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EPA FY 2020 Annual Energy Management Report
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strives
to be a leader among federal agencies in reducing energy
and water consumption at its facilities as part of its mission
to protect human health and the environment. In order to meet
or exceed the requirements of the Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007 (EISA), the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct)
and executive orders related to federal agency sustainability,
EPA continued to pursue the following three strategies in fiscal
year (FY) 2020: consolidating facilities, master planning and
implementing energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs).
It should be noted, however, that EPA's energy, water and
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction performance in
FY 2020 was largely affected by the need for employees to
work remotely due to COVID-19 concerns, although some lab
functions continued during the pandemic.
To maximize building occupancy and to reduce the agency's
overall footprint, EPA continued work on the renovation of the
Main Building in Corvallis, Oregon, in order to accommodate
personnel from EPA's Region 9 Laboratory. Also, to best utilize
existing laboratory space, EPA has awarded a contract to
renovate the Main Laboratory Building in Athens, Georgia, in
early FY 2021. Master planning efforts also continued at EPA
facilities in Edison, New Jersey, and Cincinnati, Ohio.
In FY 2020, work related to ESPCs progressed at two EPA
facilities. The energy services company for EPA's Research
Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina, campus continued
construction as part of RTP's ESPC. EPA also made an award in
early summer 2020 to conduct a preliminary assessment at its
laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in preparation for a new ESPC
to continue after the original ESPC at the facility expires.
EPA's facilities remained at limited capacity for critical laboratory
experiments through the end of FY 2020. Energy and water
intensity could increase in FY 2021 as employees return to EPA
laboratories or work schedules evolve due to the COVID-19
pandemic.
Energy Efficiency
EPA's FY 2020 reported energy intensity was 235,802 British
thermal units (Btu) per gross square foot (GSF), which is 5.7
percent lower than its FY 2019 reported energy intensity of
249,956 Btu per GSF (see Figure 1).
In FY 2020, EPA's energy intensity performance was:
5.7 percent lower than FY 2019
41.0 percent lower than the FY 2003 baseline
Figure 1. EPA's Annual Energy Intensity Reductions
EPA Energy Intensity FY 2003 to FY 2020
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Fiscal Year
Previous Reduction Target Historical Energy Intensity (Btu/GSF)
400,000
350,000
300,000
250,000
200,000
FY 2003 Baseline: 399,616 Btu per GSF
Year-End FY 2020 Energy Intensity: 235,802 Btu per GSF
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EPA's FY 2020 energy intensity was 41.0 percent lower than the
agency's FY 2003 energy intensity of 399,616 Btu per GSF. In
absolute terms, EPA's FY 2020 energy consumption was 836.3
billion Btu. In FY 2020, energy intensity decreased because of
teleworking during the COVID-19 pandemic and consolidation
efforts at EPA facilities. Ventilation requirements in EPA
laboratories could also change over time based on evolving air
quality needs, which could impact the agency's future energy
intensity.
Renewable Energy
EPA generates onsite renewable energy at facilities where
practical and cost-effective. In FY 2020, onsite installations at
nine EPA facilities generating wind, solar and geothermal power
supplied EPA with 4.7 billion Btu, equivalent to 0.5 percent of
the agency's energy use. EPA also purchased 360,000 kilowatt-
hours (kWh) of renewable energy through one facility-level green
power contract in FY 2020.
Water Conservation
In FY 2020, EPA's reported water intensity was 18.0 gallons
per GSF, which is 11.3 percent lower than the agency's FY 2019
water intensity of 20.3 gallons per GSF and 49.7 percent lower
than the agency's FY 2007 water intensity of 35.7 gallons per
GSF (see Figure 2). In absolute terms, EPA's FY 2020 water
consumption was 63.7 million gallons, compared to its FY 2007
water consumption of 136.5 million gallons. In FY 2020, EPA
water consumption decreased due to teleworking during the
COVID-19 pandemic and the consolidation of EPA's Golden,
Colorado, facility into a nearby facility in the state in FY 2019,
which historically had high water intensity.
In FY 2020, EPA's water intensity performance was:
11.3 percent lower than FY 2019
49.7 percent lower than the FY 2007 baseline
EPA initiated a procurement through the General Services
Administration (GSA) for a total of 7 million kWh of Green-e
certified renewable energy certificates (RECs) to supplement
its onsite renewable generation. The RECs were generated
between April 1, 2019 and December 31, 2020. Onsite renewable
energy use and green power purchases covered 8.7 percent of
the agency's FY 2020 total electricity use, ensuring the agency
met its EPAct renewable energy requirement that at least
7.5 percent of agencywide electricity use be from renewable
sources.
Fleet Efficiency
In FY 2020, fuel consumption by EPA's non-fleet and other
equipment decreased 98.9 percent compared to FY 2019. This
decrease is due to reduced vehicle use required in FY 2020 as a
result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In FY 2020, EPA continued to implement the fleet management
information systems (FMIS), which allows the agency to better
monitor its tactical vehicle usage and fuel consumption.
Figure 2. EPA's Annual Water Intensity Reductions
EPA Water Intensity FY 2007 to FY 2020
40
FY 2007 Baseline: 35.7 Gallons per GSF
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Fiscal Year
Previous Reduction Requirement
Historical Water Intensity (Gal/GSF)
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