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Federal Requirements

Laws

Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA)

The stated purpose of the act is "to move the United States toward greater energy independence and security, to increase the production of clean renewable fuels, to protect consumers, to increase the efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles, to promote research on and deploy greenhouse gas capture and storage options, and to improve the energy performance of the Federal Government, and for other purposes." Search for excerptsopens in new window relevant to Federal buildings at DOE or view full text at GPO.govopens in new window.

Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005)

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 established a number of energy management goals for Federal facilities and fleets. Many of the energy management requirements of EPAct have been updated in EISA and subsequent Executive Orders. Search for excerptsopens in new window relevant to Federal buildings or view full textopens in new window at DOE.

Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct 1992)

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 established several energy management goals, as well as requirements for water and fleet fuel management. Many of the energy management requirements have been updated in EISA, EPAct 2005 and subsequent Executive Orders, but requirements for low-flow water fixtures and alternative fuel vehicles still apply. Search for excerptsopens in new window relevant to Federal buildings at DOE or view full text at GPO.govopens in new window

Executive Orders

Executive Order 14057
Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability. Signed on December 8, 2021, this Executive Order aims to reestablish the Federal Government as a leader in sustainability. View Orderopens in new window
Executive Order 14030
Climate-Related Financial Risk. Signed on May 20, 2021, this Executive Order outlines a whole-of-government strategy to mitigating climate-related financial risk. View Orderopens in new window
Executive Order 14008
Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. Signed on January 27, 2021. This Executive Order establishes a government-wide approach to address climate change. View Orderopens in new window
Executive Order 13990
Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science To Tackle the Climate Crisis. Signed on January 20, 2021. View Orderopens in new window

Guiding Principles

Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings

The Federal Government advances sustainable building principles and practices throughout its portfolio, promulgated through a number of statutory and executive policies which are integrated and utilized by every Federal agency. These sustainable principles and practices have been incorporated into the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings and Associated Instructions (Guiding Principles), to guide agencies in designing, locating, constructing, maintaining, and operating Federal buildings in a sustainable manner that increases efficiency, optimizes performance, eliminates unnecessary use of resources, ensures the health of occupants, protects the environment, generates cost savings, and mitigates risks to assets in a manner consistent with Agency and Department missions. View the Guiding Principlesopens in new window. For additional guidance on meeting the Guiding Principles, see SFTool/guidingprinciples, search SFTool or see the Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG)non government site opens in new window.

Regulations

Energy Efficiency Standard for Federal Buildings
10 CFR Part 433opens in new window is the energy efficiency standard for federal commercial and multi-family high-rise residential buildings and Part 435 is the standard for low-rise residential buildings. A final rule passed on July 9, 2013 updates the baseline Federal commercial standard to ASHRAE Std 90.1-2010. View Ruleopens in new window
Federal Energy Management and Planning

10 CFR Part 436 establishes the rules and objectives for Federal energy management and planning programs to promote life cycle cost effective investments in building energy systems, building water systems and energy and water conservation measures for Federal buildings. View Ruleopens in new window

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

The Federal Acquisition Regulation governs how all government agencies are to make procurements. Specifically, Subchapter D Part 23 dictates how the sustainability aspect of those purchases must be made. FAR - Part 23opens in new window

Did You Know?

40% of U.S. architects, engineers, contractors, building owners and building consultants report that the majority of building work was green in 2012. It is expected that 53% of these U.S. firms will be engaged in mostly green building work by 2015. 44% of all nonresidential building project starts were green in 2012 as well, up from 2% in 2005. Green buildings hold strong appeal for both commercial and institutional (including government) owners.

Source: McGraw Hill Construction (2013). 2013 World Green Building Trends SmartMarket Reportnon government site opens in new window.


Case Study

Occupant Comfort

Comfortable workers are more likely to be productive and engaged with their work than those who struggle to work in spaces that create barriers and stresses. With an ever increasing number of environmental issues to be mindful of when designing spaces, GSA is developing practices that support both sustainability and worker comfort.

View Case Study