The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is partnering with energy company Southern Co. to increase efficiency in 12 federal buildings across Georgia, reducing GSA’s carbon footprint and improving overall sustainability. The upgrades will focus on lighting, HVAC, water conservation, and more.
Two Southern Co. subsidiaries—utility Atlanta Gas Light and distributed energy provider PowerSecure—are coordinating the improvements. Planned for completion in 2024, the project is expected to reduce GSA’s annual energy and water costs by nearly $3.3 million.
The GSA announced the award of the $117 million Utility Energy Service Contract, which is part of the Biden administration’s Climate Smart Buildings Initiative. The improvements are expected to enhance building performance and efficiency, while reducing operating costs by approximately 45%. In addition, carbon emissions are expected to be reduced by 18,000 to 21,000 metric tons per year across all 12 GSA buildings.
“This project is a model for how public-private partnerships bring immense value to solving federal government challenges,” said Chris Cummiskey, EVP and Chief Commercial and Customer Solutions Officer for Southern Co.
“The investments we’re making in Georgia demonstrate how investing in sustainability is a triple win—creating good-paying clean-energy jobs, reducing energy costs, and tackling climate change to help ensure a healthier future for the next generation,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan.
The project will replace and modernize equipment, such as chillers and boiler plants, air and water distribution, and direct digital control systems. In addition, improvements will also include the conversion of more than 60,000 light fixtures to LED technology, as well as the installation of high-efficiency water fixtures. The project is expected to cut energy consumption by 40-50% across the 12 sites.
Also included is a $944,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to reclaim water for use inside the buildings, and $900,000 in utility rebates.
Six of the facilities are located within metro Atlanta, along with buildings in Athens, Augusta, Valdosta, Macon, and Brunswick. This includes the Martin Luther King Jr., Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center, and Richard B. Russell federal buildings in Atlanta.