New Survey Highlights Challenges of Green Government Initiatives

WASHINGTON, April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Progress towards answering President Obama's challenge to "lead by example" in achieving greater energy efficiency is mixed in federal agencies, according to a survey conducted by the Government Business Council (GBC), Government Executive's research division, with underwritten support by Siemens. With looming budget cuts, federal managers are worried energy efficiency initiatives will fail without further fiscal support, but also see bureaucratic barriers and office culture that limit progress. With the federal government as the largest consumer of energy in the America economy, to modernize and improve energy efficiency practices, federal agencies must overcome cultural and resource limitations.

Key report findings include:

• Only 40 percent of managers feel the federal government is currently "leading by example" when it comes to energy efficiency. A full 60 percent think otherwise or are unsure.
• Nearly half of agencies lack proper funding for sustainability initiatives and say competing priorities interfere with implementation of green programs.
• Just 44 percent of federal managers expect to work in a certified green building in the next decade.

Survey respondents include a random sample of 172 Government Executive's print and online subscribers from 24 different federal agencies, encompassing civilian grade levels of GS-11 through GS-15 and military ranks of Lt. Cmdr. and Maj. through General and Admiral. Survey takers responded in late March and early April of 2012.

"This report highlights the ongoing battle for attention and resources in agencies as federal managers try to meet President Obama's call for sustainability. But managers are supportive of broad, federal energy policy and have made progress," said Erin Dian Dumbacher, Director of Research at the GBC. "This report highlights the work ahead of government as it strives to 'lead by example' in sustainability," she said.

"This report highlights the critical linkage between energy efficiency and mission effectiveness. Federal agencies are in a unique position to spearhead energy efficiency efforts and lead by example, not only in reducing energy waste and consumption, but also in reaping significant cost savings for taxpayers," said Barbara Humpton, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Siemens Government Technologies, Inc. "At Siemens, we're committed to helping the federal government achieve unprecedented levels of energy effectiveness, security and independence."

The results were featured in an April 26 Leadership Briefing hosted by Government Executive Media Group. The full report is available for download at the Government Business Council's website: Full report

About Government Business Council: Briefings
As Government Executive Media Group's research intelligence division, the Government Business Council (GBC) is dedicated to advancing the business of government through analysis, insight and analytical independence. Through its briefings series, GBC extends Government Executive's 40 years of exemplary editorial standards and a commitment to the highest ethical values. For more information, contact Bryan Klopack, Director, at [email protected].

About Government Executive Media Group
As part of Atlantic Media Company, Government Executive is dedicated to the mission of "informing and challenging the national discourse" through serving federal managers and executives across government. Through its magazine, web sites, events and research properties, Government Executive Media Group is the leading information resource for federal decision makers[1] and the essential marketing partner for companies seeking intelligent engagement with members of federal acquisition teams. Visit www.GovExec.com.

About Siemens Government Technologies, Inc.
Siemens Government Technologies, Inc. is a Federally-compliant U.S. organization structured to provide answers for some of the nation's most challenging issues within the Federal market in infrastructure, energy, industry and healthcare. The company is the leading integrator for Siemens' innovative products, technologies and services to meet the needs of Federal customers. For more information on Siemens Government Technologies, Inc. please visit: http://www.siemensgovt.com/.

[1] Market Connections, Inc., 2012.

Contact: Erin Dian Dumbacher 202-266-7619 or [email protected]

SOURCE Government Business Council