Leading the Way in Sustainability

MONDAY, OCTOBER 5TH, 2009 AT 7:02 PM
Leading the Way in Sustainability
Posted by Nancy Sutley
This morning, I was proud to gather with a group of cabinet secretaries and other senior officials as President Obama signed a new Executive Order on Federal Sustainability. The Executive Order challenges agencies to lead by example in energy and environmental performance and gives them 90 days to set a 2020 greenhouse reduction goal. It also sets targets for efficient, sustainable buildings, petroleum use reduction in fleets, water efficiency, waste reduction, purchasing green technologies and product, and supporting sustainable communities.

By fulfilling this Executive Order, the Federal government will demonstrate that economic performance and a healthy environment go hand-in-hand. And by putting Federal purchasing power to work – more than $500 billion per year in goods and services – the government can build on the momentum of the Recovery Act to help turn good entrepreneurial ideas into great American enterprises that create jobs.

I’m sure I speak for everyone who’s been a part of this effort when I say that we’re ready to put these ideas into practice, starting today.