ENERGY STAR for Federal Agencies

Government agencies spend more than $10 billion a year on energy to provide public services and meet constituent needs — while grappling with tightening budgets. Energy use in commercial buildings and industrial facilities is responsible for more than 50 percent of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore, it is imperative that any government agency looking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions pay special attention to its buildings.

The good news is that the opportunity to reduce these emissions is significant because as much as 30 percent of the energy consumed in commercial buildings is often used unnecessarily or inefficiently. Through ENERGY STAR, EPA provides your government agency a proven energy management strategy and no-cost tools to save energy and money, as well as demonstrate your environmental leadership.

What Federal Agencies Can Do

• Join the Change a World, Start with ENERGY STAR campaign. Become a Pledge Driver. Take the Pledge.
• Join the ENERGY STAR Challenge
  • Become an ENERGY STAR Partner and demonstrate your commitment to improving your own facilities' energy performance.
  • Promote energy efficiency to those you work with using the ENERGY STAR Challenge Toolkit.
• Get started with ENERGY STAR for Federal Agencies (98KB).
• Establish a comprehensive energy management program using ENERGY STAR’s Guidelines for Energy Management.
• Measure and track energy and water use in ALL existing buildings with Portfolio Manager.
• Use Target Finder to set energy use targets and rate energy design intent for new buildings.
• Improve energy performance of wastewater plants and drinking water systems.
• Learn about financing energy projects.
• Calculate the pay-back period of energy efficiency investments with the Cash Flow Opportunity Calculator (download to your computer for best performance).
• Take advantage of resources like our Service and Product Provider Directory.
• Implement PC power management in accordance with Executive Order 13423 , which requires federal agencies to enable ENERGY STAR "sleep" features on computers and monitors.
• Register for and learn more through online training sessions.
• Design, build, and operate federal facilities in accordance with The Federal Leadership Memorandum of Understanding to adopt Guiding Principles for High Performance and Sustainable Buildings (191 KB).

Earn Recognition for Your Achievements

• Earn the ENERGY STAR for Buildings

Purchasing and Procurement for Federal Agencies

• Federal Agencies must purchase ENERGY STAR qualified products in accordance with The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 , which requires federal agencies to buy either ENERGY STAR qualified products or products designated as energy-efficient by the Federal Energy Management Program .