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FEMP Digest

The FEMP Digest provides a roundup of the latest Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) news, resources, and tools.

In This Issue

• FEMP Resources to Help Your AFFECT Application Across the Finish Line
• Celebrating Clean Energy Leaders from the U.S. Department of Defense During Military Appreciation Month
• FEMP Focus
• Tools & Resources
• Utility Open Houses
• REopt Tutorial Series

FEMP Resources To Help Your AFFECT Application Across the Finish Line

It's getting down to the wire! Applications for phase 2 of Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT) grant funding are due June 27, 2024.

To help applicants navigate these updates and prepare successful proposals, FEMP has developed the following resources:

• Applying for AFFECT Funding: Best Practices and Lessons Learned: Looking for ways to strengthen your AFFECT proposal? Agencies are encouraged to attend this webinar with a focus on Phase 1 success stories to help you develop a strong application. This training will be on June 5th, register now. 

• AFFECT BIL Data Collection: eProject Builder: Applicants will use the latest version of DOE’s data collection tool called eProject Builder, or ePB, to submit proposed greenhouse gas reduction totals and cost savings and illustrate the project is cost effective. This training was held on April 18, 2024. The recording and slides are available here. 

• AFFECT Phase 2 Informational Webinar: On May 14, FEMP provided a general overview of the Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT) program. The recording and slides will be available here. 

Celebrating Clean Energy Leaders from the U.S. Department of Defense During Military Appreciation Month

A team from the U.S. Navy receives a Contracting Award at the Federal Energy and Water Management Award Ceremony held at the 2024 Energy Exchange event for their work at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor.

May is National Military Appreciation Month, a time designated to honor and recognize the contributions, sacrifices, and service of the members of the armed forces, past and present. Here at FEMP, we see amazing leaders every day contributing to progressing America's energy independence, resilience, and security, while also advancing their mission. Of our 2023 Federal Energy and Water Management Awards winners, 17 were from the U.S. Department of Defense. From outstanding individuals to impactful teams, read more about the military members leading the clean energy charge. 

FEMP Focus

Deadline Extended for FEMP's Treasure Hunt and Re-tuning Challenges

FEMP is extending the deadline for agencies to join its Treasure Hunt Challenge and the updated Re-tuning Challenge! Applications are now due June 21, 2024.  Learn more about the Treasure Hunt Challenge, watch an informational webinar, and apply. Learn more about the Re-tuning Challenge, watch an informational webinar, see lessons learned from past challenges, and apply.

JUST ANNOUNCED: Federal Agencies to Buy Renewable Energy Credits from Small Businesses and Tribes

This week, DOE and the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) issued Request for Proposals to purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) from small and minority-owned businesses and Indian Tribes. This solicitation calls for 7,000 MWh of carbon pollution-free generated RECs and includes the Indian Energy Purchase Preference (IEPP), a provision passed by Congress in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which allows federal agencies to give preference to a Tribal majority-owned business organization when purchasing electricity, energy products, or energy byproducts, provided the offer is competitive with the prevailing market price and terms and conditions. This effort is part of WAPA’s Renewables for Federal Agencies program in partnership with FEMP.

The National Park Service and Local High School Students Take FEMP's Treasure Hunt Lessons to the Next Level

FEMP and the National Parks Service (NPS) recently hosted a three-day Regional Energy and Water Treasure Hunt in Boston, MA. This particular Treasure Hunt focused on engaging young adults and students and getting them involved in energy conservation and sustainability. Thirty-two attendees from the NPS Climate Conservation Corp (CCC), NPS Historic Preservation Corps (HPC), and the local Lexington High School scoured the designated onsite facilities with a specific focus to reduce CO2 and water consumption while maintaining the historic value of the facilities and working within the framework of the NPS Historical Society guidelines. From this Treasure Hunt, the students and young adults identified over $51,000 in energy conservation measures. This program was so successful, NPS CCC, NPS HPC, and Lexington High School all announced immediate plans to incorporate Treasure Hunt principles into their curriculum and extended program engagement!

From Army Barracks to Eco-Friendly Dorms: Fort Cronkhite's Sustainable Transformation

Fort Cronkhite, a former World War II military post nestled along the Pacific Ocean, recently embarked on a comprehensive initiative to modernize its infrastructure focusing on sustainability and environmental stewardship. Key components of the project include building electrification and energy efficiency measures, electrical infrastructure upgrades, and installing electric vehicle charging. By embracing renewable electricity, this renovated dorm has avoided over 30,000 pounds of CO2 emissions annually. Through collaborative partnerships, innovative technologies, and a commitment to environmental stewardship, Fort Cronkhite has not only modernized its infrastructure but also set a precedent for sustainable development within the federal government. Read more about Fort Cronkhite’s successful retrofit.

Tools & Resources

New Factsheet

New Factsheet Helps Agencies Decarbonize and Electrify Buildings Cost-Effectively

FEMP's latest factsheet, Quantitative Considerations for Building Electrification Projects, is helping federal agencies understand why electrification is so important and how to decided which buildings to electrify first. 

New Video

Climate Smart Building Initiative (CSBI) Target Tracking

The Climate Smart Buildings Initiative sets a goal for the federal government to achieve 2.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions annually by 2030. To track progress toward this goal, the CSBI Target Tracker is an an Excel-based workbook that supports agencies in setting GHG emissions reduction targets to achieve using performance contracting. Watch FEMP's overview video to learn more about the CSBI Target Tracker.

Updated Tool

Find EV Charger Utility Partners With the Enhanced U-Finder Tool

The new and improved Utility Finder (U-Finder) tool is helping users find electric vehicle (EV) charger utility partners, and provides vital information like utility contacts and available EV charger incentives. The tool also helps users coordinate with their utilities, a critical step to the success of an EV charging installation project.

This tool originated as the FEMP EV U-Finder spreadsheet targeted for federal agencies. The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation recognized the tool's value to a wider audience and provided funding for the expanded web application, broadening the tool's reach and amplifying FEMP's investment. Check out the new and improved tool.

New Tool Features

The Popular REopt® Web Tool is Getting Exciting New Features

The FEMP-funded REopt® tool is getting some exciting upgrades in 2024! REopt helps users identify, prioritize, and evaluate the cost and environmental impact of potential renewable energy projects. The REopt team is excited to continue advancing the platform to address emerging challenges and opportunities. The tool will soon be able to: analyze hydrogen generation, storage, and use, analyze the demand for prolonged energy storage solutions, increase precision in heat load modeling, and more! Read how REopt can help federal agencies anticipate and analyze their future renewable energy needs.

Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Utility Open Houses for Federal Customers

This program serves as a platform to bring together utility companies and their federal customers to foster participation in existing utility program offerings and initiate new projects focused on sustainability, efficiency, and resilience.

We encourage all federal energy managers, site managers, and other interested personnel who are customers of one of the host utilities listed below to mark your calendars and register for these important events. Headquarters personnel are encouraged to pass along this information to sites located within these service territories. 

Upcoming Utility Open Houses

• Tennessee Valley Authority: Tuesday, July 16 | 10:00–2:30 p.m. ET | .5 CEUs | Introductory | Register
• Oklahoma Gas & Electric: Thursday, July 25 | 1:30–5:30 p.m. ET | .5 CEUs | Introductory | Register

REopt Tutorial Series

Join us for this upcoming hands-on and interactive training series! Get a chance to learn from experts on how to use the FEMP-funded REopt® web tool. You'll be able to bring your own data and perform site-specific analyses to help you identify, prioritize, and evaluate the cost and environmental impact of potential renewable energy projects. This training series is open to federal agency staff and their invited team members supporting federal project development.

There will be two identical sessions per week (Tuesdays from 1–2 p.m. ET and Thursdays from 2–3 p.m. ET) to accommodate varying schedules:

Let FEMP know if you're interested in participating.