by Brianna Crandall — March 4, 2011—The Department of Energy (DOE) announced on February 28 its initiative to provide technical assistance to federal agencies to help reduce petroleum consumption. President Obama signed Executive Order 13514 on October 5, 2009 to set sustainability goals for federal agencies and focus on improving environmental, energy and economic performance. Among a number of targets, the Executive Order requires federal agencies to reduce fleet petroleum consumption 30 percent by 2020.
DOE will provide technical assistance to federal agencies to provide the analysis needed to efficiently meet their vehicle fleet mandates to reduce petroleum use and increase the use of alternative fuels. The federal government currently operates more than 600,000 vehicles, and the Federal Energy Management Program’s (FEMP) technical assistance call will provide a vital service to ensure that federal agencies invest their appropriated funds efficiently by using DOE expertise to support fleet analysis.
A variety of areas will be considered for these technical projects including inventory analysis, optimum acquisition plans, alternative fuel use plans, right sizing, and driver behavior change. Funding will be provided to DOE National Laboratories to provide technical expertise.
FEMP will monitor each agency’s progress in implementing the projects that receive technical assistance and analyze actual reductions in petroleum and increase in alternative fuel use as a result of DOE’s technical assistance. Federal agencies interested in requesting technical assistance must apply online through the FEMP Central Web site by March 11, 2011. For additional information visit the FEMP technical assistance Web site.
