Feds Cut Energy Use in Buildings by 20 Percent

The Energy Policy Act mandates that by fiscal year 2000 federal buildings must use 20 percent less energy than 1985 levels. The feds beat the deadline by a year and have accrued $19 billion in savings. In addition, the Department of Energy reports they saved $2 billion in 1999 alone. The federal government is the single largest energy user in the U.S., accounting for almost two percent of total national consumption. Its annual energy bill runs at about $8 billion. The 20 percent savings translates into the energy needed to supply over 1.25 million households for a year.

The departments that achieved the 20 percent reduction are: Departments of Energy, Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Justice, Transportation, NASA, Tennessee Valley Authority, and the US Postal Service. The agencies accomplished this goal through a variety of measures including purchase of Energy Star equipment, upgrading lighting and HVAC maintenance procedures. The Postal Service, for example, purchased 30,000 Energy Star exit signs resulting in $600,000 worth of savings from more efficient lighting.