Obama Takes New Actions to Curb Carbon Pollution

He orders further cuts in federal emissions

WASHINGTON (March 19, 2015) -- President Obama today signed an executive order that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by the federal government by 40 percent from 2008 levels over the next 10 years.

The following is a statement by Rhea Suh, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“'The executive order demonstrates President Obama's continuing leadership in combating dangerous climate change. It's also a powerful reminder of how much progress we can make simply through energy efficiency and greater reliance on clean, renewable sources of energy.”

The president’s executive order continues the array of actions on clean energy and energy efficiency that has seen federal facilities reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 15 percent from 2008 levels, cut energy use in federal buildings by more than 9 percent, and consume more than 7 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources in 2013 -- a percentage that is to reach 20 percent by 2020.

 

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