Obama Puts Gov't on Greenhouse Gas Diet

The President on Monday Signed an Executive Order Calling for Emissions Targets for Federal Buildings

(AP)  President Barack Obama is putting the U.S. government on a greenhouse-gas diet.

In an executive order signed Monday, Obama directed all agencies to set the first-ever targets for reducing climate-altering pollution from government buildings, fleets and federal workers' commutes.

The agencies will have 90 days to tell the White House how much they plan to measure and reduce greenhouse gases from buildings and vehicles by 2020. Targets for employees' commutes and travel will be due June 2010.

"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," Obama said in a statement.

The order compels agencies to curb petroleum use, conserve water and curtail waste extending and expanding on an executive order issued by President George W. Bush in January 2007 that became law earlier this year.

Bush's order, unlike Obama's, did not require agencies to set emissions targets.

The government mandate comes as the Obama administration takes steps to require automakers and large industrial facilities to cut greenhouse gas emissions. It is also a way for the White House to show much-needed progress toward reducing greenhouse gases before more than 180 nations meet in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December to hammer out a new international treaty to slow global warming.

The president wants Congress to pass a bill setting mandatory limits, but its passage is unlikely in the Senate before negotiations begin. The Senate bill would require refineries, factories and power plants to reduce greenhouse gases by 20 percent by 2020 and roughly 80 percent by mid-century.

It was unclear how deep the targets would be for the federal government, or how much of a dent it would make in total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate Change Goals Face Steep Hurdles


The government operates nearly 500,000 buildings, more than 600,000 cars and purchases more than $500 billion per year in goods and services.

The White House said Monday that the actions taken would benefit the taxpayer by reducing energy costs.

Reviews by the White House budget office show that most federal agencies are well on target to reduce energy use to meet the goals set by Bush for 2015. It is proving more difficult for agencies to reduce their oil use, officials said.

Bush wanted all agencies to reduce petroleum consumption by 2 percent annually, until 2015. Obama's executive order extends that goal to 2020.

[endurorob_5]

Maybe he should try spending a little less time on Air Force One jetting all over the place for fund raisers and promoting his adopted home town.

[Mokkie57]

Just a thought. If President Obama wants to cut green house gases instead of hi flying all across the globe to promote Chicago for home to the 2016 games KEEP YOUR ASS AT HOME

[msimamaji]

President Obama's decision is a step in the right direction. We need to cut carbon emissions. I agree with reveal5. Gobama, Go.

[reveal5]

Looks like the President is moving forward with his agenda on all fronts...Withdrawal from Iraq, a surge in Afghanistan, healthcare reform, reduction of greenhouse gases, vitalization of alternative energy sources, and saving the economy from collapse...Nice to see a President who does what he says he will do. Gobama! God bless! Pray for the President, the fringe will not let up one iota as long as he is the President. The fringe will do and say anything to derail President Obama. The fringe is now being put in their place by their own party and commentators across the political spectrum. However, they will simply hunker down deeper in their psychological foxholes and lob mortars at any democrat in range. Truth is though, their mortars are made of silly putty. Just like the grey matter between their ears, silly putty...utterly maleble....by the likes of Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh. Pray for the President and for the fringe, they both can use the help.

[dwilson59]

Now I am no Harverd Grad but if we cut the Federal Budget by 10% I am sure that would have a impact.

Just my thought.

[P0STING_AWAY]

by dwilson59 October 5, 2009 7:07 PM EDT
Now I am no Harverd Grad but if we cut the Federal Budget by 10% I am sure that would have a impact.
Just my thought.
======================================================================
You definitely are NOT a Harvard Grad.
The topic at hand is "green house gas" diet ...
not "fiscal" diet.

[sjc_1]

Carter put up solar panels and Reagan took them down. Carter had incentives for wind turbines and Reagan cancelled them. We have to have consistent policies for decades to get where we need to go.