Obama Signs Executive Order to Reduce GHGs in the Federal Government and Across their Supply Chain

President Obama is leading by example and significantly reducing the federal government's greenhouse gas emissions. In the first week of November the President signed an executive order that cuts emissions and weaves sustainability into the fabric of the federal government.

The move will cut government greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40 percent and avert 26 million metric tons of GHG emissions by 2025. The White House claims that this will save tax payers up to $18 billion in energy costs and increase the share of federal energy derived from renewables by at least 25 percent.

President Obama's Green Executive Orders

President Obama has vowed that in the absence of congressional action, he will use his executive privileges to combat climate change. Some who are seeking a pretext to discredit the President have suggested that he is ruling by executive orders (EOs). However, President Obama has signed fewer EOs in his first four years in office than most of his predecessors. Executive orders are issued by the President of the United States to manage the operations of the Federal Government.

In his 2013 State of the Union address, President Obama indicated that while he wants to work with Congress, he is prepared to use other means at his disposal:

President Obama's Clean Energy Trust Fund

President Barack Obama wants to create a $2 billion clean-energy research fund with fees paid by oil and gas producers to help lower US dependence on oil. The President has urged Congress to support the $2 billion fund which would fuel cutting edge clean energy research projects, While the trust will focus on transportation, it will support research into a variety of fuels and technologies.

President Obama has already deployed billions of dollars for major cutting-edge clean tech research projects, so the $2 billion over ten years is not an astronomical figure. However, it does suggest that the President is serious about weaning the nation off fossil fuels and transitioning to cleaner alternatives.

One of the more interesting aspects of the trust is the fact that it will be funded by oil and gas profits through a designated tax that applies only to their operations on public lands.

Executive Order 13626: Accelerating Investment in Industrial Energy Efficiency

This EO was signed by President Obama in August, 2012, it is designed to promote American manufacturing by helping to facilitate investments in energy efficiency at industrial facilities.

Section 1. Policy. Accelerate and expand investments that reduce energy use through more efficient manufacturing processes and facilities and the expanded use of combined heat and power (CHP).

Section 2. Encouraging Investment in Industrial Efficiency. Coordinate policies between a variety of departments to encourage investment in industrial efficiency in order to reduce costs for industrial users, improve US competitiveness, create jobs, and reduce harmful air pollution.

Executive Order 13423: Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management

President Obama signed Executive Order (EO) 13423 on February 17, 2009. EO 13423 consolidates and strengthens the sustainable practices of the following preceeding EOs dating back to 1998.

13101 of September 14, 1998
13123 of June 3, 1999
13134 of August 12, 1999
13148 of April 21, 2000
13149 of April 21, 2000

EO 13423 directs federal agencies to establish absolute goals for carbon-cuts, to reduce fossil fuel consumption in federal vehicles by 30 percent, to implement a net-zero-energy requirement for federal buildings and to add sustainability requirements to federal contracts.

Executive Order 13514: Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance

Executive Order (EO) 13514, “Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance,” was signed on October 5, 2009. EO 13514 introduces new greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions management requirements, requiring each Federal Agency to submit a 2020 GHG pollution reduction target from its estimated 2008 baseline by January 4, 2010. It also expands water reduction requirements for federal agencies, and addresses waste diversion, local planning, sustainable buildings, environmental management, and electronics stewardship.

According to a press release from Whitehouse.gov, "Actions taken under this Executive Order will spur clean energy investments that create new private-sector jobs, drive long-term savings, build local market capacity, and foster innovation and entrepreneurship in clean energy industries."

President Obama's 2013 Inaugural Address: "We Will Respond to the Threat of Climate Change"

President Obama marked the start of his second term with a bold inaugural speech at the Capitol. With renewed determination the President reached beyond the partisan divide and showed true leadership. Speaking directly to the American people the President clearly stated that the United States will engage climate change.

Here are excerpts of the President's remarks:

For more than two hundred years, we have...made ourselves anew, and vowed to move forward together.

Together, we discovered that a free market only thrives when there are rules to ensure competition and fair play.

Green Inauguration of President Obama: "Faith in America's Future"

The public Presidential inauguration ceremony took place on Monday, January 21, and event organizers paid unprecedented attention to environmental sustainability. The official Inauguration Day was January 20th. However, as that date falls on a Sunday in 2013, the public swearing-in ceremony was held on Monday, January 21, 2013, at 11:30 a.m. ET, with the official event taking place at 11:55 a.m.

This year's official theme is "Faith in America's Future." One of the unique touches that define the unique quality of President Obama's inauguration are the efforts to make the event more environmentally sustainable.

Obama Versus Romney on Energy

Here is an excerpt from a September 28, 2012 Climate Progress article titled "Obama Versus Romney: Everything You Need to Know About Where the Candidates Stand on Energy Policy." The article was written by Daniel J. Weiss and and Jackie Weidman

The United States is in the midst of significant changes in our energy outlook. We are producing and burning more natural gas for electricity, while reducing coal use. Domestic oil production is at a 15-year high while oil imports are at a 15-year low. Renewable electricity doubled over the past four years, while worldwide carbon pollution and the impacts of climate change grow. The next president will face these and other serious challenges posed by a changing energy world.

The Obama Administration Has Grown Renewable Energy

Electrical generation from renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and geothermal has grown dramatically under the Obama administration says Ken Bossong, Executive Director of the SUN DAY Campaign. Bossong cites two new government studies that show a near doubling of non-hydro renewable energy sources contributing to US electrical generation since president Obama took office.

US Fuel Efficiency Standards Surpass Europe

President Obama's new US fuel efficiency standards may catapult America ahead of Europe by lowering vehicular emissions. The burgeoning US electric and hybrid car market will most certainly benefit from Obama's actions. The President first introduced a fuel standard of 35 miles per gallon (mpg) for 2016 and starting in 2025, American cars and light trucks will have to achieve a standard of at least 54.5 mpg.

President Obama's Efforts on the Environment and Education

President Obama has done a great deal for the environment since his inauguration in 2009. Although the President has been criticized for not doing enough on the environmental front he has been constrained by Republican obstructionism in Congress. Given the limitations of his executive powers, Obama has done a great deal for the environment, particularly when you consider the level of denialism we see from the GOP and entrenched interests in the old energy economy. Here is a summary of some of his environmental efforts since taking office and prior to his 2013 budget which he released in February 2012. At the end of this list I have included some of his educational initiatives because education is the key to building a new low carbon economy in the coming decades.

President Obama's 2013 Environmental Budget

President Obama’s 2013 budget proposal supports efficiency, renewable energy, green jobs, clean air, clean water, and a livable climate. Obama is also tightening the nations belt and helping to forge a cleaner future by proposing $39 billion of subsidy cuts for the fossil fuel industry over the coming 10 years.

Clean Energy Excerpts of President Obama's 2012 State of the Union Speech

Members of the US House and Senate, along with hundreds of distinguished guests, convened at the Capitol on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, at 9 p.m. for President Obama's third State of the Union Address. According to article II, Section 3, Clause 1 of the US Constitution, the President must “give to the Congress Information on the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.” Here are excerpts of the President's speech related to the environment, the green economy and clean energy:

Video: Al Gore Criticizes Obama's Decision to Withdraw the Proposed Ozone Standards

In his jobs speech President Obama said, "I reject the idea that we need to ask people to chose between their safety and jobs." However, on the Friday before labor day, President Obama asked EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to withdraw the proposed new national ozone standards, delaying the safeguards until at least 2013. President Obama said that he is putting the new clean air regulations on hold for jobs. However, Al Gore argues that the President's decision impacts human health and the health of the environment.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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