If the promise of lower energy bills isn't incentive enough for you to explore ways to consolidate your datacenter and cut energy consumption, perhaps the threat of federal regulations on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will be. As you've likely heard, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled earlier this week that under the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does have the power to regulate GHGs such as As you’ve likely heard, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled earlier this week that under the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does have the power to regulate GHGs such as carbon dioxide, associated with climate change. In other words, GHGs are pollutants that should be dealt with. (Notably, the Supreme Court didn’t say the EPA has to do anything about them — yet.)Although the case focused on the auto industry, a significant producer of GHGs (vehicles alone accounted for 33 percent of the U.S.’s 2005 CO2 emissions according to the EPA), the ruling likely will affect the EPA’s approach to the regulation of other significant sources. “[T]he Supreme Court’s Mass v EPA ruling makes it abundantly clear that we are in a carbon constrained world. Companies that fail to prepare will be severely disadvantaged,” said Josh Margolis, managing director at CantorCO2e, a global environmental brokerage firm.Those companies could include IT organizations. There’s growing awareness that enormous, energy-hungry datacenters not only gobble up a lot of power but emit GHGs as well. The EPA is already in the process of scrutinizing energy consumption of server hardware, per the direction of Congress. Measuring energy efficiency of servers, however, remains a challenge, which is why groups such as The Green Grid are tackling the conundrum as well.Although countries such as the United Kingdom have already laid out plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, lawyers have opined that we won’t see changes made overnight here in the U.S. — but it’s going to happen. “The consequence of this will be to create pressure to get federal legislation that is coherent and comprehensive, and most importantly targeted to the emission of greenhouse gasses and the problems related to climate change,” environmental lawyer Kevin Healy told the AFP.The federal government isn’t just feeling pressure from the Supreme Court, environmental groups, and ally countries to address greenhouse gas emissions. A consortium of major companies and influential investors recently issued a “Climate Call to Action” to the Feds, urging lawmakers to enact strong federal legislation to curb the pollution causing global climate change. My advice: Get on board the Green Express now and start exploring ways to reduce your energy consumption, while there are not only clear long-term cost savings and incentives to be had, but also precious time to develop a sustainable IT strategy. Better that than rushing in recklessly after federal regulations inevitably kick in. Technology Industry