The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has issued a request for information (RFI) to help prepare for the purchase of carbon pollution-free electricity (CFE) in line with the requirements of Executive Order 14057. Responses to this RFI will inform GSA for upcoming solicitations across all U.S. retail choice electricity markets, starting with the region operated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).
The RFI marks a key step in refining the Biden Administration’s approach to procuring electricity in retail choice markets, which represent nearly a quarter of all federal government operational needs and are crucial to meeting President Biden’s goal of the federal government achieving 100% CFE on a net annual basis by 2030.
As a primary agency that procures electricity for the federal government, GSA is working to identify energy procurement options and develop strategies for reaching 100% CFE. Through this RFI, GSA will gather information regarding the availability of CFE in the retail choice electricity market and ways for the federal government to incentivize additional production and delivery. GSA will use this information, including feedback on contract structures and technical requirements, to develop procurement strategies that may be implemented as soon as this year.
“GSA is one of the largest buyers of energy, and we’re a steady customer prepared to make long-term investments. We want to use the government’s buying power to spur demand for clean, carbon free electricity and related distribution methods,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “GSA looks forward to partnering with industry to support CFE – when and where our customers need it – to create good jobs, save taxpayer dollars, and ensure a healthier planet for the next generation.”
This effort complements both a recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Defense to solicit carbon pollution-free electricity in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas as well as GSA’s recent Memorandum of Understanding with Entergy Arkansas, LLC.
