The43-page ENERGY STAR Guidelines for Energy Management contains a step-by-step road map for continuous improvement, based on best practices from the nation's leaders in energy management. The document is broken out into the guidelines' seven main steps:
The ENERGY STAR Guidelines for Energy Management provide a proven strategy for creating a comprehensive energy management program. Based on the successful practices of ENERGY STAR partners, these guidelines can help your organization plan and implement an energy management program that delivers deep, sustained energy savings over the long-term.
The ENERGY STAR Guidelines contain a step-by-step road map for continuous improvement, based on best practices from the nation's leaders in energy management. The document is broken out into seven steps:
Through over a decade of observation and analysis, EPA has found that the most successful organizations are the ones that fully implement the practices outlined in the ENERGY STAR Guidelines for Energy Management. Comparing your program to the best practices outlined in the guidelines will help you identify strengths and weakness and your next steps to maximize savings.
Read more about the business case for improving efficiency and operating a high-performing portfolio of buildings, or check out the accomplishments of ENERGY STAR Award winners, the top organizations that are raising the bar and leading their industries.
The new edition of a bestseller, this book is one of the leading educational resources for energy manager or energy professional as well as new people enter the field of energy management and energy engineering. It is the most widely used college and university textbook, as well as one of the most widely used books for professional development training. New topics include energy auditing, energy bills, life cycle costing, electrical distribution systems, boilers, steam distribution systems, control systems and computers, energy systems maintenance, insulation, compressed air, renewable energy sources and water management, distributed generation, and creating green buildings.
Handbook 135 is a guide to understanding the life cycle cost (LCC) methodology and criteria established by the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) for the economic evaluation of high-performance facility projects, including energy efficiency, water conservation, and renewable energy projects in all federal facilities. It expands on the life cycle cost methods and criteria contained in the FEMP rules published in 10 CFR 436, Subpart A, which applies to all federal agencies. The purpose of this handbook is to facilitate the implementation of the FEMP rules by explaining the LCC method, defining the measures of economic performance used, describing the assumptions and procedures to follow in performing evaluations, giving examples, and noting NIST computer software available for computation and reporting purposes. An annual supplement to Handbook 135, Energy Price Indices and Discount Factors for LCC Analysis, NISTIR 85-3273, is also published by NIST to provide the current discount rate, discount factors, and energy escalation factors used for conducting an LCC analysis in accordance with the FEMP rules. This annual supplement is required when using Handbook 135 and is used in updating NIST LCC-related software.
The 2020 edition of Handbook 135 superseded the 1995 version and included extensive revisions and reorganization around the key steps in an LCC analysis. Although the underlying LCC methodology has not changed, the content of the handbook has been updated to include the most relevant information. Given the technological developments since its 1995 release, the manual worksheets previously provided for completing LCC analysis have been removed. The examples have been updated and expanded to provide explicit use cases for projects with a broader scope than energy efficiency and water conservation to include all considerations of high-performance facilities, including sustainability and resilience. Additionally, the handbook provides additional information resources (e.g., data sources, requirements, codes and standards, and guidance by project goal).
This 2022 edition of Handbook 135 supersedes the 2020 edition and includes minimal changes focused on addressing language in new executive orders and their implications on federal cost-effectiveness analysis. The handbook will be updated on an ad hoc basis dependent on future changes in federal statutes and regulations, agency goals and guidance, LCCA support resource development, and available funding.
WBDG is a gateway to up-to-date information on integrated 'whole building' design techniques and technologies. The goal of 'Whole Building' Design is to create a successful high-performance building by applying an integrated design and team approach to the project during the planning and programming phases.
On April 24, 2024, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) had finalized updated regulations for renewable energy development on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).
On Jan. 17, 2023, the Department of the Interior announced that a final rule would publish that transfers regulatory oversight of certain renewable energy activities on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf from BOEM to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). The final notice was published in the Federal Register on Jan. 31, 2023.
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) authorized BOEM to issue leases, easements and rights of way to allow for renewable energy development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). EPAct provided a general framework for BOEM to follow when authorizing these renewable energy activities. For example, EPAct requires that BOEM coordinate with relevant Federal agencies and affected state and local governments, obtain fair return for leases and grants issued, and ensure that renewable energy development takes place in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.
In 2009, the Department of the Interior announced the finalization of regulations governing BOEM's OCS Renewable Energy Program. These regulations provide a detailed structure to govern how BOEM manages its Renewable Energy Program, ensure that BOEM meets its statutory obligations, and provide both certainty and flexibility for overseeing the nascent offshore renewable energy industry. The updated regulations can be found here:
BOEM's renewable energy program occurs in four distinct phases: planning, leasing, site assessment, and construction and operations. BOEM engages key stakeholders throughout this process, as early communication with interested and potentially affected parties is critical to managing potential conflicts. BOEM's renewable energy regulations were updated in October 2011 to reflect the Bureau reorganization, and will be updated in the future to incorporate lessons learned and stakeholder feedback.
BOEM prepared a final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) in support of establishing its program for authorizing renewable energy and alternate use activities on the OCS. The final PEIS examines the potential environmental effects of the program on the OCS and identifies policies and best management practices that may be adopted for the program. The Record of Decision for the PEIS can be found by clicking here.
On April 17, 2014, BOEM announced the publication of its Final Rule to extend timing requirements for submitting a Site Assessment Plan and a General Activities Plan pursuant to its renewable energy regulations. Click on the link below to access the Final Rule.
The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced steps to ensure workplace safety on Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) renewable energy facilities in the Federal Register on October 18, 2019. The new policy clarifies that DOI will act as the principal Federal agency for the regulation and enforcement of safety and health requirements for OCS renewable energy facilities.
DOI will continue to collaborate with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the U.S. Coast Guard to share relevant safety and training information and promote safety on the OCS.
This "Regulatory Roadmap" provides guidance on the requirements for acquiring an offshore wind commercial lease on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), pursuant to 30 CFR 585. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is providing this document to clarify the steps and approvals necessary to develop an OCS wind facility.
This document is intended to be used as guidance to developers to outline the requirements of BOEM and other agencies that industry must follow when developing offshore wind projects. For public guidance outlining the process for overseeing renewable energy projects on the OCS and opportunities for public involvement, please see A Citizen's Guide.
BOEM has developed a number of national and regional guidelines for renewable energy activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). These informal documents are intended to provide lessees, operators and developers with additional information or interpretation of a regulation, OCS standard or regional requirement, clarification for implementation of a special lease stipulation or regional requirement, or updated administrative information (e.g., telephone listings, office address).
In addition, the Northeast Ocean Plan and Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Action Plan (the Plans) describe a series of collaborative actions and best practices related to the use of data, interjurisdictional coordination, and stakeholder engagement that will inform and guide Federal, State, Tribal, and Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council activities under existing authorities. The Plans promote healthy ocean ecosystems and sustainable ocean uses. Consistent and within existing statutory authorities, BOEM will use the Plans to inform and guide its actions and decisions in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic areas. The companion Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portals (Data Portals) present thousands of publicly available maps that represent components of the marine ecosystem and a wide range of human activities. The Federal government has also placed authoritative geospatial information on the Marine Cadastre ( ) and analysis tools in OceanReports ( ). BOEM will consider data products available from these data portals in its decision-making, and encourages lessees and applicants to do so also.
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