permitting for infrastructure projects, the interagency Bakken Federal Executive Group is
working with industry, as well as state and tribal agencies, to advance the production of
oil and gas in the Bakken while helping to reduce venting and flaring. Moving forward,
as part of the effort to develop an interagency methane strategy, the Obama
Administration will work collaboratively with state governments, as well as the private
sector, to reduce emissions across multiple sectors, improve air quality, and achieve
public health and economic benefits.
Preserving the Role of Forests in Mitigating Climate Change: America’s forests play a
critical role in addressing carbon pollution, removing nearly 12 percent of total U.S. greenhouse
gas emissions each year. In the face of a changing climate and increased risk of wildfire,
drought, and pests, the capacity of our forests to absorb carbon is diminishing. Pressures to
develop forest lands for urban or agricultural uses also contribute to the decline of forest carbon
sequestration. Conservation and sustainable management can help to ensure our forests continue
to remove carbon from the atmosphere while also improving soil and water quality, reducing
wildfire risk, and otherwise managing forests to be more resilient in the fact of climate change.
The Administration is working to identify new approaches to protect and restore our forests, as
well as other critical landscapes including grasslands and wetlands, in the face of a changing
climate.
V. Leading at the Federal Level
Leading in Clean Energy: President Obama believes that the federal government must be a
leader in clean energy and energy efficiency. Under the Obama Administration, federal agencies
have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 15 percent – the equivalent of permanently
taking 1.5 million cars off the road. To build on this record, the Administration is establishing a
new goal: The federal government will consume 20 percent of its electricity from renewable
sources by 2020 – more than double the current goal of 7.5 percent. In addition, the federal
government will continue to pursue greater energy efficiency that reduces greenhouse gas
emissions and saves taxpayer dollars.
Federal Government Leadership in Energy Efficiency: On December 2, 2011, President
Obama signed a memorandum entitled “Implementation of Energy Savings Projects and
Performance-Based Contracting for Energy Savings,” challenging federal agencies, in support of
the Better Buildings Challenge, to enter into $2 billion worth of performance-based contracts
within two years. Performance contracts drive economic development, utilize private sector
innovation, and increase efficiency at minimum costs to the taxpayer, while also providing long-
term savings in energy costs. Federal agencies have committed to a pipeline of nearly $2.3
billion from over 300 reported projects. In coming months, the Administration will take a
number of actions to strengthen efforts to promote energy efficiency, including through
performance contracting. For example, in order to increase access to capital markets for
investments in energy efficiency, the Administration will initiate a partnership with the private
sector to work towards a standardized contract to finance federal investments in energy
efficiency. Going forward, agencies will also work together to synchronize building codes –
leveraging those policies to improve the efficiency of federally owned and supported building
stock. Finally, the Administration will leverage the “Green Button” standard – which aggregates
energy data in a secure, easy to use format – within federal facilities to increase their ability to
manage energy consumption, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and meet sustainability goals.