Federal Laws and Requirements Search

The Federal Energy Management Program provides information about laws and requirements for federal agencies.

This page includes a searchable and filterable database capturing these requirements and includes information regarding Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings at the bottom of the page.

Disclaimer: Agencies should consult their General Counsel's office for any questions regarding interpretation of these requirements. Please contact Nichole Liebov with any recommendations for improving this resource.

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Title: Description of the requirement
Legal Authority: References to United States Code (USC), Executive Orders (EO), Memoranda from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Originating Legislation: References to the statute(s) establishing the requirement
Related CFR: Applicable rules in the Code of Federal Regulations
Notices and Rules: Applicable pending rules or updates to the CFR.

Federal Laws and Requirements Search

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Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8259b(b)
Originating Legislation: EPAct 2005 § 104
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Definitions under 42 U.S.C. § 8259b(b) says that an "ENERGY STAR product" is rated for energy efficiency under an ENERGY STAR program. A "designated product" is designated under the Federal Energy Management Program as being among the highest 25% of equivalent products for energy efficiency. The term "product" does not include any energy consuming product or system designed or procured for combat or combat-related missions.
Resources: Web Resources
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8259b(b)
Originating Legislation: EPAct 2005 § 104
Related CFR: 48 CFR Part 23
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: ENERGY STAR and FEMP-Designated Products Procurement Requirements under 42 U.S.C. § 8259b(b) says that Federal agencies are required to incorporate energy-efficiency criteria consistent with ENERGY STAR and Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) designated products for all procurements involving energy-consuming products and services. Agencies are exempt from procuring ENERGY STAR products or FEMP-designated products if: An ENERGY STAR product or FEMP-designated product is not cost-effective over the life of the product, taking energy cost savings into account No ENERGY STAR product or FEMP-designated product is reasonably available that meets the functional requirements of the agency.
Resources: Web Resources
- Energy-Efficient Product Procurement
- Search for Energy-Efficient Products
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8259b(d)
Originating Legislation: EPAct 2005 § 104
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Electric Motors and Air-Conditioning Maintenance under 42 U.S.C. § 8259b(d) says that in the case of electric motors of 1 to 500 horsepower, agencies are to select only premium efficient motors that meet a standard designated by the U.S. Department of Energy. Agencies are also encouraged to take actions to maximize the efficiency of air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment.
Resources: Web Resources
- Energy-Efficient Product Procurement
- Search for Energy-Efficient Products
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8259b(e)(2)-(4)
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 524
Related CFR: 10 CFR Part 436
Notices and Rules: Final Rule, Federal Register, 74 FR 10830, 10 CFR Part 436, March 13, 2009
Summary: Federal Purchasing Requirement under 42 U.S.C. § 8259b(e)(2)-(4) says that agencies are to buy products with low standby power of not more than 1 watt if the lower-wattage product is life cycle cost effective and if the performance of the product is not compromised.
Resources: Web Resources
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 17142
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 526
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Procurement of Alternative or Synthetic Fuels under 42 U.S.C. § 17142 says that agencies are not to enter into procurement contracts for an alternative or synthetic fuel (other than for research or testing) unless the contract specifies that the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production and combustion of the fuel is less than or equal to emissions from an equivalent conventional fuel.
Resources: No resources listed.
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8259
Originating Legislation: NECPA
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Defines agency, construction, cogneration facilities, energy conservations measures, energy survey, Federal building, life cycle cost, renewable energy source, and secretary.
Resources: No resources listed.
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8262
Originating Legislation: NECPA
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Defines agency, facility energy supervisor, trained energy manager, task force and energy conservation measure.
Resources: No resources listed.
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8253(f)(1)
Originating Legislation: EA 2020 §1002
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Defines Commissioning, Energy manager, Facility, Life cycle cost-effective, Ongoing commissioning, Payback period, Recommissioning, and Retrocommissioning.
Resources: No resources listed.
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8253(a)
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 431; EPAct 2005 § 102(c)
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: Final Rule, Federal Register, 72 FR 72565, 10 CFR Parts 433, 434, and 435, December 21, 2007
Summary: Subject to certain exclusions, each Federal agency must reduce the energy consumption per gross square foot of its Federal buildings relative to a fiscal year (FY) 2003 baseline by 27% by 2014 and by 30% by FY 2015.
Resources: Documents
Training
- Implementing Deep Retrofits: A Whole Building Approach
Web Resources
- Federal Comprehensive Annual Energy Reporting Requirements
- Facility and Fleet Optimization
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8253(b)
Originating Legislation: EA 2020 §1002
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Agencies are required to install all life cycle cost-effective energy and water conservation measures in owned buildings to the maximum extent practicable, as soon as practicable after October 1, 2022. Agencies are then required to report non-compliance to Congress every two years, beginning January 1, 2022.
Resources: No resources listed.
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8253(f)(8)
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 432
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: Final Rule, Federal Register, 72 FR 72565, 10 CFR Parts 433, 434, and 435, December 21, 2007
Summary: Agencies are required to enter energy use data for each metered covered facility into a building energy use benchmarking system.
Resources: Documents
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8253(f)(1)(A)
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 432
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Defines "commissioning."
Resources: No resources listed.
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8253 (f)(2)(B)
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 432; EA 2020 §1002
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Defines "covered facilities" to include central utility plants and distribution systems and other energy intensive operations that constitute at least 75% of facility energy or water use. (Disclaimer: This is not a general definition of covered facilities nor is it applicable outside of this specific statutory context.)
Resources: No resources listed.
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8262c(a)
Originating Legislation: EPAct 1992 § 157
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: Final Rule, Federal Register, 72 FR 72565, 10 CFR Parts 433, 434, and 435, December 21, 2007
Summary: Each department and agency listed in subsection (a)(1) of section 8262c shall report to DOE on the status and implementation of the requirements of this section.
Resources: Web Resources
- Facility Energy Management Guidelines and Criteria for Energy and Water Evaluations in Covered Facilities
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8253(f)(3)(A)
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 432; EA 2020 §1002
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Agency energy managers are required to complete an annual comprehensive energy and water evaluation for approximately 25% of agency covered facilities in a manner that ensures that an evaluation of such facility is completed at least once every four years. Exceptions for evaluations if complicated criteria are met.
Resources: Documents
Training
- Commissioning for Existing Federal Buildings
Web Resources
- Energy and Water Audits for Federal Buildings
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8253(f)(5)
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 432
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: Final Rule, Federal Register, 72 FR 72565, 10 CFR Parts 433, 434, and 435, December 21, 2007
Summary: For each measure implemented under 42 U.S.C. § 8253(f)(4), agencies are required to ensure that equipment is fully commissioned at acceptance to be operating at design specifications; a plan for appropriate operations, maintenance, and repair of the equipment is in place at acceptance and is followed; equipment and system performance is measured during its entire life to ensure proper operations, maintenance, and repair; and energy and water savings are measured and verified.
Resources: Documents
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8253(f)(4)
Originating Legislation:
- EISA 2007 § 432
- EA 2020 §1002
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: Notice of Availability, Federal Register, 75 FR 78231, December 15, 2010
Summary: Two years after the date of completion of each evaluation, each energy manager shall implement all life-cycle cost effective ECMs (individually or bundled) AND Each Federal agency shall use performance contracting to address at least 50 percent of the measures identified (Guidance to determine criteria: 50% of implementation cost, counting of measures problematic).
Resources: Documents
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8253(f)(3)(A)-(B)
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 432
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: As part of the evaluation under 42 U.S.C. § 8253(f)(3)(A), energy managers are required to identify and assess recommissioning measures (or if the facility has never been commissioned, retrocommissioning measures) for the facility.
Resources: No resources listed.
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8253(f)(7)
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 432
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: Final Rule, Federal Register, 72 FR 72565, 10 CFR Parts 433, 434, and 435, December 21, 2007
Summary: For each covered facility, an agency is required to use a Web-based tracking system to certify compliance with the requirements for energy and water evaluations under 42 U.S.C. § 8253(f)(3), implementation of identified energy and water measures under 42 U.S.C. § 8253(f)(4), and follow-up on implemented measures under 42 U.S.C. § 8253(f)(5).
Resources: Documents
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8253(e)
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 434; EPAct 2005 § 103; EA 2020 §1002
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: Final Rule, Federal Register, 72 FR 72565, 10 CFR Parts 433, 434, and 435, December 21, 2007
Summary: Agencies are required to install metering and advanced metering devices for energy and water in Federal buildings in accordance with U.S. Department of Energy metering guidelines.
Resources: Documents
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 6374(a)(3)(F)
Originating Legislation: EPAct 1992 § 302
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Alternative Fuel Sources under 42 U.S.C. § 6374(a)(3)(F) says that at least 50% of the alternative fuels used in vehicles is to be derived from domestic feedstocks.
Resources: Web Resources
- Fleet Electrification and Optimization
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 6374(c)
Originating Legislation:
- Alternative Motor Fuels Act of 1988 § 400AA
- EPAct 1992 § 302
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Alternative Fueling Stations: Public Accessibility under 42 U.S.C. § 6374(c) says that refueling sites providing alternative fuels to agencies must be accessible to the public when feasible.
Resources: Web Resources
- Fleet Electrification and Optimization
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 13213(a)
Originating Legislation: EPAct 1992 § 304
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Alternative Fuel Stations: Public Accessibility (2) under 42 U.S.C. § 13213(a) says that refueling stations providing alternative fuels to agencies are to be accessible to the public when feasible.
Resources: Web Resources
- Fleet Electrification and Optimization
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 17053(a)
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 246
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Alternative Fuel Stations: Quality under 42 U.S.C. § 17053(a) says that each agency shall install at least one renewable fuel pump at each Federal fleet fueling center.
Resources: Web Resources
- Fleet Electrification and Optimization
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 17142
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 526
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Alternative Fuel Use: Procurement under 42 U.S.C. § 17142 says that agencies are prohibited from procuring alternative or synthetic fuel unless its life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are less than those for conventional petroleum sources.
Resources: Web Resources
- Fleet Electrification and Optimization
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 6374e(a)
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 142
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Alternative Fuel Use: Target (1) under 42 U.S.C. § 6374e(a) says that not later than October 15, 2015, and for each year thereafter, that Federal fleets are to achieve at least a 10% increase in annual alternative fuel consumption, as calculated from a fiscal year (FY) 2005 baseline.
Resources: Web Resources
- Fleet Electrification and Optimization
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 6374(g)
Originating Legislation:
- Alternative Motor Fuels Act of 1988 § 400AA
- EPAct 1992 § 302
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Definitions under 42 U.S.C. § 6374(c) defines the following terms: acquired, alternative fuel, alternative fueled vehicle, dedicated vehicle, dual fueled vehicle, and heavy duty vehicle.
Resources: Web Resources
- Fleet Electrification and Optimization
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 6374(a)(3)(E)
Originating Legislation:
- EPAct 1992§ 302
- EPAct 2005 § 701
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Dual-Fuel Vehicle Operations under 42 U.S.C. § 6374(a)(3)(E) says that dual-fuled vehicles acquired are to operated on alternative fuels unless an agency qualifies for and receives a waiver from this requirement from the Secretary.
Resources: Web Resources
- Fleet Electrification and Optimization
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 6374(a)(4)
Originating Legislation: EPAct 1992 § 302
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Alternative Fuel Use by Light-Duty Federal Vehicles under 42 U.S.C. § 6374(a)(4) says that vehicle acquisitions by agencies should be coordinated with acquisitions of alternative fuel vehicles by state and local governments when feasible.
Resources: Web Resources
- Fleet Electrification and Optimization
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 6374(a)(1)-(2)
Originating Legislation:
- Alternative Motor Fuels Act of 1988 § 400AA
- EPAct 1992 § 302
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Alternative Vehicle Acquisition: Cost under 42 U.S.C. § 6374(a)(1)-(2) says that the acquisition of an alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) is considered practical unless the initial cost of the AFV exceeds the initial cost of a comparable gasoline- or diesel-fueled vehicle by at least 5%.
Resources: Web Resources
- Fleet Electrification and Optimization
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 13212(f)(2)
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 141
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Alternative Vehicle Acquisition: Greenhouse Gas Requirement under 42 U.S.C. § 13212(f)(2) says that Federal agency should not acquire a light-duty vehicle or a medium-duty passenger vehicle that is not a low greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting vehicle.
Resources: Web Resources
- Fleet Electrification and Optimization
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 13212(b)(1)-(2)
Originating Legislation: EPAct 1992 § 303
Related CFR: 10 C.F.R. § 490.1 et seq.
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Alternative Vehicle Acquisition: Target under 42 U.S.C. § 13212(b)(1)-(2) says that at least 75% of the vehicles acquired by a Federal fleet are required to be alternative fueled vehicles.
Resources: Web Resources
- Fleet Electrification and Optimization
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 6374(a)(3)(A)-(D)
Originating Legislation: Alternative Motor Fuels Act of 1988 § 400AA
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Alternative Vehicle Acquisition: Use Requirements (1) under 42 U.S.C. § 6374(a)(3)(A)-(D) says that agencies are to purchase, to the maximum extend feasible, dedicated and dual-fueled vehicles and to ensure that each type of alternative fuel vehicle is used by the Federal Government.
Resources: Web Resources
- Fleet Electrification and Optimization
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 16122(b)
Originating Legislation: EPAct 2005 § 782
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Alternative Vehicle Acquisition: Use Requirements (2) under 42 U.S.C. § 16122(b) says that by January 1, 2010, agencies that use a light- or heavy-duty vehicle fleet should lease or purchase fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen energy systems to meet energy-savings goals.
Resources: Web Resources
- Fleet Electrification and Optimization
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 6374(d)
Originating Legislation:
- Alternative Motor Fuels Act of 1988 § 400AA
- EPAct 1992 § 302
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Demonstration Vehicles under 42 U.S.C. § 6374(d) says that when purchasing alternative fuel vehicles for demonstration purposes, agencies will not exceed the cost of a comparable gasoline- or diesel-fueled vehicle.
Resources: Web Resources
- Fleet Electrification and Optimization
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 6374(a)(3)(G)
Originating Legislation:
- EPAct 1992 § 302
- Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 1999 § 1002
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Vehicle Manufacturing Location under 42 U.S.C. § 6374(a)(3)(G) says that, except to the extent inconsistent with multilateral trade agreements, vehicles acquired by Federal agencies are to be manufactured in the United States or Canada.
Resources: Web Resources
- Fleet Electrification and Optimization
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 6374e(b)
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 142
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Agency Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan under 42 U.S.C. § 6374e(b) says that through their petroleum reduction plan, agencies can employ strategies such as using alternative fuels, acquiring high fuel-economy vehicles (such as hybrid, neighborhood electric, electric, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) if they are commercially available, substituting cars for light trucks, increasing vehicle load factors, decreasing vehicle miles traveled, and decreasing fleet size.
Resources: Web Resources
- Fleet Electrification and Optimization
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 6374e(a)
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 142
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Federal Register, 77 FR 14482, 10 CFR Part 438, March 12, 2012
Summary: Fleet Petroleum Reduction Requirement (1) under 42 U.S.C. § 6374e(a) says that not later than October 1, 2015, and for each year thereafter, Federal fleets are to achieve at least a 20% reduction in annual petroleum consumption as calculated from a fiscal year (FY) 2005 baseline.
Resources: Web Resources
- Fleet Electrification and Optimization
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 17112(a)(1)
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 453
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: For the purpose of this statutory requirement, a data center means any facility that primarily contains electronic equipment used to process, store, and transmit digital information, which may be a free-standing structure or a facility within a larger structure that uses environmental control equipment to maintain proper conditions for the operation of electronic equipment. (Disclaimer: This is not a general definition of data centers nor is it applicable outside of this specific statutory context.)
Resources: Web Resources
- Center of Expertise for Energy Efficiency in Data Centers
- Energy Efficiency in Data Centers
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8253(g)
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 434
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: Final Rule, Federal Register, 72 FR 72565, 10 CFR Parts 433, 434, and 435, December 21, 2007
Summary: Large capital energy investments that are not classified as "major renovations" but involve the replacement of installed equipment (or involves renovation, rehabilitation, expansion, or remodeling) should employ the most energy-efficient designs, systems, equipment and controls that are life cycle cost-effective.
Resources: Documents
- Draft Guidance for the Implementation and Follow-up of Identified Energy and Water Efficiency Measures
- Federal Building Benchmarking Guidance
Legal Authority: 40 U.S.C. § 524
Originating Legislation: Federal Property Management Reform Act of 2016 § 6
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: The head of each Federal agency shall annually submit to the administrator and director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) data related to the age and condition of the federal property, operating costs, history of capital expenditures, sustainability metrics, number of Federal employees and functions in the respective property, and square footage.
Resources: Documents
- Guidance for Federal Agencies on Sustainable Practices for Designed Landscapes
- Guidance for Federal Agency Implementation of Workplace Charging
Web Resources
- Sustainable Federal Buildings
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 17091
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 435
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: With certain exceptions, Federal agencies are not to enter into a contract to lease space in a building that has not earned the ENERGY STAR label in the most recent year.
Resources: No resources listed.
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8254(b)(2)
Originating Legislation: EPAct 1992 § 152(d)(2)
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: Final Rule, Federal Register, 72 FR 72565, 10 CFR Parts 433, 434, and 435, December 21, 2007
Summary: In leasing buildings for its own use or that of another agency, each agency is required to fully consider the efficiency of all potential building space at the time of renewing or entering into a new lease.
Resources: No resources listed.
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 6835(a)(1)
Originating Legislation: EPAct 1992 § 101(a)(2)
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Federal Register, 75 FR 29933, 10 CFR Parts 433 and 435, May 28, 2010
Summary: The head of each Federal agency is required to adopt procedures necessary to assure that new Federal buildings meet or exceed the Federal building energy standards established under 42 U.S.C. § 6834.
Resources: Web Resources
- Facility and Fleet Optimization
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6834(a)(3)(D)
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 433
Related CFR: 89 FR 35384
Notices and Rules: Fossil Fuel-Generated Energy Consumption Reduction for New Federal Buildings and Major Renovations of Federal Buildings
Summary: Section 433 of Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) 2007 directs DOE to establish, by rule, revised federal building energy efficiency performance standards for new buildings and major renovations such that certain federal buildings shall be designed to reduce on-site fossil fuel-generated energy consumption, as compared to a similar building in Fiscal Year (FY) 2003.
Resources: Documents
- Clean Energy for New Federal Buildings and Major Renovations of Federal Buildings
Web Resources
- Federal Building Energy Efficiency Rules and Requirements
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8262k(a)
Originating Legislation: EPAct 1992 § 167
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: Final Rule, Federal Register, 72 FR 72565, 10 CFR Parts 433, 434, and 435, December 21, 2007
Summary: Each agency, in consultation with the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council, is to establish criteria for the improvement of energy efficiency in Federal facilities operated by Federal government contractors or subcontractors.
Resources: Documents
- Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency
Web Resources
- Facility and Fleet Optimization
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 6834(a)(3)(A)
Originating Legislation: EPAct 2005 § 109
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: Rule, Federal Register, 80 FR 68749, 10 CFR Part 433, November 6, 2015
Summary: If life cycle cost-effective, new Federal buildings must be designed to achieve ASHRAE 90.1 energy consumption levels and 30% below such levels. The version of ASHRAE 90.1 that Federal agencies must use depends on when design for construction begins.
Resources: Web Resources
- Facility and Fleet Optimization
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 6835(b)
Originating Legislation: EPAct 1992 § 101(a)(2)
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: The head of a Federal agency may expend Federal funds for the construction of a new Federal building only if the building meets or exceeds the Federal building energy standards established under 42 U.S.C. § 6834.
Resources: No resources listed.
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 6834(a)(3)(D)(i)(I)-(II)
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 433
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: New Federal buildings and major renovations of existing buildings are to reduce fossil fuel-generated energy consumption by 55% in fiscal year (FY) 2010, 65% in FY 2015, 80% in FY 2020, 90% in FY 2025, and 100% in FY 2030, compared to a FY 2003 baseline.
Resources: No resources listed.
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8254(b)(1)
Originating Legislation: Federal Energy Management Improvement Act of 1988 § 2
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: The design of new Federal buildings shall be made using life cycle cost methods and procedures established under 42 U.S.C. § 8254(a).
Resources: Web Resources
- Building Life Cycle Cost Programs
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 17094
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 438
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: The sponsor of any development or redevelopment project involving a Federal facility with a footprint that exceeds 5,000 square feet is required to use site planning, design, construction, and maintenance strategies for the property to maintain or restore, to the maximum amount technically feasible, the predevelopment hydrology of the property with regard to the temperature, rate, volume, and duration of flow.
Resources: No resources listed.
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 6834(a)(3)(A)(iii)
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 523
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Federal Register, 75 FR 29933, 10 CFR Parts 433 and 435, May 28, 2010
Summary: If life cycle cost-effective, 30% of of hot water demand in new Federal buildings undergoing major renovations must be met with solar hot water.
Resources: Web Resources
- Distributed Energy and Energy Procurement
- Solar Hot Water System Calculator
Legal Authority: 42 USC 6834: Federal building energy efficiency standards
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 433
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: New Federal buildings and major renovations of existing buildings are to apply sustainable design principles to the siting, design, and construction of such buildings.
Resources: No resources listed.
Legal Authority: 10 U.S.C. § 2922a
Originating Legislation: Military Construction Codification Act § 6
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Separate U.S. Department of Defense authority to enter into contracts for up to 30 years for services that provide and operate energy production facilities on military installations, and, in turn, purchase the energy generated from such facilities.
Resources: No resources listed.
Legal Authority: 10 U.S.C. § 2913
Originating Legislation: Public Law No. 109-364
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Military departments and defense agencies may participate in gas or electric utility programs for managing energy demand or for energy conservation.
Resources: Documents
- Utility Energy Service Contracts: Enabling Documents
Web Resources
- Utility Program and Utility Energy Service Contracts for Federal Agencies
Legal Authority: 40 U.S.C. § 501
Originating Legislation: Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 § 201
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: 41 CFR Part 102-82: Utility Services
Summary: Authority for agencies to enter contracts for public utility services for periods up to 10 years.
Resources: No resources listed.
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8287 et seq.; 10 C.F.R. § 436.30 et seq.
Originating Legislation: Multiple Statutes
Related CFR: 10 CFR 436 Subpart B
Notices and Rules:
- FAR Part 23.205: Energy Savings Performance Contracts
- FAR Part 16.505: Ordering
Summary: Federal agencies may enter into an energy saving performance contract (ESPC) for a period of up to 25 years for the purpose of achieving energy savings and benefits ancillary to that purposes.
Resources: Web Resources
- Energy Savings Performance Contracts for Federal Agencies
- Energy Savings Performance Contract ENABLE for Federal Projects
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8256(b)
Originating Legislation: Multiple Statutes
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: The U.S. Department of Energy DOE may provide grants to agencies to assist them in meeting the requirements of 42 U.S.C. § 8253.
Resources: No resources listed.
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8256(c)
Originating Legislation: Multiple Statutes
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Authority for agencies to accept financial incentives, goods, or services generally available from a utility to increase energy efficiency or to conserve water or manage electricity demand.
Resources: Documents
- Utility Energy Service Contracts: Enabling Documents
Web Resources
- Utility Energy Service Contract Guide
- Utility Program and Utility Energy Service Contracts for Federal Agencies
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8258(a)
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 432
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Agencies are to report annually to the U.S. Department of Energy on their activities under 42 U.S.C. § 8251 et seq., including information about progress toward achieving the goals established by 42 U.S.C. § 8253 and certain activities and challenges under 42 U.S.C. § 8256.
Resources: Web Resources
- EISA Federal Facility Management and Benchmarking Reporting Requirements
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 17143
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 527
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Federal agencies must submit to the Office of Management and Budget an annual government efficiency status report on compliance with each of the requirements of 42 U.S.C.: status of the implementation by the agency of initiatives to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy costs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions and savings to U.S. taxpayers resulting from mandated improvements.
Resources: Web Resources
- Federal Comprehensive Annual Energy Reporting Requirements
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8287b
Originating Legislation: Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 § 7201
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Each Federal agency shall periodically provide the U.S. Department of Energy with full and complete information about its activities under 42 U.S.C. § 8287 et seq.
Resources: Web Resources
- Federal Comprehensive Annual Energy Reporting Requirements
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 15852(d)
Originating Legislation: EPAct 2005 § 203
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Not later than April 15, 2007, and every two years thereafter, the U.S. Department of Energy is to provide a report to Congress on the progress of the Federal government in meeting the goals established under 42 U.S.C. § 15852.
Resources: Web Resources
- Federal Comprehensive Annual Energy Reporting Requirements
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 13218(b)
Originating Legislation:
- EPAct 1992 § 310
- EPAct 2005 § 705
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Not later than February 15, 2006, and annually thereafter for the next 14 years, each Federal agency that is subject to the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 must prepare and submit to Congress a report that summarizes its compliance with the agency's alternative fuel purchasing requirements for Federal fleets under EPAct 1992 and includes a plan of compliance that contains specific dates for achieving compliance using reasonable means.
Resources: Web Resources
- Fleet Electrification and Optimization
- Federal Fleet Performance Data
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 6374e(b)
Originating Legislation: EISA 2007 § 142
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Each Federal agency must develop a plan and implement the measures specified in the plan by dates specified in the plan to meet the required petroleum reduction levels and the alternative fuel consumption increases under the statute.
Resources: No resources listed.
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 8262c(a)
Originating Legislation: EPAct 1992 § 157
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Each agency is required to establish and maintain a program to ensure that facility energy managers are trained energy managers.
Resources: Web Resources
- FEMP Training Catalog
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 13106
Originating Legislation: Public Law No. 101-508
Related CFR: 40 CFR Part 35: State and Local Assistance
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Each owner or operator of a facility is required to file an annual toxic chemical release form.
Resources: No resources listed.
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 15852(a)
Originating Legislation: EPAct 2005 § 203
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: Of the total amount of electric energy the Federal government consumes during any fiscal year (FY), the following amounts shall be renewable energy: not less than 7.5% in FY 2013 and each FY thereafter.
Resources: Web Resources
- Distributed Energy and Energy Procurement
- Federal Renewable Energy Use Requirement: 42 U.S.C. § 15852(a) as amended by EPAct § 203 and EA 2020 §§ 3002(o), 3006(b)(2) of December 27,2020, 134 Stat. 2497, 2512)
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 6834(a)(3)(A)(ii)
Originating Legislation: EPAct 2005 § 109
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: If water is used to achieve energy efficiency in new Federal buildings in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 6834(a)(3), then water conservation measures shall be applied to the extent that they are life cycle cost-effective.
Resources: Web Resources
- Water Efficiency in Federal Buildings and Campuses
- Best Management Practices for Water Efficiency
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 6834(a)(3)(D)(vii)
Originating Legislation: EPAct 2005 § 109
Related CFR: None
Notices and Rules: None
Summary: In addition to the use of water conservation technologies otherwise required by 42 U.S.C. 6834, water conservation technologies are to be applied to the extent that the technologies are life cycle cost-effective.
Resources: No resources listed.

Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings

The Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings and Associated Instructions were issued by the Council of Environmental Quality on December 23, 2020.

Guiding Principles are used by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to score Federal agencies' progress and compliance within the "Green Buildings" category on annual agency OMB Sustainability/Energy Scorecards.

To learn more visit the SF Tool.

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