Obama Issues Executive Order For Energy, Water and Environmental Issues
President Barack Obama participates in the CEQ Executive Order signing
in the Oval Office, Oct. 5, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Calling for government to lead by example, President Obama has signed an executive order directing all federal agencies to increase energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve water, and develop net-zero buildings.
The order sets a number of ambitious targets: 30% reduction in vehicle fleet petroleum use by 2020: 26% improvement in water efficiency by 2020; 50% recycling and waste diversion by 2015; 95% of all applicable contracts will meet sustainability requirements; beginning in 2020 and thereafter, all new Federal buildings that enter the planning process are designed to achieve zero net-energy by 2030.
The implications of this executive order are an enormous step for the sustainability movement. The governments sheer size – nearly 500,000 buildings, 600,000 vehicles, and 1.8 million (civilian) employees – should jump start a transition to a clean energy economy.
Requiring 95% of contracts to meet sustainability guidelines will also drive green technology and development – the government spends more than half a trillion on goods and services annually.
"As the largest consumer of energy in the U.S. economy, the Federal government can and should lead by example when it comes to creating innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency, conserve water, reduce waste, and use environmentally-responsible products and technologies," said President Obama.
Read the White House Press Release: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/President-Obama-signs-an-Executive-Order-Focused-on-Federal-Leadership-in-Environmental-Energy-and-Economic-Performance |
