CEQ Press Releases - Presidential Awards Presented to Six Federal Agencies for Saving Tens of Millions in Energy Costs, Reducing Consumption and Pollution

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 29, 2009

Presidential Awards Presented to Six Federal Agencies for Saving Tens of Millions in Energy Costs, Reducing Consumption and Pollution

WASHINGTON – The White House Council on Environmental Quality today presented a Presidential Award for Leadership in Federal Energy Management to seven teams from six Federal Agencies for their efforts in promoting and improving energy use in their facilities and saving tens of millions in annual energy costs.  The energy management teams receiving the awards were from the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of the Interior, Department of Treasury, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

In addition to the savings in annual energy costs, the energy management teams receiving awards are responsible for an estimated annual energy savings of almost 2.5 trillion British Thermal Units (Btu), equivalent to the energy use of approximately 26,000 typical households.  The awards were presented at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center by Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Sally Ericsson, Program Associate Director for Natural Resources, Energy, and Science at the White House Office of Management and Budget, and Catherine Zoi, Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy.

“President Obama has asked us to lead by example when it comes to creating innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase our energy efficiency, conserve water, reduce waste, and use environmentally-responsible products and technologies,” said Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality.  “These seven teams, representing six Federal agencies, are clearly leading by example by reducing their emissions and saving tax-payer dollars.”

The Presidential Awards for Leadership in Federal Energy Management recognize outstanding achievements in six categories: conservation and efficient use of energy and water; renewable energy use; sustainable building design; petroleum reduction in vehicle fleets; new and emerging energy technologies; and innovative strategies, best practices, and applications.  Nominations were provided to the White House Council on Environmental Quality who, along with a panel of judges, reviewed the nominations and recommended the 2009 award recipients to the President. 

The Presidential Awards for Leadership in Federal Energy Management support the aggressive goals for energy efficiency and use of renewable energy in the Federal Government established by Executive Order 13423, which calls on the Federal Government to reduce its energy intensity by three percent annually leading to a 30 percent reduction in 2015, compared to energy use in 2003, and its water use by two percent annually from a 2007 baseline.  The Energy Policy Act of 2005 requires the Federal Government to design all new buildings 30 percent more efficient than current code and to generate or purchase renewable electric energy equivalent to at least 7.5 percent of its electricity use by 2013, while the Executive Order requires that at least half of this renewable energy come from new renewable sources.

The seven winning teams of the 2009 Presidential Awards for Leadership in Federal Energy Management received recognition for the following achievements:

U.S. Department of Defense
Navy Region Northwest
Naval Base Kitsap
Naval Base Kitsap completed 69 energy projects in FY 2008 that saved nearly 309 billion Btu and $2.6 million.  These and other projects resulted in reduced energy consumption on all NBK sites by 12 to 16 percent below the FY 2003 baseline, and reduced water consumption at three NBK sites between 21 and 36 percent from the FY 2007 baseline.  NBK is also working with Bonneville Power Administration on a four-phase facility upgrade project valued at $25.3 million that when complete will save about 333 billion Btu and $4 million annually.

U.S Department of Defense
Naval Air Station Oceana
Dam Neck Annex
Naval Air Station Oceana surpassed its FY 2015 energy savings target 10 years early, and in FY 2008 decreased its energy use to 42 percent below the FY 2003 baseline, saving $2.4 million in energy costs and 117 billion Btu.  These savings were accomplished primarily through the Dam Neck Annex Energy Savings Performance Contract, which installed 4,000 tons of geothermal heat pumps in combination with localized natural gas boilers, replacing an inefficient steam plant.  The total project cost of almost $33 million will be offset by expected annual savings of nearly 244 billion Btu and $2.8 million.

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Energy Management Team
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reduced energy intensity by 21.7 percent from the 2003 baseline and reduced water intensity by 20.6 percent from 2007.  USDA’s Sustainable Operations Council coordinates energy management efforts across the Department, supported by “green teams,” or groups of employees chartered by USDA leadership to promote and foster sustainable operations.  USDA employs tools such as Energy Savings Performance Contracts, Utility Energy Service Contracts, green power purchase agreements, internal USDA Agency scorecards, corporate energy data management systems, and environmental management systems to meet its goals. 

U.S. Department of Commerce
Energy Management Team
The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) reduced its energy intensity 19.9 percent from FY 2003 and reduced water intensity by 30 percent from 2007.  DOC leverages in-house staff, seeks out commercial and Federal energy experts, and implements Energy Savings Performance Contracts and Utility Energy Service Contracts to accomplish challenging projects.  Employees creatively approach energy conservation challenges through energy working groups, Employee Green Teams, and energy awareness campaigns.  DOC also established various interagency agreements to provide technical support for energy audits, renewable energy projects, and sustainable buildings. 

U.S. Department of the Interior
Energy and Transportation Management Team
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) reduced energy intensity by 21.9 percent from FY 2003 and reduced water intensity by 3.8 percent from 2007.  The Bureau of Land Management’s innovative use of a bureau-wide Energy Savings Performance Contract motivated other bureaus to explore similar funding approaches.  On-site renewable energy projects have been incorporated at 375 sites throughout the Department.  In its covered fleet vehicles, DOI reduced petroleum use by 12 percent relative to FY 2005 by reducing the size of its fleet by 9 percent while increasing the number of alternative fuel vehicles by 20 percent. 

U.S. Department of the Treasury
Energy & Transportation Management Team
The U.S. Department of the Treasury reduced energy intensity by 14 percent from the 2003 baseline and reduced water intensity by 14 percent from 2007.  To meet its goals, the Department uses Utility Energy Service Contacts; implements advanced metering plans; purchases renewable Energy Certificates and new renewable energy power through local utilities; and reinforces employee energy awareness.  Treasury also achieved an increase in alternative fuel use of 1.8 percent and a decrease in overall petroleum fuel use of 2.6 percent by acquiring more new fuel efficient vehicles, acquiring Ethanol (E85) capable vehicles; and using E85 where available. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Excellence in Resource Conservation Team
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reduced energy intensity 24.4 percent from FY 2003 and reduced water intensity by 6.3 percent from 2007.  EPA was the first federal agency to offset 100 percent of its electricity use with green power, largely through the use of renewable energy certificates. During the design and construction of any new facility, EPA uses extensive energy modeling and innovative technologies that dramatically improve energy performance.  EPA reduced covered fleet petroleum use by 19.5 percent compared to the FY 2005 baseline through increased communication and training for regional and local fleet managers.

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