According to EPAct 2005, the federal government’s renewable energy consumption must be 7.5% or more of total electric energy consumption in Fiscal Year 2013 and each year thereafter. The following hierarchy of practices helps federal agencies meet their renewable electricity goals.
- Install agency-funded renewable energy on site at federal facilities and retain corresponding renewable energy certificates (RECs) or obtain equal value replacement RECs.
- Contract for the purchase of energy that includes the installation of renewable energy on site at a federal facility or off site from a federal facility and the retention of corresponding RECs or obtaining equal value replacement RECs for the term of the contract.
- Purchase electricity and corresponding RECs or obtain equal value replacement RECs.
- Purchase RECs.
Learn more about purchasing off-site renewable electricity and RECs.
Information about federal on-site renewable energy project financing options is also available.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) analyzes renewable energy markets to identify achievable projects for federal agencies. As an example, FEMP created a series of maps and graphs that illustrate federal facility electricity consumption and renewable energy project potential at those facilities.