Statement by EPA Administrator Regan on the President’s Executive Order Catalyzing America’s Clean Energy Economy Through Federal Sustainability
Biden-Harris Administration is Leading by Example Through its Whole-of-government Strategy to Address the Climate Crisis and Drive Cleaner, Healthier, and Resilient Operations
WASHINGTON (Dec. 9, 2021) — This week, President Biden signed an executive order that demonstrates how the United States will leverage its scale and procurement power to lead by example in tackling the climate crisis. The executive order will reduce emissions across federal operations, invest in American clean energy industries and manufacturing, and create clean, healthy, and resilient communities. The President is building on his whole-of-government effort to tackle the climate crisis in a way that creates well-paying jobs, grows industries, and makes the country more economically competitive.
“EPA is proud to play a key role in delivering on President Biden’s executive order to drive a clean energy economy and build a more sustainable future,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Tackling the climate crisis and protecting communities from pollution requires this kind of bold, whole-of-government action. Together, we can have a dramatic impact in reducing emissions and foster the development of American-made technologies and innovations.”
Through this historic executive order and its accompanying Federal Sustainability Plan, the Biden Administration will leverage the federal government’s procurement power and scale to achieve five ambitious primary goals:
- 100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity (CFE) by 2030, at least half of which will be locally supplied clean energy to meet 24/7 demand;
- 100 percent zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) acquisitions by 2035, including 100 percent zero-emission light-duty vehicle acquisitions by 2027;
- Net-zero emissions from federal procurement no later than 2050, including a Buy Clean policy to promote use of construction materials with lower embodied emissions;
- A net-zero emissions building portfolio by 2045, including a 50 percent emissions reduction by 2032; and
- Net-zero emissions from overall federal operations by 2050, including a 65 percent emissions reduction by 2030.
Today’s executive action further reinforces the President’s directives to buy American products and ensure that equity and environmental justice are key considerations in federal operations planning and decision making. The Biden Administration expects this action will catalyze the development of at least 10 gigawatts of new clean electricity production by 2030 and accelerate America’s capacity to supply zero-emission vehicles and electric vehicle batteries, spurring the creation of new jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and skilled-trades.
As a leader in federal sustainability, EPA is committed to the order’s effective implementation.
For more information on the President’s Federal Sustainability Plan and executive order, visit: https://www.sustainability.gov.