policy/TariffHandbook/

Handbook_on_Renewable_Energy_

Programs_&_Tariffs.pdf

Renewable Energy 

Certificates: An 

Attractive Means for 

Corporate Customers 

to Purchase Renewable 

Energy

This World Resources International report provides an overview of 

RECs, including funding opportunities for procuring RECs and steps 

for selecting appropriate options.

http://pdf.wri.org/gpmdg_

corporate_5.pdf

Renewable Energy 

Certificates and 

Generation Attributes

This Regulatory Assistance Project report provides an overview of 

the concept behind marketing renewable energy attributes. 

http://www.raponline.

org/Pubs/IssueLtr/

RenewableEnergyCertificates.pdf

Renewable Energy 

and Energy Efficiency: 

Economic Drivers for 

the 21st Century

This report was developed by the American Solar Energy Society to 

describe the existing and projected breakdown of renewable energy 

and energy efficiency-related employment in the United States. 

http://www.ases.org/ASESJobsReport-Final.pdf

Switching to Green This World Resources Institute report provides guidance to offices 

and retail companies on procuring green power. The report gives 

an overview of steps to consider when deciding to switch to green 

power. 

http://pdf.wri.org/switching_to_

green.pdf

Tackling Climate 

Change in the U.S.: 

Potential Carbon 

Emissions Reductions 

from Energy Efficiency 

and Renewable Energy

This report by the American Solar Energy Society addresses the 

potential contributions of different energy-efficient and renewable 

technologies toward GHG emissions reductions. It provides an 

overview of the status and potential of each renewable energy 

resource type.

http://maine.sierraclub.org/

Maine%20Cool%20Tackling%20

Climate%20Change%20in%20

the%20US.pdf

Tradable Renewable 

Certificates Handbook

This handbook provides information on basics and benefits of RECs 

and provides an overview of the regulator’s role in facilitating REC 

transactions.

http://www.resource-solutions.

org/policy/TRChandbook/TRC_

Handbook.htm

Treatment of Renewable 

Energy Certificates, 

Emissions Allowances, 

and Green Power 

Programs in State 

Renewable Portfolio 

Standards

This LBNL report provides an overview of the treatment of 

renewable energy attributes in states that enforce renewable 

portfolio standards. The report identified implementation issues that 

arise when RECs are used for RPS compliance. 

http://eetd.lbl.gov/ea/ems/

reports/62574.pdf

Trends in Utility Green 

Pricing

This NREL report presents data on trends in green pricing for 

renewable energy products and provides an overview of utility 

green pricing program implementation since 1999.

http://www.nrel.gov/docs/

fy07osti/40777.pdf

Table B.4 Green Power Purchases State Examples, Tools, and Resources (cont.)

24 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix B
State or Title Description URL

Using Wind Power 

to Hedge Volatile 

Electricity Prices for 

Commercial and 

Industrial Customers in 

New York

This report, prepared for the New York State Energy Research 

and Development Authority, provides a financial analysis of the 

comparative benefits of relying on wind power as compared to 

conventional fossil fuels. 

http://www.powernaturally.

org/About/documents/

WindHedgeExSumm.pdf

Resources for Estimating the Benefits of Green Power Purchases

CACP Software The National Association of Clean Air Agencies’ CACP is a 

Windows-based software tool designed to help state and local 

governments develop harmonized strategies to reduce both 

GHG and air pollution emissions. It allows users to create a crosssector emissions inventory at the entire community level or at the 

government operations level.

http://www.cacpsoftware.org/

eGRID EPA’s eGRID is a comprehensive source of data on the 

environmental characteristics of domestic electric power 

generation. It compiles data from 24 federal sources on emissions 

and resource mixes for virtually every power plant and company 

that generates electricity in the United States. It also provides 

user search options, including aspects of individual power plants, 

generating companies, states, and regions of the power grid.

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/

egrid/index.htm

EPA Green Power 

Locator

This tool enables users to locate green power options available in 

each state. 

http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/

pubs/gplocator.htm

EPA Power Profiler Tool This EPA tool provides emission factors for any utility, to help 

calculate the pollution benefits of energy consumption reduction. 

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/

powerprofiler.htm

GHG Equivalencies 

Calculator

Local governments can use this calculator to translate GHG 

emissions reductions into more tangible quantities (e.g., vehicle 

miles reduced or trees planted). 

http://www.usctcgateway.net/tool/

Green-e Green-e is a voluntary certification and verification program for 

wholesale, retail, and commercial electricity products, RECs, and 

utility green pricing programs.

http://www.green-e.org/

Power Scorecard The Power Scorecard is a Web-based information tool created 

by a coalition of environmental groups. It enables consumers 

to compare the environmental impacts of green power and 

conventional power products.

http://www.powerscorecard.org/

Table B.4 Green Power Purchases State Examples, Tools, and Resources (cont.)

Appendix B | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 25
Table B.5 Clean Energy Supply State and Local Examples, Tools, and Resources

State or Title Description URL

Examples of State and Local Programs 

Arizona The Arizona Working Group on Renewable Energy and Energy 

Efficiency has advised the governor to require state facilities to 

produce 5% of their own energy needs through renewable sources 

by 2012.

http://www.azsolarcenter.com/

policy/documents/pdfs/GovREEE_

ReportFinal.pdf

California The Green Building Action Plan calls for all state-owned buildings 

to reduce the volume of energy purchased from the grid by 20% by 

2015 from 2003 levels by pursuing energy efficiency measures and 

on-site renewable technologies.

http://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/

green/GreenBuildingActionPlan.pdf

The City of San Francisco passed a resolution calling for the 

installation of solar panels and wind turbines on city-owned 

property in the city.

http://www.californiasolarcenter.

org/sfbond2001.html

Connecticut The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund’s On-Site Renewable DG

Program assists public and private entities with installing renewable 

energy generating equipment on site.

http://www.ctcleanenergy.

com/YourBusinessorInstitution/

OnSiteRenewableDG/tabid/95/

Default.aspx

Iowa In FY 2005, the SIFIC began implementing a comprehensive energy 

efficiency upgrade project that included installation of a biomass 

boiler capable of burning wood waste. The boiler will be integrated 

into a CHP system.

http://www.iowadnr.com/energy/

ebank/sfp.html

Utah The governor’s Energy Policy calls for the state to establish 

programs to evaluate the potential for installing on-site renewable 

energy sources in state buildings to reduce energy consumption by 

2% by 2015 compared to 2005 levels. 

http://energy.utah.gov/energy/

governors_priorities/utah_policy_

to_advance_energy_efficiency_in_

the_state.html

Wisconsin The state Renewable Energy Task Force has proposed renewable 

energy targets that include a recommended strategy of 

incorporating on-site generation at state facilities.

http://energytaskforce.wi.gov/

docview.asp?docid=35

Resources on Renewable Energy Generation 

Annual Report on U.S. 

Wind Power Installation, 

Cost, and Performance 

Trends: 2006

This DOE report provides statistics on national wind power capacity, 

turbine size and cost, wind power prices, and policy efforts driving 

wind power development. 

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/

windandhydro/pdfs/41435.pdf

APS Energy APS Energy has partnered with multiple local governments to install 

solar energy systems at municipal facilities. This APS Energy Web 

site provides information on a sample of these projects. 

http://www.aps.com/my_

community/Solar/Solar_22.html

American Wind Energy 

Association

The American Wind Energy Association has a number of helpful 

resources available to consumers interested in on-site renewable 

energy, including fact sheets and cost estimates.

http://www.awea.org/pubs/

Clean Power Estimator This tool provides quick cost-benefit analysis for PV, solar thermal, 

wind, and energy efficiency technologies for residential and 

commercial buildings in specified geographic regions. 

http://www.consumerenergycenter.

org/renewables/estimator/index.

html

Community Jobs in the 

Green Economy

This Apollo Alliance and Urban Habitat report describes the 

potential for job creation from investing in energy efficiency and 

renewable energy. 

http://www.urbanhabitat.org/

node/931

26 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix B
State or Title Description URL

Database of State 

Incentives for 

Renewable Energy

This database is a comprehensive source of information on state, 

local, and selected federal incentives that promote renewable 

energy and energy efficiency. 

http://www.dsireusa.org

EPA Power Profiler Tool This EPA tool provides emission factors for any given utility, to help 

calculate the pollution benefits of energy consumption reduction.

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/

powerprofiler.htm

FEMP Renewable 

Energy

The DOE FEMP program provides information on federal 

government initiatives for using renewable energy, including on-site 

generation.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/

renewable_energy/index.html

Find Solar Find Solar is a collaborative project involving DOE and the American 

Solar Energy Society that enables a user to calculate the costs, 

savings, and GHG emissions reductions of converting a portion of a 

building’s energy use to solar generation.

http://www.findsolar.com/index.

php?page = rightforme

Fuel Cell Technology This Web site, developed as a component of the Whole Building 

Design Guide, provides information on fuel cell technologies and 

applications. 

http://www.wbdg.org/resources/

fuelcell.php

Fuel Cells This EPA fact sheet presents the benefits and costs behind fuel cell 

technology as a form of energy generation. It also addresses the 

barriers to large-scale fuel cell technology adoption. 

http://yosemite.epa.

gov/oar/globalwarming.

nsf/UniqueKeyLookup/

SHSU5BULTK/$File/fuelcells.pdf

Geothermal Heat 

Pumps

This DOE Web site provides information on the basics of geothermal 

exchange. The site includes fact sheets on the logistics of using 

geothermal heat pumps in different building types. 

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/

geothermal/heatpumps.html

Geothermal Resources 

Maps

DOE has collected information on the location of geologic resources 

that could make geothermal applications potentially feasible. 

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/

geothermal/maps.html

Government Facilities 

Case Studies

The Geo-thermal Heat Pump Consortium has collected fact sheets 

on municipal government examples of geothermal applications.

http://www.geoexchange.

org/geothermal/publications/

cat_view/37-case-studies/60-

government-facilities.html?limit=10&

limitstart=0&order=name&dir=DESC

Green Power from 

Landfill Gas

This EPA fact sheet provides information and statistics on how 

landfills can be used to produce electricity in a manner that is 

protective of natural resources. 

http://www.epa.gov/lmop/docs/

LMOPGreenPower.pdf

Guide to Photovoltaic 

System Design and 

Installation

This California Energy Commission guidebook provides information 

on issues to consider when designing and installing PV solar power 

systems.

http://www.abcsolar.com/

pdf/2001-09-04_500-01-020.pdf

Guide to Purchasing 

Green Power

This EPA guide provides information on purchasing green power. 

Chapter 7 addresses on-site renewable energy projects.

www.eere.energy.gov/femp/pdfs/

purchase_green_power.pdf

High Performance 

Technologies: Solar 

Thermal & Photovoltaic 

Systems

This DOE report provides information on building zero-energy 

homes using solar thermal and PV technologies. Local governments 

can find information on site planning and orientation of solar 

thermal and PV applications. 

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/

buildings/publications/pdfs/

building_america/41085.pdf

Jobs from Renewable 

Energy and Energy 

Efficiency

Jobs from Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. This fact sheet 

provides information on existing and projected energy efficiencyand renewable energy-related jobs in the U.S. by sector. 

http://www.eesi.org/briefings/2007/

Energy & Climate/11-8-07_green_

jobs/EEREJobsFactSheet_11-8-07.

pdf

Table B.5 Clean Energy Supply State and Local Examples, Tools, and Resources (cont.)

Appendix B | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 27
State or Title Description URL

Money from the Sun: 

An Investor’s Guide to 

Solar-Electric Profits

This article describes the long term benefits of investing in solar 

energy systems. 

http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/

Assets/documents/greenbuilding/

SolarEconomics.pdf

Potential for Energy 

Efficiency, Demand 

Response, and On-site 

Renewable Energy to 

Meet Texas’s Growing 

Electricity Needs

This ACEEE report provides policy recommendations to meet 

growing energy demand in Texas. Recommendations include 

development of the public buildings program and providing 

incentives for onsite renewable energy.

http://aceee.org/pubs/E073.htm

Power Quality Problems 

and Renewable Energy 

Solutions

This Massachusetts Technology Collaborative report looks at the 

relative benefits of renewable energy compared to conventional 

energy generation with regard to power reliability, power quality, 

and power availability. 

http://www.mtpc.org/Project%20

Deliverables/PP_General_Power_

Quality_Study.pdf

ProForm This tool, developed by LBNL, calculates the financial indicators and 

reduced GHG emissions of renewable energy projects. 

http://poet.lbl.gov/Proform/

Putting Renewables to 

Work: How Many Jobs 

Can the Clean Energy 

Industry Generate

This University of California – Berkeley report shows the economic 

benefits of investing in renewable energy in terms of jobs created. 

http://rael.berkeley.edu/files/2004/

Kammen-Renewable-Jobs-2004.

pdf

PV Watts This NREL performance calculator estimates the energy and cost 

savings from grid-connected PV systems from various locations 

around the country. The calculator allows the user to adjust various 

data assumptions to accommodate for regional and system specifics. 

http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/

calculators/PVWATTS/

Renewable Energy and 

Distributed Generation 

Guidebook

This Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources report provides 

an overview of implementation issues associated with siting and 

generating distributed energy and connecting to the grid.

http://www.mass.gov/Eoca/docs/

doer/pub_info/guidebook.pdf

Renewable Energy 

and Energy Efficiency: 

Economic Drivers for 

the 21st Century

This report was developed by the American Solar Energy Society to 

describe the existing and projected breakdown of renewable energy 

and energy efficiency-related employment in the United States. 

http://www.ases.org/ASESJobsReport-Final.pdf

Renewable Energy 

Basics

NREL provides basic information on seven forms of renewable 

energy applications. 

http://www.nrel.gov/learning/

re_basics.html

RETScreen This tool was developed by the Canada national Natural Resources 

department to evaluate the energy production and savings, 

emissions reductions, and financial viability of different types of 

energy efficiency and renewable energy investments, including onsite renewable energy generation.

http://www.retscreen.net/ang/d_o_

view.php

Single, Paired, and 

Aggregated Anaerobic 

Digester Options

This study presents an overview of the feasibility of installing 

anaerobic digesters to turn dairy farm waste into usable biofuels.

http://www.manuremanagement.

cornell.edu/Docs/Perry%20

Feas%20Study%20fact%20sheet%20

FINAL%205-31-05.pdf

Solar Energy 

Technologies Program

DOE’s Solar Energy Technologies Program leads the effort to 

research, develop, and implement technologies toward improving 

solar energy. Through such programs as the Million Solar Roofs 

Initiative and the Solar America Initiative, the federal government 

partners with state and local governments to deploy the program’s 

resources.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/

about.html

Table B.5 Clean Energy Supply State and Local Examples, Tools, and Resources (cont.)

28 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix B
State or Title Description URL

Solar Water Heaters for 

Swimming Pools

This fact sheet provides information on the technical aspects and 

benefits of installing solar water heaters on swimming pools. 

http://www.infinitepower.org/

newfact/new96-825-No11.pdf

Supplemental 

Environmental Projects 

Toolkit

EPA’s toolkit helps state governments pursue clean energy projects 

through enforcement settlements. The toolkit provides information 

on the SEP process, including a step-by-step regulatory roadmap 

for pursuing SEPs.

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/

documents/sep_toolkit.pdf

Wind Energy Economics The Iowa Energy Center has developed this resource to provide 

information on the cost-effectiveness of wind turbines. 

http://www.energy.iastate.edu/

renewable/wind/wem/wem-13_

econ.html

Resources on Distributed Generation 

The Benefits of 

Distributed Resources to 

Local Governments

This NREL report addresses how local government can benefit from 

increased deployment of DG technologies. The benefits addressed 

within the report include environmental improvement, economic 

development, system reliability, price stability, and disaster relief 

support.

http://www.clean-power.com/

research/distributedgeneration/

DGandLocalGoverments.pdf

Calculating Reliability 

Benefits

This EPA CHP Partnership Web site provides information on how 

to calculate the reliability benefits of installing CHP systems as 

opposed to non-CHP back-up power generators. 

http://www.epa.gov/chp/basic/

benefits.html

California Distributed 

Energy Resources Guide

The CEC has developed an online guide to techno-economic 

characteristics of several clean energy generation technologies. 

http://www.energy.ca.gov/distgen/

equipment/equipment.html

Catalog of CHP 

Technologies

This EPA CHP Partnership manual provides an overview of multiple 

CHP systems. It also provides information on the benefits and costs 

of CHP applications.

http://www.epa.gov/chp/basic/

catalog.html

CHP Calculation 

Methodology for LEEDNC v2.2 EA Credit 1

This document provides guidance on accounting for CHP systems 

when using the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy 

and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system for new construction. 

https://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.

aspx?DocumentID=1354

CHP Emissions 

Calculator

This EPA tool can be used to compare the anticipated CO2, SOx, 

and NOx emissions from a CHP system to the emissions from a 

conventional system. 

http://www.epa.gov/chp/basic/

calculator.html

CHP Guide #1: Q&A on 

Combined Heat and 

Power for Multi-family 

Housing

This Department of Housing and Urban Development guide 

provides information to affordable housing administrators on the 

benefits of CHP systems. 

http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/

library/energy/pdf/chpguide1.pdf

CHP on Campus Online 

Guidebook

The International District Energy Association has developed this 

guidebook to demonstrate the feasibility of siting 

http://www.districtenergy.org/

guidebook/CHP.Webdoc.Homepage.

htm

Combined Heat and 

Power: An Emerging 

Technology

This ENERGY STAR article describes the energy, environmental, and 

economic benefits of using CHP technology. 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c=healthcare.ashe_nov_

dec_2005

Combined Heat and 

Power: Capturing 

Wasted Energy

This ACEEE report provides a basic primer on CHP technology and 

an overview of the benefits of CHP.

http://www.aceee.org/pubs/ie983.

htm

Table B.5 Clean Energy Supply State and Local Examples, Tools, and Resources (cont.)

Appendix B | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 29
State or Title Description URL

Combined Heat and 

Power Resource Guide

This guide was prepared by the Midwest CHP Application Center 

to provide answers to FAQs pertaining to CHP and to provide basic 

‘rules of thumb’ about CHP applications. 

http://www.chpcentermw.org/pdfs/

Resource_Guide_10312005_Final_

Rev5.pdf

Customer-Owned 

Utilities and Distributed 

Energy: Potentials and 

Benefits

This DOE report provides an overview of the potential for distributed 

energy technologies, including CHP for customer-owned utilities, 

including municipally-owned utilities. 

http://www.ornl.gov/~webworks/

cppr/y2007/rpt/124344.pdf

Distributed Energy 

Case Study Database

DOE maintains this database of distributed energy projects, including 

CHP. Users can narrow database searches based on market sector, 

power size range, prime mover, thermal energy use, and fuel type.

http://www.eere.energy.gov/de/

casestudies/

Distributed Energy 

Information Resources

This DOE Distributed Energy Program Web site provides numerous 

resources on distributed generation and CHP applications, 

technologies, and market studies. 

http://www.eere.energy.gov/de/

publications.html

Distributed Generation 

Strategic Plan

This CEC guidance document includes a section on opportunities 

for state agency involvement in promoting DG development. 

http://www.energy.ca.gov/reports/ 

2002-06-12_700-02-002.PDF

EPA Combined Heat 

and Power Partnership

This EPA program works closely with energy users, the CHP 

industry, state and local governments, and other stakeholders to 

support the development and implementation of CHP technology.

http://www.epa.gov/chp

Experiences with 

Combined Heat and 

Power During the 

August 14, 2003 

Northeast Blackout

This Oak Ridge National Laboratory report addresses the reliability 

benefits of CHP systems in light of the 2003 blackout, in which 

many non-CHP back-up generators failed at New York City 

hospitals. 

http://www.ornl.gov/~webworks/

cppr/y2001/pres/121715.pdf

FEMP DG and CHP

Programs

DOE’s FEMP program uses this Web site to provide information on 

DG and CHP technologies to facility managers. The site includes 

substantial information on various applications of these forms of 

clean energy generation.

http://www.ornl.gov/sci/femp/

Funding Database The EPA CHP Partnership maintains a database of funding 

opportunities available for CHP projects. 

http://www.epa.gov/chp/funding/

funding.html

Gas-Fired Distributed 

Energy Resource 

Technology 

Characterizations

This NREL report provides techno-economic characteristics of 

several clean energy generation technologies.

http://www.eea-inc.com/dgchp_

reports/TechCharNREL.pdf

Guidance on CHP 

Systems in LEED Rating 

Systems

This methodology provides information on how the benefits of CHP 

systems can be recognized under the energy requirements of the 

LEED rating system for new construction.

http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.

aspx?DocumentID=1384

High-Density Housing, 

Mega-Developments: An 

Assessment of Arizona 

and Nevada Comparing 

Central Power to a 

Distributed Energy 

Approach

This report assesses the relative contribution potential of distributed 

energy and CHP technologies for reducing energy costs and 

minimizing impacts on the environment resulting from energy 

generation.

http://www.eea-inc.

com/natgas_reports/

FinalMegaDevelopmentReport.pdf

HUD CHP Screening 

Tool

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has created 

this tool to help housing administrators determine the feasibility of 

installing CHP systems at multi-family housing developments. 

http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/

library/energy/software.cfm

Table B.5 Clean Energy Supply State and Local Examples, Tools, and Resources (cont.)

30 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix B
State or Title Description URL

An Integrated 

Assessment of the 

Energy Savings and 

Emissions-Reduction 

Potential of Combined 

Heat and Power

This American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy paper 

provides an overview and a prospectus of U.S. deployment of CHP 

technologies across different sectors, such as buildings and district 

energy services. 

http://www.aceee.org/industry/

Resources/assessment.pdf

International District 

Energy Association

The IDEA Web site provides information on district energy systems, 

which can often be configured to use CHP. IDEA maintains a list of 

CHP-related district energy resources.

http://www.districtenergy.org/

DE_CHPResearch.htm#IEA%20

Report%20Summaries

Monetizing 

Environmental Benefits

This EPA CHP Partnership Web site provides guidelines for 

calculating the monetary value of environmental benefits resulting 

from CHP systems as compared to SHP systems. 

http://www.epa.gov/chp/funding/

monetizing.html

Municipal Wastewater 

Treatment Facilities

This EPA CHP Web site provides information on the compatibility of 

CHP systems with wastewater treatment facilities. 

http://www.epa.gov/CHP/markets/

wastewater.html

Opportunities for 

CHP at Wastewater 

Treatment Facilities

This EPA guide describes the benefits of installing CHP systems at 

wastewater treatment facilities that have anaerobic digesters. It is 

intended primarily for facility operators and CHP project developers. 

http://www.epa.gov/chp/

documents/chp_wwtf_

opportunities.pdf

Procurement Guide: 

CHP Financing

This EPA CHP Partnership guide provides an overview of financing 

strategies for CHP applications. 

http://www.epa.gov/combdhpp/

documents/pguide_financing_

options.pdf

Public Buildings Manual The National Association of State Energy Officials published this 

manual as a guide to state and local governments. The manual 

addresses financing, benchmarking, retro-commissioning, and CHP 

applications.

http://naseo.org/committees/

buildings/documents/NASEO_

Public_Buildings_Manual.pdf

The Role of Distributed 

Generation in Power 

Quality and Reliability

This NYSERDA report assesses the power quality and supply 

reliability benefits of distributed generation technologies, including 

on-site renewable energy generation. 

http://www.eea-inc.com/dgchp_

reports/The_Role_of_DG_in_

Power_Quality_Final_Report_R1.pdf

Screening Sheet for 

CHP Applications

This EPA Web page provides a list of criteria that local governments 

can use to assess the appropriateness of installing CHP systems at 

their facilities. 

http://www.epa.gov/chp/projectdevelopment/qualifier_form.html

State Opportunities for 

Action: Update of States’ 

Combined Heat and 

Power Activities

This ACEEE report provides detailed information on state legislative 

policies toward CHP.

http://www.aceee.org/pubs/

ie032full.pdf

Survey of Emissions 

Models for Distributed 

Combined Heat and 

Power Systems

This ACEEE report surveys different models for quantifying the 

emission-reducing benefits of CHP technologies. The report 

describes how each model operates and handles emissions and 

it also identifies the best qualities of each model so that a more 

efficient, universally useful tool can be designed. 

http://aceee.org/pubs/ie071.htm

United States 

Combined Heat and 

Power Association 

(USCHPA)

The USCHPA provides numerous resources for state and local 

governments, including information for policymakers interested 

in increasing government involvement in CHP-related state and 

regional actions.

http://www.uschpa.org/i4a/pages/

index.cfm?pageid=1

Using Distributed Energy 

Resources

This DOE fact sheet provides an overview of the benefits of using 

distributed energy resources, such as on-site energy generating 

technologies, and describes the process for determining the need 

for distributed energy resources at a facility. 

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/

pdfs/31570.pdf

Table B.5 Clean Energy Supply State and Local Examples, Tools, and Resources (cont.)

Appendix B | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 31
Table B.6 Other Energy Saving Opportunities State and 

Local Examples, Tools, and Resources

State or Title Description URL

Examples of State and Local Programs 

California The Sacramento Municipal Utility District developed a Shade Tree 

Program that has resulted in average energy cooling load savings of 

153 kWh per year. Its Cool Roof Program has resulted in 20% savings 

on cooling loads as well. 

http://www.smud.org/en/news/

Documents/08archive/09_29_08_

tree_benefits_estimator.pdf

Ohio The Ohio EPA Office of Pollution Prevention produced a report on 

State Examples of Pollution Prevention Regulatory Integration.

http://www.epa.state.oh.us/opp/

p2regint/othrstat.pdf

Pennsylvania The Municipal Waste Program regulates the collection, 

transportation, transfer, processing, composting, beneficial use, and 

disposal of municipal waste. Pennsylvania has 49 active landfills and 

five resource recovery (waste-to-energy) facilities that manage over 

20 million tons/year of municipal waste.

http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/

landrecwaste/cwp/view.asp?a = 

1216&q = 462227

Texas The state legislature directed SECO to develop a set of water 

efficiency standards for state agencies. This document describes the 

office’s water efficiency guidelines for state buildings and equipment.

http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/

waterconservation.pdf

Vermont The state Comprehensive Environmental & Resource Management 

Program was developed to identify opportunities for increasing 

environmental sustainability in government operations. 

http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pdf/

CERMP.pdf

Resources on Additional Energy-Saving Opportunities 

FEMP Water Efficiency DOE has produced guidance materials to assist federal agencies in 

complying with federal government water efficiency improvement 

requirements. The material includes water management plan 

guidelines and best management practices.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/

water/

GreenCO GreenCO developed a guideline of best management practices on 

how to reduce water consumption and protect water quality. 

http://www.greenco.org/index.

htm?bmps.htm~contentFrame

Making Business Sense 

of Energy Efficiency and 

Pollution Prevention

This ACEEE report exhibits a number of case studies and provides 

various resources related to pollution prevention.

http://aceee.org/p2/index.htm

Pollution Prevention 

Information 

Clearinghouse

The Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse is an 

EPA information service dedicated to reducing and eliminating 

industrial pollutants through technology transfer, source reduction, 

education, and public awareness.

http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/ppic/

index.htm

Protect and Conserve 

Water

The Whole Building Design Guide Web site contains links to ten 

FEMP best management guides for protecting and conserving water.

http://www.wbdg.org/design/

conserve_water.php

Recycling Measurement EPA developed a voluntary, standard methodology for measuring 

recycling rates. Presently, few state or local governments define 

recycling in the same way, use the same approach for measuring 

recycling rates, or include the same materials in their rates. 

http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/nonhw/recycle/recmeas/

Tree Benefit Estimator The American Public Power Association-designed Tree Benefit 

Estimator presents a Web-based method for estimating the 

amount of energy savings, capacity savings, and carbon and CO2 

sequestration resulting from trees planted individually in urban and 

suburban settings.

http://www.appanet.org/treeben/

calculate.asp

32 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix B
State or Title Description URL

The Urban Heat Island, 

Photochemical Smog, 

and Chicago

This study addresses the heat island effect in the city of Chicago. 

The study considers unique local features of the problem and 

provides recommended solutions. 

http://www.epa.gov/heatisland/

resources/pdf/the_urban_heat_

island.pdf

Water to Air Model The Pacific Institute has created two models—one for agricultural 

districts, the other for urban districts—that quantify the energy and 

air emissions implications of water management decisions.

http://www.pacinst.org/resources/

water_to_air_models/index.htm

Watergy The Alliance to Save Energy’s Watergy program provides 

information on reducing energy use associated with water supply 

and wastewater treatment on both the supply and demand side, and 

provides a range of case studies highlighting such efforts.

http://www.watergy.org/

WaterSense EPA’s WaterSense Web site provides generation information 

on water efficiency opportunities, water-efficient products and 

services, and links to more information. 

http://www.epa.gov/watersense/

Table B.6 Other Energy Saving Opportunities State and Local Examples, Tools, and Resources (cont.)

Appendix B | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 33
34 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix B
Appendix C

Resources for 

Implementing LBE Programs

This appendix provides state examples and resources for implementing LBE programs. More information pertaining to 

implementing LBE programs can be found in Chapter 5, Developing a Comprehensive LBE Program of the LBE Guide.

Table C.1 Resources for Implementing LBE Programs

State or Title Description URL

Examples of State Plans for Implementing LBE Programs 

California Alameda County has developed Implementation Guidelines for 

its model environmental procurement policy. The county’s model 

policy has been adopted by several California local governments.

http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/epp/

LawPolicy/AlaPolImp.doc

Colorado The State of Colorado Greening Government Planning and 

Implementation Guide is designed to help agencies understand the 

environmental impacts of day-to-day actions. It includes goals for 

five program areas, recommended specific actions, and a Greening 

Government Planning Road Map. 

http://www.colorado.gov/

greeninggovernment/guide/Guide.

pdf

Boulder, Colorado has developed a Historic Building Energy 

Efficiency Guide for implementing energy efficiency measures in 

historic government buildings. Energy efficiency measures can 

be implemented without compromising historic authenticity and 

architectural or aesthetic integrity.

http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/

index.php?option=com_content&ta

sk=view&id=8217&Itemid=22

Connecticut The Leading by Example report details steps taken and current 

initiatives by the Connecticut state government to address climate 

change. 

http://ctclimatechange.com/rbf_

rept.html

Massachusetts The Agency Sustainability Planning and Implementation Guide is 

intended to help state agencies understand the environmental 

impacts of their day-to-day operations and implement specific 

actions as part of the broader State Sustainability Program.

http://www.ncprojectgreen.com/

Documents/AgencySusGuide.pdf

Appendix C | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 1
State or Title Description URL

Minnesota The Minnesota Interagency Pollution Prevention Advisory Team 

developed an Implementation Guide that offers direction and 

resources for implementing the requirements of Executive Order 

04-08. 

http://www.moea.state.mn.us/lc/

ippat/0408-Implementationguide.

pdf

The Board of Commissioners in Hennepin County has authorized 

the creation of a Lead by Example Incentive Fund that will award 

a combined $100,000 to county departments that invest in 

environmentally preferable products. The Board has developed a set 

of Lead by Example Initiative Guidelines to assist department staff in 

meeting the program’s requirements.

http://www.co.hennepin.

mn.us/images/HCInternet/

EPandT/Environment/

Green%20Government/

LBE2008guidelinesandinstructions.

pdf

Nevada The Energy Conservation Plan for State Government is intended to 

assist agencies in the development of individual energy conservation 

plans. It provides immediate, short-term, and long-term measures 

that can be incorporated into agency plans.

http://dem.state.nv.us/EnergyPlan/

necp2.pdf

New York NYSERDA has developed “Green and Clean” State Buildings and 

Vehicles Guidelines to aid state agencies in implementing Executive 

Order No. 111. 

http://www.nyserda.org/

programs/State_Government/

exorder111guidelines.pdf

North Carolina The state of North Carolina Sustainability in State Government 

report provides sustainable strategies and case studies for 

state government agencies. Program areas addressed include: 

purchasing, operations, transportation, and manufacturing.

http://www.p2pays.org/

ref%5C01/00770.pdf

Oregon The State of Oregon developed guidance for implementing 

Executive Order 03-03 that provides helpful ideas for developing 

agency initiatives and coordinating with other agencies.

http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/

pdf/ExecutiveOrder03-03.pdf

Pennsylvania The Pennsylvania Department of General Services has produced 

the Facilities Strategic Energy Plan to provide state facilities with 

a framework for setting energy policies, making energy efficiency 

improvements, and encouraging employee participation and 

innovation.

http://www.dgs.state.pa.us/dgs/lib/

dgs/dgs_strategic_energy_plan.pdf

Texas The Texas State Energy Conservation Office has developed this 

guidance to assist state agencies and institutions of higher learning 

in completing energy management plans, in accordance with 

government code Section 447.011.

http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/

zzz_facilities/fac_emp_guide.pdf

San Antonio has developed an Energy Efficiency Plan that outlines 

measures the city plans on implementing to reduce energy 

consumption in local government facilities and operations. 

http://www.sanantonio.gov/swmd/

pdf/Cosa%20Energy%20Plan%20

Rev%2010-03

Utah The Utah Energy Efficiency Strategy recommends 23 potential 

policies, programs, and initiatives for consideration in meeting the 

state clean energy goals goal and include three LBE initiatives. 

http://energy.utah.gov/energy/

utah_energy_efficiency_strategy.

html

Vermont The Vermont State Agency Energy Plan for State Government 

provides state agency personnel with specific strategies and for 

implementing energy consumption-reducing activities in state 

government operations.

http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pdf/

VTStateEnergyPlan.pdf

Table C.1 Resources for Implementing LBE Programs (cont.)

2 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix C
State or Title Description URL

Washington Revised Code of Washington 39.35D calls for major facility 

projects receiving state funding to be LEED Silver certified. The 

Department of Administration was required to develop guidelines 

for implementing the policy for public agencies. In addition to these 

guidelines, the department developed a template to assist designers 

and officials in the planning and construction phases.

Guidelines: http://www.

ga.wa.gov/EAS/green/

LEEDSilverQualityAssurance.doc

Example Submittal Forms: http://

www.ga.wa.gov/EAS/green/

GASubmittalForms.xls

Wisconsin The State of Wisconsin Energy Use Policy provides guidelines for 

state agencies on required measures for improving energy efficiency 

and energy conservation in state facilities.

The state Energy Design Guidelines provide guidance on 

implementing energy efficiency measures in new construction. 

http://www.doa.state.wi.us/

docview.asp?docid=6147&locid=4

(Energy Use Policy)

ftp://doaftp04.doa.state.wi.us/

master_spec/Energy%20Guidelines/

Energy_Design_Guideline.doc

(Energy Design Guidelines)

Resources for Implementing LBE Programs

Arkansas Energy 

Efficiency Docket

This link provides a number of resources, including reports, 

presentations, and meeting minutes that discuss the successes 

of and barriers to implementing various state energy efficiency 

programs.

http://www.raponline.org/Feature.

asp?select=96

California Local Energy 

Efficiency Program 

Local Energy Efficiency 

Program Workbook 

The CALeep Workbook outlines a five-step process for developing 

comprehensive energy efficiency programs in local government. 

The workbook was developed based on information obtained 

through CALeep program workshops with local authorities.

http://www.caleep.com/

docs/workbook/CALeep%20

Workbook%20Final%20050106.pdf

Energy-Aware Planning 

Guide

This guide, developed by the California Energy Commission with the 

assistance of representatives from 49 local governments, identifies 

energy-related planning opportunities in land use, transportation, 

buildings, water use, and waste management.

http://www.energy.ca.gov/energy_

aware_guide/index.html

Energy Efficiency Policy 

Toolkit

This document summarizes clean energy regulatory policies for 

policymakers. It covers four primary subjects: energy efficiency, 

renewable energy, distributed resources, and rate design. 

http://www.arkansas.gov/psc/

EEInfo/EEPToolkit-Pt1.pdf

EPA Clean EnergyEnvironment Guide to 

Action

The EPA Guide to Action provides states with information on 

implementing clean energy policies. Included in this guide is a 

chapter outlining LBE activities and strategies for implementation.

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/

energy-programs/state-and-local/

state-best-practices.html

Guiding Principles for 

Federal Leadership in 

High Performance and 

Sustainable Buildings

These Guiding Principles were established as a collaborative 

effort between multiple federal agencies. This memorandum of 

understanding establishes sustainable standards for integrated 

design, energy performance, water conservation, and indoor 

environmental quality.

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/

business/Guiding_Principles.pdf

Instructions for 

Implementing Executive 

Order 14323

This guidance was developed by the Office of the Federal 

Environmental Executive to assist federal government agencies in 

implementing a number of LBE activities at the federal level. 

http://www.ofee.gov/eo/eo13423_

instructions.pdf

National Governors’ 

Association Securing A 

Clean Energy Future

This NGA initiative serves to provide state governments with 

resources on clean energy opportunities. The Web site provides best 

practices and state initiatives. 

http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/

menuitem.751b186f65e10b568a

278110501010a0/?vgnextoid=

f080dd9ebe318110VgnVCM1000

001a01010aRCRD&vgnextchannel=

92ebc7df618a2010VgnVCM1000

001a01010aRCRD

Table C.1 Resources for Implementing LBE Programs (cont.)

Appendix C | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 3
State or Title Description URL

Rebuild Colorado The Colorado Office of Energy Management and Conservation’s 

Rebuild Colorado initiative provides energy management resources 

and training for facility managers and maintenance staff of state 

agencies and higher education institutions. 

http://www.colorado.gov/

rebuildco/services/energy_

management/state/index.html

Table C.1 Resources for Implementing LBE Programs (cont.)

4 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix C
Appendix D

Resources for 

Funding LBE Programs

This appendix provides state examples and resources to complement information provided in the LBE Guide. 

More information on funding LBE programs can be found in Section 5.2, Finance the LBE Program.

Table D.1 Resources for Funding LBE Programs

State or Title Description URL

State Examples of Funding LBE Programs

Iowa The Iowa Alternate Energy Revolving Loan Program Guidelines 

provide state officials with a map of the technical application 

procedures and loan approval processes involved in the 

procurement of energy efficiency improvement loans. The program 

guidance includes an information sheet about the technical 

application procedure.

http://www.energy.iastate.edu/

AERLP/index.htm

Maryland The State Agency Loan Program was established in 1991 using 

funds from the Energy Overcharge Restitution Fund. State agencies 

pay no interest for the loans. Repayments are made using energy 

cost savings. 

http://www.dsireusa.org/library/

includes/incentivesearch.

cfm?Incentive_Code=MD08F&

Search=Eligible§or=State_

Sector¤tpageid=

2&EE=1&RE=0

Montana The Montana State Buildings Energy Conservation Bond Program 

provides financing for energy efficiency upgrades in state-owned 

buildings. The program uses bond proceeds to fund the projects, 

and uses energy cost savings to repay the bonds. 

http://deq.mt.gov/Energy/buildings/

StateBuildings.asp

North Dakota The North Dakota State Buildings Energy Conservation Program 

provides grants to state agencies for energy efficiency upgrades.

http://www.communityservices.

nd.gov/energy/state-buildingsenergy-conservation-program/

Oregon The Oregon Department of Energy administers a State Energy Loan 

Program (SELP) through which state agencies can obtain lowinterest loans for clean energy activities. 

http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/

LOANS/selphm.shtml

Appendix D | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 1
State or Title Description URL

Texas The Texas SECO developed a guidebook for engineers as they 

complete Energy Assessment Reports as part of the project loan 

application. The LoanSTAR Guidelines document identifies policies 

to be followed in preparing project calculations and outlines the 

format for presenting energy efficiency projects for review. 

http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/

ls_guideline.htm

General Resources for Funding LBE Programs

The Borrower’s Guide 

to Financing Solar 

Energy Systems

This brochure provides an overview of financial assistance 

opportunities offered by the federal government and private lenders 

for the installation of on-site renewable energy systems.

http://www.nrel.gov/docs/

fy99osti/26242.pdf

Choosing the Right 

Financing for Your 

Energy Efficiency and 

Green Projects with 

ENERGY STAR®

This chapter of Energy Project Financing- Resources and Strategies 

for Success (Thumann, A. and E. Woodroof.. Fairmont Press, Atlanta 

June 2008– Chapter 3 - by Zobler, N. and Hatcher, K.) provides a 

brief summary of key accounting principles and describes a variety 

of financing vehicles and funding sources available for financing 

state energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

N.A.

Community Energy 

Financing

The Smart Communities Network provides information about 

financing opportunities, including federal and state resources, as 

well as a collection of relevant literature.

http://www.smartcommunities.ncat.

org/municipal/financing.shtml

Companies Financing 

Solar, Wind, and Other 

Renewable Energy 

Systems

The California Energy Commission has compiled a list of private 

financers for on-site renewable energy generation systems. 

http://www.consumerenergycenter.

org/

Database of State 

Incentives for 

Renewables (DSIRE) 

DSIRE is a DOE-funded comprehensive source of information on 

state, local, utility, and selected federal incentives that promote 

renewable energy and energy efficiency. Information about the 

incentives contained in the DSIRE database is compiled from many 

different sources, including federal entities, contact with state 

energy offices, PUCs, and renewable energy organizations. 

http://www.dsireusa.org/

DOE Financial 

Opportunities for 

States

DOE offers several programs to help state governments and 

organizations finance energy efficiency and renewable energy 

projects.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/

financing/states.html

Easy Access to Energy 

Improvement Funds in 

the Public Sector

This ENERGY STAR publication provides information to assist public 

entities in comparing various energy efficiency improvement 

funding mechanisms.

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/

business/easyaccess.pdf

Energy Tax Incentives The Tax Incentives Assistance Project, a collaborative of non-profit 

organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders, 

provides consumers and businesses with information on incentives 

available through the federal Energy Policy Act of 2005.

http://www.energytaxincentives.

org/

EPA Clean EnergyEnvironment Guide to 

Action

The EPA Clean Energy-Environment Guide to Action provides 

information on a range of funding and incentive strategies for 

developing clean energy policies.

http://www.epa.gov/cleanrgy/

stateandlocal/guidetoaction.htm

Federal Grants The Federal grants.gov program provides information on financial 

incentives available from 26 government agencies for a range of 

investments, including renewable energy generation.

http://www.grants.gov/

Financial Incentives 

Brochure

This brochure provides descriptions of the multiple opportunities for 

financing energy efficiency improvements in public buildings in Iowa.

http://www.energy.iastate.edu/

news/downloads/FinancialIncent.pdf

Table D.1 Resources for Funding LBE Programs (cont.)

2 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix D
State or Title Description URL

Financing Energy 

Efficiency in Buildings

This Guide was developed as part of the DOE Rebuild American 

Guide Series. It provides guidance on selecting financing 

mechanisms for energy efficiency in buildings, and includes 

numerous examples that cite cost savings.

http://eber.ed.ornl.gov/

commercialproducts/finance.pdf

Financing Energy 

Efficiency Projects

This ENERGY STAR article describes how energy cost savings can be 

used to finance energy-efficiency investments.

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/

business/government/Financial_

Energy_Efficiency_Projects.pdf

Funding and Savings 

for Energy Efficiency 

Programs for Program 

Years 2000 Through 

2004

This paper summarizes energy efficiency programs administered by 

California utilities. The purpose of the paper is to highlight recent 

trends regarding energy efficiency funding, savings, and costeffectiveness of these programs. 

http://www.fypower.org/pdf/

CEC%20_Trends2000-04.

pdf#search = %22cost%20new%20

construction%20dollars%20per%20

kwh%22

Funding Opportunities 

for Energy Efficiency, 

Renewable Energy and 

the Environment 

The Center for Economic and Environmental Partnership, Inc. 

(CEEP) compiled a sample list of solicitations currently offered 

by foundations and public agencies to support research and 

implementation of energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable 

development and related environmental activities.

http://www.naseo.org/funding/

November%202006%20CEEP%20

Summary.pdf

Guidelines for CostEffective Energy 

Management 

Improvement Projects

This guidance document was developed by the Iowa Bureau of 

Energy Management to assist agency officials in determining 

whether a proposed energy efficiency project will produce enough 

savings to offset the costs of purchasing and implementing an 

efficiency improvement.

http://www.iowadnr.com/energy/

ebank/files/costeffect2002.pdf

Handbook on 

Renewable Energy 

Financing for Rural 

Colorado

This handbook provides information on state and federal resources 

for financing renewable energy projects in Colorado. Many of the 

resources identified may be relevant to local governments outside 

Colorado.

http://www.colorado.gov/oemc/

publications/handbook_rural_co.pdf

How to Finance Public 

Sector Energy Efficiency 

Projects

This guide addresses the special needs of public sector agencies 

such as city and county governments, public school districts, 

hospitals, and special districts, such as water and wastewater 

treatment districts. It discusses the criteria for evaluating the costeffectiveness of energy efficiency projects, various funding options, 

and financing programs specific to public sector agencies.

http://www.energy.ca.gov/reports/

efficiency_handbooks/index.html

Incentives for GeoExchange SystemsThis Web site provides information on various federal and state 

incentives for geothermal energy systems available to local 

governments. 

http://www.geoexchange.org/

Innovations in 

Renewable Energy 

Financing

This National Renewable Energy Laboratory paper provides 

information on new strategies for financing renewable energy 

projects, including REC sales. 

http://www.usaee.org/usaee2007/

submissions/OnlineProceedings/

Innovations%20in%20Renewable%20

Energy%20Financing%20_Cory_%20

-%20FINAL.pdf

Iowa Technical Energy 

Analysis Guidelines 

The Iowa Energy Bank provides technical and financial assistance 

for energy conservation improvements in public buildings. As part 

of the loan application process, a technical energy analysis must be 

performed on a building. Technical Energy Analysis Guidelines for 

this analysis provide a detailed description of the online submission 

procedure.

http://www.iowadnr.com/energy/

ebank/files/guide2005.pdf

Table D.1 Resources for Funding LBE Programs (cont.)

Appendix D | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 3
State or Title Description URL

Life-Cycle Cost 

Guidelines

This publication by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is 

intended to assist engineers and energy managers in using life-cycle 

costing to conduct technical energy analyses in public facilities. 

http://www.iowadnr.com/energy/

ebank/files/lifecycle2002.pdf

LoanSTAR QuickCalcs 

Spreadsheets

Using the look-up data tables from the LoanSTAR Guidelines, these 

simple fill-in-the-blank spreadsheets can be used to determine and 

analyze projected energy consumption savings based on site- and 

measure-specific information provided by the user. 

http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/

ls_guide_spreads.htm

Massachusetts 

Grants and Funding 

Opportunities

The Massachusetts State Sustainability Program provides a list 

of various funding opportunities. Included are federal, state, and 

private financing vehicles.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eoe

eatopic&L=2&L0=Home&L1=Energy

%2c+Utilities+%26+Clean+Technolo

gies&sid=Eoeea

National Association of 

State Energy Officials 

(NASEO) Funding 

Opportunities and 

Resources

NASEO provides information about federal funding opportunities 

and other financial resources.

http://www.naseo.org/resources/

funding/default.aspx

Resource Guide to 

Building Energy 

Management

This resource guide provides descriptions of the programs through 

which Iowa public agencies obtain technical and financial assistance 

in performing energy efficiency upgrades. 

http://www.iowadnr.com/energy/

ebank/files/greenbook.pdf

Technical Issues 

Concerning Third 

Party Financing for 

Renewable Energy

This Web site was developed by the Sandia National Laboratories 

to provide information on the relative benefits of different thirdparty financing models for purchasing renewable energy generation 

systems. 

http://energy.sandia.gov/

technicallissues.htm

Capital Budgets and Procurement Budgets

Vermont Vermont legislation requires the use of life-cycle costing for new 

construction and major renovations receiving state funding.

http://www.leg.state.vt.us/statutes/

fullsection.cfm?Title = 03&Chapter 

= 045&Section = 02291) 

Energy Performance Contracts and Lease-Purchase Agreements

California The CEC has compiled and regularly updates a directory of ESCOs. 

Though it is focused on ESCOs doing business in California, many 

are active in many parts of the country.

http://energy.

ca.gov/2005publications/

CEC-400-2005-001/

CEC-400-2005-001.PDF

Colorado The Rebuild Colorado Web site provides information on energy 

performance contracting, including sample documents and 

guidelines, and links to resources.

http://www.state.co.us/oemc/

rebuildco/epc.htm

Iowa The Iowa Energy Bank, an energy management program using 

energy cost savings to repay financing for energy management 

improvements, serves public and nonprofit Iowa facilities (public 

schools, hospitals, private colleges, private schools, and local 

governments).

http://www.iowadnr.com/energy/

ebank/index.html

New Hampshire The BECI program analyzes state buildings for energy and resource 

conservation opportunities to be funded with performance 

contracting. 

http://nh.gov/oep/programs/

energy/beci.htm

Virginia This Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy Web 

site provides information to state agencies on how to use energy 

performance contracts to finance energy-efficiency improvements. 

http://www.dmme.virginia.

gov/DE/StateAgencyProgs/

performancecontracting.shtml

Table D.1 Resources for Funding LBE Programs (cont.)

4 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix D
State or Title Description URL

ENERGY STAR Financing 

Energy Efficiency 

Projects

This article explains how the cost savings resulting from increased 

energy efficiency can be used to finance the equipment needed for 

improvements. 

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/

business/government/Financial_

Energy_Efficiency_Projects.pdf

ENERGY STAR 

Innovative Financing 

Solutions

This EPA ENERGY STAR document provides guidance on financing 

for clean energy efficiency improvement projects.

http://energystar.gov/ia/business/

government/FINAL_Paper.pdf

ENERGY STAR Manage 

Energy Uncertainty

This article describes how to obtain quick financing for energy 

efficiency projects.

http://ww.energystar.gov/ia/business/

government/Hatcherarticle.pdf

ENERGY STAR Money 

for Your Energy 

Upgrades 

This ENERGY STAR presentation provides an introduction to 

financing energy efficiency upgrades in the public sector.

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/

business/Self_Guide_ES_Finance.pdf

Public Benefits Funds and Systems Benefits Changes

Oregon The State of Oregon offers Business Energy Tax Credits to the 

public sector and nonprofits via a “pass through” provision. 

http://egov.oregon.gov/ENERGY/

CONS/BUS/BETC.shtml

EPA Clean EnergyEnvironment Guide to 

Action

The EPA Clean Energy-Environment Guide to Action provides 

sections on using PBFs to fund energy efficiency and clean energy 

supply programs. 

http://www.epa.gov/cleanrgy/

stateandlocal/guidetoaction.htm

Revolving Loan Funds

Iowa The Iowa Alternate Energy Revolving Loan Program provides low 

interest loans to individuals and organizations that want to build 

alternate energy production facilities in Iowa. 

http://www.energy.iastate.edu/

funding/aerlp-index.html

New York The New York Energy $martSM Loan Fund program provides an 

interest rate reduction off a participating lender’s normal loan 

interest rate for a term up to 10 years on loans for certain energy 

efficiency improvements and/or renewable technologies.

http://www.nyserda.org/loanfund/

default.asp

Texas The Texas LoanSTAR Program is a revolving loan mechanism for 

energy efficiency targeted for public buildings, including state 

agencies, school districts, and local governments. 

Program Site: http://www.seco.cpa.

state.tx.us/ls.htm

Direct Loans

Vermont The Vermont Economic Development Authority Direct Loan 

Program assists borrowers in financing fixed assets. Public and 

private entities can use these loans to pay for energy efficiency 

improvements. Borrowing caps are set at 40% of the total project 

cost, with a maximum loan of $1.3 million.

http://www.veda.org/interior.php/

pid/1/sid/1

Pension Funds

Apollo Washington 

“Policy Menu” Shoots 

for the Stars

Washington’s Union Square draws on state pension funds for 

financing energy efficiency retrofits.

http://www.sijournal.com/

commentary/1512972.html

Table D.1 Resources for Funding LBE Programs (cont.)

Appendix D | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 5
6 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix D
Appendix E

Resources for Conducting 

Communications and 

Outreach for LBE Programs

This appendix provides state examples and resources to complement information provided in the LBE Guide. 

More information pertaining to conducting communications and outreach for LBE programs can be found in 

Section 5.3, Conduct Communications and Outreach: Build and Maintain Support for an LBE Program.

Table E.1 Resources for Conducting Communications and Outreach for LBE Programs

State or Title Description URL

Examples of State Vehicles for Conducting Communications and Outreach for LBE Programs

California The California Green Action Team (the entity entrusted with 

implementing Executive Order S-20-04) maintains an online media 

center for the public that includes links to photos and videos 

highlighting the team’s accomplishments.

http://www.green.ca.gov/

NewsandEvents/MediaCenter.htm

The Green Action Team also produces the Green California News 

newsletter. This newsletter enables the Department of General 

Services to disseminate information on how the state is working to 

achieve its energy efficiency and resource conservation goals. 

http://www.green.ca.gov/

Newsletter/default.htm

Colorado The Colorado Greening Government Planning and Implementation 

Guide includes statewide strategies for each of its LBE program 

areas. These strategies include suggestions on how to disseminate 

information resources to state agencies and employees.

http://www.colorado.gov/

greeninggovernment/guide/Guide.

pdf

In May 2006, Colorado held a Greening of State Government 

Conference to inform state employees of the opportunities and 

benefits of adopting green practices in state government. The twoday conference included a general session and a technical session. 

http://www.colorado.gov/

greeninggovernment/events/

conference/2006/index.html

Maine Maine has developed a Web site for communicating the benefits of 

clean energy to the public. The Web site includes an outline of past 

and present LBE activities undertaken by the state under its Clean 

Government Initiative. 

http://www.maine.gov/oeis/

Appendix E | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 1
State or Title Description URL

Massachusetts The Massachusetts State Sustainability Program produces 

newsletters as part of its LBE education and outreach initiative. Each 

issue focuses on a different topic. Past topics have included energy 

efficiency, environmentally preferable purchasing, waste reduction 

and recycling, and renewable energy.

http://www.mass.gov/envir/

Sustainable/newsletters.htm

Minnesota The Minnesota Departments of Administration and Commerce have 

produced a Web site for state employees to learn about energy 

saving opportunities. The site includes goal lists, fact sheets, and 

newsletters. 

http://www.savingenergy.state.

mn.us/index.htm

Minnesota Executive Order 04-08 requires state departments to 

biannually provide state employees with a fact sheet about practices 

they can adopt at work and at home to reduce air pollution. These 

fact sheets are disseminated via email.

http://www.leg.mn/archive/

execorders/04-08.pdf

Vermont The State Agency Energy Plan for State Government provides state 

agency personnel with specific strategies and for reducing energy 

consumption in state government operations. 

http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pdf/

VTStateEnergyPlan.pdf

Resources for Conducting Communications and Outreach for LBE Programs

CALeep CALeep was established to help California local governments design 

and implement energy efficiency strategies for their communities. 

The CALeep Web site and associated Local Energy Efficiency 

Program Workbook provide a set of resources to help local 

governments implement energy efficiency programs, including ideas 

for conducting communication and outreach activities. 

http://www.caleep.com

http://www.caleep.com/

docs/workbook/CALeep%20

Workbook%20Exec%20Sum%20

Final%20050106.pdf

Communicating 

the Benefits of Your 

Actions

This Web site presents EPA guidance on communications activities 

related to the Green Power Partnership. EPA has also developed a 

Communications Guide for Green Power Partners, which provides 

resources to assist partners in promoting the benefits of their green 

power purchases and involvement in the Green Power Partnership. 

http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/

pubs/comm.htm

Comparative 

Assessment of 

Consumer Awareness 

for Clean Energy in 

Connecticut and the 

United States

This comprehensive study uses two surveys to explore public 

attitudes and communications challenges regarding awareness of 

clean energy, knowledge about clean energy, importance of various 

reasons for choosing clean energy, and demographics. 

http://www.ctcleanenergy.com/

communities/files/CCEF_survey_

report_May_18_2005_Final.pdf

http://www.ctcleanenergy.

com/communities/files/

CCEF_Program%20Goal%203_

Objective%20P3B_July%202006.

pdf

Designing and 

Implementing Marketing 

and Communications 

Campaigns for Labeling 

and Standards Setting 

Programs

This paper contains step-by-step guidelines for designing successful 

communications campaigns for energy efficiency programs, as well 

as case studies from around the world. 

http://mail.mtprog.com/CD_

Layout/Day_3_23.06.06/1115-1300/

ID185_Egan1_final.pdf

ENERGY STAR 

Guidance – Draft a 

Communications Plan

ENERGY STAR provides guidance for drafting communications 

plans relevant for LBE activities. This Web site includes guidance 

for communicating with multiple audiences, including employees, 

stakeholders, and the public.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c = drafting_plan.ck_drafting_

plan

Table E.1 Resources for Conducting Communications and Outreach for LBE Programs (cont.)

2 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix E
State or Title Description URL

Ideas for 

Communicating to 

Employees and SeniorLevel Managers

ENERGY STAR has compiled lists of strategies for increasing 

employee and senior-level manager awareness of energy efficiency 

opportunities and initiatives. These lists are accompanied by 

examples of implemented strategies.

Communicating to Employees: 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c = employees.ck_employees_

ideas

Communicating to Senior-Level 

Managers: http://www.energystar.

gov/index.cfm?c = employees.ck_

employees_senior_communicate

Program Analysis 

and Monitoring and 

Evaluation Plan for the 

Connecticut Clean 

Energy Fund’s Public 

Awareness, Education, 

and Voluntary Market 

Demand Initiatives

This Final Evaluation Report is an assessment of the Connecticut 

Clean Energy Fund. It outlines goals for increasing public knowledge 

and awareness of the benefits and availability of clean energy. The 

report provides a helpful resource for gauging the effectiveness of a 

public communications initiative. 

http://www.ctcleanenergy.

com/communities/files/CCEF_

Program%20Goal%203_ME%20

Plan_2005%20Evaluation_April%20

2006.pdf

The Resource 

Conservation 

Management 

Guidebook

This Guidebook was prepared by the Washington State Department 

of General Administration and the Oregon Office of Energy to 

provide agencies with communications strategies and information 

on justifying, developing, and maintaining a Resource Conservation 

Management Program. 

http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/

CONS/RCM/rcmGuide.shtml

Table E.1 Resources for Conducting Communications and Outreach for LBE Programs (cont.)

Appendix E | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 3
4 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix E
Appendix F

Resources on Technical 

and Financial Assistance 

to Local Governments

This appendix provides state examples and resources to complement information provided in the LBE Guide. 

More information pertaining to technical and financial assistance to local governments can be found in Section 5.4, 

Provide Technical and Financial Assistance to Local Governments.

Table F.1 Technical and Financial Assistance to Local Governments

State or Title Description URL

State Examples of Providing Technical Assistance to Local Governments

California The CEC’s Energy Partnership Program offers technical assistance 

to cities, counties, hospitals, and colleges and universities. The 

program helps these local groups identify energy efficiency 

improvements in existing buildings and energy-efficient options in 

new construction. The CEC also helps these groups identify state 

loans and other financing sources for project installation.

http://www.energy.ca.gov/

efficiency/partnership/index.html

Missouri Through its Energy Revolving Fund, the Missouri Energy Center 

offers low-interest loans for energy efficiency improvements in 

public schools, local government, public hospitals, and public water 

treatment facilities. The loans are paid back using the energy savings 

generated from the project. 

http://www.dnr.mo.gov/energy/

financial/loan.htm

New York NYSERDA’s Local Government Energy-Efficient Product 

Procurement Program serves as a state government vehicle for 

providing technical assistance and resources to local governments.

http://yosemite.epa.gov/gw/State 

PolicyActions.nsf/de6a5ff94d325ab38

52570670051143f/68c82ea208bd94f

a8525720b0068691c!OpenDocument

North Carolina The North Carolina Division of Pollution Prevention and 

Environmental Assistance administers Local Government Assistance, 

providing technical and financial assistance to local governments.

http://www.p2pays.org/localgov/

Oregon DOE provides assistance to public entities through multiple programs, 

including the Building Commissioning Program, which helps building 

managers perform evaluations and implement cost-saving strategies.

http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/

CONS/GOV/govhme.shtml

Appendix F | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 1
State or Title Description URL

Pennsylvania The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection 

maintains a Web site, Energy Conservation Help for Local 

Governments, designed to assist local governments in improving 

energy efficiency through developing energy management plans.

http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/

energy/cwp/view.asp?a = 1379&q = 

485061

Texas The Schools/Local Government Energy Program provides a 

number of integrated services to assist in setting up and maintaining 

effective energy efficiency programs.

http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/

sch-gov.htm

West Virginia The Building Professionals Energy Training Program provides 

building code seminars to educate local government officials about 

the latest codes and building technologies.

http://www.energywv.org/

community/code.html

State Examples of Providing Financial Assistance to Local Governments 

California The CEC’s Energy Efficiency Financing Program provides low-interest 

loans for public schools, public hospitals, and local governments to 

fund energy audits and install energy efficiency measures.

http://www.energy.ca.gov/

efficiency/financing/index.html

Iowa The Iowa Energy Bank is an energy management program for 

public and nonprofit entities that provides technical and financial 

assistance for building energy efficiency upgrades.

http://www.iowadnr.com/energy/

ebank/index.html

Kansas The Kansas Facility Conservation Improvement Program provides 

low-interest, tax-exempt energy performance contracting 

agreements to state and local public agencies. 

http://www.kcc.state.ks.us/energy/

fcip/financing.htm

Maryland The Community Energy Loan Program provides Maryland local 

governments with financial assistance to reduce operating costs. 

The program allows energy savings generated by efficiency 

upgrades to be the major source of loan repayment.

http://www.energy.state.

md.us/incentives/schools/

communityenergyloan.asp

New Jersey The New Jersey Clean Energy Program offers financial incentives 

and low-interest financing to schools and local governments. The 

program combines the traditional rebate program with incentives 

and financing, giving schools and local governments the flexibility to 

implement cost-effective projects immediately. 

http://www.njcleanenergy.com/

Tennessee Through its Local Government Energy Loan Program, the 

Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development 

provides low interest loans to municipal and county governments 

for energy efficiency improvements.

http://www.state.tn.us/ecd/energy_

lgelp.htm

Resources for Providing Assistance to Local Governments

Guide to Greening 

Government Through 

Powerful Purchasing 

Decisions

The National Association of Counties has developed an 

Environmental Purchasing Starter Kit to assist local governments. 

The kit was produced with the assistance of EPA.

http://www.naco.org/Content/

ContentGroups/Programs_and_

Projects/Environmental1/Energy/

Introduction.pdf

Pennsylvania 

Department of 

Environmental 

Protection Local 

Government Handbook

This handbook provides a guide to state opportunities for technical 

and financial assistance across a variety of topics, including clean 

energy technologies, to local governments in Pennsylvania. 

http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/

energy/cwp/view.asp?a = 1379&q = 

485677

Rebuild America 

Technical Assistance 

Services

Rebuild America Technical Assistance Services provides targeted tools 

and analysis that can facilitate major energy efficiency or renewable 

energy improvements in public local and state governments.

http://www.osti.gov/bridge/

servlets/purl/821287-pxvXpf/

native/821287.pdf

Table F.1 Technical and Financial Assistance to Local Governments (cont.)

2 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix F
Appendix G

State LBE Programs 

and Contacts

This appendix provides state program names and contacts to complement information provided in the LBE Guide. 

More information can be found in Section 5.5, Information Sharing: Federal, State, and Local LBE Resources.

Table G.1 State LBE Programs and Contacts State

Agency LBE Program/Initiative

State Contact

Name E-mail Web Site

AL Department of 

Economic and 

Community Affairs

State Building Energy 

Efficiency Program

Larry Knox Larry.knox@adeca.

alabama.gov

http://www.adeca.alabama.

gov/C4/State%20Buildings%20

Energy%20Efficie/default.aspx

AZ Department of 

Commerce

Renewable Energy 

and Green Building 

Standards in New State 

Buildings

Jim Arwood jima@azcommerce.

com

http://www.commerce.state.az.us/

Energy/Efficiency/

CA CEC Green Buildings 

Initiative

Elaine Hebert ehebert@energy.

state.ca.us

http://www.energy.ca.gov/

greenbuilding/index.html

CA CEC Green California Energy 

Efficiency Projects at 

State Facilities 

John Sugar JSugar@energy.

state.ca.us

http://www.green.ca.gov/

energyeffproj/default.htm

CA Interagency Team 

chaired by the 

Secretary of the 

State and Consumer 

Services Agency

Green Action Team Al Garcia agarcia@energy.

state.ca.us

http://www.green.ca.gov/default.

htm

CO Office of Energy 

Management and 

Conservation

Colorado Greening 

Government Program 

Manager 

 Angie Fyfe Angie.Fyfe@state.

co.us 

http://www.colorado.gov/

greeninggovernment/index.html

Appendix G | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 1
State

Agency LBE Program/Initiative

State Contact

Name E-mail Web Site

CT Governor’s Office The Governor's Steering 

Committee on Climate 

Change

http://ctclimatechange.com/GSC.

html

CT Connecticut Clean 

Energy Fund

Connecticut Clean 

Energy Fund

Bob Wall bob.wall@

ctcleanenergy.com

http://ctclimatechange.com/

StateGovernmentRevision.html

CT Department of 

Environmental 

Protection

Connecticut Climate 

Change: State 

Government

Don Cassella Donald.Cassella@

ct.gov

http://ctclimatechange.com/

StateGovernmentRevision.html

CT Office of Policy 

Management

Connecticut Climate 

Change: State 

Government

John Ruckes John.Ruckes@ct.gov http://ctclimatechange.com/

StateGovernmentRevision.html

FL Department of 

Environmental 

Protection

Greening Florida 

Government

Shannan 

Reynolds

Shannan.Reynolds@

dep.state.fl.us

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/

categories/recycling/greengov/

GreenGovMain.htm

GA Georgia 

Environmental 

Facilities Authority, 

Division of Energy 

Resources

GEFA/Division of Energy 

Resources

David 

Godfrey

dgodfrey@gefa.

ga.gov

http://www.gefa.org/index.

aspx?page=32

HI Department of 

Business, Economic 

Development, and 

Tourism

Solar Water Heating 

Systems for State 

Facilities

Carilyn Shon cshon@dbebt.

hawaii.gov

http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/

info/energy/efficiency/state/

HI Department of 

Business, Economic 

Development, and 

Tourism

Hawaii LBE Initiative Elizabeth 

Raman

eraman@dbedt.

hawaii.gov

http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/

info/energy/efficiency/state/

http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/

IA Department of Natural 

Resources

Iowa Energy Bank Lee Vannoy Lee.vannoy@dnr.

state.ia.us

http://www.iowadnr.com/energy/

ebank/index.html

IA State of Iowa Facilities 

Improvement 

Corporation

State Facilities Program Dan Lane Dan.Lane@dnr.state.

ia.us

http://www.iowadnr.com/energy/

ebank/sfp.html

IL Green Government 

Coordinating Council

Illinois Green 

Government 

Coordinating Council

GreenCouncil.

ltgov@illinois.gov

http://www.standingupforillinois.

org/pdf/GGCC_2005.pdf

IN Department of 

Administration

Greening the 

Government Program

Phil Giddens pgiddens@idoa.

in.gov

http://www.in.gov/idoa/services/

greening/

KY Office of 

Environmental 

Protection

Renewable Energy and 

Energy Efficiency: State 

and Local Government

Alan Shikoh Alan.Shikoh@ky.gov http://www.energy.ky.gov/dre3/

efficiency/government.htm

KY Division of Renewable 

Energy & Energy 

Efficiency

State Buildings John Davies john.davies@ky.gov http://www.energy.ky.gov/dre3/

ME Department of 

Environmental 

Protection

Clean Government 

Initiative 

Peter Cooke Peter.Cooke@maine.

gov

http://www.maine.gov/cleangovt/

index.htm

Table G.1 State LBE Programs and Contacts (cont.)

2 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix G
State

Agency LBE Program/Initiative

State Contact

Name E-mail Web Site

ME Public Utilities 

Commission

State Buildings Program Denis 

Bergeron

Denis.bergeron@

maine.gov

http://www.efficiencymaine.com/

other_programs_sbp.htm

MD Department of 

General Services, 

Office of Facilities 

Planning, Design, and 

Construction

Green Power Purchases Lionel Hill Lionel.Hill@dgs.

state.md.us

http://www.dgs.maryland.gov/

overview/const2.htm

MA Executive Office 

of Environmental 

Affairs (EOEA), State 

Sustainability Program

EOEA State 

Sustainability Program

Eric Friedman Eric.friedman@state.

ma.us

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eo

eeahomepage&L=1&sid=Eoeea&L

0=Home

MI Department of Labor 

and Economic Growth

State Facility Energy 

Program

Thomas 

Krupiarz

takrupi@michigan.

gov

http://www.michigan.

gov/cis/0,1607,7-154-

25676_25689_33337---,00.html

MI Department of 

Management and 

Budget

State Facilities Keith Paasch Paaschk@mi.gov http://www.michigan.gov/

dmb/0,1607,7-150-9152---,00.

html

MN Department of 

Administration

SmartFleet Committee Tim Morse, 

Director, 

Travel 

Management 

Division

Tim.morse@state.

mn.us

http://www.state.mn.us/

portal/mn/jsp/content.

do?programid = 536902294&id 

= -536885290&agency = 

Travelmgmt

MN Pollution Control 

Agency

Sustainable Buildings Bill Sierks bill.sierks@pca.state.

mn.us 

http://www.pca.state.mn.us/

MN Pollution Control 

Agency

Green Buildings 

Program

Erin BarnesDriscollErin.Driscoll@pca.

state.mn.us

http://www.moea.state.mn.us/

greenbuilding/

MT Department of 

Environmental Quality

Energy Efficiency in 

Your Government: 

Public Buildings and 

Renewable Energy

Todd 

Teegarden

tteegarden@mt.gov http://www.deq.state.mt.us/

Energy/EEGovt/index.asp

NC State Energy Office Utility Savings Initiative Len Hoey Leonard.hoey@

ncmail.net

http://www.energync.net/

programs/usi.html

ND Department of 

Commerce

State Buildings Energy 

Conservation Program

Bill Huether bhuether@state.

nd.us

http://www.communityservices.

nd.gov/energy/state-buildingsenergy-conservation-program/

NH Office of Energy and 

Planning

Building Energy 

Conservation Initiative 

James Taylor James.Taylor@

nh.gov

http://nh.gov/oep/programs/

energy/beci.htm

NJ New Jersey Board of 

Public Utilities

New Jersey’s Clean 

Energy Program

http://www.njcleanenergy.com/

NJ Smart Buildings 

Initiative

Commercial and 

Industrial Program

http://www.njcleanenergy.com/

commercial-industrial/programs/

nj-smartstart-buildings/njsmartstart-buildings

NM Environment 

Department

Environment and 

Energy Coordinator

Sandra Ely sandra.ely@state.

nm.us

http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/

aqb/index.html

Table G.1 State LBE Programs and Contacts (cont.)

Appendix G | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 3
State

Agency LBE Program/Initiative

State Contact

Name E-mail Web Site

NM General Services 

Department

LBE Coordinator Erik Aaboe erik.aaboe@state.

nm.us

http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/

ECMD/index.htm

NY NYSERDA Green and Clean State 

Buildings and Vehicles

Matt Brown bcb@nyserda.org http://www.nyserda.org/

programs/state.asp

OH Ohio Department of 

Development

Energy Savings in 

Government Buildings

Greg Payne gpayne@odod.state.

oh.us

http://development.ohio.gov/cdd/

oee/

OH Ohio Department of 

Development

Energy Savings in 

Government Buildings

Christina 

Panoska

christina.panoska@

development.ohio.

gov

http://development.ohio.gov/cdd/

oee/

OR Department of Energy State Energy Efficient 

Design

Ann 

Hushagen

Ann.hushagen@

state.or.us

http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/

CONS/SEED/SEEDhome.shtml

OR Sustainable Oregon Government and 

Sustainability

David Van’t 

Hof

vanthof@state.or.us http://www.oregonsolutions.net

PA Department of 

General Services

Energy Savings in 

Government Buildings

Bruce Stultz bstultz@state.pa.us http://www.dgs.state.pa.us/

dgs/lib/dgs/green_bldg/

greenbuildingbook.pdf

PA Departments of 

Environmental 

Protection and 

General Services

Governor’s Green 

Government Council

Paul Zeigler pazeigler@state.

pa.us

http://www.gggc.state.pa.us/gggc/

site/default.asp

RI Rhode Island State 

Energy Office

Revolving Loan Fund 

for State Agency Energy 

Conservation Measures

Tim Howe TimH@gw.doa.state.

ri.us

http://www.energy.ri.gov/

programs/efficiency.php

TX State Energy 

Conservation Office

Schools and Local 

Government Program, 

Schools

Glenda 

Baldwin

Glenda.Baldwin@

cpa.state.tx.us

http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/

sch-gov_ed.htm

TX State Energy 

Conservation Office

Schools and Local 

Government Program, 

Local Government

Theresa 

Sifuentes

Theresa.sifuentes@

cpa.state.tx.us

http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/

sch-gov.htm

TX State Energy 

Conservation Office

State Agencies 

Program, State Agency 

Energy Advisory Group

Eddy Trevino Eddy.Trevino@cpa.

state.tx.us

http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/

sa_saeag.htm

TX State Energy 

Conservation Office

State Agencies 

Program, Building 

Codes and Standards 

Felix Lopez Felix.lopez@cpa.

state.tx.us

http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/

sa_codes.html

TX State Energy 

Conservation Office

Energy Director Dub Taylor Dub.taylor@cpa.

state.tx.us

UT Department of 

Facilities and 

Construction

State Building Energy 

Efficiency Program

Curtis Clark curtisclark@utah.gov http://dfcm.utah.gov/const_

energy.php

UT Governor’s Office Energy Advisor Dianne 

Nielsen

dnielson@utah.gov

UT Department of Natural 

Resources

Energy Program 

Coordinator

Glade 

Sowards

gladesowards@utah.

gov

http://naturalresources.utah.gov/

divisions/geological-survey.html

Table G.1 State LBE Programs and Contacts (cont.)

4 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix G
State

Agency LBE Program/Initiative

State Contact

Name E-mail Web Site

UT Department of Natural 

Resources

Energy Coordinator Mary Ann 

Wright

maryannwright@

utah.gov

http://naturalresources.utah.gov/

divisions/geological-survey.html

VA Office of the Governor Energy Savings in 

Government Buildings

Steve Walz Stephen.Walz@

governor.virginia.gov

http://www.dmme.virginia.gov/

vaenergyplan.shtml

WA Department of 

Administration

State Sustainable 

Design Program

Stuart 

Simpson

ssimpso@ga.wa.gov http://www.ga.wa.gov/EAS/green/

index.html

WI Department of 

Administration

Alternative Fuels 

Program

Maria 

Redmond

Maria.Redmond@

wisconsin.gov

http://www.doa.state.wi.us/

section_detail.asp?linkcatid = 419

WI Department of 

Administration

Division of Energy Jim Mapp jim.mapp@

wisconsin.gov

http://www.doa.state.wi.us/

energy/index.asp

WI Department of 

Administration

Division of State 

Facilities

Rob Cramer Robert.cramer@

wisconsin.gov

http://www.doa.state.wi.us/dsf/

index.asp

WI Department of 

Administration

Focus on Energy, 

Government Buildings 

Program

1-800-

762-7077 

(general 

inquiries)

Govinfo@

focusonenergy.com

http://energytaskforce.wi.gov/

docview.asp?docid=31

WI Department of 

Administration

Focus on Energy, 

Schools Program

1-800-

762-7077 

(general 

inquiries)

Edinfo@

focusonenergy.com

http://energytaskforce.wi.gov/

docview.asp?docid=31

WI Office of Energy 

Independence

Biofuels and State Fleets Brian Driscoll brian.driscoll@

wisconsin.gov

http://power.wisconsin.gov/

Table G.1 State LBE Programs and Contacts (cont.)

Appendix G | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 5
6 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix G
Appendix H

State LBE Tracking Tools 

and Resources

States are tracking the effectiveness of their LBE 

policies and programs, especially in terms of reduced 

energy consumption and the environmental and 

economic benefits associated with these reductions. 

This appendix provides information to help states 

identify and effectively use a variety of tracking tools. 

Additional information on tracking LBE projects and 

programs is provided in Chapter 6, Track, Evaluate, 

and Report on Progress.

Appendix H Contents

■ Tools for Assessing Building Performance

■ Emission Inventory Tools 

■ Energy Savings Tools 

■ Financial and Economic Analysis Tools 

■ Measurement and Verification Protocols

■ Weather Normalization Information

■ Additional Information Resources

■ Additional Tools

Table H.1 Summary of LBE Tracking Tools

Tool Sector

Level of 

Analysis Method Description Availability

Section 

No.

Tools for Assessing Building Performance H.1

Portfolio Manager Buildings Buildings Uses building 

characteristics and 

monthly energy use 

history.

Measures and tracks 

energy use and 

performance of buildings.

Free H.1.1

Delta Score 

Estimator

Buildings Buildings Spreadsheet tool. Estimates the percent 

energy reduction needed 

to improve an energy 

rating to the target rating.

Free H.1.2

Target Finder Buildings Buildings Uses new building 

characteristics and 

intended energy use 

during the design 

phase. 

Sets aggressive energy 

performance targets for 

new buildings.

Free H.1.3

Appendix H | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 1
Tool Sector

Level of 

Analysis Method Description Availability

Section 

No.

Service and Product 

Providers (SPPs)

Negotiable Negotiable SPPs manage billing 

information and 

provide energy tracking 

services.

Analyses of energy 

consumption.

User fee H.1.4

METRIX Building Project Management of billing 

information.

Tracks energy 

consumption and 

potential savings.

User fee H.1.5

Small Business 

Calculator

Buildings Project Uses building 

characteristics and 

energy use history.

Estimates a facility’s 

energy intensity and 

potential energy and 

cost savings from energy 

efficiency upgrades.

Free H.1.6

ENERGY-10TM Buildings Wholebuilding 

design

Simulates energy 

consumption. 

Assesses energy 

consumption and 

potential savings.

User fee H.1.7

Utility ManagerTM Buildings Project Manages billing 

information.

Tracks energy 

consumption.

User fee H.1.8

Building Life 

Cycle Cost (BLCC) 

Program

Buildings Buildings Performs an economic 

analysis of provided 

costs of alternative 

building designs

Uses life-cycle costing 

to assess the relative 

cost-effectiveness of 

alternative building 

designs

Free H.1.9

Building Energy 

Consumption 

Simulation Models

Buildings Buildings and 

Projects

Simulates energy 

consumption. 

Assesses energy 

consumption and 

potential savings.

Free H.1.10

Emission Inventory Tools H.2

CACP All Facilities Emissions factors. Develops emission 

inventories and analyzes 

emission reduction 

measures.

Free H.2.1

GHG Protocol 

Initiative

All All GHG protocol. Spreadsheet and 

guidelines to conduct 

emissions inventory.

Free H.2.2

GHG Equivalencies 

Calculator

All Project Simple data entry form. Translates GHG reductions 

into terms that are easier 

to conceptualize.

Free H.2.3

ISO 14064 

Standards

All Project, 

organization

Published standards 

for accounting 

and verifying GHG 

emissions.

Includes tools and 

guidance for quantifying, 

verifying, and reporting 

GHG emission reductions.

User fee H.2.4

eGRID All Electricity Database information 

on utilities.

Emissions factors. Free H.2.5

CHP Emissions 

Calculator

CHP CHP systems Spreadsheet tool. Calculates emissions 

from CHP system and 

compares to system using 

separate heat and power.

Free H.2.6

Table H.1 Summary of LBE Tracking Tools (cont.)

2 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix H
Tool Sector

Level of 

Analysis Method Description Availability

Section 

No.

Power Profiler Region Electricity Data entry form by Zip 

code.

Evaluates air pollution and 

GHG impacts of electricity 

choices.

Free H.2.7

State Inventory Tool 

(currently under 

development)

All All Default pre-loaded 

data from federal 

government on state 

GHG sources.

Assists states in 

developing GHG emission 

inventories.

Free H.2.8

Emissions 

Forecasting Tool 

(currently under 

development)

All All Combines results from 

State Inventory Tool 

with federal emissions 

forecasts.

Assists states in 

forecasting business-asusual emissions through 

2020.

Free H.2.9

Landfill Gas 

Emissions Model

Municipal 

solid waste 

landfills

Site Calculates emissions 

rates based on landfill 

content and userspecified methane 

concentrations.

Enables states to estimate 

emission rates for GHGs 

and other pollutants 

resulting from landfills.

Free H.2.10

Energy Savings Tools H.3

EPA Energy Savings 

Calculators

Building Project Simple transparent 

spreadsheet tools.

Calculates energy savings 

and cost savings.

Free H.3.1

DOE Energy Savings 

Calculators

Building Project Simple transparent 

spreadsheet tools.

Calculates energy savings 

and cost savings.

Free H.3.2

Community Energy 

Opportunity Finder

Community Building Data entry form 

for building 

and community 

characteristics.

Calculates community 

benefits from energy 

efficiency and renewable 

energy opportunities. 

Free H.3.3

eCalc Buildings in 

Texas

Building Based on Texas 

buildings code.

Estimates energy savings 

potential.

Free H.3.4

F-Chart Software Renewables Facilities, 

Building

Estimation of energy 

from solar installation.

Estimates energy savings 

from solar installation.

User fee H.3.5

Financial and Economic Analysis Tools H.4

Cash Flow 

Opportunity (CFO) 

Calculator

Existing 

Buildings

Facility Financial decisionmaking tool.Quantifies the costs of 

delaying energy efficiency 

improvements.

Free H.4.1

Building LifeCycle Cost (BLCC) 

Software

Buildings Buildings Analysis of capital 

investments in 

buildings.

Evaluates alternative 

designs that have higher 

initial costs but lower 

operating-related costs 

over the project life than 

the lowest-initial-cost 

design.

Free H.4.2

Measurement and Verification Protocols H.5

Environmental 

Management 

Systems

All All Management 

system for reducing 

environmental impacts 

and increasing 

operating efficiencies.

Provides a structured 

approach for monitoring 

and verifying energy use 

and savings.

Free H.5.1

Table H.1 Summary of LBE Tracking Tools (cont.)

Appendix H | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 3
Tool Sector

Level of 

Analysis Method Description Availability

Section 

No.

International 

Performance, 

Measurement, 

and Verification 

Protocol (IPMVP)

Buildings Projects, 

Buildings, 

Facilities

Protocols and 

procedures for 

measuring and verifying 

energy efficiency, 

water efficiency, and 

renewable energy 

projects.

Provides framework 

for calculating and 

documenting energy and 

emissions reductions.

Free H.5.2

Weather Normalization Information H.6

Energy Cap Weather 

Software

Weather All Database with weather 

data.

Can be used to normalize 

LBE tracking results for 

variations in weather.

Free H.6.1

National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric 

Administration 

(NOAA)

Weather All Databases with 

historical climate 

trends.

Can be used to normalize 

LBE tracking results for 

variations in weather.

Free H.6.2

Additional Information Resources H.7

EPA Green Power 

Partnership

Renewables All Database of green 

electricity providers.

Information on green 

electricity purchase.

Free H.7.1

EPA Climate Leaders 

Program

Industry All Partnership to develop 

comprehensive climate 

change strategies.

Partners set GHG goals 

and conduct emission 

inventories to measure 

progress.

Free H.7.2

EPA CHP

Partnership

CHP All Information on CHP 

installation.

Estimates CO2 reduction. Free H.7.3

School and 

University 

Partnerships

Schools and 

universities

All Information on clean 

energy in K–12 schools 

and universities.

Uses vary according to 

resource.

Free H.7.4

Additional Tools H.8

A number of additional tools are available for estimating the impacts of LBE activities. Vary H.8.1– 

H.8.8

Table H.1 Summary of LBE Tracking Tools (cont.)

4 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix H

h.1 Tools for Assessing Building 

Performance

H.1.1 Portfolio Manager

EPA’s Portfolio Manager is an on-line, interactive, 

software tool that makes benchmarking energy performance simple and accessible and enables states 

and other users to assess and track building energy 

performance. 

Portfolio Manager tracks energy and water consumption by managing entire portfolios of buildings in a 

secure on-line environment. The tool calculates site 

energy intensity and weather-normalized source 

energy intensity for any building type; for certain 

building types it also provides a national energy performance rating. Once a baseline is established, Portfolio 

Manager can track the energy reduction and progress 

toward energy goals. 
Key Features

Portfolio Manager allows users to:

■ Track multiple energy and water meters for each 

facility 

■ Customize meter names and key information 

■ Benchmark facilities relative to their past performance 

■ View percent improvement in weather-normalized 

source energy 

■ Monitor energy and water costs 

■ Share building data with others

Rating Energy Performance

States can rate their building’s energy performance on 

a scale of 1–100 relative to similar buildings nationwide. EPA’s energy performance rating system, based 

on source energy, accounts for the impact of weather 

variations as well as key physical and operating characteristics of each building. Buildings rating 75 or greater 

may qualify for the ENERGY STAR.

The following types of commercial buildings, which 

represent over 50% of U.S. commercial floor space, are 

currently eligible to receive a rating:

Offices (general offices, financial centers, bank branches, and courthouses)

■ K–12 schools

■ Hospitals (acute care and children’s)

■ Hotels and motels

■ Medical offices

■ Supermarkets

■ Residence halls/dormitories

■ Warehouses (refrigerated and non-refrigerated)

EPA is developing rating criteria for additional segments of the commercial building market.

Verifying and Tracking Building Performance

Portfolio Manager can be used to verify building 

performance and track the progress of improvement 

projects. Users can generate a Statement of Energy Performance (SEP) for each building, which summarizes 

important energy performance information and building characteristics that are needed to:

■ Apply for the ENERGY STAR 

■ Satisfy LEED-EB requirements 

■ Support mortgage, sale, and/or lease transactions 

■ Document performance in energy service contracts 

■ Communicate with tenants/owner/customers

Required Data

To assess building energy performance, users enter 

information about a building’s physical characteristics, 

operating characteristics, and energy consumption, 

including, for example:

■ Address (e.g., Zip code is used for weather 

normalization)

■ Gross floor area 

■ Weekly operating hours 

■ Number of occupants 

■ Number of personal computers

■ Monthly energy consumption for all fuel types

■ Activity or operation data related to specific buildings

Renewable energy (e.g., solar) that is produced on 

site counts as energy savings rather than energy use. 

Hence, this information is not entered as energy consumption data.

For additional information on data requirements by 

type of building: http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c = eligibility.bus_portfoliomanager_eligibility.

Modeling Approach/Calculating an Energy 

Performance Rating

To assess the performance of a building using the 

national energy performance rating system, two calculations are made after the user enters the required data. 

First, the user’s actual annual source energy use (in 

kBTU/yr) is weather-normalized to reflect the building’s 

annual source energy use during a normal (i.e., 30-year 

average) weather year. 

Second, a regression model is run to calculate a predicted source energy use value based on the operating 

characteristics entered by the user. To calculate this 

value, the building’s weather normalized source energy 

use is compared to a table of customized source energy 

use values.

Appendix H | Clean energy Lead by example Guide 
Based on the building information provided by the 

user (e.g., size, location, number of occupants, number 

of personal computers), the rating system estimates 

how much energy the building would use if it were the 

best performing building, worst performing building, 

and every level in between. The system then compares 

the actual energy data for the building to the estimated 

values to determine where each building ranks relative 

to its peers.

All of the calculations are based on source energy. Using source energy is the most equitable way to compare 

building energy performance and correlates best with 

environmental impacts and energy costs.

To estimate building ratings, EPA conducts statistical 

analysis on data gathered by the DOE’s Energy Information Administration during its quadrennial Commercial 

Building Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS). For 

each type of building for which EPA provides a rating, 

EPA goes through a rigorous process that involves:

■ Ensuring that the quality and quantity of the data will 

support a rating

■ Creating a statistical model that correlates the energy 

data to the operational characteristics for each building 

to identify the key drivers of energy use

■ Testing the model with real buildings

In addition, each building’s actual source energy data 

is normalized. This enables EPA to assess a building’s 

performance relative to the typical weather in that 

region, without bias for the specific weather patterns 

during the rating year.

For additional information on the specific data 

analysis conducted for each available building type: 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=evaluate_performance.bus_portfoliomanager_model_tech_desc.

For additional information about weather normalization: http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c=business.bus_weather_normalization.

Other Features

Portfolio Manager provides a variety of additional 

features, including:

■ Adjusted Percent Energy Reduction, which measures the 

percentage change in a facility’s energy consumption 

between its baseline energy period and current energy 

period. This provides a means to measure facility performance even if the facility cannot generate an energy 

performance rating.

■ Master Accounts, which allow the centralized viewing 

of energy data across a number of portfolios. To allow 

other organizations to track the performance of a portfolio, building owners and operators can use a master 

account to share facility information. For example, a 

government agency can establish a master account to 

track the performance of all city departments, or an 

association can track the progress of its members.

■ Create Views, a customized feature for reporting needs 

such as energy consumption, average energy intensity, 

rating of entire portfolio, and energy and dollar savings.

■ CO2

 emissions tracking feature. 

■ Water use tracking feature.

■ A Group feature, which allows users to manage data 

for individual buildings or groups of buildings. Users 

can group their building by any grouping criteria they 

choose. The tool includes a facility summary page that 

provides detailed information for each individual facility entered into Portfolio Manager.

Portfolio Manager Web site: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=evaluate_performance.

bus_portfoliomanager.

Calculating Source Energy

Source energy includes site energy plus the energy used 

to produce the site energy, such as the energy required 

to generate, transmit, and distribute the site energy to the 

building. Site energy use of each fuel is converted to its source 

equivalent using standard site-source energy conversion 

factors and then summed to yield annual total source energy 

use for each building. 

Site Source

Fuel Type (kBTU)

Electricity 1 3.013

Natural gas 1 1.024

Fuel oil 1 1

Steam 1 1.38

Hot water 1 1

For additional information: http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c = evaluate_performance.bus_benchmark_comm_bldgs.

6 Clean energy Lead by example Guide | Appendix H
H.1.2 Delta Score Estimator

This Excel spreadsheet tool provides a quick way to identify the relationship between the energy performance 

rating obtained through ENERGY STAR tracking tools 

and the percentage of energy saved in a building. After 

a building has been benchmarked and a current energy 

performance rating established, Delta Score can estimate 

the percent energy reduction needed to improve the 

existing rating to the target rating. In addition, it can be 

used to estimate a new energy performance rating by 

entering a percent reduction in energy use.

Web site: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = 

delta.index.

H.1.3 Target Finder

Target Finder can be used to set energy performance 

goals, receive a rating for the intended energy use for 

new building design projects, and determine if projects 

are among the top 25% of buildings in the nation, in 

terms of intended energy performance. To set an energy target, states: 

■ Enter data on Zip code and building type for the new 

building that is being designed

■ Select an energy performance target for achieving any 

of the following goals

■ The “Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR” rating. 

Users can select a rating of 75 higher from the 

Target Rating section in Target Finder. It will display 

the EPA energy performance rating target using a 

1–100 scale. 

■ The 2030 challenge and AIA goal. Users select the 

Energy Reduction Target for 50% less than an average building. 

■ Other design targets. Users can select a target for 

building types not available in Target Finder by using 

the 2003 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption 

Survey National Averages and Design Targets. These 

design targets are not normalized for climate nor 

adjusted for activities that may affect energy use. All 

targets are expressed in energy use intensity.

Target Finder displays the following data about the new 

building’s design:

■ Energy performance rating (1–100)—ENERGY STAR 

■ Energy reduction percentage (from an average 

building)—AIA/2030 Challenge Goal 

■ Source and site energy use intensity (kBTU/sf/yr) 

■ Source and site total annual energy use (kBTU) 

■ Total annual energy cost

Web site: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = 

new_bldg_design.bus_target_finder.

H.1.4 Service and Product Providers

SPPs offer energy management assistance either by 

selling a utility/energy accounting software product or 

providing energy accounting and analysis services. EPA 

has worked with these private companies to determine 

EPA energy performance ratings for eligible buildings. 

SPPs organize utility bill information into a database 

that manages energy expenses. They have developed 

software to identify opportunities for cost savings and 

energy efficiency and integrate Portfolio Manager 

benchmarking to provide the EPA energy performance 

rating. Some of these software products can also be 

used for forecasting, budgeting, and scenario analysis. 

Georgia’s Energy Accounting System

GEFA issued an RFP to develop an energy accounting system 

to track and analyze energy consumption for all state facilities. 

The goal is to secure a sophisticated, in-house energy 

accounting system that will permit the state to accurately 

report on its energy consumption and identify, initiate, and 

manage facility-specific or enterprise-wide cost saving 

strategies. The system will allow benchmarking buildings using 

Portfolio Manager. The system will also feature:

Creating groups of similar facilities (e.g., prisons, office 

buildings, dorm)

Comparing facilities (within a group and otherwise) according 

to criteria such as cost per kWh, cost per therm, energy 

expenditure per square foot, energy expenditure per occupant, 

and energy use per square foot per degree day

Source: Georgia, 2006.

Texas Energy Management Project

Texas entered a four-year self-funded energy savings project 

with an SPP that will use the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager 

tool to help save the state an estimated $180 million in energy 

and other utility costs. As part of the Texas energy management 

project implementation, Texas will benchmark and track the 

performance of state buildings and to evaluate the energy 

performance of state buildings on the Portfolio Manager scale 

of 1 to 100, comparing them to similar buildings nationwide. 

The project will be funded by energy cost savings and will be 

completed at no cost to Texas. This energy performance project 

can serve as a model for other public and private entities that 

seek to improve energy performance and reduce energy costs.

Source: SECO, year.

Appendix H | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 7
The companies listed in Table H.1.1 offer EPA’s energy 

performance ratings and links to ENERGY STAR as a 

part of their commercial energy information services. 

Table H.1.1. Selected Service and Product Providers

Contact

Total Buildings 

Rated (as of 7/11/06)

Avista 

Advantagea

Ed Schlect

509-329-7602

4,259

Save more 

Resourcesa

Renee Rodgers

970-255-9786 x224

608

Cadence 

network

Mark Duffer

513-763-3106

299

Kelly Scace

425-881-3451

148

Johnson 

Controls

Gerrit Reinders

414-524-7331

91

Jeff Alba

203-245-0034

50

ei3 Spencer Cramer

scramer@ei3.com

31

Travis Vickford

716-852-4279

1

a These service providers are 2006 ENERGY STAR Partners of 

the Year.

Source: ENERGY STAR, 2007.

Web sites: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c 

=spp_res.pt_spps_automated_benchmarking; http://

www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=spp_res.pt_spps.

H.1.5 METRIX 3

METRIX is a desktop utility accounting system that 

helps users track utility performance, benchmark 

facilities, measure savings from clean energy projects, 

set clean energy targets, and measure performance. 

The software program breaks energy tracking into a 

tuning period, a project installation period, and a performance period. The tuning period is used to establish 

the relationships between energy consumption and 

weather or other factors. This period allows corrections to be made for buildings with seasonal changes 

in energy use. Energy savings are tracked during the 

performance period, which begins at the end of a project installation period. The program projects baseline 

and target scenarios for the performance period and 

compares actual use with both projections. 

This program allows users to manually choose weather 

correction parameters. It can correct for heating 

degree-days, cooling degree-days, and user-defined 

production variables on a single meter. Project data can 

be imported from Market Manager, a building energy 

analysis program, for setting target energy consumption levels. METRIX also has a variety of options for 

electronic data input via ASCII or EDI formats.

Web site: http://www.abraxasenergy.com/

intrometrix4.php.

H.1.6 Small Business Calculator

The ENERGY STAR Small Business Calculator can be 

used to estimate a facility’s energy intensity and the potential energy and cost savings that can be achieved by 

implementing energy efficiency upgrades. By entering 

the size and type of a building and recent energy bill 

data, a facility manager or small business owner can 

determine the energy intensity of the facility in terms 

of energy used per square foot of space. The ENERGY 

STAR guide, Putting Energy Into Profits, provides background information about this tool. 

Web sites: Calculator: http://www.energystar.gov/

index.cfm?c=intensive_calc.mgr.

Guide: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=small_

business.sb_index.

H.1.7 ENERGY-10TM

ENERGY-10TM software analyzes and illustrates the 

energy and cost savings that can be achieved by applying up to a dozen sustainable design features. This 

integrated design tool is ideal for use during the early 

design phases of moderate-sized (e.g., up to 50,000 sq. 

ft.) projects. ENERGY-10TM includes a set of integrated 

design guidelines and software for performing energy 

and cost calculations based on local climate, building 

orientation, materials, systems, and the interactions 

among them. Future program upgrades are expected to 

address larger structures.

Web site: http://www.nrel.gov/buildings/energy10.html.

H.1.8 Utility ManagerTM

This software tool targets both the private sector and 

public sector markets. The program tracks line items 

from utility bills and generates reports that enable facility managers to identify billing errors and consumption 

anomalies, track and compare facilities, mark trends, 

make accurate projections, and create budgets. The 

8 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix H
software can be purchased as part of a package that 

includes on-site training. 

Web site: http://www.savemoreresources.com/

solutions/inhouse.php.

H.1.9 Building Life Cycle Cost (BLCC) 

Program

The BLCC computer software program, developed 

by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, was designed to conduct economic analyses of 

alternative building designs by evaluating the relative 

cost-effectiveness of building systems or components. 

Analyses include calculations of net savings, savingsto-investment ratio, adjusted internal rate of return, 

and payback period. The program software is typically 

used to evaluate the relative benefits of building projects that have higher initial costs - but lower life-cycle 

costs - than conventional building projects with lower 

initial costs. The software can be particularly helpful 

in assessing the benefits and costs of incorporating 

water conservation technologies and renewable energy 

systems into a project design. 

Web site: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/

information/download_blcc.html.

H.1.10 Building Energy Consumption 

Simulation Models (DOE-2, EQUEST, 

EnergyPlus)

Simulation is an effective way to pre-test proposed 

programs, plans, or policies before actual implementations. By using computer-based simulation models, it 

is possible to estimate in detail the consequences and 

implications of a particular project development on 

energy consumption. 

DOE-2 is a computer program for designing energyefficient buildings. Developed for DOE by the LBNL’s 

Simulation Research Group, DOE-2 is a widely-used 

building energy analysis program that can predict the 

energy use and cost for all types of buildings. DOE-2 

uses a description of the building layout, infrastructure, 

occupant usage, conditioning systems (e.g., lighting, 

HVAC) and utility rates provided by the user, along 

with weather data, to perform an hourly simulation of 

the building and to estimate utility bills. 

EQUEST is an energy use analysis tool designed to 

perform detailed comparative analyses of building 

designs and technologies by applying sophisticated 

building energy use simulation techniques but without 

requiring extensive experience in the “art” of building performance modeling. This is accomplished by 

combining schematic and design development building 

model creation wizards, an energy efficiency measure 

wizard, and a graphical results display module with an 

enhanced DOE-2-derived building energy use simulation program. 

EnergyPlus is an innovative building energy simulation program with capabilities such as sub-hour time 

steps, built-in template and external modular systems 

that are integrated with a heat balance-based zone simulation, and input and output data structures tailored 

to facilitate third-party module and interface development. Other capabilities include multi-zone airflow, 

moisture adsorption/desorption in building materials, 

radiant heating and cooling, and PV simulation.

Web site: http://www.doe2.com/DOE2/

h.2 Emission Inventory Tools

The tools described in this section can be used to 

estimate the emissions associated with energy consumption and the emission reductions associated with 

reduced energy consumption.

H.2.1 CACP Software 

The National Association of Clean Air Agencies 

(NACAA, formerly STAPPA and ALAPCO) CACP is 

a Windows-based software tool designed to help state 

and local governments develop harmonized strategies 

to reduce both GHG and air pollution emissions. It allows users to create a cross-sectoral emission inventory 

at the entire community level or at the government operations level only. The software disaggregates government’s own operations into seven main areas of analysis 

(see Table H.2.1). Using an extensive set of emissions 

factors, the software creates a comprehensive inventory 

of emissions resulting from government operations. 

In addition to developing an inventory of cross-sector 

emissions, the CACP software offers a “measure” module that can provide users with suggested demand-side 

strategies for managing emissions. The “government 

measures” module helps assess the relative benefits and 

drawbacks of potential emission reduction measures 

by quantifying the projected GHG and criteria air pollutant emissions resulting from government-owned 

and -operated facilities and activities in both baseline 

and project scenarios. Possible measures described 

within the module include energy efficiency measures, 

Appendix H | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 9
Table H.2.1. CACP Sectors and Data Requirements

Sector Required data 

Buildings Name of building or building 

group, energy consumption, 

and costs by type of fuel.

Floor area, 

operating hour, 

occupants.

Vehicle 

fleet 

Name of vehicle or vehicle 

group, energy consumption 

by type of fuel or vehicles 

mile traveled by type of 

vehicle, and costs.

A complete set 

of fuel efficiency 

indicators 

are already 

predefined in 

the software. 

Name of employee commute 

group, energy consumption 

by type of fuel or vehicles 

mile traveled by type of 

vehicle, and costs.

A complete set 

of fuel efficiency 

indicators 

are already 

predefined in 

the software.

Streetlights Name of streetlight group, 

energy consumption, 

and costs by type of fuel 

(electricity/green electricity).

Number of 

street lights.

Water/

sewage

Name of water and/or 

sewage group, energy 

consumption, and costs by 

type of fuel.

Output in liters.

Waste Name of landfill site or 

landfill group, tons of waste 

disposed per year, % category 

(e.g., paper, food), haulage 

and tipping costs, and waste 

disposal technology (e.g., 

open dump, open burning, 

incineration).

Employees.

Allows users to account for emissions not 

represented in the sectors listed above.

Source: CACP, 2006.

changes in energy source or fuel type, changes in vehicle types and vehicle miles traveled, and waste reduction and recycling measures. 

Web site: http://www.cacpsoftware.org/.

H.2.2 GHG Protocol Initiative 

The World Resources Institute and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WRI/

WBCSD) developed the Greenhouse Gas Protocol 

Initiative (GHG Protocol) to harmonize international 

GHG trading schemes. The GHG emission calculation 

tool offers step-by-step guidance for calculating GHG 

emissions data. The tool includes a guidance section 

and automated worksheets. Most agencies will need to 

apply more than one worksheet to cover the complete 

inventory of their GHG sources, which can include 

CO2 emissions from building energy consumption, 

employee commuting, and business travel.

The automated worksheet section requires users to 

input activity data and appropriate emission factors; 

default emissions factors are provided if users do not 

enter them. The emissions of different GHGs are calculated separately and converted to CO2

 equivalents on 

the basis of their global warming potential.

Web site: http://www.ghgprotocol.org/.

H.2.3 GHG Equivalencies Calculator

The Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator is 

designed to translate GHG reductions from units such 

as tons and metric tons, into units that can be easier 

to conceptualize (e.g., equivalent number of cars not 

driven for one year). Results from the calculator can be 

used for communicating reduction targets and developing a GHG reduction strategy. 

Web site: http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energyresources/calculator.html.

H.2.4 ISO 14064 Standards

The International Organization for Standardization 

(ISO) has published standards for accounting and 

verifying GHG emissions by government and industry 

sources. The new standards include an integrated set 

of tools for programs aimed at reducing emissions, 

including guidance at the organization level for quantifying and reporting emissions; at the project level; and 

for validating and verifying GHG emissions.

Web site: http://www.iso.org/iso/pressrelease.

htm?refid=Ref994.

H.2.5 eGRID

EPA’s eGRID is a comprehensive source of data on the 

environmental characteristics of domestic electric power generation. It compiles data from 24 federal sources 

on emissions and resource mixes for virtually every 

power plant and company that generates electricity in 

the United States. It also provides user search options, 

including aspects of individual power plants, generating companies, states, and regions of the power grid. 

The current version contains U.S. power plant emission 

totals for 1996 through 2000, and state-by-state power 

plant emission totals for 2000. 

Web site: http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/egrid/index.

htm.

10 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix H
H.2.6 CHP Emissions Calculator

The CHP Emissions Calculator is a tool that compares 

the anticipated emissions from a CHP system to the 

emissions from separate heat and power systems. Users 

select from a large number of different separate heat 

and power system profiles and compare them to a CHP 

system (characterized by the user). The calculator then 

estimates the carbon, CO2

, SO2, and NOx emissions 

from both systems and the corresponding emission 

reductions achieved by the CHP system. In addition to 

estimating emission reductions, the calculator presents 

the carbon equivalency of these reductions in terms 

of acres of trees planted and number of cars removed 

from the road. This tool is designed for users with at 

least a moderate understanding of CHP technology 

and terminology. Results are intended for educational 

and outreach purposes; the tool is not designed for developing emission inventories or preparing permitting 

processes. 

Web site: http://www.epa.gov/chp/basic/calculator.html.

H.2.7 Power Profiler

The EPA Power Profiler is an online tool that allows 

users to evaluate the air pollution and GHG impacts 

of their electricity choices. Using only a zip code, the 

Power Profiler can evaluate the environmental benefits 

of choosing cleaner sources of energy as compared 

with conventional energy sources. It is particularly useful given increased opportunities for customer choice, 

which allows many electricity customers to choose the 

source of their power. 

Web site: http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/

powerprofiler.htm.

H.2.8 State Inventory Tool

EPA’s State Inventory Tool (SIT) is an interactive 

spreadsheet model designed to help states develop 

GHG emissions inventories. SIT gives users the option 

of applying their own state-specific numbers or using default data pre-loaded for each state. The default 

data is gathered by federal agencies and other sources 

covering fossil fuels, agriculture, forestry, waste management, and industry. SIT provides a streamlined way 

to update an existing inventory or complete a new inventory and is also accompanied by updated guidance 

describing best practices.

Web site: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/

stateandlocalgov/analyticaltools.html.

H.2.9 Emissions Forecasting Tool

This spreadsheet model builds on the design of the EPA 

State Inventory Tool (SIT) to help states create forecasts 

of business-as-usual GHG emissions through 2020. The 

tool estimates future emissions through a combination 

of linear extrapolation of SIT results and economic, energy, population, and technology forecasts conducted 

by the federal government. The tool can be customized, 

allowing states to enter their own assumptions about 

future growth and consumption patterns.

Web site: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/

stateandlocalgov/analyticaltools.html.

H.2.10 Landfill Gas Emissions Model

The EPA Landfill Gas Emissions Model is an automated tool for estimating air pollutant emissions from 

municipal solid waste landfills. The model can be used 

to estimate emission rates for methane, carbon dioxide, 

non-methane organic compounds, and individual 

air pollutants from landfills. The program can also be 

used by landfill owners and operators to determine if 

a landfill is subject to the control requirements of the 

federal New Source Performance Standard for new 

MSW landfills (40 CFR 60 Subpart WWW) or the 

emission guidelines for existing MSW landfills (40 CFR 

60 Subpart Cc).

Web site: http://www.epa.gov/lmop/res/index.htm#5. 

H.3 Energy Savings Tools

The tools described in this section can be used to estimate the energy savings associated with different clean 

energy measures and products.

H.3.1 EPA Energy Savings Calculators

EPA has developed a series of simple customizable tools 

that calculate energy savings and cost savings from 

ENERGY STAR-qualified equipment. Descriptions of a 

selection of products for which energy savings calculators are available are presented below. EPA periodically 

updates its savings calculators so it is important to 

check the Web site to identify the most updated version. 

Web site: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = 

bulk_purchasing.bus_purchasing.

Lighting

Exit Signs. More than 100 million exit signs are in 

use throughout the United States. Typically lit by 

Appendix H | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 11
incandescent bulbs, these signs consume 30–35 billion 

kWh hours of energy each year. 

Web site: http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c=exit_signs.pr_exit_signs.

Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs). ENERGY STARqualified CFLs use 66% less energy than a standard 

incandescent bulb and last up to 10 times longer. Replacing a 100-watt incandescent with a 32-watt 

CFL can save at least $30 in energy costs over the life of 

the bulb. 

Web site: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.

pr_cfls.

Light Fixtures. ENERGY STAR-qualified light fixtures 

must last at least 10,000 hours. This means that with 

regular use (i.e., four hours per day), an ENERGY 

STAR bulb would not need to be replaced for at least 

seven years. 

Web site: http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c=fixtures.pr_light_fixtures.

Traffic Signals. Energy and cost savings from LEDs are 

significantly better than standard incandescent signals, 

and many states, cities, and counties have already 

adopted LEDs to take advantage of these benefits. 

Transportation and public works officials are encouraged to specify and purchase ENERGY STAR-qualified 

traffic signals. 

Web site: http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c=traffic.pr_traffic_signals.

Office Equipment

Office Equipment. Energy savings calculators are available for a variety of different types of office equipment, 

including computers, copiers, external power adapters, 

fax machines, laptops, mailing machines, monitors, 

multifunction devices, printers, scanners, and water 

coolers. 

Web site: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=ofc_

equip.pr_office_equipment.

Heating and Cooling

Heating and Cooling Equipment. Replacing old cooling 

and heating equipment with more efficient, ENERGY 

STAR-qualified equipment is one way to save energy 

and money.

Web site: http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_hvac.

Air Conditioning. About one-sixth of all the electricity 

generated in the United States is used to cool buildings. 

Web site: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cac.

pr_central_ac.

Boilers. Whether gas or oil, ENERGY STAR-qualified 

boilers use about 10% less energy than a standard boiler.

Web site: http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c=boilers.pr_boilers.

Ducts. Ducts are an integral part of a forced-air heating 

or cooling system and their purpose is to circulate air 

to evenly heat and cool a building. Unfortunately, ducts 

are often leaky—wasting 7–12% of heating and cooling 

energy used.

Web site: http://www.energystar.gov/index.

cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_ducts.

Heat Pumps. Electric air-source heat pumps, often 

used in moderate climates, use the difference between 

outdoor air temperatures and indoor air temperatures 

to cool and heat. 

Web site: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=geo_

heat.pr_geo_heat_pumps.

H.3.2 DOE Energy Savings Calculator 

Tools

DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy maintains a database of software tools for evaluating energy performance in buildings and the associated 

costs and savings resulting from energy efficiency 

improvements. The database provides descriptions of 

each software tool, including required expertise to use 

each tool and the strengths or weaknesses of each tool. 

The database can be searched by a number of narrowing criteria to find the most appropriate tool.

Web site: http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/

tools_directory/.

H.3.3 Community Energy Opportunity

Finder

The Community Energy Opportunity Finder is an 

interactive tool that can help determine a community’s 

energy efficiency investment opportunities that are 

most likely to benefit the local economy, the community, and the environment. This tool helps collect 

information on a community’s energy use, and then 

presents the potential benefits from specific programs, 

12 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix H
including energy savings, dollar savings, reductions 

in CO2, NOx, and SO2 emissions, and job creation. 

The Finder also provides an overview of the kinds 

of renewable energy sources that could power the 

community.

Web site: http://www.energyfinder.org.

H.3.4 ECalc

ECalc is a collection of Texas-based, Web-based 

calculators that building managers can use to design 

and evaluate a wide range of projects for energy savings and emission reduction potential. ECalc routes 

user-provided data to various specialty tools, including 

the DOE-2 program, PV-Chart, the ASHRAE Inverse 

Model Toolkit, and E-GRID. Using data obtained from 

these tools, ECalc calculates energy savings and associated CO2

 reductions for new buildings, community 

projects, and renewable energy sources. Community 

projects include municipal buildings (new construction and retrofits), street lights (new construction and 

retrofits), traffic lights (new construction and retrofits), 

municipal water supply and waste-water systems 

(retrofit only), and wind energy systems (new systems 

connected to the grid). 

Web site: http://ecalc.tamu.edu/.

H.3.5 F-CHART Software

F-CHART software estimates solar energy production 

and installation. It calculates monthly electricity or 

thermal output produced by a solar PV or solar thermal system based on information specified by the user. 

It also contains a weather database. 

Requisite information for calculating the benefits of 

solar energy includes the type of PV system, the area of 

the PV array, the array of solar photovoltaic collectors, 

including the area of the array, the slope of the array, 

and whether the collector array is facing south (i.e., array azimuth). Information needed to calculate the benefits of solar thermal systems includes the same details 

required for the PV system plus information about the 

design of the solar thermal system, including size of the 

heating pool, pool temperature, hours of operation per 

day, and daily hot water usage. F-CHART software uses 

these data to calculate the thermal energy produced by 

using solar energy and/or the thermal heating system.

Web site: https://www.fchart.com/.

H.4 Financial and Economic

Analysis Tools

H.4.1 CFO Calculator

This ENERGY STAR financial decision-making tool 

can be used to quantify the costs of delaying energy 

efficiency improvements. It answers questions about 

the quantity of energy-efficient equipment that can be 

purchased and financed using anticipated savings, the 

timing of energy efficiency investments, and whether 

waiting for a lower interest rate will affect an energy 

efficiency investment. By comparing the costs and 

benefits of financing a project now versus waiting for 

a lower interest rate, the tool can provide answers to 

critical financial questions.

Using graphs and tables, the CFO calculator is written 

so that managers who are not financial specialists can 

use it to make informed decisions, yet it is sophisticated enough to satisfy financial decision-makers.

Web site: http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/

cfo_calculator.xls.

H.4.2 Building Life-Cycle Cost Software

The BLCC Program was developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to provide 

computational support for analyzing capital investments 

in buildings. The BLCC program conducts economic 

analyses by evaluating the relative cost-effectiveness of 

alternative buildings and building-related systems or 

components. Typically, BLCC software is used to evaluate alternative designs that have higher initial costs but 

lower operating-related costs over the project life than 

the lowest-initial-cost design. It is especially useful for 

evaluating the costs and benefits of energy and water 

conservation and renewable energy projects.

Web site: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/

information/download_blcc.html.

H.5 Measurement and 

Verification Protocols

H.5.1 Environmental Management 

Systems

An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a 

framework used by states to manage environmental 

affairs and issues, including those where legal requirements exist. An EMS allows organizations to identify 

Appendix H | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 13
activities that may have an adverse impact on the environment, develop plans and controls to ensure personnel have adequate training to manage and comply with 

system requirements, ensure that regulated activities 

are properly monitored and measured, and identify opportunities for improving environmental performance 

and pollution prevention. An EMS can provide a structured way to monitor and verify energy use and savings 

in addition to identifying additional energy and money 

saving opportunities. EPA maintains a Web site that 

provides information about EMS services.

Web site: http://www.epa.gov/ems/.

H.5.2 IPMVP Protocol

The IPMVP provides an overview of best practices 

for verifying the results of energy efficiency, water 

efficiency, and renewable energy projects. IPMVP 

provides a framework for calculating and documenting 

energy and emission reductions from energy efficiency 

projects. It presents the user with several measurement 

and verification options based on a project’s particular 

energy consumption calculations and project-specific 

factors, such as the complexity of the efficiency measures under evaluation and the risk expectations. 

IPMVP can also be used to verify reductions in emissions and for emissions trading programs, defining 

broad techniques for determining energy savings, and 

defining savings on a project or facility scale.

Web site: http://www.evo-world.org/.

H.6 Weather Normalization 

Information

H.6.1 Energy Cap Weather Software

Energy Cap is a quick and easy-to-use Web-based tool 

that provides information on historical degree days for 

1,200 stations in the United States and Canada from 

1994 to present. Users select a weather station and 

balance point temperature, and the software provides 

degree day report charts that show mean daily temperature, cumulative heating and cooling degree days, and 

monthly comparisons of any two years. An optional report (provided via e-mail) compares month-by-month 

degree days for any two years and any balance point 

temperature. These reports can help states adjust LBE 

tracking results to account for variations in weather.

Web site: http://www.energycap.com/weather/.

H.6.2 NOAA

NOAA provides extensive data sets relating to historical climate trends. Its National Climatic Data Center 

provides users with a searchable database from weather 

observation stations from around the country. Weather 

reports are available for each of these stations. Additionally, the Center maintains a library of heating 

and cooling degree days that can help states adjust LBE 

tracking results to account for variations in weather.

Web sites: 

Station Locator: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/

climate/stationlocator.html

Degree Day Reports: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/

documentlibrary/hcs/hcs.html.

H.7 Additional Information 

Resources

H.7.1 EPA Green Power Partnership

EPA’s Green Power Partnership provides assistance 

and recognition to organizations that demonstrate environmental leadership by choosing green power. The 

Web site provides information about green power and 

how to purchase it. It also includes the national Green 

Power Locator tool to help consumers find green 

power options throughout the country.

Web site: http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/index.htm.

H.7.2 EPA Climate Leaders Program

Climate Leaders is a voluntary EPA industry-government partnership that works with companies to develop long-term comprehensive climate change strategies. 

Partners set a corporate-wide GHG reduction goal and 

conduct an inventory of their emissions to measure 

progress. By reporting inventory data to EPA, partners 

create a record of their accomplishments. EPA Climate 

Leaders Partners use the WRI/WBCSD GHG protocol 

to develop their GHG emission inventory. Companies 

are required to document emissions of the six major 

GHGs (i.e., CO2

, CH4, NOx, HFCs, PFCs, and SF6) on a 

company-wide basis.

Web site: http://www.epa.gov/climateleaders/index.

html.

14 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix H
H.7.3 EPA CHP Partnership

The CHP Partnership is a voluntary program that seeks 

to reduce the environmental impact of power generation by promoting the use of CHP. The Partnership 

works closely with energy users, the CHP industry, 

state and local governments, and other stakeholders to 

support the development of new projects and promote 

their energy, environmental, and economic benefits.

Web site: http://www.epa.gov/chp/.

H.7.4 School and University

Partnerships

The following Web sites, many of which are maintained 

by the ENERGY STAR program or the DOE Energy 

Efficiency and Renewable Energy office, provide 

information on clean energy initiatives in schools and 

universities. 

■ K–12 Schools:

■ EPA ENERGY STAR for K–12 Schools: http://www.

energystar.gov/schools

■ Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/

energysmartschools/

■ National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities: 

http://www.edfacilities.org/rl/energy.cfm

■ Rebuild America: http://www.rebuild.gov

■ Colleges and Universities:

■ EPA ENERGY STAR for Higher Education: http://

www.energystar.gov/highered

■ EPA 2006 College and University Green Power Challenge: http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/documents/

highed_challenge_apr07.pdf

■ Creating an ENERGY STAR Showcase Dorm Room: 

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = news.

nr_dormroom&layout = print

■ EPA’s C&U Sector Strategies program: http://www.

epa.gov/sectors/pdf/2006/collegesbw.pdf

■ State University of New York at Buffalo: http://wings.

buffalo.edu/ubgreen/guidelines.html

H.8 Additional Tools

A number of additional tools for estimating the impacts of LBE activities are available, as described below.

H.8.1 Trace 600

This tool was developed by Trane Corporation to support HVAC design criteria, space heating and cooling 

load calculations, free cooling and heat recovery, thermal storage, and chilled water piping arrangements.

Web site: http://www.wbdg.org/tools/trace.php.

H.8.2 HAP v4.0

The Hourly Analysis Program (HAP) is an energy simulation module developed by Carrier Corporation that 

performs an 8,760-hour energy simulation of building 

heat flow and equipment performance.

Web site: http://www.commercial.carrier.com/

commercial/hvac/general/1,CLI1_DIV12_ETI496,00.

html.

H.8.3 BLAST

Building Loads and System Thermodynamics (BLAST) 

performs hourly simulations of buildings and central 

plant equipment, and zone analysis based on the fundamental heat balance method. This tool can also be 

used to analyze thermal comfort, passive solar structures, high- and low-intensity radiant heat, moisture, 

and variable heat transfers coefficients. 

Web site: http://www.cecer.army.mil/td/tips/product/

details.cfm?ID=132&TOP=1.

H.8.4 TRNSYS

The Transient System Simulation (TRNSYS) program 

is used for HVAC analysis and sizing, solar design, daylighting, building thermal performance, PV systems, 

wind systems, and analysis of control schemes.

Web site: http://sel.me.wisc.edu/trnsys/.

H.8.5 ADELINE and RADIANCE

These specialized design tools are also available to 

evaluate daylight, air flows [computational fluid 

dynamics (CFD)], three-dimensional heat flows, and 

other design considerations. 

Web sites: http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/

tools_directory/software.cfm/ID = 28/; http://www.

eere.energy.gov/buildings/tools_directory/software.

cfm/ID = 66/.

Appendix H | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 15
H.8.6 ALGOR

This program quantifies and illustrates airflows (CFD) 

and three-dimensional heat flows.

Web site: http://www.algor.com.

H.8.7 ASEAM

A Simplified Energy Analysis Method (ASEAM) is 

a simplified energy analysis tool that can also create 

DOE-2 input files. This is easier to use but less accurate 

than DOE-2.

Web site: http://gundog.lbl.gov/dirsoft/d2whatis.html.

H.8.8 FRESA

Federal Renewable Energy Screening Assistant (FRESA) assesses the feasibility of various renewable energy 

applications, including active solar heating, active 

solar cooling, daylighting with windows, skylights, PV 

systems, solar thermal electric, wind electricity, small 

hydropower, biomass electricity, cooling load avoidance, and infiltration control.

Web site: http://analysis.nrel.gov/fresa/.

References

■CACP 2006. Clean Air and Climate Protection Software Web site. Available: http://www.cacpsoftware.

org/. Accessed: 12/06/2006.

■ENERGY STAR 2007. ENERGY STAR Web site. 

Service and Product Providers. Available: http://www.

energystar.gov/index.cfm?c = spp_res.pt_spps_automated_benchmarking. Accessed: 1/14/2007.

■Georgia 2006. Personal communication with Kevin 

Kelly, Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority. June 

8, 2006.

■SECO. Year. Texas Energy Management Project Text 

Box Source.

16 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix H
Appendix I

EM&V Protocols and Guidance

This appendix provides information on evaluation, 

measurement, and verification (EM&V) protocols 

and procedures. Tables I.1 and I.2 present some of 

the most commonly utilized federal and state EM&V 

manuals. In addition, this appendix lists other reference materials and resources. Additional information 

on M&V protocols can be found in Section 6.4, 

Conduct Evaluations.

Federal Guidelines for

Determining Individual

Project Savings

Table I.1 summarizes federal guidelines that are 

designed for determining savings from individual projects: IPMVP, FEMP M&V Guidelines, and ASHRAE 

Guideline 14.

State and Utility Program 

EM&V Guidelines

Several utility- and state-sponsored performance-contracting programs offer incentive payments for verified 

energy savings. Each of these incentive programs has 

guidelines specifying their individual requirements for 

the EM&V of energy savings. Table I.2 presents examples of programs that have readily accessible guidelines.

Appendix I | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 1

Appendix I Contents

■ Table I.1. Federal Guidelines for Determining Savings 

from Individual Projects

■ Table I.2. State and Utility Programs with EM&V 

Guidelines
Table I.1 Guidelines for Determining Savings from Individual Projects

Title Description URL

International 

Performance 

Measurement and 

Verification Protocol

Provides a framework and definitions that can help practitioners 

develop M&V plans for their projects. It includes guidance on current 

best practice techniques available for determining energy savings 

and verifying the results of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and 

water efficiency projects in commercial and industrial facilities. 

The IPMVP includes separate volumes related to (1) determining 

energy savings, (2) improved indoor environmental quality, (3) 

determining energy savings in renewable energy technologies 

applications, and (4) determining energy savings in new construction.

It is important to remember that the IPMVP is not a compliance 

document. Simply requiring parties to comply with the IPMVP is 

insufficient for defining how the actual M&V will be conducted or the 

level of rigor and uncertainty expected of the analyses. The IPMVP is 

often referenced in M&V planning, but additional requirements must 

also be specified in order for M&V requirements to be defined. 

http://www.evo-world.org/

(Web site contains IPMVP protocol 

plus a wide range of other M&V 

resources.)

FEMP M&V Guidelines Provides guidelines and methods for measuring and verifying the 

savings associated with federal agency performance contracts. 

It contains procedures and guidelines for quantifying the savings 

resulting from energy efficiency equipment, renewable energy, 

cogeneration, water conservation, and improved operation and 

maintenance projects. 

The current version of the FEMP M&V Guidelines is Version 

2.2 (2000). The FEMP Guidelines provide similar background 

information as the IPMVP, but offer more detail on measure-specific 

M&V techniques. For example, the guidelines include summaries of 

techniques for determining the savings from lighting retrofits, motor 

retrofits, and chiller retrofits. 

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/

financing/superespcs_measguide.

html

http://ateam.lbl.gov/mv/

http://ateam.lbl.gov/mv/

docs/26265.pdf

(This LBNL Web site contains the 

FEMP M&V Guidelines and a number 

of other M&V resource documents, 

including some on the use of 

stipulations for determining savings, 

M&V checklists, and M&V resource 

lists.) 

EPA Model Energy 

Efficiency Program 

Impact Evaluation 

Guide

This EPA document provides guidance to utilities and state 

regulators on evaluating the impacts of energy saving activities 

implemented under the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency. 

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/

documents/evaluation_guide.pdf

Lawrence Berkeley 

National Laboratory 

Measurement and 

Verification Documents

LBNL has collected a number of resources that organizations can 

rely on for M&V guidance. 

http://ateam.lbl.gov/mv/

ASHRAE Guideline 

14-2002 Measurement 

of Energy and Demand 

Savings

This guideline was developed under the auspices of ASHRAE, a 

professional engineering society that has been involved in writing 

guidelines and standards associated with energy efficiency. 

Compared to the FEMP M&V Guidelines and the IPMVP, Guideline 14 

is a fairly technical document that addresses the analyses, statistics, 

and physical measurement of energy use for determining energy 

savings.

Guideline 14 provides guidance on how to use measured preand post-installation data for quantifying energy and demand 

savings. Unlike most guidelines and protocols it provides a specific 

compliance path for a few M&V approaches. It provides valuable 

information on project-specific uncertainty analyses, regression 

analyses, measurement systems and equipment, and case studies. 

There is a fee for this document.

http://www.ashrae.org

2 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix I
Table I.2. State and Utility Programs with EM&V Guidelines

State and/or Utility Description URL

California Utility 

Standard Performance 

Contracts (SPC) 

Program 

(Utility Administrators: 

San Diego Gas & 

Electric, Pacific Gas and 

Electric Company, and 

Southern California 

Edison)

A statewide energy efficiency program under the direction of the 

CPUC, the Large Non-Residential Standard Performance Contract 

(LNSPC) Program is a performance-based program that offers 

incentive payments to project sponsors who develop projects 

delivering verified energy savings at host customer facilities. Energy 

savings are measured and verified annually by the project sponsor 

over a two-year period following the approval and installation of the 

energy-efficiency equipment.

http://www.sce.com/

RebatesandSavings/LargeBusiness/

SPC/

(This Pacific Gas and Electric 

Company Web site provides a link 

to additional information about 

the SPC programs, including M&V 

protocols)

NYSERDA Energy 

$martSM Commercial/

Industrial Performance 

Program

This program offers fixed-price incentives to ESCOs that install costeffective energy efficiency measures. Project-specific incentives are 

paid based on measured data from the performance period.

http://www.nyserda.org/programs/

Commercial_Industrial/cipp.asp

State of Hawaii 

Performance 

Contracting Guide

The State of Hawaii has published A Guide to Performance 

Contracting, which includes M&V guidelines. These guidelines are 

modified from DOE’s Rebuild America Program.

http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/

info/energy/efficiency/state/

performance/

State of Texas Programs Texas operates statewide programs sponsored by the Public Utilities 

Commission of Texas, including the TXU Electric programs. TXU’s 

Energy Efficiency Markets currently has several energy efficiency 

programs, including a Small Air-Conditioner Program and a 

Commercial and Industrial Standard Offer Program.

http://www.oncorgroup.com/

electricity/teem/default.aspx

Texas Loan Star 

Program

This program, which includes M&V of savings, is used as a funding 

mechanism for Texas state agency energy projects.

http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/

ls_guideline.htm

Wyoming Energy 

Conservation 

Improvement Program: 

Measurement and 

Verification Plan 

Guidelines

The Wyoming Business Council State Energy Office has developed 

these M&V plan guidelines for state agencies involved in energy 

performance contracts. 

http://www.wyomingbusiness.org/

pdf/energy/Appx_1K-WYECIP_

Contract_Attach_FMandV_Plan_

Guide.pdf

Appendix I | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 3
4 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix I
Appendix J

Resources for Reporting 

the Results of LBE Programs

This appendix provides state examples and resources to complement information provided in the LBE Guide. 

Additional information about tracking and reporting the results of LBE projects and programs is provided in 

Chapter 6, Track, Evaluate, and Report on Progress.

Table J.1 Resources for Reporting the Results of LBE Programs

State or Title Description URL

Examples of State LBE Reporting 

Arizona The State Agency Annual Energy Usage Report highlights the 

accomplishments of LBE programs in three Arizona state agencies. 

The three component reports provide detailed descriptions of the 

data collected and how it was analyzed.

http://www.azcommerce.com/

doclib/energy/2007_state_agency_

annual_energy_usage_progress_

report.pdf 

California The Green California, Energy Efficiency Projects at State Facilities 

Web site is an online guidebook that outlines the steps to implement 

and fund energy efficiency projects at state facilities.

http://www.green.ca.gov/

EnergyEffProj/default.htm

Colorado The State of Colorado Greening Government Status Report 

describes the early successes of the state’s Greening Government 

initiative, based on preliminary data. The report highlights 

achievements in energy efficiency, water conservation and water 

quality, waste reduction and recycling, environmentally preferable 

purchasing, and transportation.

http://www.colorado.gov/energy/

greening/

Connecticut The Leading by Example report highlights some of the major 

accomplishments of the initiatives to cut greenhouse gas emissions 

resulting from state government operations.

www.ctclimatechange.com

Energy Management In State Facilities: A New Direction presents a 

survey on energy use and needs completed by each Connecticut 

state agency and provides a report that compiles these energy 

statistics.

http://www.opm.state.ct.us/pdpd2/

energy/PA_03-132_Report.doc

Appendix J | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 1
State or Title Description URL

Florida The Leadership by Example, Energy Efficiency and Conservation 

report was produced pursuant to the Florida Energy Act of 2006. 

It outlines state clean energy LBE activities in buildings and fleets 

and includes recommendations for a rebate program fro energyefficient appliances. The appendix includes a list of programs used 

and funding obtained.

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/energy/

reports/files/energy_leadership_

report.pdf

Hawaii This January 2007 report to the Hawaii state legislature highlights 

past and present state LBE initiatives.

http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/

energy/publications/LBE-all-07.pdf 

Maine The 2006 Clean Government Initiative Report to the state legislature 

highlights achievements by state agencies and institutions of higher 

learning in improving energy efficiency and developing clean energy 

policies. 

http://www.maine.gov/cleangovt/

rulesanddocuments/cleangovtfinal.

doc

Massachusetts Massachusetts has developed an Agency Sustainability Tracking, 

Reporting and Plan Update Form that state agencies use to help 

measure and track the environmental impacts of state agency 

operations.

http://www.mass.gov/envir/

Sustainable/documents/

agencytrackingform_fy06.doc

Massachusetts has produced a Greenhouse Gas Inventory for State 

Agencies to present information on tracking GHG emissions and 

energy consumption within state government.

http://www.mass.gov/envir/

Sustainable/pdf/MA_GHG_

Inventory_FY02_web.pdf

Minnesota The State Agency Energy Conservation report describes progress 

in meeting LBE goals set forth in Executive Order 05-16. The 

report describes actions taken, results achieved, and strategies for 

improvement. 

http://www.savingenergy.state.

mn.us/files/Saving%20Energy%20

Report%20to%20the%20

Governor%2004%2007.pdf

Minnesota’s Web site, Saving, Energy, Energy Conservation 

Information for Minnesota State Employees contains data reporting 

forms for state building operators and managers. Forms include a 

site data, electrical energy usage, thermal energy usage, and water 

utility usage forms.

http://www.savingenergy.state.

mn.us/reporting.htm

An Energy Savings Report completed for the state Department of 

Commerce details energy consumption and savings for the state 

government, the University of Minnesota, and other state colleges 

and universities. The report also describes the different projects the 

state is working on as part of a comprehensive LBE program. 

http://www.hhh.umn.edu/centers/

stpp/pdf/energy_savings_report_

feb2008.pdf

New York The “Green and Clean” State Buildings and Vehicles Guidelines 

contain a section on reporting and determining a baseline. Appendix 

H of the Guidelines contains a template for reporting agency energy 

use in operations and procurement.

http://www.nyserda.org/

programs/State_Government/

exorder111guidelines.pdf

NYSERDA publishes annual reports under its Executive Order No. 

111—”Green and Clean” State Buildings and Vehicles program, which 

includes energy use, reduced consumption, avoided costs, reduced 

air pollution, and other information for state facilities.

http://www.nyserda.org/programs/

exorder111.asp

Executive Order No. 111 “Green and Clean” State Buildings and 

Vehicles 2005/06 Annual Energy Report Form is a template for 

reporting agency energy use.

http://www.nyserda.org/

programs/State_Government/

AnnualEnergyReportSFY0506.doc

Table J.1 Resources for Reporting the Results of LBE Programs (cont.)

2 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix J
State or Title Description URL

North Carolina Energy Impacts in North Carolina: the Annual Report of the Energy 

Policy Council and State Energy Office is North Carolina’s annual 

report summarizing the state’s energy efficiency and renewable 

energy programs (including LBE programs) and the economic and 

environmental impacts of energy production and use.

http://www.energync.net/

resources/docs/pubs/Annual%20

Report%20Jan%2005.pdf

Ohio Ohio is using ENERGY STAR’s Portfolio Manager to track and 

evaluate energy consumption in state facilities. 

http://www.eere.energy.gov/state_

energy_program/project_brief_

detail.cfm/pb_id=1134

http://www.das.ohio.gov/gsd/oes/

PDFs/2007PortfolioMgrTraining.pdf

Oregon Oregon uses the Sustainable Oregon: Government Web site to 

present reports on state agency LBE achievements and goals.

http://www.sustainableoregon.net/

agency/

South Carolina The Energy Use in South Carolina’s Public Facilities report presents 

historical trends in energy use by state agencies, school districts, 

and the university system, and provides cost per square foot 

calculations in addition to total Btu and cost figures. 

http://www.energy.sc.gov/

publications/2004%20Energy%20

Use%20in%20SC%20Public%20

Facilities.pdf

Washington Executive Orders 02-03 and 05-01 call for state agencies to develop 

sustainability plans and for plan progress to be reported annually. 

The Department of Administration is responsible for reporting the 

progress of each agency in its annual Sustainability Progress Report. 

http://www.ofm.wa.gov/

sustainability/plans/progress_06/

pdc.pdf

Wisconsin The Energy Use in State-Owned Facilities report provides 

information on energy consumption by state agencies and the state 

university system. 

http://www.doa.state.wi.us/docs_

view2.asp?docid = 990

Resources on Reporting the Results of LBE Programs

CALeep CALeep provides a set of resources to help local governments 

implement energy efficiency programs. It includes a section on 

evaluating and reporting on program results.

http://www.caleep.com/

California Energy 

Efficiency Evaluation 

Protocols: Technical, 

Methodological, 

and Reporting 

Requirements 

for Evaluation 

Professionals

This document provides guidance on evaluating and reporting on 

energy efficiency activities. The protocols are intended for policy 

makers to use when planning and structuring energy efficiency 

evaluation programs. 

http://www.calmac.

org/publications/

EvaluatorsProtocols_Final_

AdoptedviaRuling_06-19-2006.pdf

EERE Guide to 

Managing General 

Program Evaluation 

Studies

This DOE Office of Planning, Budget, and Analysis guidance 

document provides information to federal EERE program managers 

on how to evaluate the performance of their programs. The 

document includes a collection of important considerations for 

producing final reports and communicating results.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/ba/

pba/performance_measurement.

html

EERE Impact Evaluation 

Framework for 

Technology Deployment 

Programs

This document provides an approach for quantifying energy savings, 

clean energy advances, and market effects resulting from energy 

efficiency activities. 

https://apps3.eere.energy.gov/

ba/pba/analysis_database/docs/

pdf/2007/impact_framework_tech_

deploy_2007_main.pdf

Table J.1 Resources for Reporting the Results of LBE Programs (cont.)

Appendix J | Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide 3
State or Title Description URL

EERE Program 

Evaluation Guidance

The DOE Office of Planning, Budget, and Analysis provides guidance 

for evaluating the performance of DOE’s Energy Efficiency and 

Renewable Energy programs. Evaluation documents for each of 

EERE’s programs are now under development.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/ba/

prog_mgmt_guide.html

ENERGY STAR for 

Buildings Automated 

Benchmarking

This presentation provides steps for using the ENERGY STAR 

performance rating system to benchmark state facilities. The 

presentation includes case studies from California, Georgia, and 

Texas. 

https://www.energystar.gov/istar/

pmpam/help/About_Automated_

Benchmarking.htm

EPA Model Energy 

Efficiency Program 

Impact Evaluation 

Guide

This EPA document provides guidance to utilities and state 

regulators on evaluating the impacts of energy saving activities 

implemented under the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency. 

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/

documents/evaluation_guide.pdf

FEMP Measurement and 

Verification Guidelines

This set of guidelines provides federal energy managers and 

procurement officials with standard procedures and guidance for 

quantifying savings from energy efficiency projects.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/

financing/superespcs_measguide.

html

FEMP Reporting 

Guidance

FEMP has issued guidance to assist federal agencies in providing 

information for the annual report to Congress. This guidance is 

applicable to state agencies as well.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/

about/reporting_guidance.html

Measuring Energy Use This South Carolina Energy Office Web site provides information 

to state agencies on how to manage and account for energy use in 

state buildings.

http://www.energy.sc.gov/index.

aspx?m=7&t=49

Program Analysis for 

the Connecticut Clean 

Energy Fund’s Public 

Awareness, Education, 

and Voluntary Market 

Demand Initiatives

This report contains an assessment of the effectiveness of the Clean 

Energy Fund’s communications through a public awareness study. 

http://www.ctinnovations.

com/communities/files/CCEF_

Program%20Goal%203_ME%20

Plan_2005%20Evaluation_April%20

2006.pdf

The Resource 

Conservation 

Management Guidebook

This Guidebook was prepared by the Washington State 

Department of general Administration and the Oregon Office of 

Energy to provide information on how to develop, implement, 

and communicate the results of a state’s Resource Conservation 

Management Program to manage the resources and services used, 

and the waste generated, by state facilities.

http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/

CONS/RCM/rcmGuide.shtml

State Implementation 

Plan Guidance for 

Energy Efficiency/

Renewable Energy (EE/

RE) Measures

This EPA guidance document provides information on how to 

estimate emission reductions for EE/RE measures and include them 

in State Implementation Plans. The document includes a basic fourstep process to quantify SIP credits, as well as discussion points, 

references, resources, and two case studies of measures proposed 

for SIP credit.

http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t1/

memoranda/ereseerem_gd.pdf

State of Hawaii Facilities 

on Oahu Energy 

Benchmarking Study

This study evaluates the energy consumption and characteristics 

of state facilities on Oahu. Benchmarking data is based on energy 

audits, billing history, rebate history, square footage characteristics, 

and energy surveys.

http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/

energy/publications/benchmarking/

benchmarking.pdf

Tracking State 

Government 

Greenhouse Gas 

Emissions: The Good, 

the Bad, the Ugly

This presentation provides information on the basics of establishing 

baselines and gathering data for GHG inventories. The presentation 

also outlines potential tracking barriers. 

http://www.keystone.org/

spp/documents/1_17MA%20

Tracking%20State%20Building%20

Performance_Friedman.ppt

Table J.1 Resources for Reporting the Results of LBE Programs (cont.)

4 Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide | Appendix J