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Site selection preference should be granted to sites with
connections to existing utilities and/or potential for alternative
energy use, particularly solar- and wind-based energy systems.
Potential negative issues relative to energy and utilities would be
utility easements or underground storage tanks to be designed
around.
It is important to acknowledge that the Energy Independence and
Security Act (EISA) of 2007 requires federal agencies to reduce the
fossil fuel based energy consumption of new and renovated buildings
to zero by 2030. Agencies are just now beginning to develop plans to
meet these requirements and evaluating the technologies that will be
available to support the development of ‘resource islands’ or future
development that will rely on renewable energy sources only.
The on-going evaluation of technology and anticipated long-term
challenges associated with resource islands will greatly affect site
selection in the future. It is recommended that all designers
involved with future development work closely with the energy
manager of an installation to learn about alternative energies and
the associated site requirements of each.
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