President Obama announced on his climate action plan at the
end of June, which includes significant goals related to renewable energy and
energy efficiency. The plan directs the U.S. Department of the Interior to
issue permits by 2020 for enough renewable energy projects on public lands to
power 6 million homes, while also designating the first-ever hydropower project
for priority permitting, setting a new goal to install 100 megawatts of
renewable energy on federally assisted housing by 2020, and maintaining the
existing commitment to deploy renewable energy projects on military
installations.
The plan also expands the president's Better Buildings
Challenge to help a wide range of buildings become at least 20% more energy
efficient by 2020; sets a goal to reduce carbon emissions by at least 3 billion
metric tons by 2030 through efficiency standards for appliances and federal
buildings; and commits to partnering with industry and stakeholders to develop
fuel economy standards for heavy-duty vehicles.
"A low-carbon, clean energy economy can be an engine of
growth for decades to come," said President Obama. "And I want
America to build that engine."
The president's climate action plan also directs the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency to establish carbon pollution standards for
both new and existing power plants, while making up to $8 billion in loan
guarantees available for advanced fossil energy projects. It also leverages new
opportunities to reduce emissions of highly potent greenhouse gases known as hydrofluorocarbons,
directs agencies to develop a comprehensive methane strategy, and commits to
protecting our forests and critical landscapes. The climate action plan also
commits the United States to lead international efforts to address climate
change, while proposing a number of actions to help prepare the United States
for the impacts of climate change.
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