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

Sustainability Performance Office

Goals and Requirements

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Sustainability Performance Office (SPO) is committed to meeting the goals of Executive Order (E.O.) 13514, E.O. 13423, and related statutory requirements through the Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan (SSPP). These goals and requirements include:

Executive Order 13514 Goals

SPO focuses on meeting the following goals outlined by E.O. 13514:

  • Develop a comprehensive inventory of DOE greenhouse (GHG) gas emissions
  • Reduce scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions
  • Reduce scope 3 GHG emissions
  • Execute and integrate high-performance sustainable design and green building best practices
  • Perform regional and local planning
  • Increase water use efficiency and management
  • Prevent pollution and eliminate waste
  • Follow sustainable acquisition practices
  • Usher in electronic stewardship and data center energy efficiency
  • Encourage agency innovation

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Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets

Secretary Chu established definitive GHG emissions reduction targets for the agency. Specifically, DOE is committed to meeting the following targets by fiscal year (FY) 2020:

  • Reduce scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions by 28% compared to a FY 2008 baseline
  • Reduce scope 3 GHG emissions by 13% compared to a FY 2008 baseline
Graphic depicting three the three scopes of greenhouse gas emissions. A cloud hovering at the top of the image represents the six greenhouse gases defined by the Kyoto Treaty (CO2, SF6, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs,). Three scopes represented by pictures feed into the cloud. Pictures include power lines, nuclear facilities, central plants, a van, construction equipment, a car, industrial facilities, a bus, trash can, and an airplane. Each picture fits into one of three scopes.

Common greenhouse gas sources are broken out into three categories.
Click the image to download a high-resolution illustration.

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Related Statutory Requirements

Numerous Federal laws and regulations outline specific agency energy consumption, renewable energy, and water efficiency requirements. The DOE Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) offers information on these laws and regulations. SPO focuses on the following high-level requirements:

  • Reduce energy intensity reduction 30% from 2003 through 2015
  • Increase renewable energy to generate 7.5% of all DOE energy consumption by 2013
  • Reduce vehicle fleet petroleum use 30% from 2005 through 2020
  • Reduce potable water intensity (gal/ft2) 26% from 2007 through 2020
  • Reduce industrial and other water intensity (gal) 20% from 2010 through 2020
  • Divert 50% of waste product through recycling and reduction programs by 2015
  • Ensure 95% of new purchases and contracts meet sustainable procurement requirements
  • Ensure 15% of building stock meet sustainability principles by 2015
  • Design new facilities to reach net-zero energy use by 2030

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