U.S. Government Seeks to Limit Federal Energy Use

The U.S. federal government is the single largest energy consumer in a nation that consumes more energy than any other in the world.

Overall, federal primary energy use has decreased by 25 percent from 1985 to 2008, due largely to building retrofits throughout some of the 3 billion-square feet of offices, research centers, and military bases managed by the U.S. government.

But White House officials, as part of their efforts to improve energy security, address rising energy prices, and mitigate climate change, are suggesting that these efficiency gains are too modest.

White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Chair Nancy Sutley said at a conference last week that she hopes to find ways for the federal government to comply with more ambitious efficiency targets.

“We have to deal with greenhouse gases from the federal government,” Sutley said at a U.S. Marine Corps-hosted energy summit in Washington, D.C. “It’s important to take a look to see if we can update [efficiency standards].”

WorldWatch