Congressman Tierney has long advocated that the federal government, as the largest consumer of energy in the country, be the model for using energy wisely and incorporating renewable technologies. As far back as 2003, he offered amendments to energy legislation designed to improve the energy efficiency of federal government facilities and vehicles and to give federal agencies the flexibility to purchase “future technology vehicles” such as hybrids.

John points out that the Energy Independence and Security Act, which was signed into law in December 2007, takes a number of positive steps in this regard. Among other things, the Act requires the federal government to substitute energy-efficient lighting for incandescent bulbs; it requires improved federal building energy efficiency with the goal of having all new buildings use no net energy by 2050; and it promotes and strengthens accountability in the federal government’s use of Energy Savings Performance Contracts.