President Obama signed an executive order calling for the federal government to cut its greenhouse gas emissions 40% from 2008 levels over the next decade.
The action also calls for an increase in the share of renewable energy in the federal government’s electricity supply to 30% during that same period. In step with the President’s action, federal suppliers including Honeywell, IBM, General Electric, and other major U.S. firms are pledging to reduce their own carbon footprint by 5 million metric tons over the next 10 years compared with 2008 levels.
The cumulative results of these actions would cut overall U.S. emissions by 26 million tons by 2025, the equivalent of taking nearly 5.5 million cars off the roads. A White House adviser estimated that the new measures will save $18 billion. He said that the federal government has already cut its overall emissions 17% since Obama took office, saving $1.8 billion.
Some of Obama’s environmental goals are lagging, though. The 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act dictated all new federal buildings and those undergoing major renovations had to use fossil-fuel free energy by 2030. The Energy Department has been slow to implement the rule, however, and a bipartisan coalition in the Senate is seeking to roll it back.
Related Stories
Government Buildings | Apr 26, 2018
DLR Group’s design for the new Lansing Correctional Facility focuses on energy-efficiency
JE Dunn will manage the design and construction of the Kansas-based facility.
Reconstruction & Renovation | Feb 7, 2018
Renovations begin on an underground facility that is investigating the nature of dark matter
This LEO A DALY-designed project makes way to produce the world’s most sensitive detector to this point.
Government Buildings | Dec 11, 2017
Is this the world’s most humane prison?
The C.F. Møller-designed prison’s architecture supports the inmates’ and staff’s mental and physical well-being.
Architects | Oct 11, 2017
Architects to policymakers: Buildings are infrastructure, too
Left out of this ongoing national debate over infrastructure are the nation’s other public buildings: the libraries, community centers, courthouses, community college buildings, affordable housing developments, and justice facilities.
Giants 400 | Oct 2, 2017
Delicate balance: Needs vs. capital for government agencies
John Caulfield, Senior Editor
Giants 400 | Sep 28, 2017
Top 85 government construction firms
Turner Construction Co., PCL Construction Enterprises, and Clark Group top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest government sector contractors and construction management firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Sep 28, 2017
Top 55 government engineering firms
WSP, AECOM, and Arup top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest government sector engineering and EA firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Sep 27, 2017
Top 95 government architecture firms
Stantec, HOK, and Gensler top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest government sector architecture and AE firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Government Buildings | Jul 26, 2017
Spector Group unveils new law enforcement center for Nassau County
The center will serve as a regional training center for all Nassau County Police personnel.
Building Team Awards | Jun 13, 2017
Government campus reimagined: Intelligence Community Campus
Building Team converts 1940s campus into a sleek, modern home for U.S. intelligence agencies.
