The scorching temperatures likely has many managers reviewing their agency's air conditioning bill. But rather than just re-setting the thermostat, energy-conscious feds should have booked a flight to the annual Gov Energy Conference, which wraps up today in Columbus, Ohio.

Joe Sabel, who chairs the conference and is also the portfolio manager in the Green Management Program Service at the Veterans Affairs Department, joined the Federal Drive to discuss the conference and the key takeaways.

The conference has drawn some 4,000 attendees and a number of vendors hawking the latest in green technology.

However, much of the government's green-energy efforts revolve around changing agency culture.

"You can buy all the fancy widgets you like - and can afford - but people have to use them," Sabel said.

And, in case you missed this year's conference, Sabel said next year's conference will be held August 19-22, 2012 in St. Louis, Mo.