Programs such as the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) help federal
agencies meet green goals and provide new sales opportunities for the industry
as a result.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Federal
Energy Management Program (FEMP) has ambitious clean energy goals. Clean
energy is an umbrella term that is used to encapsulate efficient, low-carbon,
and renewable energy sources. As the largest energy consumer in the U.S., the
federal government has embraced a prime opportunity to lead by example. FEMP
is a key component of this task because it is responsible for helping federal
agencies meet energy management goals, including:[1]
- Reducing energy intensity 30% by 2015 from 2003 levels
- Reducing water intensity 16% by 2015 from 2007 levels
- Generating or purchasing at least 7.5% of electricity from renewable sources
by 2013
Energy (or water) intensity measures the amount of energy (or water) required
to produce a given level of output or activity. It can be used to measure the
amount of energy it takes to manufacture a product or to produce a certain level
of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). For instance, U.S. energy consumption in 2004
was about 100 quadrillion (1015) Btus and the GDP was estimated at
$11.74 trillion. These figures produce an energy intensity ratio of about 8500
Btus (9 megajoules-MJ) for every dollar of GDP.[2]
FEMP will use American Recovery & Reinvestment Act funding to develop an
energy, water, and greenhouse gas emissions reporting and tracking system for
federal facilities. This system will help the government achieve its energy
management goals.[3]
As noted in NAED’s “Findings
in Brief: The Green Market” white paper and “The
Energy Management Market for Government Buildings” case study, the stimulus
act and the government’s clean energy goals provide numerous opportunities for
electrical distributors to sell energy management products and services.
[1] http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/daily.cfm/hp_news_id=193
accessed August 12, 2009.
[2] http://www1.eere.energy.gov/ba/pba/intensityindicators/total_energy.html
accessed August 12, 2009.
[3] http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/daily.cfm/hp_news_id=193
accessed August 12, 2009.