FEMP Summer CAMP Draws More Than 1,000 Attendees To Help Reduce Energy Use and Cut Costs Across the Federal Government

In August, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) hosted the 2025 Summer Courses Aligned with Mission Priorities (CAMP), welcoming 1,051 individuals from federal agencies, the private sector, and industry.

Summer CAMP is the hybrid approach to FEMP’s popular annual Energy Exchange event, which drew a record crowd in 2024 with more than 2,700 in-person attendees. This year’s event was held Aug. 4–7, 2025, both in-person at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C. and virtually via livestream and interactive webinars.

The four-day event featured a blend of in-person training events, virtual training, collaboration, and special sessions designed for federal energy and water management professionals at all levels. Participants gained timely insights on energy and water management topics, learned about other successful federal energy projects, and networked with industry professionals.

FEMP Director Mary Sotos kicked off Summer CAMP on Monday morning with encouraging opening remarks.

“The need for this kind of training and community of practice has never been more urgent because we are all facing a new set of energy challenges and opportunities that require us to work together like never before,” Director Sotos said. “As we come together, it is not just about helping our individual agencies succeed, but building a new energy future.”

FEMP Director Mary Sotos welcomes attendees of the 2025 FEMP Summer CAMP.

Photo by Donica Payne, DOE

This annual event plays a critical role in connecting the federal energy community with the knowledge and resources necessary to achieve mission goals.

Of the 1,051 attendees, nearly 54% came from federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, DOE, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of the Interior, and General Services Administration. Private sector attendance included 13 energy service companies as well as utilities and other contractors.

Technical Sessions and Trainings

This year, attendees were offered 24 technical training sessions focused on four topical tracks: Partnerships, Resilience, Efficiency, and Technology Solutions.

In total, participants tallied nearly 3,500 training hours at this year’s event. All training sessions offered at Summer CAMP are accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training, which allows attendees to earn continuing education units to support professional development and career advancement.

Many of the trainings are now available in FEMP’s online on-demand program training catalog, which allows users to watch presentations again or take courses on their own time if they were unable to attend CAMP.

Treasure Hunts

FEMP treasure hunts educate and empower building occupants to identify and evaluate low- and no-cost energy and water conservation measures in a facility. On Thursday, August 7, a treasure hunt was offered to interested federal staff and industry professionals to get hands-on training and experience evaluating DOE’s own headquarters building—the James V. Forrestal Building.

Treasure hunt participants evaluated the facility and utilized physical measurement tools, including the open-source MEASUR tool, to evaluate water, energy, and cost savings potential. The experience helped participants gain knowledge and experience that can be used to improve their own facilities.

There were 23 participants at the treasure hunt representative of various U.S. federal agencies including DOE and its national laboratories, NASA, the National Park Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, and the Department of Commerce, the International Monetary Fund, and other industry organizations.

Participants identified several low- and no-cost opportunities for energy and water conservation measures, amounting to roughly 792,500 kilowatt-hours in energy savings and 1.4 million gallons of water savings. These measures would result in approximately $105,200 in potential cost savings.

Federal Energy and Water Management Awards

On Thursday, August 7, FEMP celebrated the 25 winners of the 2024 Federal Energy and Water Management Awards. The Federal Energy and Water Management Awards celebrate federal individuals, groups, and agencies for their outstanding contributions within federal government operations and facilities that cut energy and water waste, saved taxpayer dollars, and advanced America’s progress toward energy dominance.

This year’s awardees represented eight U.S. agencies, including the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, Department of Commerce, DOE, General Services Administration, and Department of Veterans Affairs. The winners captured eight career exceptional awards, four program awards, three contracting awards, and 10 project awards spanning U.S. and international military installations. Several award winners also participated in the Award Winning Champions Shared Lessons Learned Forum, presenting their experiences and best practices.