Beyond the Department of Homeland Security and defense contractors, the U.S. government has successfully partnered with businesses to achieve a common goal. Now for the first time, a utility will partner with the federal government. Entergy Arkansas will sign the government’s first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a utility. Their common goal is to reach 100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity (CFE). This development will allow federal agencies in Arkansas to reach President Biden’s Executive Order 14057. The executive order or the Federal Sustainability Plan promotes clean energy, jobs and reduced emissions. The federal government will work with utilities, developers, technology firms, financiers and others to purchase electricity from clean power sources.
“GSA looks forward to working with our agency partners and utilities across the country to replicate this MOU model - helping to promote local, clean energy sources and catalyze utility-scale energy storage, and create a more resilient grid,” said General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator, Robin Carnahan.  “This MOU marks a historic step forward and demonstrates how the federal government is partnering in initiatives to spur demand for carbon pollution-free electricity - when and where people need it.” Renewable energy demand saw a global increase of 31.3 exajoules in 2021. Â
“Today’s MOU shows how innovative, customer-centric clean energy can help Federal agencies in Arkansas cost-effectively meet the clean energy goals of President Biden’s Federal Sustainability Plan. By building upon existing nuclear power generation with new carbon-free renewable resources, this approach helps reach net-zero emissions while keeping costs low for consumers. We hope this partnership between GSA and Entergy Arkansas will serve as a model for other Federal agencies and suppliers to accelerate the transition to clean energy,” said Andrew Mayock, the federal government’s chief sustainability officer at the White House.
It is estimated to take over a decade to match renewable growth to global demand growth. With a little help, can utilities reach their goals faster?