David Rodgers, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency , appeared before Congress in 2008 to discuss the potential for increased energy efficiency:
Civic Infrastructure with EnergySmart Schools Program
DOE showcases new and retrofitted
energy efficient infrastructure throughout our communities. We plan to
expand our EnergySmart Schools program, which is focused on reducing
K-12 schools' energy consumption, reducing the energy bills for state
and local governments, and turning our schools into energy-secure
community centers.
DOE Technical Assistance to Public Schools on Gulf Coast
Last year, DOE committed up to $1.5 million in technical assistance to provide 75 comprehensive energy audits in public schools throughout the New Orleans area. In addition to supporting an energy efficient rebuilding in New Orleans and on the Gulf Coast, these comprehensive audits will identify opportunities for New Orleans' public schools to save up to $1 million annually on utility bills.
High Performance Schools as Energy Efficiency Learning Incubator
High-performance schools also serve as learning incubators on energy
efficiency and the associated environmental advantages. Schools are
often hubs of local communities--reaching students, parents, teachers,
administrators, municipal agents, and service employees--making schools
a natural vehicle for transmitting the national priority for energy
efficiency and environmental protection.
EnergySmart schools can help reduce carbon dioxide emissions contributing to global warming, because energy efficiency helps slow demand for new power generating plants.
Federal Government Increases Smart Energy Management
As the largest energy consumer in the United States, the federal
government also has a tremendous opportunity and a responsibility to
lead by example with smart energy management.
Executive Order 13423, issued in January 2007, directed all federal agencies to cut their energy consumption by 30% throughout the federal complex.
Energy Saving Performance Contracts
DOE has committed to meet or exceed this mandate through its Transformational Energy Action Management (TEAM) initiative by maximizing the use of Energy Saving Performance Contracts for clean energy technologies, and making the energy efficiency decisions that will make DOE the leading performer and advocate for energy efficiency within the federal sector. Through projects soon to be under contract implemented as a result of recent audits at our largest energy-using sites, the DOE expects to use performance-based contracts to finance over $400 million in energy improvements that will deliver at least a 20% reduction in energy intensity and ensure that new on-site renewable generation accounts for 4% of our electricity production. The DOE is meeting major milestones to achieving statutory and Presidential requirements.
SOURCE:
Testimony of David Rodgers, Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency before the Committee on
Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, United
States House of Representatives. Topic: Buildings Energy Efficiency and
Greenhouse Gases, July 17, 2008, EERE Energy Efficiency Programs