Energy Saving News
Obama wants government to set energy-saving example
Barack Obama wants the US federal government to lead the way on climate change policy by setting new targets for energy efficiency, waste reduction and recycling.
Speaking in Washington DC earlier this week, the US president announced that federal agencies would have 90 days to define their targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
Obama said the government has a responsibility to set a positive example as "the largest consumer of energy in the US economy".
He also claimed that the initiative "demonstrates the federal government's commitment, over and above what is already being done, to reducing emissions and saving money".
According to a statement from the White House, federal government agencies occupy nearly 500,000 buildings and employ over 1.8 million people in the US.
Departments will be required to show a 26 per cent improvement in water efficiency by 2020, as well as recycling 50 per cent of waste by 2015.
Earlier this week, three US Air Force bases received awards from the US Department of Energy in recognition of successful energy-saving initiatives.
Friday 9th October 2009
