What`s new in federal energy management: Program overview

Each year, the Federal Government purchases an estimated $10--20 billion in energy-related products. As the world`s largest customer, the Federal Government can greatly affect the availability and cost of products and technologies that save energy and conserve natural resources. The Energy Efficiency and Resource Conservation Challenge is a voluntary, government-wide commitment that uses the buying power of the Federal Government to support and expand markets for today`s ``best-practice,`` energy-efficient, renewable, and water-conserving products; create new entry markets for advanced, energy-saving technologies and products; lower the costs of efficient products for all consumers by providing a large, reliable market; reduce operating costs for Federal agencies, saving taxpayers` money; reduce Federal energy use and greenhouse gas emissions; provide a model for other levels of government, corporate, and institutional purchasers