Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) announced the reintroduction of the Green Energy for Federal Buildings Act and the Green Federal Fleet Act to direct federal resources towards renewable energy initiatives at federal facilities, on federal lands, and in vehicle procurement. The Green Energy for Federal Buildings Act would require the federal government to increase the amount of renewable energy it consumes. Additionally, the Green Federal Fleet Act would require all new, non-tactical, passenger vehicles purchased or leased by the federal government to be zero-emission vehicles.
“As the impacts of the climate crisis become increasingly clear, it is long overdue that we leverage the full resources of the federal government to accelerate our transition to a renewable energy economy,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “That is why I have reintroduced legislation that takes a whole-of-government approach to require federal fleets to go zero-emission and ensure federal facilities transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050.”
“Because the federal government is the single largest purchaser of electricity in the country, my legislation sets bold but achievable goals for renewable energy use: 35% by 2030, 75% by 2040, and 100% by 2050.”
“By using its procurement power, the federal government can create good-paying jobs, strengthen the renewable energy industry, reduce pollution, and make great strides toward a 100% clean energy future.”
Green Energy for Federal Buildings Act
Under current law, as adopted by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the federal government is required to utilize no less than 7.5% renewable energy for its electricity needs, a level that has held steady since 2013. The U.S. as a whole already produces 21% of its total electricity generation from renewables, as of 2023. Many states are already far ahead. California, for instance, received 36% of its 2023 retail electricity sales from renewable resources.
Specifically, the Green Energy for Federal Buildings Act would require the federal government to increase the amount of renewable energy it consumes to 35% of its total electricity share by 2030, 75% by 2040, and 100% by 2050. This bill would also direct the federal government to use renewable energy that is produced on-site at federal facilities, on federal lands, or on Native American lands.
The text of the bill can be found here.
Green Federal Fleet Act
Under current law, federal agencies that purchase or lease new vehicles must meet limited goals for alternative fuel vehicles. Specifically, at least 75% of the vehicles acquired by a federal fleet are required to be alternative fuel vehicles (42 U.S.C. § 13212(b)(1)-(2)).
While that goal may have seemed ambitious in 1992 when it passed Congress, it is now antiquated. The Green Federal Fleet Act would require all new, non-tactical, passenger vehicles purchased or leased by the federal government to be zero-emission vehicles. The bill includes a reasonable exemption for agencies should unique circumstances make the purchase of zero-emission vehicles not feasible.
The text of the bill can be found here.
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Issues: 119th Congress, Climate Crisis, Energy and Environment, Transportation and Infrastructure