Nearly $1 billion earmarked for energy efficiency upgrades to federal buildings
Nearly $1 billion earmarked for energy efficiency upgrades to ... Building Design + Construction
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The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to Invest $975 Million in Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy Upgrades
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has recently announced its plans to utilize $975 million in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act for energy efficiency and clean energy upgrades in federal buildings across the country.
Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
This investment will have a significant impact on approximately 40 million square feet, which accounts for about 20% of GSA’s federal buildings portfolio. It will expand the agency’s sustainable building portfolio to 134 million square feet. The projects aim to achieve net zero emissions for 28 buildings and transition 100 more buildings to all-electric. Currently, GSA already has about 200 all-electric buildings.
Key Upgrades and Initiatives
- Electrification of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, one of the largest structures in GSA’s portfolio.
- Installation of heat pumps as the primary heating source, eliminating onsite combustion emissions and the use of steam for space and water heating.
- Installation of 57,000 LED light bulbs.
- Upgrading over 500 high-efficiency transformers.
- Installation of a reverse osmosis groundwater recovery system estimated to save 35 million gallons of water annually.
Upon completion of the upgrades, the Reagan Building is expected to reduce energy usage by 40% and achieve an estimated annual energy cost savings of $6.3 million.
Funding and Strategies
GSA plans to utilize private sector funds through performance contracts such as Energy Savings Performance Contracts and Utility Energy Savings Contracts. Additionally, they will make direct investments in building retrofits to maximize greenhouse gas reductions, energy savings, and water savings. GSA also aims to expand building technology innovation programs, including the Green Proving Ground and Applied Innovation Learning Lab programs, as well as electric vehicle infrastructure.
“The Inflation Reduction Act investments put GSA three-quarters of the way toward meeting the Federal Building Performance Standard released last year, which sets an ambitious goal to cut energy use while electrifying equipment and appliances in 30% of the building space owned by the federal government by 2030,” according to a GSA news release.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency | – Investment in energy efficiency and clean energy upgrades to federal buildings – Expansion of sustainable building portfolio to include net zero emissions buildings and all-electric buildings |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable | – Installation of heat pumps as the primary heating source – Upgrading transformers to high efficiency ones – Installation of a reverse osmosis groundwater recovery system |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities | – Reduction in energy usage by 40% in the Ronald Reagan Building – Estimated $6.3 million savings in energy costs annually |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | – Investment in energy efficiency and clean energy upgrades to federal buildings – Expansion of sustainable building portfolio to include net zero emissions buildings and all-electric buildings |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships | – Tapping into private sector funds through performance contracts – Direct investments in building retrofits – Expansion of building technology innovation programs |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
- SDG 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable
- SDG 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
- SDG 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Investment in energy efficiency and clean energy upgrades to federal buildings
- Expansion of sustainable building portfolio to include net zero emissions buildings and all-electric buildings
- Installation of heat pumps as the primary heating source
- Upgrading transformers to high efficiency ones
- Installation of a reverse osmosis groundwater recovery system
- Reduction in energy usage by 40% in the Ronald Reagan Building
- Estimated $6.3 million savings in energy costs annually
- Tapping into private sector funds through performance contracts
- Direct investments in building retrofits
- Expansion of building technology innovation programs
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: bdcnetwork.com
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