by Brianna Crandall — November 19, 2010—Seventy-nine percent of U.S. federal government leaders charged with making recommendations or final decisions on agency purchasing believe that energy efficiency is among the most effective ways to meet energy needs, reduce energy costs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new Zogby International poll sponsored by the Alliance to Save Energy and Schneider Electric.
The independent survey of 201 government leaders asked participants to rate the importance of energy efficiency within their agencies, rate the agencies’ ability to comply with federal energy efficiency requirements, identify obstacles to that compliance, and identify attitudes towards energy efficiency within the agency.
The poll, released at the GOVgreen Conference in D.C., also found that:
- Two-thirds (66 percent) of the decision makers see either cost savings (36 percent) or environmental benefits (30 percent) as the major driver of their agencies’ energy efficiency efforts.
- Approximately two-thirds (64 percent) believe that the current national economic environment and potential tightening of their agency’s budget might have an impact—presumably negative—on their ability to pursue energy efficiency projects. A third (32 percent) think the biggest obstacle to achieving their agency’s federally mandated energy efficiency goals is a lack of funding.
- Roughly two-thirds (65 percent) believe their agency has a culture that encourages energy efficiency practices throughout all levels and across all departments; and about half (49 percent) report that the significance of energy efficiency in their operations has increased in the last two years.
ASE says the release of the survey data is timely considering the numerous energy efficiency requirements on the federal government—the nation’s single largest energy user—mandated by recent laws and executive orders.
- Approximately two-thirds (64 percent) believe that the current national economic environment and potential tightening of their agency’s budget might have an impact—presumably negative—on their ability to pursue energy efficiency projects. A third (32 percent) think the biggest obstacle to achieving their agency’s federally mandated energy efficiency goals is a lack of funding.
