Funding Energy Efficiency in the Forest Service

Outline Introduction Methods Results – Systemic level discussion/recommendation – Project-level tips

Resource Reduction Mandates Executive Order requires energy consumption reductions of 30% compared to 2003 by the year 2015 and mandates the use of renewable energy in federal facilities. Executive Order requires that all buildings in the design phase from 2020 on be zero net-energy. Forest Climate Change Performance Scorecard requires 100% attainment by 2015 in areas such as – integrating climate change into program work – assessing vulnerability of key resources – performing a baseline assessment of carbon stocks and flows – making progress to targeted reductions in resource use

Interviewee details 22 interviewees Location – 5 each from Regions 1 & 2 – 2 each from Regions 5, 10, and RMRS – 1 each from Regions 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 and NRS Positions held – 7 engineers – 6 facilities managers – 4 green team affiliates – 3 architects – 2 district rangers

Results Available resources – Capital Improvement Program – Project maintenance – End of year dollars – Quarters funds (rental income) – Conveyance funds – Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) – Agreements with utilities – Mass Energy Purchases – Western Collective model – American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – Regional Microgrants

Current Microgrant Programs Forest or StationAnnual microgrant amountYears offered Region 1$100, Region 2$50, , 2011 Region 3$55, , 2010 Region 4$25,000-35, Region 5$20,000-28, , 2008, 2011 Region 6$50, Region 10$5, Rocky Mountain Research Station$5,

Results: Systemic issues Creating feedback loops and incentive

Information of consumption on-site can – Improve decision making – Demonstrate mandated progress – Reduce waste Feedback loops that make consequences of decisions felt by decision-makers

Results: Systemic issues Role of information spread – Replicate successes – Learn from experimenters – Facilitate information exchange Incorporating long-term costs and benefits into planning

Results: Systemic issues Role of motivated people in key positions – “Enablers” – Leadership Common vision – “It’s just the right thing to do”

Results: Project-level strategies Be ready – Have decisions made and relationships developed so can take advantage of opportunities Try it in pieces – Break big project into smaller chunks – Pilot projects can inform future efforts and build support for up-scaling Get and give information – Saves money and creates opportunities

Questions?