Recovery Act Update: High Performance Federal Buildings
The Recovery Act provided $4.5 billion to the General Services Administration (GSA) to convert federal facilities into High-Performance Green Buildings. GSA will use this funding to reduce water and energy consumption and install renewable energy in 240 federal buildings in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and two territories. See GSA’s Recovery Act page for more details.
Spending Snapshot - August 13, 2010:
Appropriated: $4.7 billion
Available: $4.7 billion (100% of appropriated funds)
Spent: $644 million (14% of appropriated funds)
Source
Funding Roll Out:
GSA released its first funding plan in March and a revised plan in November. By July 31, 2009, GSA had awarded over $1.08 billion (roughly one quarter of the appropriated amount) in contracts for construction-related projects and plans to reach $4 billion in total contract awards by March 31, 2010.
GSA’s Recovery Act Timeline
- March 31, 2009: GSA releases first Federal Buildings Fund Spend Plan
- November 23, 2009: GSA releases revised Federal Buildings Fund Spend Plan (Full Plan)
- August 6, 2009: GSA releases report on Recovery Act Challenges (Full Report)
- March 31, 2010: GSA plans to reach $4 billion in total contract awards
Program Plan:
GSA’s Federal Buildings Fund Spend Plan identifies major selected building renovations (a total of 43 projects and $3.1 billion of the appropriated funds), limited scope renovations (194 projects, $842 million) and small scope projects ($331 million) selected for their energy reduction potential and other factors including speed of construction, facility condition, and impact on working conditions. Major building renovations are designed to achieve energy performance 30% above current energy code and consume 55% less fossil fuel energy. Each GSA building projects will also receive an advanced metering system to monitor ongoing performance.
The GSA Recovery Act Team is overseeing the program with support from the new Office of Federal High Performance Green Buildings, funded at $4 million in the Recovery Act, and two DOE laboratories. Further supporting these agency efforts, President Obama issued an executive order in October requiring agencies to reduce their energy use.
For information on GSA funding awarded to each state, see the GSA state funding page.
