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Why Are Federal Agencies Required to Do This?

The following three statutes require federal agencies to purchase energy efficient products and activate power management settings on their computers and monitors:

  • The Energy Policy Act of 2005 Exit ENERGY STAR requires federal agencies to buy either ENERGY STAR products or products designated as energy efficient by the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP). These requirements are included in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 23.203 Exit ENERGY STAR. In March 2009, the Department of Energy published a Final Rule Exit ENERGY STAR to provide guidance to Federal agencies in implementing EPAct, Section 104: “Federal Procurement of Energy Efficient Products.”
  • Executive Order 13423 Exit ENERGY STAR requires federal agencies to activate ENERGY STAR “sleep” features on computers and monitors and to buy EPEAT Exit ENERGY STAR registered products. In March 2007, the Council on Environmental Quality issued instructions PDF (300KB) Exit ENERGY STAR, defining agency requirements for implementing Executive Order 13423 and recommending broad strategies for achieving them.
  • Executive Order 13514 Exit ENERGY STAR sets sustainability goals for Federal agencies and requires them to establish a 2020 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target. In terms of energy efficiency, agencies must:
    • Ensure that 95 percent of new contracts include products that are energy efficient (ENERGY STAR qualified or FFMP designated) and environmentally preferable (e.g., EPEAT certified).
    • Promote electronics stewardship by: 1) procurement preference for EPEAT-registered electronic products; 2) enablement of computer power management; 3) activation of duplex printing functions, and; 4) procurement of ENERGY STAR qualified and FEMP-designated electronic equipment.

Where can I learn more?

Read how the Air Force PDF (314KB) saves over $15 million annually through purchasing ENERGY STAR qualified computers and power managing those computers with these best practices:

  • Engaging high-level leadership from IT and acquisition groups.
  • Ensuring all operational units are represented when developing the core computer configuration and power management policy.
  • Developing and executing a focused communication strategy that informs staff early and often about the policy.
  • Providing your purchasers and specifiers with a simplified menu of approved models and configurations that make purchases easy.

Please see additional ENERGY STAR Products purchasing and procurement case studies.