US plans $80B to optimize water, energy use in federal buildings

The U.S. Department of Energy has signed deals with 16 companies to reduce the amount of energy and water used at federal buildings.

The contracts are limited to $5 billion each. Companies are paid over time based on the actual energy and water savings. Under the Energy Savings Performance Contracts, the company agrees to design, construct, and obtain the necessary financing for an energy savings project.

The projects include energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation technologies. The contracts prohibit technology-specific restrictions.

The measures are planned to improve efficiency of federally owned buildings and facilities located in the U.S. and abroad.

The U.S. Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and Security
Act of 2007 require federal facilities to reduce energy use by 30 percent and water use by 16 percent by 2015. The facilities must also use renewable energy sources for 7.5 percent of demand by 2013.

The companies receiving contracts are:

• Ameresco of Framingham, Mass.
• Chevron Energy Solutions of Eagan, Minn.
• Clark Realty Builders of Arlington, Va.
• Consolidated Edison Solutions of White Plains, N.Y.
• Constellation Energy Projects & Services Group Baltimore, Md.
• FPL Energy Service of North Palm Beach, Fla.
• Honeywell International of Golden Valley, Minn.
• Johnson Controls Government Systems of Milwaukee, Wis.
• Lockheed Martin Services of Cherry Hill, N.J.
• McKinstry Essention of Seattle, Wash.
• NORESCO of Westborough, Mass.
• Pepco Energy Services of Arlington, Va.
• Siemens Government Services of Reston, Va.
• TAC Energy Solutions of Seattle, Wash.
• The Benham Companies of Oklahoma City, Okla.
• Trane U.S. of McEwen, Tenn.

In August, the DOE announced four contracts totaling $140 million to implement energy efficiency improvements at four of its laboratories (see Saving energy at the US DOE).