WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), today announced $250 million in funding from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help federal agencies implement net-zero building projects and set an example in sustainability as the nation works to transition to clean energy and combat climate change. More energy efficient buildings will also save taxpayers money. The funding program—Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT)—is part of the Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America agenda that is addressing the climate crisis in a way that creates good-paying jobs, grows industries, and makes the country more economically competitive.

"Collectively U.S. government agencies are the nation's largest energy consumer, and they will play a major role in the U.S. meeting President Biden's ambitious climate and clean energy goals," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. "By leveraging the significant investments in President Biden's Investing in America agenda, the federal government will lead by example, showing that everyone from homeowners to huge factories can conserve energy, switch to cleaner sources, and save taxpayers money."

"President Biden's Investing in America agenda is helping transform the federal government's 300,000 buildings to be more energy efficient and climate resilient," said White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory. "This investment will help achieve the President's ambitious federal sustainability goals while creating good-paying jobs, lowering energy costs, and building healthier communities."

In December 2021, President Biden issued an executive order reestablishing the federal government as a leader in sustainability, calling for a 65% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from federal operations by 2030 from 2008 levels, 100% zero-emission vehicle acquisitions by 2035, and a net-zero emission building portfolio by 2045. 

The AFFECT program is managed by DOE's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) and provides funding to federal agencies to help meet energy- and water-related goals by identifying affordable solutions, facilitating public-private partnerships, and leveraging best practices to promote energy leadership.

The AFFECT opportunity seeks applications from federal agencies that would use the funding to make energy and water efficiency upgrades to new and existing federal buildings and help them achieve net-zero through initiatives like efficiency and conservation improvements, electrification, on-site clean energy generation, and sustainable design.

President Biden's Investing in America agenda is growing the American economy from the bottom up and middle-out—from rebuilding our nation's infrastructure, to creating a manufacturing and innovation boom powered by good-paying jobs that don't require a four-year degree, to building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient.

On March 28, 2023, the White House Council on Environmental Quality will host a roundtable event for Agency Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) to discuss opportunities made available by this funding.

Applications may be submitted under three topic areas:

• Assistance with Net-Zero Buildings Opportunity Development
• Modification of Existing Projects for Net-Zero Buildings
• New/In Development Net-Zero Buildings Projects.

AFFECT funding may be spent on any of the equipment and/or technical assistance and other services related to the planning, development, or implementation of an eligible project. The funding will be disbursed over the next two years, with three separate application submission opportunities.

Applicants are limited to federal government agencies. Federal agencies may opt to be supported by their private sector partners when developing applications for potential projects that meet the application requirements. Applicants must register and submit application materials through the Clean Energy Infrastructure eXCHANGE. Application deadline dates vary; however, all materials must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the applicable deadline date.