The House has passed HR-306, to require agencies to put in place a strategy, including best practices and measurement and verification techniques, for the purchase, maintenance and use of energy-efficient and energy-saving information technologies.
Technology to be considered, it says, includes advanced metering infrastructure; energy-efficient data center strategies and methods; advanced power management tools; building information modeling; and secure telework and travel substitution tools. Agencies also would have to monitor whether they are achieving the savings projected.
OMB meanwhile would be required to set performance goals for evaluating agencies’ compliance.
Also passed was HR-39, to put into law the Presidential Innovative Fellows Program designed to encourage entrepreneurs, executives and innovators to join the government for periods of between six months and two years.
A program director would set terms including the total number of fellows, salary and benefits, and other policies. That official would consult with agencies regarding potential projects and how best to meet those needs, and match applicants with those needs. Agencies would have to ensure that each fellow works closely with responsible senior officials for the duration of the assignment.
