Source: United States General Services Administration
June 7, 2023
Memorandum of understanding between GSA and Xcel Energy sparked by President Biden’s executive order reestablishing federal government as a sustainability leader
MINNEAPOLIS — Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) announced a new memorandum of understanding with Xcel Energy [PDF – 609 KB] to work toward providing federal facilities in Minnesota, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin with 100% carbon pollution-free electricity (CFE) by 2030.
President Biden charged the federal government to lead by example and leverage its scale and procurement power to tackle the climate crisis. The MOU will advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s ambitious goal of sourcing 100% CFE to power federal facilities by 2030, at least half of which will be locally-supplied clean energy to meet 24/7 demand. This advances President Biden’s Executive Order 14057, which aims to create demand for local clean energy, catalyze utility-scale energy storage, and create a more stable and resilient grid while supporting well paying jobs.
“This nation’s clean energy utilities are stepping up to power the federal government with 100% carbon-free electricity in line with President Biden’s ambitious Federal Sustainability Plan,” said Brenda Mallory, Chair of CEQ. “Powering our government with clean energy is good for jobs, our economy, and our environment.”
Under the new MOU, GSA and Xcel Energy will develop a roadmap for meeting the federal government’s 100% CFE targets in Xcel Energy’s Upper Midwest operating region. The MOU aims to encourage the development of additional CFE sources and provide federal agencies as well as other electricity customers a more reliable, resilient, and cleaner power grid into the future.
“This MOU is another example of how GSA is leading by example in tackling climate change, using our buying power and real estate footprint to move markets, create demand, and catalyze clean energy innovation,” said GSA Administrator Carnahan. “Through smart partnerships with Xcel Energy and other energy service providers, we can help advance sustainability, create jobs, and ensure a healthier planet for our kids.”
“Xcel Energy was the first major U.S. power company to present the vision of delivering 100% carbon-free electricity across the grid,” said Bob Frenzel, Chairman, President and CEO of Xcel Energy. “As we forge ahead in the clean energy transition, our collaboration with GSA demonstrates how we can provide innovative solutions to help our customers reduce their carbon footprint and meet their sustainability goals.”
GSA is a primary agency that procures electricity for the federal government. The MOU marks the federal government’s third MOU with a utility for 100% CFE, following a similar MOU between Xcel Energy and the U.S. Department of Energy covering Xcel Energy’s Colorado operating region and another signed by GSA and Entergy Arkansas LLC.
For more information on GSA’s leadership in tackling the climate crisis and investing in a more sustainable future, please see GSA’s Climate Action and Sustainability webpage.
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About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing approximately $75 billion in annual contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, follow us at @USGSA.
About Xcel Energy: Xcel Energy provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com.