Poll: Energy Efficiency Key to Reducing Costs In Federal Government Buildings

The federal government is the United States' largest energy user, and a new survey shows that the vast majority of federal agencies take energy efficiency into account when making purchasing decisions about their buildings. 

In fact, nearly 80 percent of U.S. federal government agency purchasing decision makers say energy efficiency is among the best ways to reduce costs and achieve energy-related goals, according to a new Zogby International poll sponsored by the Alliance to Save Energy and Alliance Associate Schneider Electric. The study also reveals that one-third of agency decision makers see lack of funding as a major obstacle to achieving mandated energy efficiency goals.

“These survey results show that agency leaders are working diligently to increase energy efficiency and ensure that smart energy practices are ingrained at all levels in the culture of U.S. federal government agencies," said Ellen Kotzbauer, Schneider Electric federal government segment manager.

Lack of Funding Major Barrier to Energy-Efficient Measures  

The independent survey asked 201 government leaders to rate the importance of energy efficiency in their agencies and their ability to comply with federal energy efficiency requirements, as well as to identify obstacles to that compliance and attitudes toward energy efficiency.

The poll, released in conjunction with the GOVgreen Conference taking place Nov. 9 and 10 in Washington, D.C., found that:

• Seventy-nine percent of U.S. federal government leaders who make recommendations or decisions on purchasing believe that energy efficiency is among the most effective ways to meet energy needs, reduce energy costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
• Two-thirds of the decision makers see either cost savings or environmental benefits as the major driver of their agencies’ energy efficiency efforts.
• About two-thirds of the decision makers believe that the current national economic environment and potential tightening of their agency’s budget might have an impact – presumably negative – on their ability to pursue energy efficiency projects. One third think the biggest obstacle to achieving their agency’s federally mandated energy efficiency goals is a lack of funding. 
• Roughly two-thirds of decision makers believe their agency has a culture that encourages energy efficiency practices throughout all levels and across all departments; and about half report that the significance of energy efficiency in their operations has increased in the last two years.

“We support energy policies that encourage the federal government to lead by example as a role model for the private sector and look forward to the far-reaching economic, national security and environmental benefits of energy efficiency – not only within federal agencies, but also for taxpayers and the nation as a whole,” said Floyd DesChamps, senior vice president of policy and research at the Alliance to Save Energy.

The release of the survey data is timely considering the numerous energy efficiency requirements on the federal government mandated by recent laws and executive orders.

For More Info

Detailed information about this survey can be found in our Nov. 9 press release, as well as in the survey itself.