The Executive Order requires federal agencies within 90 days following the date of the order to propose target greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions in absolute percentage terms relative to a 2008 baseline. The cuts called for in the order will reduce the federal government's GHG emissions by 40 percent over the next decade from 2008 levels — saving taxpayers up to $18 billion in energy costs — and increase the share of electricity the federal government consumes from renewable sources to 30 percent.

The president's action will build on the federal government's significant progress in reducing emissions and will drive further sustainability actions through the next decade. In addition to cutting emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy, the Executive Order outlines a number of additional measures to make the federal government's operations more sustainable, efficient and energy-secure while saving taxpayer dollars.

Specifically, the Executive Order directs federal agencies to:

  • Ensure 25 percent of their total energy (electric and thermal) consumption is from clean energy sources by 2025;
  • Reduce energy use in federal buildings by 2.5 percent per year between 2015 and 2025;
  • Reduce per-mile GHG emissions from federal fleets by 30 percent (from 2014 levels) by 2025 and increase the percentage of zero-emission and plug-in hybrid vehicles in federal fleets; and
  • Reduce water intensity in federal buildings by two percent per year through 2025.

The accompanying fact sheet is available on the White House website.

Learn more about our Renewable Energy practice.

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