Pentagon and more federal buildings are adding solar to their campuses

Dated January 18, 2024. The Department of Health and Human Services has imposed a strict deadline for states to submit detailed plans outlining their strategies for the execution of the enhanced testing protocols. These protocols have been introduced to improve the detection and tracking of the COVID-19 pandemic as case numbers continue to fluctuate across the nation. The stipulated deadline is critical to ensure states are fully prepared to implement these enhanced measures in a timely manner, thereby facilitating a coordinated response to the ongoing public health crisis. The Department of Energy has just revealed the allocation of $104 million to support energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives across 31 government sites, which encompasses a brand-new solar power system to be installed on the Department’s rooftop. A bird’s-eye perspective of the Pentagon, the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense located in Arlington, Virginia, as captured on May 15, 2023, in the vicinity of Washington, D.C. (Photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexander Kubitza, courtesy of the Department of Defense). The financial support comes from the Department of Energy’s AFFECT program, initiated in 1992, designed to support federal facilities in reducing their energy use, thereby saving energy expenses for taxpayers. The initial allocation of $104 million represents the first portion out of a total of $250 million earmarked under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. “As the largest energy user in the country, the Federal Government aims to maximize energy savings across its properties and vehicles, which not only provides a financial advantage for taxpayers but also enhances the country’s security,” stated Jennifer M. Granholm, the U.S. Secretary of Energy. The projects we’re unveiling today, which are made possible by the significant funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will bolster our energy self-sufficiency and tackle climate change, thereby promoting a cleaner environment for every American citizen.