President Barack Obama signs an Executive Order, titled “Planning for Sustainability in the Next Decade,” which will cut the Federal Government’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 40 percent over the next decade from 2008 levels, in the Oval Office. Behind President Obama are senior advisor Brian Dreese and Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Energy Kate Brandt
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White House: Leading by Example On Climate Change: Our New Federal Sustainability Plan
Late last year, in an historic joint announcement with China, President Obama set an ambitious goal for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change – a clear sign that the United States’ commitment to leadership on climate change at home and abroad is stronger than ever. In the latest effort to continue that push, this morning, President Obama signed an executive order that will help us stay on track to meet the new target pledged in China and ensure that the federal government leads by example as the United States moves boldly to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while boosting clean energy. This new sustainability plan for the next decade directs federal agencies to cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2025.
That means big cuts to the dangerous emissions driving climate change – and also big savings. In addition to 21 million metric tons of emission reductions – the same as taking 4.2 million cars of the road for a year — achieving this goal will save taxpayers up to $18 billion in avoided energy costs between 2008 and 2025. Today’s action builds off of the strong progress the federal government has made over the past six years. Already, federal agencies have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent since the President took office, and increased the share of electricity consumed from renewable sources from 3 percent to 9 percent in 2013. Agencies have also made progress on a number of other fronts, like reducing water use by 19 percent since 2007. But there is much more work to do – and that’s what today’s announcement is all about.
More here
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President Barack Obama is given a tour of solar panels on the roof of the Department of Energy (DOE). With President Obama (L-R) are DOE HQ Energy Manager Eric Haukdal, DOE Deputy Secretary Liz Sherwood and Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Energy Kate Brandt
President Barack Obama speaks during a meeting at the Energy Department
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Michele Richinick: Obama Orders Cuts To Government’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions
In his ongoing effort to combat climate change both at home and abroad, President Barack Obama signed an executive order on Thursday to reduce the federal government’s greenhouse gas emissions by 40%. Although the government contributes only a small percentage of total emissions, the cuts are expected to keep 26 million metric tons of greenhouse gases out of the air by 2025 – equal to taking about 5.5 million cars off the road for a year. The order also directs the government, which is the single largest U.S. consumer of energy, to increase its use of renewable energy to 30% of its consumption, giving a further boost to green industries. The executive order comes just days after an international team of scientists reported that the Totten Glacier of East Antarctica –
the largest and most rapidly thinning glacier in the region – is shrinking because of warm ocean water developing beneath it. The process could have “global consequences,” including rising sea level by at least 11 feet, the researchers wrote Monday in Nature Geoscience. On Thursday morning, Obama toured an installation of solar panels at the Energy Department’s headquarters and discussed the new emissions targets with federal suppliers, part of a larger effort to lead by example on the climate change issue. In November, Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached an agreement on a climate deal to reduce carbon emissions and tackle the growing crisis of global climate change. The pact includes a first-ever commitment by the Asian country to stop its emissions from increasing entirely after 2030.
More here
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President Obama just took action to cut the Federal Government's carbon pollution emissions → go.wh.gov/QdgusY http://t.co/hJHqg6PuIN
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The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 19, 2025Big news! President Obama signed an EO to cut federal govt's CO2 emissions: whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/03/1… #ActOnClimate @ErnestMoniz @DeniseUSGSA
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Gina McCarthy (@GinaEPA) March 19, 2025****
FACT: President Obama is taking action to save taxpayers up to $18 billion in energy costs → go.wh.gov/QdgusY http://t.co/B9dVoZ23ik
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Cecilia Muñoz (@Cecilia44) March 19, 2025Obama just signed an executive order requiring federal govt to cut greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2025 thkpr.gs/3635953
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ThinkProgress (@thinkprogress) March 19, 2025
White House.gov
Thanks for this post, NW!
You’re weeeeeeeeeeeeeeelcome, Ms. J’OB.
Congratulations on first.
Ha. That’ll put a smile on yer face!!!!
Haven’t thought of Betty for years.
Japa21, Little known history fact: Betty was a real Afro American woman with the voice and bad-ass body.
Her act was stolen by a white woman when she came to see the show. The rest is HIStory.
That would have made such a difference to some little girls who had nothing but hope and a prayer.
JB! ….you slid by us youngins…congrats on first!
:star:
We Earthlings have to take Care of out Planet or Die…..it is that simple.
The Ultimate Truth!
J’OB has the Gold :star:
Nena clocked in at the same Time?
Wow. TGIF.
Congrats J’OB, glad to be in your Company ;)
Congrats on a joint first, Nena.
:cool: ;)
Nothing to put a smile on your face like a pic of PBO & Joe together! :) :)
Nerdy, I see this photo as our current president and our future one-side by side.
JOB and Nena: Twice the Fabulousness! Way to go, Ladies! :-D
;)
Congrats, Nena!
:)
I loooooooooooooooove President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama’s White House.
For this post and for Nerdy Wonka, I say
Thanks, NCLB. :)
I love Senator Harry Reid!!!
At times Schumer acts as though he’s an AIPAC spokesman, just sayin’
I’m not a major fan of Schumer’s, but guess Harry knows something I don’t know.
Harry does know something we don’t know, but still Schmuer is a bit overzealous when it comes to AIPAC, and that is something we all know.
True. I know they go for seniority, but I’m for new faces and not just the entitlement stuff. In any case, none of ‘em are RWNJs, so least we have THAT.
“none of ‘em are RWNJs, so least we have THAT.” LOL, point taken.
All I can say, JOB, is I’m glad Schumer has not been the Democratic leader during PBO’s presidency because he is a sometimes supporter of the president and not reliable. And you’re right that he will consistently put Israel’s interests above those of the US. I don’t understand Reid’s reasoning, but maybe he feels that Schumer is the biggest SOB in the Senate and that will give him an edge in battling Republicans.
*maybe he feels that Schumer is the biggest SOB in the Senate*
Ah … you might have something there!
I noticed too. The only thing missing is the little cap.
Remember when Schumer said last November that passing Obamacare in 2010 was a mistake because the economy is more important? Yeah, he’s clueless about how much Obamacare HELPED the economy. UGH.
AG Holder doing his job. As always.
This had to be done, and I’m glad it was. First they came for the statues …
Hopefully, we can expect many more civil rights charges, for those who’ve earned it for actions against our fellow Americans. Between our current AG and our at-the-ready AG, I believe we’ll make a good deal of progress in prosecuting these hate crimes.
Thanks JOB for sharing Neil deGrasse Tyson’s “two main philosophies.” This world would be in a much better state if we all subscribed to his “two main philosophies.”
Yes, it would, nath. And good evening to you!
Our President could be describing himself here because there’s no one who better understands his roots than PBO or has worked harder to get something.
Finally, Josh made a well reasoned and a far more convincing defense of what The Obama Team is doing in Yemen……..again…..Yemen has Never been a stable nation in years…….so for the Righties and the Media to chuck it up as a failure…….minus…..that No successful attacks from Yemen in over 6yrs here in USA is in my opinion a resounding Success.
I have finally read this post.
Nerdy Wonka, Lady, you have done it again.
Thank you. Thanks. Thank you so very much.
Held $400 million in tax revenue hostage…now thinks he is doing the Palestinians a favor:
Lets see how far Bibi trots Boehner around for the cameras when he visits because sending his FP team to France last week didn’t work.
“If happiness reigned in the heart of President Reuven Rivlin on Wednesday evening, when he charged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with the task of forming a new government, he managed to hide it. Pretense was never Rivlin’s forte. And it’s not only because of his sour relations with Netanyahu, after the latter fought tooth and nail to prevent him from becoming president last year. Rivlin is not vengeful. He does find it difficult, however, to forgive Netanyahu for the destruction he has wrought on Israel’s relations with the United States – a development that is, literally, causing Rivlin loss of sleep – or for his unbridled behavior against his political rivals in the election campaign.
What rankles him most is Netanyahu’s obnoxious remark about the country’s Arab citizens [when he warned his supporters, on Election Day, of “huge numbers of Arabs” making their way to the polling stations]. Netanyahu said earlier this week that he regretted making the comment. But that didn’t stop Rivlin from stating on Wednesday that those who view voting as a curse and are afraid of the ballot box, “will end up with stones being thrown in the streets.” Anyone who is familiar with Rivlin’s decades-long, warm relations with Israel’s Arabs and their MKs knows that Netanyahu’s warning about them voting was like a knife in his heart….continued”
“Our nation apparently lives in a magical world, in which there’s a kingdom reigned by a queen who drinks, according to a worker from the prime minister’s residence, three bottles of champagne a day. There’s also a leader with a potbelly and a blue tie (like Obama’s), whom God chose for the throne a third, fourth and maybe fifth time, before he reaches the presidency. Because in these elections Bibi implemented the slogan Menachem Begin used, “God chose us to rule” – if what he’s been doing for the last three terms can be called ruling.
The remarkable thing Israelis displayed in the elections is the ability or gift to lie shamelessly in the polls. Mapai’s legendary functionary, Shraga Netzer, used to say the ballot boxes must be kept after each election at least one night in basements. Why? “Because a ballot box sleeps, thinks.” The people of Israel learned to lie even to the pollsters, almost openly. They gave false answers and caused a polling disaster – as if we need more natural crooks and fraudsters. Those who promise peace, housing, getting rich quickly – are also all liars. In any case, the election result will cause substantial damage to United States-Israeli relations. The deterioration in the relations is tantamount to playing with fire as far as Israel’s deterrence is concerned. Bibi must be very careful with his words in dealing with this administration and the one after it…continued”
“Our nation apparently lives in a magical world, in which there’s a kingdom reigned by a queen who drinks”
Is he talking about Senator……..
What would make this day end beautifully for me is for the DOJ to indict Senator Bob Menendez from the great state of New Jersey.
Auburn grad who came out last November:
Okay, here’s my pre-naptual alert! Ha. See y’all later.
Jackie, you cannot take your first prize and run!
I would like to read the story, but I refuse to click on DK
Now that’s dedication.
When you’ve had enough :-)
I cannot even bear the thought of clicking on DK. BAD taste in my mouth, still.
She’s a day late and a dollar short, all the “horror stories” were before Obamacare.
Typical timing for the “johnny-come-lately” GOP
Ohio lawmaker’s personal story of rape and abortion interrupted by male colleagues laughing
pigs
POTUS travels to FL Tomorrow. He returns on Sunday. Then travels to Boston early next week for a dedication for the late Sen Ted Kennedy.
There won’t be a dry eye in the house in Boston at the Ted Kennedy dedication.
Congrats to J’OB and Nena on First :-)
Mid-afternoon laughs
TIME has officially jumped the shark…
Godspeed:
in moderation…….sorry about repeat:
So I guess it was already decided that Schumer would be the next in line.
Isn’t Schumer someone Hillary would want?
When
when will Schumer’s reign start
2017 and I don’t think the vote happens until that time so a lot can happen before then.
thanks
Wow.
These people are just evil.
Over the next year, Scott will be reminding a lot of us of so many things we take for granted.
Comedy for The Greater Good! :-D
Well it does say “cheesy”. :-)
Whomp Whomp Whooooomp
I <3 My President!
BEAUTIFUL….HEARTWRENCHING MEMORIES!!!!!!!!!!!
THE ED SHOW AND SEVERAL OTHERS WERE GIVING PENCE THE PADDLE….HE’S GETTIN’ A WOOOOOOPIN!’
BTW….THE ENVIRONMENT EVERYWHERE WOULD BE ALOT SAFER IF THE REPUGNANTS WERE SENT TO SIBERIA DURING THE COLDEST PART OF THE SEASON…………………..
I’M HOPING PBO HAS LOTS OF SUNSHINE IN FLORIDA TOMORROW…CERTAINLY BEATS THE HOOSIER HAZE HERE…BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
Just think…PBO got rid of DADT…and Indiana says those patriots aren’t welcomed in Indiana……
SO NICE TO SEE YOU DF…YES INDEED…THE ACTION IS JUST BEGINNING IN HOOSIERLAND…THERE’S GOING TO BE ALOT OF EMPTY CHAIRS HERE………………LOL………….ECHO—ECHO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE RUSTY AND TURTLE SHARE A SPACE CAPSULE FOR A YEAR…COULD THIS BE DONE IN THE NAME OF SCIENCE??????…SAVING AMERICA!
BBL…………..:)
http://www.newsweek.com/netanyahu-israel-obama-clyburn-iran-nukes-317070
The title of this article is inflammatory.
Excellent post, NW!!! Thank you!!!
Related:
“Statement by the Press Secretary on Mexico’s Climate Announcement
The U.S. welcomes the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) submission by President Peña Nieto earlier today and applauds Mexico for being the first major emerging economy to formally submit its INDC. Mexico is setting an example for the rest of the world by submitting an INDC that is timely, clear, ambitious, and supported by robust, unconditional policy commitments. In particular, Mexico’s target to peak its emissions by 2026 and drive them down thereafter is a landmark step in the global transition to a low-carbon economy. Mexico’s submission is in keeping with the Lima Decision calling on all parties to submit their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions well in advance of COP21 in Paris this December. We hope that Mexico’s actions will encourage other economies to submit INDCs that are ambitious, timely, transparent, detailed, and achievable.”
PBO…getting other countries to be their best selves:)
Thanks, Bob.
Well..wish they’d have called ME up! As a former smoker of “way too long” I actually used vaping to wean myself off of cigarettes totally. In 3 months time, I was nicotine free and have never looked back…I still vape from time to time, but with zero nicotine. They are misleading the populace with these scare tactics and its shameful. I would, and have, recommended kicking the nasty smoking habit to others by becoming e cig users…there is no magic involved here…you just have to commit to quit and vaping the process very easy for me….Sept. 23 will be 2 full years of quitting smoking and I couldn’t be more proud of myself and feeling great….I would encourage others to do what I did any day of the week, regardless of what the CDC says in this commercial….
Congrats df on quitting smoking and your upcoming two year anniversary. I know that many e-cigs sold in drug stores do have nicotine and gives many young people a false sense it is less harmful when in some cases more harmful. Kicking the smoking habit is not easy and I commend anyone who trys and succeed.
Great tweet, Donna. People suffering from historical amnesia don’t know that white segregationists defended segregation by invoking the Bible- specifically, “Noah’s curse on the descendants of Ham.” For the advocates of the doctrine of “white supremacy,” including people like the late ‘moral majority” leader, Jerry Falwell, desegregation violated biblical teachings.
David Simon was in my Inbox.This is what he said about speaking to the President:
Good afternoon —
I’m a reporter who covered the police beat in Baltimore. Today, I make television shows. And last Friday, my phone rang. Someone on the other end told me that the President of the United States wants to have a conversation about criminal justice policy in America.
In his effort to try to reconsider some of the sentencing excesses and the levels of incarceration that have become so problematic in America, the President wanted to discuss these issues with me — particularly because a lot of them were rooted in a television show that we did several years ago called “The Wire.” In that show, we were trying to explore what the drug war has become in America and what it was costing us as a society.
So I went to Washington earlier this week and sat down with the President. We shared our experiences, our perspectives on the drug war, and the changes we hope to see.
Secretly, in my heart of hearts, I don’t want to be in the entertainment industry. Having been a reporter, everything after that tends to feel less rooted to reality. So the President’s call was not only astonishing, but seemed to be an incredible opportunity.
It was a candid conversation. And ultimately, a hopeful one.
I hope you’ll watch and share this with everyone who cares about improving our criminal justice system.
Because I can tell you that the President certainly does.
Thanks,
David Simon
Thanks DF
Thanks DF and Donna for sharing this incredible interview. I feel so honored to have twice voted for this smart and caring President.
New post:
http://theobamadiary.com/2015/03/27/a-sign-of-the-times/