U.S. Department of Energy opens enrollment for public building energy savings program

Looking to keep public buildings up to date with the latest energy savings capabilities, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) last week opened the Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) Campaign to interested public building owners.

As a voluntary initiative, the campaign will support state and local governments, universities and colleges, school districts, hospitals and other stakeholders to expand and improve upon ESPC measures to upgrade public buildings. By participating in the campaign, users could exchange opportunities, as well as dive into resources and tools, and tap expert-guided training, all based on a budget neutral approach to infrastructure investments. All told, the Biden administration hopes to use this public building push to achieve $1 billion in measured and verified savings nationwide by 2030.

“Around the country, cash-strapped facility owners are often forced to kick building and energy efficiency upgrade plans down the road,” Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said. “The ESPC Campaign brings shared resources and best practice approaches to pay for healthier, more efficient buildings instead of utility bills. It’s a win for underserved communities, for the environment, and for everyone’s wallet.”

ESCP focuses on reducing energy waste and pollution, without costing taxpayers overmuch. Partners in the program will therefore work under the Office of State and Community Energy Programs’ (SCEP) guidance to maximize energy, environmental and cost savings benefits from facility upgrades through use of existing programs. Such programs include federal, state and local funding, as well as newer programs launched under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act of the last few years.