The Obama administration has given federal agencies 90 days to submit aggressive targets to reduce greenhouse gasses and energy use.
President Obama:
“This morning, I was proud to gather with a group of cabinet secretaries and other senior officials as President Obama signed a new Executive Order on Federal Sustainability. The Executive Order challenges agencies to lead by example in energy and environmental performance and gives them 90 days to set a 2020 greenhouse reduction goal. It also sets targets for efficient, sustainable buildings, petroleum use reduction in fleets, water efficiency, waste reduction, purchasing green technologies and product, and supporting sustainable communities.
By fulfilling this Executive Order, the Federal government will demonstrate that economic performance and a healthy environment go hand-in-hand. And by putting Federal purchasing power to work – more than $500 billion per year in goods and services – the government can build on the momentum of the Recovery Act to help turn good entrepreneurial ideas into great American enterprises that create jobs.
I’m sure I speak for everyone who’s been a part of this effort when I say that we’re ready to put these ideas into practice, starting today.”
The clearly identified targets in the order include:
- 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;
- Implementation of the 2030 net-zero-energy building requirement;
- Implementation of the stormwater provisions of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, section 438; and
- Development of guidance for sustainable Federal building locations in alignment with the Livability Principles put forward by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Transportation, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
The timing of this order coincides with a probable presidential visit to the Copenhagen Climate talks, and it looks as if President Obama want to have these targets at his disposal for the conference.
Source: Whitehouse.gov
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