Policies and strategies

Explore presentations to the Interagency Sustainability Working Group on broad policies and strategies covering the whole government or entire agencies, services, or bureaus, which set the context for achievements in Federal high-performance buildings.

Title	Type	Date	Description
50001 Ready Federal Cohort Training Update — P. Shaeffer [PDF - 1 MB]	Governmentwide	2020-02	Paul Shaeffer of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory describes the status of the U.S. Department of Energy’s 50001 Ready Program. 50001 Ready is a three-step DOE program to recognize conformance with the International Organization for Standardization 50001 standard for energy management systems, which helps facilities save energy and money through continuous improvement. Paul discusses the DOE Federal Energy Management Program resources available to agencies who pursue 50001 Ready, including structured training and ongoing “help desk” support; and lists several federal agencies in active or planned FY 2020 FEMP 50001 Ready Cohorts. For more information, visit the DOE 50001 Ready Program website.
Advanced Metering Networking and Energy Management Information System Overview — J. Murrell [PDF - 2 MB]	Governmentwide	2024-04	Jefferey Murrell of the Department of Energy, FEMP outlined the agency metering implementation plans, the importance of meter data management, and an analysis or supporting details of the multitude of ways that FEMP is helping agencies with their metering plans. Why meter connectivity — “you can’t manage what you don’t measure.” Jefferey states that you can and should collect and utilize metered data. For more information, please visit the EMIS website Energy Management Information Systems for Federal Facilities \| Department of Energy and the GEB website Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings for Federal Agencies \| Department of Energy.
Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Federal Agency Call — S. Motamedi [PDF - 430 KB]	Governmentwide	2023-05	Soudeh Motamedi of DOE FEMP presents key details about the AFFECT BIL FAC, Advancing Net-Zero Federal Facilities. With four rounds of applications through winter 2025 and $250 million in total available awards, the AFFECT BIL FAC presents a prime opportunity for federal agencies to leverage grant funding in carrying out the energy efficiency, decarbonization, and carbon pollution-free electricity provisions of the Energy Act of 2020 and Executive Order 14057. To learn more and see all AFFECT BIL FAC questions and answers, visit S3 eXCHANGE and select the FAC number DE-FOA-0003026.
ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2013 and 10 CFR 433 Regulations, Requirements, and Tips — M. Halverson [PDF - 1 MB]	Governmentwide	2019-12	Mark Halverson of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory discusses past and future changes to ASHRAE Standard 90.1, with implications for how commercial and low-rise multi-family residential buildings in the federal building portfolio are required to save energy. He describes compliance paths for ASHRAE 90.1-2013, including the Performance Rating Method whole building design tool. For more information, visit the ASHRAE Standard 90.1 website. Also see the U.S. Department of Energy full list of building energy software tools and Guiding Principles Compliance webpages.
Baseline Energy Efficiency Standards Updates for All New Federal Buildings — N. Baker [PDF - 443 KB]	Governmentwide	2022-04	Nicolas Baker of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program reviews updated federal building efficiency rules for new federal commercial and multi-family high-rise residential buildings, under 10 CFR 433 and for new federal low-rise residential buildings, under 10 CFR 435. To learn more, see the final rules for Baseline Energy Efficiency Standards Update for New Federal Commercial and Multi-Family High-Rise Residential Buildings and Energy Efficiency Standards for the Design and Construction of New Federal Low-Rise Residential Buildings Baseline Standards Update.
Building and Grid Integration: A New Frontier for Federal Buildings — K. Sandler and K. Porst Hydras [PDF - 1 MB]	Governmentwide	2019-12	Ken Sandler and Kinga Porst Hydras of GSA Office of Federal High-Performance Buildings introduce the concept of grid-interactive efficient buildings, where buildings that provide demand flexibility services such as load shedding and load shifting can help improve energy efficiency, provide cost savings, reduce carbon emissions, and more. To illustrate GEB potential benefits to the federal government, they summarize the findings of a 2019 report by GSA and the Rocky Mountain Institute, Value Potential for Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings in the GSA Portfolio: A Cost-Benefit Analysis. For more information, read the GSA-RMI report on the RMI website.
Achieving Carbon-Free Electricity Goals by Harnessing the “Whole-of-Government” Approach — C. Stearn and B. Bueter [PDF - 1 MB]	Governmentwide	2024-08	Bonnie Bueter, J.D. Acting Chief , and Christine Stearn, Regulatory Program Manager from GSA presented two case studies highlighting carbon-free electricity goals for El Paso Electrics and PJM. The presentation provided an overview of CFE options for different energy markets and resources for enrolling in CFE opportunities.
Clean Energy Rule Update — R. Mears [PDF - 247 KB]	Governmentwide	2024-06	Rick Mears from the Department of Energy Federal Energy Management Program presented a brief update on the Clean Energy Rule. This update included a brief summary of what the rule entails, as well as why it is important. For more information, visit the Clean Energy for Federal Buildings Rule webpage.
Coming Attractions from GSA Green Building Advisory Committee — K. Sandler [PDF - 1 MB]	Governmentwide	2021-02	Ken Sandler of GSA Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings describes the recent findings and recommendations from two task groups of the GSA Green Building Advisory Committee: 1) Embodied Energy and Carbon in Federal Building Materials, and 2) Sustainable Response to COVID-19 in Federal Buildings.
Decarbonization of Federal Buildings — C. Perry [PDF - 1 MB]	Governmentwide	2022-04	Chris Perry of U.S. Department of Energy Building Technologies Office presents an overview on the topic of decarbonization and describes key technologies, resources and opportunities for federal agencies to decarbonize their building portfolios, including what BTO has to provide. To learn more, visit DOE BTO’s Building Energy Codes Program .
Energy Efficient Product Procurement — A. Ackerman [PDF - 1 MB]	Governmentwide	2024-10	Alison Ackerman, Program Analyst, DOE FEMP, presented a policy update on Energy Efficient Product Procurement purchasing requirements. This included an explanation of the EPA ENERGY STAR Certification, FEMP Designated Products, 42 U.S. Code § 8259b — Federal Procurement of Energy Efficient Products, and FAR Part 23.103 Policy.
Energy Efficient Product Procurement Program Requirements — A. Ackerman [PDF - 1 MB]	Governmentwide	2024-02	Allison Ackerman of the Department of Energy presented on FEMP Energy Efficient Product Procurement . This encompasses the FEMP Designated program and standards, the ENERGY STAR Certification and the law. Ms. Ackerman discussed the energy efficient purchasing requirements, the exceptions to these requirements, as well as the GSA website that assists in purchasing energy efficient products. See the Procure section on the left.
ENERGY STAR Tenant Space — C. Haglund [PDF - 337 KB]	Governmentwide	2020-02	Craig Haglund of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency updates the Interagency Sustainability Working Group about the agency ENERGY STAR Tenant Space recognition program. After reviewing the results of a pilot phase with more than 30 “charter tenants,” EPA planned a market-scale launch for office tenants in summer 2020. Tenants will use an online tool within Portfolio Manager to determine their eligibility for recognition. For more information, see EPA ENERGY STAR Tenant Space.
EPA IRA Low Embodied Carbon Efforts — A. Kinn Bennett [PDF - 1 MB]	Governmentwide	2023-10	Alison Kinn Bennet of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presents key updates regarding EPA IRA Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials Program. Alison explains the EPA role in the reduction of embodied carbon efforts funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as the program’s path to target reduced GHG emissions from construction materials. To learn more about the broader Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program, visit EPA Greener Products and Services webpage.
FEMP Carbon Pollution-Free Electricity Resources — T. Niro and E. McClure [PDF - 1 MB]	Governmentwide	2022-11	Tracy Niro of the DOE FEMP and Elisabeth McClure, PhD, AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow supporting FEMP, review FEMP resources for federal agencies implementing the carbon pollution-free electricity requirements in Executive Order 14057, Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability.
Grid and Transmission Federal Funding Opportunities — D. Reed [PDF - 1 MB]	Governmentwide	2023-01	Dylan Reed of the U.S. Department of Energy Grid Deployment Office gives an overview of the work of GDO and the grid and transmission funding opportunities in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, and other sources. To learn more, visit the DOE GDO website.
GSA Green Building Advisory Committee’s Federal Building Decarbonization Advice Letter — R. Chang [PDF - 623 KB]	Governmentwide	2023-12	Roger Chang of Buro Happold, a member of GSA Green Building Advisory Committee, provided an overview of the Committee’s Federal Building Decarbonization Advice Letter, and the process that the Task Group he co-chaired underwent to produce its findings and recommendations. For more information, see the advice letter [PDF - 404 KB] and its appendices [PDF - 336 KB]. See the Advice letters and resolutions page for additional GBAC letters.
High-Performance Building Certification Systems Review — P. Dale [PDF - 467 KB]	Governmentwide	2019-05	Patrick Dale from GSA discusses the third review of high-performance building certification systems under the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act, providing an overview of GSA findings and outlining next steps for the study. For more information, see the Green building certification systems page.
ISWG Engagement Strategy for the Future — L. York [PDF - 535 KB]	Governmentwide	2024-04	Liz York of GSA Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings presented on the ISWG co-chair’s strategy and goals for the future of the ISWG meetings. Liz reviewed the results of the end-of-year mentimeter survey that was sent to December’s attendees and discussed the proposed structure for the remainder of 2024 bi-monthly meetings.
LED + Controls Guidance for Federal Buildings — A. Silvestri and M. Myer [PDF - 2 MB]	Governmentwide	2023-12	Andrea Silvestri from GSA Green Proving Ground and Michael Myer from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory presented on the recently published LED lighting and controls guidance for federal buildings. This guidance is in support of the BRIGHT Act. Michael explains the decision flow chart, as well as the many elements for federal agencies to take into consideration when selecting the most cost-effective and energy-efficient lighting systems available. For more information, see the full guidance document [PDF - 7 MB].
Leveraging Private Sector Investment in Federal Facilities — M. Sotos [PDF - 243 KB]	Governmentwide	2023-01	Mary Sotos, Director of the DOE FEMP, provides a brief update on FEMP FY 2022 Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies Federal Agency Call , which totals $13 million in potential grants for federal agencies. She also gives a brief history of the program and its achievements, and previews FEMP plans to issue a total $250 million over five years as appropriated under the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. To learn more about current and past AFFECT, visit the FEMP Federal Funding Opportunities website.
National Water Reuse Action Plan — J. Lape [PDF - 1 MB]	Governmentwide	2019-12	Jeff Lape, National Program Leader for Water Reuse at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water, discusses the draft National Water Reuse Action Plan released at the WaterReuse Symposium in San Diego, CA, in September 2019. Noting that in the United States, 40 of 50 state water managers expect freshwater shortages in their states within a decade, the report identifies 10 strategic objectives and 46 proposed actions for stakeholders. Two of these proposed actions directly involve the federal sector. For more information, read the plan and its appendices on the EPA Water Reuse Action Plan website.
Summary Impacts of Energy Act 2020 to Federal Sustainability Community — N. Baker [PDF - 781 KB]	Governmentwide	2021-02	Nicolas Baker of the DOE-FEMP reviews what the relevant provisions of the Energy Act of 2020 mean for federal sustainability. Among the main changes, EA 2020 adds water conservation and water metering requirements and establishes a Federal Smart Building Program. The law also codifies FEMP.
Sustainable Practices for the Data Center and IT Community — J. Murrell [PDF - 1 MB]	Governmentwide	2024-04	Jefferey Murrell of the DOE FEMP discussed performance contracting and how it differs from traditional federal appropriations. Jefferey explored the different types of projects that the federal IT community can accomplish with performance contracting and the ways to get started. For more information, please visit the FEMP webpage, the FEMP ESPC Page, and the UESC Resources. Additionally, check out the performance contracting training that is current available, as well as the Center of Expertise for Energy Efficiency in Data Centers website.
DHS Climate-Related Efforts — C. Merlino and H. Choi [PDF - 1 MB]	Agencywide	2023-03	In this update from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of the Chief Readiness Support Officer, Crystall Merlino, Director of Sustainability & Environmental Programs, describes key partnerships helping DHS achieve success in its resilience, energy, and sustainability programs. Hannah Choi, Director of the Portfolio Transformation Office, follows with an overview of how DHS is prioritizing projects funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. For more information, visit the DHS Energy and Environment website.
DHS Resilience Framework — S. Schultz and C. Merlino [PDF - 3 MB]	Agencywide	2018-09	In early 2018, the DOE FEMP and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security signed a memorandum of understanding or MOU that outlined resilience-related goals on which the agencies will collaborate, including DHS reassessment and protection of its critical infrastructure. FEMP’s Sandrine Schultz and DHS Energy Manager Crystall Merlino describe DHS efforts to date, including developing the DHS Resilience Framework and working at pilot sites to determine resilience technology best practices. For more information, visit the DHS Resilience page and FEMP Energy and Water Resilience and Security Integration page.
Embodied Carbon in Federal Building Materials — D. Horn [PDF - 1 MB]	Agencywide	2022-04	As part of a team presentation also involving speakers from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Highway Administration, Don Horn of GSA Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings discusses how GSA has developed new policies on embodied carbon in building materials, including new standards for procurement of low embodied carbon concrete and asphalt. For more information, visit the American Institute of Architects — Carbon Leadership Forum Embodied Carbon Toolkit for Architects and read GSA February 15, 2022, press release, GSA Announces Actions to Reduce Emissions from Building Materials.
FHWA Sustainable Pavements Program — M. Carrion [PDF - 654 KB]	Agencywide	2022-04	As part of a team presentation on embodied carbon with speakers from GSA and the EPA, Migdalia Carrion of the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration describes the FHWA Sustainable Pavements Program. She reviews the elements of life-cycle assessment of pavement and introduces viewers to the FHWA LCA Pave Tool, used for benchmarking. To learn more, see the FHWA LCA Pave Tool website.
Fleet and Facility Considerations for Electric Transportation — J. Bennett [PDF - 2 MB]	Agencywide	2022-06	Jesse Bennett, Research Engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, breaks down the various considerations for agencies exploring electric vehicle charging at federal sites. Topics include EV charging infrastructure requirements; interconnection agreements with the site’s serving utility; the role of EVs and EV supply equipment in load management; workplace charging fees; and the real-world experience of NREL workplace charging program. To learn more, explore the Federal Workplace Charging Program Guide ; try out the EV U-Finder; and take the on-demand FEMP EV Champion Training via the Whole Building Design Guide.
U.S. Army Installation Climate Resilience — S. Dornbos [PDF - 2 MB]	Agencywide	2020-12	Dr. Stephen Dornbos, a climate and water resilience specialist at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment OASA, provides an update on the U.S. Army climate readiness and resilience work. This includes the Army Climate Assessment Tool, developed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which installations can use to assess their exposure to climate-related threats. For more information, see the Army Climate Resilience Handbook, published August 2020. See also the full text of Army Directive 2020-08, U.S. Army Installation Policy to Address Threats Caused by Changing Climate and Extreme Weather.
Decarbonization Audits — N. Hart [PDF - 1 MB]	Industrywide	2024-06	Nora Hart from the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab discussed the various resources that are available for greenhouse gas emission reduction audits that were developed as part of the Better Climate Challenge. This presentation included an explanation of the difference between an energy audit and a greenhouse gas emissions reduction audit.
EPA’s Label Program for Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials — H. Elwood and R. Brooks [PDF - 754 KB]	Industrywide	2024-02	Holly Elwood of the Environmental Protection Agency announced that the EPA has issued their draft, Label Program Approach for Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials, this past month and welcomed input and feedback regarding the process. Ms. Elwood described EPA detailed program approach, as well as the scope of the label program. This includes a three-phase approach to ensure data quality of labeled materials. Please visit the Federal Register to share the opportunity to comment on the Draft Label Program Approach with your partners. For more information, visit the EPA Label Program for Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials Website. Additionally, see the EPA Press Release providing a summary of the Draft Label Program Approach. Please send any additional questions to embodiedcarbon@epa.gov.
Inventory-Wide Approach to Building Decarbonization — K. Olson [PDF - 967 KB]	Industrywide	2024-06	Kelly Olson of the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Infrastructure Modernization and Resilience presented an overview of the Department of Defense efforts towards resilient and healthy buildings. This included an explanation of why and how the Department of Defense is working to improve new and existing buildings.
Geothermal Energy Portfolio Update — B. Wagner [PDF - 1 MB]	Agency-specific	2024-08	Bobby Wagner, a Mechanical Engineer from GSA discussed programmatic updates focused on geothermal energy. Bobby presented the advantages and disadvantages of geothermal energy and the usage of heat humps, lessons learned, and next steps for GSA facilities that already employ geothermal heat pump technology.

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