Construction jobs will be a major benefit from a $4 billion program to raise energy efficiency in government, corporate and institutional buildings in the next two years, President Obama said today in announcing the program.

The plan, called the Better Buildings Challenge, will involve $2 billion in federal spending to upgrade government facilities and $2 billion committed by corporations, local governments, universities and others.

“Upgrading the energy efficiency of America’s buildings is one of the fastest, easiest, and cheapest ways to save money, cut down on harmful pollution, and create good jobs right now," Obama said in the announcement.

The private-sector spending is supposed to result in a 20 percent increase in energy efficiency by 2020 in 1.6 billion square feet of space, the White House said.

The federal spending is being driven by a memorandum Obama signed to tell federal agencies to use Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) to promote energy efficiency.