Bill Overview
Title: Lead by Example Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency to set all thermostats in their respective headquarters to at least 78 degrees Fahrenheit when air conditioning is being used.
Sponsors: Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
Target Audience
Population: People working in climate-controlled environments affected by legislation
Estimated Size: 6000
- The bill is aimed at setting energy usage examples by reducing energy consumption via adjusting thermostat settings in federal agencies.
- Adjusting thermostat settings can influence energy conservation efforts, particularly in large office environments.
- The primary impact of this legislation will be on individuals who work within the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since it affects their office environment.
- Broader impacts could influence other federal agencies or private sector entities to adopt similar measures if the initiative proves successful in reducing energy costs or usage.
Reasoning
- The policy specifically affects federal employees working at the Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) headquarters, estimated to be around 6000 people.
- These buildings are located in Washington, D.C., where such adjustments might affect employees differently seasonally, with potential cost savings projected as motivation for broader adoption.
- While direct wellbeing impacts may not be substantial for most, embodying sustainable practices may influence morale, given the agencies' roles in environmental stewardship.
- Adoption of similar practices by other agencies or private offices may require incentivizing broader behavioral or infrastructural changes.
Simulated Interviews
Environmental Scientist at EPA (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm pleased to see such initiatives coming from within our agency, promoting sustainability.
- Temperature control can be a personal preference, so it might take some getting used to.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Administrative Staff at DOE (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Setting thermostats to 78 is a bit warm for my comfort, but I understand the energy conservation goal.
- We will need to manage to stay hydrated and adjust if anyone has health concerns.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Policy Analyst at DOE (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I might feel uncomfortable during summer months as our section gets quite warm.
- Hopefully, this helps underline the importance of energy efficiency in our strategies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
HR Manager at EPA (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This action aligns with our commitment to environmental responsibility, which is a core part of our work culture.
- We need to monitor and maintain comfort to ensure productivity doesn’t drop.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Cleaner in DOE (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm a bit worried about working conditions during warmer nights, especially since it's a physically demanding job.
- Overall, our goal is clear, but some complaints are possible if it becomes uncomfortably warm.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
IT Technician at DOE (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Temperatures higher than 78 degrees could be challenging for equipment that gets hot under load.
- We’ll need to monitor and adjust equipment cooling systems closely.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Environmental Advocate at NGO (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's excellent for the DOE and EPA to set a public example in leading environmental initiatives.
- I hope they publish data on savings and environmental impact soon.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Remote Analyst for EPA (Arlington, VA)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This change won’t directly affect me much but could inform similar policies in satellite offices.
- I appreciate seeing my agency take such steps; however, it’s a minor day-to-day impact on my role.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Senior Manager at DOE (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 51 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Moving forward, this sets a positive precedent, yet we must ensure office comfort is balanced.
- Monitoring adoption and deriving value from savings analysis will be key.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired Civil Service Employee (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It warms my heart to see actions aligned with climate goals, demonstrating practicality.
- They must pursue wider adoption for significant results.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000 (Low: $25000, High: $100000)
Year 2: $50000 (Low: $25000, High: $100000)
Year 3: $50000 (Low: $25000, High: $100000)
Year 5: $50000 (Low: $25000, High: $100000)
Year 10: $50000 (Low: $25000, High: $100000)
Year 100: $50000 (Low: $25000, High: $100000)
Key Considerations
- Energy savings from reduced AC usage may result in notable cost avoidance and environmental benefits.
- The comfort level of employees is subjective, and there may be complaints or productivity variations related to thermal comfort.
- Policy may inspire broader application across other federal or private sector buildings, amplifying its impact.
- HVAC systems may need calibration or updates to enforce temperature settings reliably, introducing potential unanticipated costs.