U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Sustainability Performance Office

About the Sustainability Performance Office

Photo of Secretary Steven Chu sitting at a desk.

"With a serious commitment to energy efficiency, widespread deployment of technologies we have, and an aggressive investment in science, we can dramatically reduce our carbon emissions and reinvigorate our economy at the same time. This is not only our opportunity; it is our responsibility to future generations."

— Dr. Steven Chu, Secretary of Energy

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Sustainability Performance Office (SPO) oversees departmental sustainability efforts required by Executive Order (E.O.) 13514, E.O. 13423, and related Federal laws and regulations.

As required by E.O. 13514, DOE issued its first Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan (SSPP) in September 2010. DOE's 2012 SSPP outlines its continued sustainability efforts. DOE employees and contractors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the plan to help meet departmental sustainability goals.

E.O. 13514 and the DOE SSPP calls on DOE to set an example for sustainability by improving our environmental, energy, and economic performance while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2020.

The DOE strategy for success includes:

  • Instituting wholesale cultural change to factor sustainability and GHG emissions reductions into all DOE corporate management decisions.
  • Planning, executing, evaluating, and continually improving DOE operations to maximize sustainable use of energy and natural resources.
  • Developing cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
  • Improving the performance of existing DOE building stock.
  • Using low-GHG-emitting energy sources to replacing existing grid energy.
  • Preventing pollution and eliminating waste.

Executing the SSPP focuses on enhancing efficiency gains, expanding clean energy, evolving sustainable campuses, and engaging employees and the DOE community over the long term.

Contacts

For additional information about SPO and the SSPP, please contact the Sustainability Performance Office at sustainability@hq.doe.gov.