Partnership between Southern Company, General Services Administration targets federal energy efficiency in Georgia
In an effort to reduce the U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) annual energy and water costs by nearly $3.3 million, the agency has partnered with Southern Company to reduce its carbon footprint and boost energy efficiency for 12 federal buildings in Georgia.
Improvements are underway, with a planned completion date in 2024. These efforts will include changes to lighting, HVAC, water conservation, and more, with a focus on energy efficiency, resiliency, and greenhouse gas reductions. For Southern Gas, its subsidiaries Atlanta Gas Light and PowerSecure will take point on the project.
“This project is a model for how public-private partnerships bring immense value to solving federal government challenges,” said Chris Cummiskey, executive vice president and Chief Commercial and Customer Solutions Officer for Southern Company. “Southern Company sourced expertise across our portfolio of companies to help ensure government requirements are met in the most reliable, holistic, and economical manner possible, demonstrating our commitment to lead the utility sector to a clean energy economy.”
Throughout the project, equipment will be replaced and modernized. More than 60,000 light fixtures will be converted to LEDs, water fixtures replaced with high-efficiency models, direct digital control systems implemented, and more. This was made possible by a $117 million Utility Energy Service Contract awarded to Southern by the GSA, a $944,000 grant from the Department of Energy to reclaim water inside affected buildings, as well as $900,000 in utility rebates.
“The investments we’re making in Georgia demonstrate how investing in sustainability is a triple win – creating good-paying clean-energy jobs, reducing energy costs, and tackling climate change to help ensure a healthier future for the next generation,” GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan said.
When finished, the partners estimate that the efforts should yield carbon emissions reductions of between 18,000-21,000 metric tons per year while reducing operating costs by approximately 45 percent overall.
