Energy Management and Conservation in State Facilities

Summary

On September 21, 2021, the Governor's Office issued Management Directive 720,05 Amended, Energy Management and Conservation in Commonwealth-Owned and Leased Facilities. This Directive supersedes and replaces Management Directive 720.05 dated July 25, 2008. The Directive establishes policy and responsibilities for the management of facilities owned or leased by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It applies to all departments, offices, commissions, and other agencies under the Governor's jurisdiction that occupy space controlled by the Department of General Services in facilities in the Commonwealth.

The Objectives of the Directive are compliance with the stipulations of Executive Order 2019-01, which established a 3% annual reduction in energy consumption. It directs agencies to:

• Utilize program and portfolio management tools including
  
• Commonwealth Utility Benchmarking Initiative,
• GreenGov Program,
• Real Estate Portfolio Management Tool, and
• Other tools that may support the objectives of this directive.

• Identify and procure energy-saving and efficiency projects utilizing project delivery mechanisms such as:
  

• Guaranteed Energy Savings Act,
• Capital projects,
• Job Order Contracting,
• Leasehold Improvement, and
• Other methods to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
  

The Directive instructs agencies to establish "Agency Sustainability Teams" consisting of internal staff in multiple disciplines. Agency Sustainability Teams must participate in:

• Commonwealth Utility Benchmarking Initiative by assigning and training agency staff in key roles and providing continued program support for the management, tracking, and assessment of utility data for the achievement of utility efficiency goals and identification of energy-saving projects.
• GreenGov Program by using the GreenGov Agency Certification Checklist, supporting an Agency Sustainability Team, and collaborating with other agencies through the sharing of energy-saving program information and participation in joint initiatives.
• Efficient use of space and streamlining of the Commonwealth-leased portfolio by utilizing the Real Estate Portfolio Management Tool, assigning and training agency staff for the management of facilities, and maintaining and storing core facility data including locations, specifications (square footage), technical drawings, occupant use and locations, and other building-specific data.
• Delivery of energy savings projects through procurement methods including, but not limited to, GESA, JOC, Leasehold Improvements, capital projects, or other tools that may support this directive’s objectives.

The Directive requires agencies to implement specific building-specific conservation measures for appliances, interior environmental controls, lighting, and office equipment standards and practices. Responsibilities established by the Directive include 

• Technical assistance for Sustainability Teams by the Department of General Services, 
• Agency Heads ensure employees receive training and support in energy conservation,
• Managers must support programs and assign, train, and support staff in program roles,
•  Employees must comply with all requirements of the Directive
  

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In December 2004, the Governor signed Executive Order 2004-12, which made a number of energy efficiency related requirements for state facilities. The Pennsylvania Department of General Services (DGS) is generally responsible for administering the state's energy management and conservation policies as a centralized coordinator. Consistent with this role, the DGS has responsibilities including, but not limited to, the following:

    Work with state agencies to develop energy conservation methods for new construction and building renovations, including green building practices
    Implement programs to train personnel in life-cycle cost analysis and apply it to state projects
    Develop and implement standard procedures for state Energy Service Company (ESCO) projects
    Develop procedures for energy use reduction in state-leased facilities
    Procure Energy Star or other energy efficiency products when it is economical and consistent with life-cycle cost analysis.

The order also contains an extensive list of behavioral and equipment improvements that should be implemented by all state executive agencies. The Pennsylvania Department of Environment Protection (DEP) is directed to provide assistance and advice to the DGS and other executive agencies in implementing the energy conservation requirements of the order.

The 2004 initiative reportedly reduced energy consumption in state buildings by 10% annually during 2006. In June 2008 Governor Rendell directed the DGS to implement further energy efficiency measures with a goal of achieving an additional 10% reduction in energy use in state buildings by 2010. The new directive called for compact fluorescent lighting to replace all incandescent lighting; lighting in the Capitol Complex to incorporate occupancy sensors; peak shedding and smart metering strategies to be deployed in state-owned buildings; and office thermostat settings to be increased from 74 degrees to 75 degrees in state buildings during the summer. Revised Management Directive No. 720.5 issued in July 2008 provides further details on the state's energy efficiency policy for state buildings. Although it appears that a renewed energy conservation target for state buildings has not been set, the 2004 Executive Order and 2008 Management Directive remain in effect.