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EO 13514Executive OrderObama · D Quiet signal

Executive Order 13514

Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance

This executive order mandates federal agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy and water efficiency, eliminate waste, and adopt sustainable practices in buildings, fleets, and procurement. It establishes a comprehensive framework with specific reduction targets, reporting requirements, and oversight mechanisms through the Council on Environmental Quality and Office of Management and Budget.

Federal Register Open PDF 74 FR 52117

Impact dates

  1. Water reduction and petroleum fleet reduction targets

  2. New federal buildings must be designed for zero-net-energy by 2030

  3. 50% waste diversion and 15% building conformance deadlines

  4. First comprehensive GHG inventory for FY2010

  5. DOE provides electronic GHG reporting capability; CEQ Chair climate adaptation progress report

  6. Agencies establish scope 3 GHG targets and submit Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans

  7. DOE/FEMP develops GHG accounting procedures; DOT sustainable location recommendations; GSA transportation logistics recommendations; DOE fleet management guidance; GSA vendor/contractor emissions recommendations; Federal Environmental Executive regional implementation plan

  8. CEQ Chair provides aggregate government-wide scope 1 and 2 target

  9. Agencies establish scope 1 and 2 GHG reduction targets

  10. EPA issues stormwater guidance

  11. Agency heads designate Senior Sustainability Officers

Key directives

  • Within 30 days: Designate Senior Sustainability Officers (Sec. 7(a))
  • Within 90 days: Establish scope 1 and 2 GHG reduction targets for FY2020 (Sec. 2(a))
  • Within 120 days: CEQ Chair provides aggregate scope 1 and 2 target to President (Sec. 5(g))
  • Within 180 days: DOE/FEMP provides GHG accounting procedures (Sec. 9(a)); DOT provides sustainable location recommendations (Sec. 10); GSA provides transportation logistics recommendations (Sec. 11); DOE issues fleet management guidance (Sec. 12); GSA provides vendor/contractor emissions recommendations (Sec. 13); Federal Environmental Executive develops regional implementation plan (Sec. 15)
  • Within 240 days: Establish scope 3 GHG reduction targets and submit Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans (Sec. 2(b), 7(b)(ii))
  • Within 270 days: CEQ Chair provides aggregate scope 3 target to President (Sec. 5(h))
  • Within 60 days: EPA issues stormwater guidance (Sec. 14)
  • Within 15 months: First comprehensive GHG inventory for FY2010 (Sec. 2(c))
  • Within 1 year: Electronic GHG reporting capability (Sec. 9(b)); CEQ Chair provides climate adaptation progress report (Sec. 16)
  • By end of FY2015: 50% non-hazardous solid waste diversion; 50% construction/demolition debris diversion; 15% existing buildings meet Guiding Principles (Sec. 2(e)(ii)-(iii), 2(g)(iii))
  • By FY2020: 26% potable water reduction; 20% industrial/landscaping water reduction; annual 2% petroleum fleet reduction (Sec. 2(d), 2(a)(iii)(C))
  • Beginning 2020: New buildings designed for zero-net-energy by 2030 (Sec. 2(g)(i))

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Agency heads must designate Senior Sustainability Officers within 30 days
  • EPA must issue stormwater guidance within 60 days

Near term (90d)

  • Agencies must establish scope 1 and 2 GHG reduction targets within 90 days
  • CEQ Chair must provide aggregate government-wide scope 1 and 2 target within 120 days
  • Multiple agencies must submit recommendations within 180 days on GHG accounting, sustainable locations, transportation logistics, fleet management, vendor emissions, and regional coordination
  • Agencies must establish scope 3 GHG reduction targets and submit Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans within 240 days
  • CEQ Chair must provide aggregate scope 3 target within 270 days

Long term

  • Annual GHG inventories due each January beginning FY2010
  • 50% waste diversion targets by end of FY2015
  • 15% of existing buildings must meet Guiding Principles by FY2015
  • All new federal buildings entering planning in 2020 designed for zero-net-energy by 2030
  • 26% potable water reduction and 20% industrial/landscaping water reduction by FY2020
  • Annual 2% petroleum reduction for fleets through FY2020
  • Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans span FY2011-FY2021

Risks & tensions

  • Scope 3 emissions tracking relies on voluntary vendor/contractor cooperation, creating enforcement uncertainty
  • Exemption authority for national security, intelligence, and law enforcement may significantly reduce reported progress
  • Implementation contingent on appropriations availability, creating budget dependency
  • Lifecycle return on investment criteria may conflict with upfront capital costs for sustainable infrastructure
  • Baseline year discrepancies (2005 for petroleum, 2007 for water, 2008 for GHG) complicate unified tracking
  • Small business concerns in vendor emissions tracking may create procurement tension
Executive Order 13514: Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance · Executive Orders