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:

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."