D.3  Sustainability and the Federal Government

The Federal Government has led the nation in energy efficient, resource-conserving building design, construction, and operation. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (known as EPAct or H.R. 6), was signed into law by President Bush on August 8, 2005.  Subtitle A of H.R. 6, Federal Programs, reestablishes a number of Federal agency goals and contains relevant, amended portions of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA). EPAct 2005 stipulates numerous relevant requirements, encompassing renewable energy usage, sustainable design, energy reduction, and energy efficient purchasing.  EPAct 2005 can be accessed here: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/about/legislation_epact_05.html.

Specific sections which are relevant to the Army and sustainable design and development include:

  1. Section 102 extends the annual federal energy reduction goal of 2% per gross square foot of Federal buildings from FY 2006 to FY 2015, and amends the reporting baseline from 1985 to 2003.  It includes provisions for federal agencies to retain savings achieved through energy and water savings.  DOE is charged with recommending new requirements for federal energy performance for fiscal years 2016 through 2025 by December 13, 2014.

  2. Section 104 amends NECPA section 553 to direct agencies to purchase ENERGY STAR® and FEMP-designated products when procuring energy-consuming products, except when it is not cost effective or does not meet functional requirements of the agency.  Agencies must also incorporate energy-efficient specifications in procurement bids and evaluations, and requires agencies to only purchase premium efficient electric motors, air conditioning, and refrigeration equipment.  It also instructs GSA and DOD to clearly identify and display ENERGY STAR® and FEMP-designated products in any inventory, catalog, or product listing.

  3. Section 103 directs federal agencies to meter electricity use in all federal buildings by October 1, 2012, using advanced meters or metering devices that provide data at least daily.  By July 31, 2006, agencies must submit a plan for how they will implement the metering process, including designated personnel responsible and metering devices to be employed.

  4. Section 109 requires new Federal buildings to be designed to meet ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004.  It also stipulates that new Federal buildings be designed 30% below ASHRAE standards or International Energy Code to the extent that technologies employed are life-cycle cost-effective.  In addition, sustainable design principles are to be applied to new and replacement buildings.  All agencies must identify new building in their budget requests and identify those that meet or exceed the standard.

  5. Section 111 makes provisions for energy efficiency technologies in public and administrative buildings on Federal lands to the extent practical.

  6. Section 203 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 requires that the total amount of electric energy the Federal government consumes during any fiscal year, the following amounts shall be renewable energy:

    • Not less than 2.5 percent in fiscal year 2006,

    • Not less than 3 percent in fiscal years 2007 through 2009,

    • Not less than 5 percent in fiscal years 2010 through 2012, and

    • Not less than 7.5 percent in fiscal year 2013 and each fiscal year thereafter.

For purposes of determining compliance the amount of renewable energy shall be doubled if:

    • The renewable energy is produced and used on-site at a Federal facility;

    • The renewable energy is produced on Federal lands and is used at a Federal facility; or

    • The renewable energy is produced on Indian land and used at a Federal facility.

In addition to EPAct 2005, two other pieces of legislation contain energy and water efficiency and renewable energy goals for the federal sector are in place. These documents are the Executive Order 13423, Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management , and the Federal Leadership in High Performance and Sustainable Buildings Memorandum of Understanding. Both documents are based on the requirements laid out in EPAct 2005; however, the goals in these documents are more aggressive.

 
 

Appendix d