The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it has set aside $104 million in funds for energy conservation and clean energy projects at 31 Federal facilities. The 31 projects aim to double the new carbon-free electricity capacity at the facilities, adding 27 megawatts of clean energy. DOE hopes these initiatives will also attract over $361 million in private investment.
The announcement was made by DOE’s Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT) program. Established in 1992, the AFFECT program has been helping agencies in reducing energy consumption and saving taxpayers money through initiatives such as:
- building electrification
- geothermal heat pumps
- on-site solar generation
- battery energy storage
This announcement aligns with President Biden’s Executive Order, which aims for a 65% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, 100% zero-emission vehicle acquisitions by 2035, and a net-zero building portfolio by 2045.
“The Federal Government is the nation’s largest consumer of energy, and conserving as much power as possible in our buildings and vehicle fleets benefits taxpayers and bolsters our national security,” said US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm in a release. “Thanks to the historic investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the projects we’re announcing today will help secure our energy independence while we fight climate change and create a healthier environment for all Americans.”
Here is a list of some of the selected projects
- Installing rooftop solar panels, a heat-recovery heat pump system, and solar thermal panels at the US Department of Defense’s Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.
- Installing LED lights and occupancy sensors in low-occupancy areas and applying PV film on south-facing windows to conserve and generate energy at the US Department of Transportation’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.
- Replacing evaporator diesel-powered boilers with electric boilers at the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant at DOE’s Hanford Site in Richland, Washington. A release from DOE notes that this change has the potential to save $16 million in fuel costs per year.
- Upgrading the HVAC system, installing a new 75-kilowatt solar PV system, and water conservation measures at the US Department of Transportation’s Maui Air Traffic Control Tower in Kahului, Hawaii.
“We are in the midst of a once-in-a-generation global energy transition,” said Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks. “Recent advancements in clean, renewable technology are game-changing for the nation and for the Department of Defense (DoD). Successfully adapting to the energy transition is critical for maintaining our strategic advantages. By rethinking how we generate, distribute, and use energy, DoD is making our installations more resilient, better securing our critical infrastructure, and saving money — a win for warfighters and taxpayers alike.”
DOE stated that in the first year of operation, the projects are expected to:
- Save over $29 million in energy and water costs
- Remove as many greenhouse gas emissions as removing 23,042 gasoline-powered vehicles
- Cut energy usage equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 29,662 homes
“President Biden has charged the Federal Government to lead by example by transforming its footprint of over 300,000 buildings to be more energy efficient and climate resilient, which means cleaner air across the country,” said White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory. “This investment, part of the President’s Investing in America agenda, will help achieve the Administration’s ambitious Federal sustainability goals while creating thousands of good-paying jobs, saving taxpayers money, and building healthier communities.”
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