The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and the White House Council on Environmental Quality announced a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) with major utility Xcel Energy. Under the MOU, the parties will work toward powering federal facilities in Minnesota, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin with 100% carbon-pollution-free electricity (CFE) by 2030.
The deal is in line with President Joe Biden’s Executive Order 14057, which charged the federal government to “lead by example” and leverage its “scale and procurement power” to help decarbonize the country. One of the order’s main goals is to source 100% CFE to power all federal facilities by 2030, at least half of which will be locally supplied clean energy to meet 24/7 demand.
“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 Robin 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.”
This 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 in the Colorado region and another signed by GSA and Entergy Arkansas LLC.