General News

As various electrification and energy benchmarking policies come online, existing federal facilities have an opportunity to save money on utility costs while reaching compliance. Federal agencies that upgrade their building operations equipment to more energy-efficient alternatives can tap into SD EnergyLink rebates and incentives to lower the final cost of those projects.

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The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is using $3.4 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act to decarbonize federal buildings and promote new low-carbon technologies. Through its Green Proving Ground initiative, the GSA has tested and evaluated innovative technologies to reduce emissions and enhance building efficiency. The GSA aims to achieve net-zero emissions for its buildings by 2045.  

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California has received $4.5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to advance statewide building decarbonization efforts. This is part of an $18.5 million allocation across states and local governments through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. The grant supports the Local Government Building Decarbonization Challenge, aiming to reduce California’s building-related greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy efficiency initiatives statewide. 

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Thirteen Tribal Nations received funding through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas program. This funding will help these communities complete clean energy projects and improve climate resiliency. Tribes with clean energy goals are encouraged to connect with the Office of Energy to find financial and technical assistance opportunities. Learn more on their website. 

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The Clean Energy for New Federal Buildings and Major Renovations of Federal Buildings Rule mandates that all new federal building construction or major renovations achieve net-zero emissions by 2045. The rule works in tandem with Executive Order 14057 and the other Federal Sustainability Plan actions. Read the full article on FacilitiesNet to get more details. 

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The Federal Energy and Water Management Awards recognize successful projects at federal properties that resulted in a noteworthy improvement in energy and water efficiency. Learn more about these projects and programs that cut energy and water waste on the Department of Energy’s website. 

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A report from the World Economic Forum and PwC states that completing energy savings and efficiency projects can help buildings reduce energy consumption by as much as 38%. Over time, as the cost savings from actions taken to lessen the amount of energy that facilities need to operate add up, these efforts will pay for themselves. Learn more about this report in an article from Smart Cities Dive. 

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Reducing your facility’s energy usage will make investing in energy easier and more affordable in the future. According to an article from Facility Executive, the payback period on solar panels and other renewable energy technology will be longer if efforts are not taken to optimize energy systems for cost savings and efficiency first. 

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To mitigate the impact of extreme heat, flooding, and other weather-related incidents, the Department of Energy (DOE) encourages investment in energy-efficient technology to improve climate resilience. The DOE helps communities become safer, more equitable, and economically stronger by providing resources through its Office of State and Community Energy Programs. Learn more on DOE’s website.

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Improving energy efficiency and creating environments that staff feel more comfortable in are two ways government entities are updating the operational strategies of their facilities. In an interview with FacilitiesNet, two commercial real estate experts discuss some of the changes they’ve observed and how facility managers are dealing with them.

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