Obama Signs Executive Order to Cut Government Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 40 Percent

[kpete]

Source: Eco Watch

The federal government contributes only modestly to the U.S.’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. But hoping to spur others into action, President Obama announced today that he will issue an executive order that will cut the federal government’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40 percent by 2025, including across its entire supply chain.
“As part of his commitment to lead by example to curb the emissions that are driving climate change, today President Obama will issue an executive order that will cut the federal government’s greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent over the next decade from 2008 levels—saving taxpayers up to $18 billion in avoided energy costs—and increase the share of electricity the Federal Government consumes from renewable sources to 30 percent,” said a White House statement. “Complementing this effort, several major federal suppliers are announcing commitments to cut their own GHG emissions.”

The new actions and commitments are expected to reduce GHG emissions by 26 million metric tons from 2008 levels by 2025. The administration is also releasing its Federal Supplier Greenhouse Gas Management Scorecard where the public can track GHG emissions for all major federal suppliers and their progress in reducing them. Together, these suppliers receive more than 40 percent of all federal contract dollars, more than $187 billion dollars, with Lockheed Martin, which already has and discloses emissions targets, leading the list at more than $32 billion.

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“The President’s action today will build on the federal government’s significant progress in reducing emissions to drive further sustainability actions through the next decade,” according to the White House statement. “In addition to cutting emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy, the Executive Order outlines a number of additional measures to make the Federal Government’s operations more sustainable, efficient and energy-secure while saving taxpayer dollars.”

Read more: http://ecowatch.com/2015/03/19/obama-cut-greenhouse-gas-emissions/

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http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/03/19/1371992/-POTUS-Signs-Executive-Order-to-Cut-Govt-Greenhouse-Gas-Emissions-by-40

[malthaussen]

1. What, he finally closed Congress? n/t

[Dems to Win]

2. Is the US military included as part of the federal government?

I've heard in the past that the military is an enormous consumer of gasoline, etc. Where is the military on that chart? Or in the sentence: "The federal government contributes only modestly to the U.S.’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. "

The US military had thousands of air conditioned tents in the desert, and the Humvees get about 4 miles to the gallon.

Not questioning whether this is a good effort or not, I just see the glaring absence of discussion of military emissions.

[valerief]

3. Yeah, the U.S. military is THE big fossil fuel user in the world. I suspect that the U.S.'s

number 1 rating for usage is because of the military.

[bananas]

4. The military is already making major changes

http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-07-18/the-pentagon-s-war-against-climate-change

http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13276

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100721121657.htm

[bananas]

5. they've already flown some jets on algal biofuels. nt

[whistler162]

6. Now that is likely illegal......

banning Congress from talking would cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions and maybe by more than 40% but it is definitely not legal, SADLY!