U.S. federal agencies will cut greenhouse gas emissions to 41.8% below their 2008 levels by 2025, the White House announced last week. The cut is expected to save $18 billion in energy costs, as well as increase the share of renewable electricity the federal government consumes to 30%. This new target expands upon the previously set goal of a 40% reduction from 2008 levels by 2025, announced in March 2015.
Individual federal agencies are also releasing Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans to outline how they are cutting carbon emissions, waste, and energy use to save taxpayer dollars. This includes operating more efficient vehicles, using clean energy sources like wind and solar, and employing energy savings performance contracts. Cuts will come from across the government’s 360,000 buildings, 650,000 vehicles, and extensive supply chain. Examples of federal agency initiatives include:
- Installing solar power facilities at Department of Homeland Security facilities in California and Puerto Rico;
- Expanding renewable power at two Department of Energy national laboratories in New York and Colorado; and
- Developing a solar power plant that will power NASA’s New mexico facility.
The federal government is the largest energy consumer in the United States.
