Seventeen Federal agencies and the Executive Office of the President (EOP) signed the first-of-its kind Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last week committing federal leadership to the design, construction, and operation of High-Performance and Sustainable Buildings.
Ed Pinero, the Federal Environmental Executive, announced that the agreement will accelerate implementation of common strategies for planning, acquiring, siting, designing, building, operating, and maintaining High Performance and Sustainable Buildings. The signatory agencies will also coordinate with complementary efforts in the private and public sectors.
Pursuant to this MOU, the Agencies have agreed on using specific “Guiding Principles” to improve the performance of its buildings, including commitments in the areas of design, energy, materials, and indoor air quality, among others, that will lead to high performance buildings. The MOU also provides guidance and assurance for implementation of practical, economic, and appropriate timeframes and methods, in line with the Agency’s respective missions.
“President Bush has challenged the Federal government to lead by example in efficiency, stewardship of our natural resources, and by setting measurable goals as good neighbors. This MOU represents how the federal community will rise to meet those challenges in the area of our buildings and facilities.” said Mr. Piero.
The Federal government owns approximately 445,000 buildings with total floor space of over 3.0 billion square feet, in addition to leasing an additional 57,000 buildings comprising 374 million square feet of floor space. These structures and their sites affect the natural environment, economy, and the productivity and health of the workers and visitors that use these buildings. U.S. buildings consume over 37% of the nation’s primary energy and 68% of all electricity.
The Energy Policy Act of 2005, which President Bush signed into law last summer, requires Federal agencies to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings, purchase Energy Star and energy-efficient products, purchase electricity from renewable energy sources, and apply sustainable design principles to the siting, design, and construction of all new and replacement buildings.
Loading...