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PRESIDENT CLINTON & VICE PRESIDENT GORE: April 22, 2000 President Clinton today issued an Executive Order to significantly improve the fuel efficiency of the Federal vehicle fleet, setting an example for how America can reduce its reliance on oil and help meet environmental challenges, such as global warming. The Order instructs Federal agencies to reduce the amount of petroleum used by their vehicle fleets by 20 percent below 1999 levels by 2005. This will reduce the amount of fuel used by Federal vehicles by 45 million gallons each year while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions that are causing global warming by as much as 160,000 tons per year. The President also announced the upcoming opening of the first multiple alternative fuel refueling station in the Metropolitan D.C. area and recent moves by the U.S. Postal Service to purchase alternative fueled vehicles. Aggressive Goals - Flexible, Cutting-Edge Strategies. Today's Order requires Federal agencies to meet an aggressive target - 20 percent lower oil use by 2005 - but gives agencies the flexibility to craft a strategy that will fit their particular needs while minimizing costs. Strategies and tools available to agencies include:
A typical agency will be able to meet the Order's requirements for less than $100 per vehicle. Overall cost to the Federal government will be less than 1.2 percent of the annual Federal expenditures on vehicles and fuel. Multiple Benefits for U.S. Energy Security and the Environment. Reducing Federal petroleum use and displacing petroleum with alternative fuels supports the Administration agenda to:
A Legacy of Leading By Example. Today's Order builds on the President's significant legacy of making the Federal Government lead by example in meeting environmental challenges. Previous efforts include improving Federal recycling efforts (Executive Order 13101); making Federal buildings 35 percent more energy efficient (Executive Order No. 13123); coordinating efforts to triple U.S. use of bioenergy and bioproducts (Executive Order No. 13134); and the Greening of White House initiative. Accountability. Under today's Order, the Office of Management and Budget will, among other measures, issue budget guidance requiring each agency to submit a strategy for meeting the Order's requirements and review agency progress. The Department of Energy will help agencies develop strategies while establishing needed data and reporting systems. The General Services Administration will develop and implement innovative financing options to encourage agencies to buy alternative fuel vehicles and use alternative fuels. Alternative Fueling Station To Open Soon. In conjunction with today's Order, the President announced the opening next month (May 1st) of the first multiple alternative fuel refueling station in the Metropolitan D.C. area. The station, to be located at the Navy Annex Citgo, south of the Pentagon, will supply ethanol and compressed natural gas to Federal fleet vehicles, as well as State and local government fleets. Six other alternative fueling stations will open in the D.C. area later this year. Postal Service Now Acquiring Electric Vehicles. Earlier this year, the U.S. Postal Service awarded a contract to Ford Motor Company and Baker Electromotive, Inc. for the production of 500 electric vehicles for daily mail delivery. This contract, announced January 6, 2000, marks the largest acquisition of zero emissions vehicles in U.S. history and includes an option to acquire an additional 5,500 electric vehicles.
President and First Lady | Vice President and Mrs. Gore |