In the pursuit of a sustainable and energy-efficient future, federal agencies face ambitious targets outlined in directives, such as Executive Order 14057, and utilities play a vital role in helping their federal customers achieve these energy- and water-related goals. One of FEMP's key strategic priorities for Fiscal Year 2024 focuses on elevating utility partnerships and increasing agency engagement across several key energy and water management activities. The newly launched Utility Open Houses for Federal Customers initiative serves as a platform to bring together utility companies and their federal customers to foster participation in existing programs and initiate new projects focused on sustainability, efficiency, and resilience. Utility Open Houses are virtual events where federal agencies will learn about utility offerings and incentive programs focused on key pathways to achieving federal energy goals. Representatives from FEMP will provide key information on these programs and the support FEMP offers to agencies and utilities and utility representatives will provide information on existing programs and how to sign up to participate in them.
Instructors
Ethan Epstein, Program Manager, Federal Energy Management Program Read Bio
Ethan Epstein is the Program Manager and Technical Lead for the Federal Energy Management Program's (FEMP) resilience program. At FEMP, Ethan works with both the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to provide federal facilities with technical assistance and develop resources and tools focused around energy/water resilience and climate change. This includes developing strategies to integrate various programmatic efforts including but not limited to climate adaptation, mitigation and resilience, decarbonization, resilience quantification, and resilience planning.
Billie Holecek, Research Associate, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Read Bio
Billie Holecek has worked as a research associate at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory since 2020. She helps support federal agencies by providing technical and procurement guidance for the adoption of distributed energy resources. She also works to support both federal and state offices to provide support for their energy-efficient product procurement efforts. Billie attended the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry where she obtained a Bachelor's of Science in sustainable energy management.
Nichole Liebov, Distributed Energy Program Manager, U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) Read Bio
Nichole Liebov is a program manager at the U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP). She leads the Distributed Energy and Energy Procurement program and the Performance Contracting National Resource Center. The Distributed Energy program supports federal agencies in identifying and implementing on-site projects and off-site procurement options by providing technical assistance and trainings and developing tools and resources. She also leads the interagency Renewable Energy Working Group. Prior to her current role, Nichole joined FEMP as a AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow, where she supported federal agencies' resilience and distributed energy needs. Nichole holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Georgia and a Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Virginia.
Ebony Atkinson, Public Utility Branch Chief, Contracting Officer, General Services Administration Read Bio
Ebony Atkinson is the GSA Public Utility Services Branch Chief and Contracting Officer for the GSA's Natural Gas Acquisition and Areawide Program. Under the Public Utility Services Branch, Mrs. Atkinson also oversees the Utility Delegations Program. Mrs. Atkinson's work involves providing client agencies with natural gas supply, access and ease of ordering and managing utility services (i.e., electricity, natural gas, water, wastewater, and steam), and providing access to unique energy procurement and contracting expertise. Over the past 13 years, she has led and supported energy and acquisition programs while providing contract management and technical support to government clients. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Art and Education from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, attendees will be able to:
- Identify innovative CFE purchasing programs that facilitate the procurement of clean and sustainable energy;
- Select UESC programs that allow agencies to leverage savings from energy conservation measures to fund comprehensive energy projects and efficiency improvements;
- Recognize the utility and energy management services that can be obtained through the streamlined GSA Areawide Contract procurement process;
- Identify Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings and how utilities are working with customers to implement smart technologies that provide demand flexibility while co-optimizing for energy cost, grid services, and occupant needs;
- Recognize the latest EVSE procurement options from their utility, including turnkey solutions that support federal agencies in the adoption of electric vehicles and sustainable transportation solutions;
- Select resilience programs offered by their serving utility that are designed to enhance energy security, fortify infrastructure, and ensure continuity of operations;
- Identify how to take advantage of demand response and time-variable pricing programs designed to reduce costs and optimize energy consumption based on real-time needs.
