Sourced from Warmer Bulletin e-news, 17 September 2010
'The White House has announced the release of a performance plan focused on environmental, economic and energy goals that marks the first time agencies have developed and submitted Sustainability Plans.
Channel 6 News reports that the Federal Agency Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans traces back to the Executive Order on Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance signed by President Obama on October 5, 2009,
Under the Executive Order, Federal agencies were required to submit their plans to the White House Council on Environmental Quality and the Office of Management and Budget.
The Executive Order also required Federal agencies to set a 2020 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target, increase energy efficiency, reduce fleet petroleum consumption, conserve water, reduce waste, support sustainable communities, and leverage Federal purchasing power to promote environmentally-responsible products and technologies.
Agencies were asked to develop, implement and annually update a plan that prioritizes sustainability actions based on a positive return on investment for the American taxpayer and to meet energy, water, and waste reduction targets.
The Federal government occupies nearly 500,000 buildings, operates more than 600,000 vehicles, employs more than 1.8 million civilians, and purchases more than $500 billion per year in goods and services.
As the single largest energy consumer in the U.S. economy, the Federal Government spent more than $24.5 billion on electricity and fuel in 2008 alone.
To promote accountability, annual progress will be measured by the Office of Management and Budget and reported online to the public.
Previous announcements related to this executive order include a goal of a 28 percent reduction by 2020 in direct greenhouse gas pollution, such as those from fuels and building energy use, and a 13 percent reduction by 2020 in indirect greenhouse gas pollution, such as those from employee commuting and landfill waste.
Combined, these two goals could result in a cumulative reduction of 101 million metric tons of CO2 emissions equivalent to the emissions from 235 million barrels of oil.'
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