In an effort to reduce the federal government's energy consumption and save taxpayer dollars, Senators Mark Udall (D-Colo.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) introduced the Energy Efficient Government Technology Act. The bipartisan legislation would force the federal government to reduce energy consumption at federal data centers.

"Energy efficiency is a critical component of the United States achieving energy self-reliance and reducing costs to taxpayers," Udall said. "This is a great example of how a smarter, more efficient approach by the federal government can save Coloradans a lot of money. I am proud to partner with Sen. Risch on this common-sense and cost-cutting idea."

"Just like any business does, the federal government needs to look at ways to save energy at their facilities. Federal data centers use a tremendous amount of energy and by focusing efficiency efforts there, we will see a great deal of savings for taxpayers," Risch said. "I am pleased to work with Senator Udall in introducing legislation that will reduce unnecessary spending."

The centers, managed by the Office of Management and Budget, currently consume more than six billion kilowatt-hours of energy every year — the equivalent of powering more than 530,000 households. The total cost to supply federal data centers with this much energy is more than $600 million per year.

###