Federal Energy Management Conference Opens in Pittsburgh Energy 2000 - Expand Your Horizons

GSA #9722

August 21, 2000
Contact: Eleni Martin (202) 501-1231
eleni.martin@gsa.gov

Pittsburgh, Pa -- Almost 1,000 people are coming here today for the third annual Energy 2000 conference and exposition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) and co-sponsored by the U.S. General Services Administration and the Department of Defense.

Government and private sector energy managers are meeting at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center today through August 23 for workshops on energy markets; green building; whole building design; technology; facility operations; managing energy information; project and program integration; and project financing. Over one hundred vendors will exhibit their products and answer questions about energy products and technologies.

"As we move into the 21st Century, Energy 2000 represents the premier energy conference for Federal energy managers. The Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) is pleased to join with our partners in this third annual event for energy management professionals," said Beth Shearer, Director of DOE's Federal Energy Management Program. "We face many challenges in the complex world of Government energy management but there are an equal number of exciting opportunities. President Clinton's Executive Order 13123, 'Greening of the Government through Efficient Energy Management,' presents us with both."

Shearer said that Energy's FEMP oversees the government's efforts to save energy, reduce costs, and protect the environment through efficient energy and water consumption and the use of renewable energies. She said that the conference creates opportunities to gain and share valuable knowledge and identify and procure the most cost-effective energy-saving, renewable energy and water efficiency products and equipment.

"GSA is a recognized national leader in energy conservation and environmental causes," said Jim Williams, Assistant Regional Administrator for GSA's Mid-Atlantic Region. "One of our proudest accomplishments is the partnering among our federal agency counterparts to lower utility costs for the federal government. Through GSA's Energy Center of Expertise, we provide federal agencies with unique and innovative ways to achieve their respective missions while conserving energy, protecting the environment, and saving taxpayer dollars."

Randall Yim, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Installations, DOD, said, "Energy 2000 is an extremely important event. The prudent management of our scarce energy and water resources is a critical national and global issue that affects everyone. As the largest federal energy user, smart, innovative and cutting edge management is vital to Department of Defense efforts to protect our national security. This conference provides all federal energy managers with the latest information, latest technology, and best managerial tools, and perhaps most importantly, brings public and private sector experts together to discuss issues and share experiences."

Also participating in the conference are the Green Building Alliance, National Energy Technology Laboratory, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. National Park Service.