Senator Carper Welcomes Administration’s Executive Order to Cut Federal Government’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions

WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, welcomed President Obama’s executive order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) across the federal government, along with the pledge of several major federal suppliers to disclose emissions and set new reduction goals. The executive order aims to cut the federal government’s greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent from 2008 levels over the next decade – an effort that will save taxpayers up to $18 billion in avoided energy costs and increase the share of electricity the federal government consumes from renewable sources to 30 percent.

“As the country’s largest property owner and energy user, it is critical that that the federal government does what it can to become more energy efficient,” Sen. Carper said. “Today’s executive order declares to the nation and the world that the United States is serious about curbing harmful emissions and its federal government is ready to lead by example. This commitment from the administration and major federal suppliers not only helps shrink our carbon footprint but will also save taxpayers billions of dollars in the long term and move our country closer to a clean energy future. That’s what I call a ‘win-win-win.’ I commend the President for these efforts and for his ongoing commitment to energy efficiency and stemming the tide of climate change that is being felt around the country, particularly in low-lying states like Delaware.”

President Obama’s executive action combined with the commitment of federal suppliers will decrease greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 26 million metric tons by 2025 from 2008 levels. The administration also announced the implementation of a scorecard to publicly track self-reported emissions disclosures for all major federal suppliers, who together represent more than $187 billion in federal spending and account for more than 40 percent of all federal contract dollars.
 

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