On May 3, 2001, President George W. Bush sent a memo to the heads of all federal executive departments and agencies instructing them to begin conserving energy. “With possible electricity shortages in California and in the Northeast and Northwest this summer, the Federal Government should set a good example of conservation by reducing its own energy use, particularly in regions where electricity shortages may occur and during periods of peak electricity demand,” Bush wrote.
In addition, Bush has asked agencies to review their existing operating and administrative processes and conservation programs, and identify and implement ways to reduce such use. Agencies are expected to report back to President Bush by June.
The US Department of Defense (DOD) has already announced it plans to cut peak electrical load in California by 10 percent this summer. DOD plans further reductions next summer to 15 percent below last summer’s peak electrical demand. The department expects to reduce its electrical demand by 200 megawatts by next summer, achieving 150 megawatts of power reduction through conservation and by installing energy efficiency improvements. DOD is also exploring the possibility of adding new generation from wind, geothermal, and solar energy sources, as well as from fuel cells.
