WASHINGTON — The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced that it continues to save taxpayer dollars by increasing energy efficiency according to its sustainability and energy performance scorecard for fiscal year (FY) 2012, specifically reducing the energy intensity of its buildings by almost 25 percent. GSA uses the Office of Management and Budget scorecard as a benchmark to identify and track progress toward meeting sustainability and energy performance goals. Under Executive Order 13514, President Obama directed federal agencies to lead by example in clean energy and to meet a range of energy, water, pollution, and waste reduction targets.

“Going green saves green, and at a time of shrinking budgets GSA remains committed to helping government cut costs by increasing sustainability,” said Acting Administrator Dan Tangherlini. “GSA continues to demonstrate ongoing progress towards implementing the president’s executive order targets, and is uniquely positioned to help other federal agencies meet their goals.”

GSA has worked to green federal buildings through the use of technologies such as solar panels, geothermal technology, wind power, and low-flow plumbing systems. GSA avoided spending $65.5 million on energy in FY 2012 by reducing energy intensity levels in its buildings by nearly 25 percent from FY 2003, ahead of its goal of 21 percent. GSA also reduced water usage in buildings by nearly 20 percent from FY 2007, ahead of its goal of 10 percent, leading to a cost avoidance of approximately $6.5 million. In addition, the agency exceeded its FY 2020 greenhouse gas reduction target in FY 2012, reducing emissions by more than 35 percent from FY 2008 levels.

To view the GSA sustainability scorecard, go to http://gsa.gov/sustainabilityscorecard2013.

Publication date: 7/8/2013

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