On January 24th, 2007, President George W. Bush signed the Executive Order,
“Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management.”
The order sets goals in the areas of energy efficiency, acquisition, renewable
energy, toxics reductions, recycling, renewable energy, sustainable buildings,
electronics stewardship, fleets, and water conservation. In addition the order
requires more widespread use of Environmental Management Systems as the
framework in which to manage and continually improve these sustainable
practices. "This is a timely and strategic step forward, building upon the many
and notable accomplishments of the Federal community. As a result, we will be
more efficient and effective in meeting our mission, while at the same time
leading by example in the areas of environmental and energy stewardship", said
Edwin Pinero, Federal Environmental Executive.
The new Executive Order, “Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and
Transportation Management,” builds on the Federal government’s significant
accomplishments in environmental stewardship and energy efficiency. The new E.O.
directs Federal agencies to implement sustainable practices for:
- Energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, and petroleum use reductions
- Renewable energy
- Acquisition of recycled content, energy efficient, biobased, and
environmentally preferable products and services
- Pollution prevention and recycling
- Reduction or elimination of toxics and hazardous chemicals
- High performance buildings
- Vehicle fleet management
- Electronics stewardship
- Water conservation
The E.O. goals establishes new goals for each
sustainable practice that are at least as stringent, and in most cases go
beyond, prior E.O. goals and statutory requirements. These goals will result in
better management of our environmental and energy footprint through reduced
waste and increased energy efficiency, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and
expanded procurement of environmentally sound products and services, such as the
growing area of biobased products. “These goals will not only improve our
environmental and energy management, but help catalyze the marketplace,” said
Pinero.
The new E.O. also recognizes the successful use of environmental management
systems (EMS) in organizations around the world, including the Federal
government, and requires more widespread use of EMS as the management framework
to implement, manage, measure, and continually improve upon, the order's
sustainable practices.
The order consolidates five prior E.O.s and integrates the sustainable
practices of those orders into a more cohesive approach to environmental and
energy management. It also adopts two memorandums of understanding -- one on
high performance buildings and another on electronics stewardship -- recognizing
the environmental and energy impact of both and realizing another opportunity to
lead by example.
From a management perspective, the order clarifies and expands the roles and
responsibilities of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, the Office
of the Federal Environmental Executive, the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB), and the Federal agencies. Existing and new working groups will develop
the tools and guidance needed to implement the sustainable practices. Progress
will be measured and reported through the report to the President and the OMB
scorecard process.
“Very shortly, the primary detailed instructions will be issued to help the
agencies with implementation. We expect to develop instructions and guidance
over time, but equally, we will use and build upon the tools and resources
already available," said Pinero.
Fact
Sheet
White
House Press
Release
Executive Order
13423
