FEMP Unveils Historic Funding Milestone: $104 Million Investment Advances Net-Zero Initiatives Across Federal Facilities

On January 17, federal agency leaders convened in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes to mark a historic milestone in clean energy leadership. The announcement revealed the selection of 31 net-zero projects under the Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT) program—a key initiative ignited by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, boasting an overall $250 million in funding. The AFFECT program aims to propel federal facilities toward clean energy, efficiency, and resilience.

During this first phase of funding, a diverse range of projects was unveiled, spanning from net-zero designs to retrofits that incorporate technologies like geothermal, battery storage, and heat pumps. These initiatives are projected to double the capacity for carbon-free electricity at federal facilities. The $104 million phase 1 investment is poised to drive sustainable initiatives across federal agencies, setting a benchmark for clean energy leadership in the nation.

The event featured distinguished speakers, including U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Brenda Mallory, Under Secretary for the Office of Infrastructure David Crane, and Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) Director Mary Sotos. Each speaker highlighted the significance of the selected projects in advancing federal sustainability goals and contributing to the broader clean energy transition.

FEMP Director Mary Sotos, in her opening remarks, emphasized the pivotal role federal agencies play in leading by example in energy management, stating:

"The federal government is our country's largest employer and the nation's largest consumer of energy. The actions we take as public servants set the pace and example for the rest of our economy in conserving energy and achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions."

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm delved into specific projects within each U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) service area, giving special acknowledgment to the transformative upgrades planned for the Pentagon through the AFFECT grant. This includes the building's potential to generate its own electricity and enhance resilience during utility outages.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks stressed the importance of energy efficiency to the DoD's mission and ongoing resilience efforts. She outlined the role of AFFECT funding in enhancing resilience and reiterated the Department's commitment to improving the quality of life for service members.

CEQ Chair Brenda Mallory linked the event to President Biden's vision for sustainability, outlining the administration's goals to achieve net-zero federal emissions by 2050. She commended the selected projects for advancing the Federal Sustainability Plan and discussed how the funding, combined with FEMP support and private sector investments, can help accelerate progress.

Under Secretary for the Office of Infrastructure David Crane highlighted the role of private investments in the selected projects, emphasizing the collaboration between public and private sectors. He promoted the importance of partnerships in achieving a clean, secure, and resilient energy economy.

In closing, Sotos expressed gratitude to agency leaders and partners for prioritizing high-impact projects. The event celebrated the historic progress made in federal sustainability and set the stage for future collaborations. The anticipation of an even more significant impact in the next round of funding, slated for announcement later in the spring, added an air of optimism and collaboration to the historic event.

The morning concluded with a commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future for federal facilities, symbolizing a significant step toward achieving the nation's climate and environmental goals. The event underscored the commitment to community benefits, with projects extending to disadvantaged communities, creating green jobs, and promoting environmental justice.