The president is aiming to leverage the federal government’s massive buying power to jumpstart the market for clean energy, electric vehicles and more efficient buildings.
By Josh Lederman | NBC News |
In an executive order that Biden signed on Wednesday, the president set new goals for the federal government to cut its carbon dioxide emissions by 65 percent by the end of this decade, and to zero out federal emissions by 2050.
The order puts the U.S. in line with global targets to reach net-zero carbon emissions by the middle of the century, which scientists say is needed to reduce the effects of climate change.
Biden’s order also establishes a “Buy Clean” policy, directing the federal government to use lower-emissions construction materials. It calls for the government to use 100% clean electricity by 2030.
“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 White House said.
The order comes as Biden was visiting a transportation center in Kansas City on Wednesday, the latest stop of an ongoing tour to promote the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law.
After touring the transit depot, Biden cast a spotlight on how commuters and people who rely on buses, trains and ferries will benefit from $39 billion in new funding to modernize public transit.
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