by Shane Henson — July 2, 2012—The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has made reducing energy costs among federal buildings a top priority, and has found innovative ways to do so. Recently, the GSA announced $7.5 million in cost savings in federal facilities in New York State by buying power through reverse energy auctions with energy companies. Through this initiative, GSA expects to save taxpayer dollars and pay lower energy costs in buildings in Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse, New York City, and six border stations along the U.S.-Canadian border.
Reverse auctions allow the GSA to have energy companies bid for the lowest price for providing power to federal buildings. GSA says it has recently awarded two-year term contracts through these auctions to several energy companies, with new energy rates starting in 2013.
According to the GSA, the projected savings of the recently awarded contracts are:
- In Albany, the Leo W. O’Brien Federal Building will realize electric savings of $302,729.
- In Buffalo, the Michael J. Dillon U.S. Courthouse will realize electric savings of $115,892. GSA also awarded a contract for the electricity use of federal agencies at 138 Delaware Avenue, where GSA leases space for its client agencies. Electric savings at federal accounts at this location over the two-year term of the contract will amount to $189,930.
- In Syracuse, the James M. Hanley Federal Building will realize savings of $510,224.
- In New York City, five lower Manhattan federal buildings will save more than $6,011,352.
- Six GSA-managed border stations across the U.S.- Canada border will collectively save $199,022.
- Additional GSA facilities throughout New York will total more than $200,000 in savings through reverse energy auctions.
- In Buffalo, the Michael J. Dillon U.S. Courthouse will realize electric savings of $115,892. GSA also awarded a contract for the electricity use of federal agencies at 138 Delaware Avenue, where GSA leases space for its client agencies. Electric savings at federal accounts at this location over the two-year term of the contract will amount to $189,930.
In addition to the reverse auctions for energy costs, GSA is also participating in load shedding and demand response programs throughout New York that are easing its impact on the local power grid and saving energy by reducing electricity usage in federal buildings. GSA’s participation in these programs in New York will return $442,980 in energy rebates this summer, which the agency says will be used to fund additional water- and energy-saving projects.
