Army to exceed alternative-energy mandates
The Army predicts it will double the $400M required mandate within two years.
In a move toward a healthier planet, the Army announced it will probably double the federal government's mandate for energy-efficiency projects required by President Barack Obama's 2011 Memorandum.
That brings the total of alternative-financed Army energy projects to $800 million over the next two years, or almost $2.5 billion in total Army investments through performance contracting -- satisfied largely through either Energy Savings Performance Contracts or Utility Energy Services Contracts, the March 22 Army announcement said.
For minimal up-front costs, these contracts allow the private sector "to design, provide capital investment, construct, operate, and maintain new energy-efficient equipment, products, or systems for federal facilities" and these investments are paid back over time through yearly energy savings.
"The Army, working closely with the Department of Energy and the Defense Logistics Agency, has undertaken significant process improvements over the last two years, cutting cycle times required to award energy performance contracts down to 12-14 months versus a Federal average in 2010 of 26 months," said Richard Kidd IV, the Army's deputy assistant secretary for energy and sustainability, in the announcement.
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