WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman today honored 25 individuals, teams, and organizations throughout the Federal government with the 2007 Federal Energy and Water Management Award for saving taxpayers more than $18 million in energy costs over one year through energy efficiency improvements and innovative project management strategies.  This work will help meet goals set forth in President Bush’s Executive Order #13423, which sets the Federal government on a rigorous path toward increasing efficiency and dramatically increasing the use of renewable energy.

“President Bush has set aggressive goals for reducing the Federal government’s use of energy, and we intend to meet those goals with robust measures,” Secretary Bodman said.  “Those recognized today demonstrate that Federal employees are rising to the challenge.  As public servants, it is our responsibility to lead and set an example of efficiency and prudent use of our resources.”

The 2007 Federal Energy and Water Management Awards were awarded to employees from: the United States Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy; the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Energy, Health and Human Services, Interior, and Veterans Affairs; Environmental Protection Agency; General Services Administration; and the U.S. Postal Service.  Federal facilities at the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the General Services Administration received Energy Saver Showcase Awards for superior building performance and sustainable construction.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Federal Energy and Water Management Award demonstrates a commitment to sound government stewardship by recognizing efforts to save energy, reduce Federal energy costs, promote a cleaner environment, and bring more cutting-edge technologies to use, strengthening our national security, and creating a stronger economy.

Presented each year since 1981 by the Department of Energy and the Federal Interagency Policy Committee, the Award recognizes efforts that help agencies meet energy efficiency and renewable energy goals set for the government by the President and Congress.  Both Executive Order #13423 and the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) call on the Federal government to reduce its energy intensity by two percent and three percent per year respectively through the end of 2015.  EPAct requires that the Federal government purchase at least 7.5 percent of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2013, and the Executive Order requires that at least half of this renewable energy come from new renewable sources.

By implementing such changes, substantive results have already been achieved.  For example, Fiscal Year 2006 data shows that the Federal government has decreased energy consumption per gross square foot by approximately 6.4 percent, compared with FY 2003 data.  The Federal government also reported purchasing or producing 12.9 trillion Btus of new renewable energy, equivalent to 6.9 percent of their electricity use.

The 2007 winners were selected from nominations submitted by 17 Federal agencies. Accomplishments of the winners include:

• Use of renewable energy systems including wind turbines, roof-top solar photovoltaic arrays, building integrated photovoltaics, solar-powered street lights, and geothermal heat pumps to power federal facilities;
• Implementation of facility -wide systemic changes by improving operations and maintenance practices and upgrading building management and HVAC equipment, including recommissioning energy systems and installing high efficiency lighting and direct digital controls;
• Improvements in energy security, which include constructing a massive chilled water loop that harnesses the maximum cooling capacities of several chillers using an energy management control system;
• Use of Energy Savings Performance Contracts and Utility Energy Services Contracts to leverage  private sector financing of energy improvement projects; 
• Installation of leak detection devices and unique water storage and irrigation systems to reduce water consumption.

This awards program is one of several held each year in conjunction Energy Awareness Month, to highlight the critical importance of energy efficiency and renewable resources and Federal efforts to lead by example in energy management.  View the complete list of this year’s winners.

Learn more about the President’s Executive Order #13423.

Media contact(s):
Megan Barnett, (202) 586-4940