Page 383 - The Engineering Guide to LEED-New Construction Sustainable Construction for Engineers

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and recycling. In June 1999, EO 13123, “Greening the Government Through Efficient
Energy Management,” was signed, setting aggressive goals for reducing the government’s
energy consumption. This order established the following targets:

• Reduce building-related greenhouse gases by 30 percent by 2010 compared to
1990 levels.
• Reduce energy consumption for facilities by 30 percent by 2005 and 35 percent
by 2010 relative to 1985 energy usage.
• Install 2000 solar energy systems for federal facilities by the year 2000 and
20,000 by the year 2010.
• Reduce petroleum use by switching to natural gas or renewable fuels or by
eliminating unnecessary use.
• Reduce water consumption to meet Department of Energy water conservation
goals.

This order also established objectives for federal agencies to maximize use of Energy
Star products, pursue Energy Star building criteria, and implement sustainable building
design. Energy Star is a program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the
U.S. Department of Energy which has the purpose of helping the United States save
money and protect the environment through the use of energy-efficient products and
practices. The sustainable design principles developed by the Department of Defense
and General Services Administration were also specifically cited as benchmarks for
other agencies.
Another federal publication, the Office of Management and Budget’s Circular A-11,
provided more details and updates to the goals behind EO 13123 and specifically
encouraged agencies to evaluate the use of Energy Star or LEED standards and guidelines
for incorporation in designs for new building construction or renovation in Sec. 55 in its
2002 version. A summary of how the different federal agencies have responded to this
order as reported by the Office of the Environmental Executive can be found in the 2003
report The Federal Commitment to Green Building: Experiences and Expectations.
Pollution prevention (P2) and environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP) were
programs set forth by EO 13148, “Greening the Government Through Leadership in
Environmental Management,” signed in April 2000. This order furthered the use of life-
cycle considerations and implemented additional acquisition and procurement practices
to select products and develop facilities that have reduced toxic chemicals, hazardous
substances, and pollutants. This order also required the planning and development of
environmentally and economically beneficial landscaping.
In January of 2007, President Bush signed Executive Order 13423, “Strengthening
Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management.” This order further
identified sustainable strategies and goals for the agencies of the federal government.
Each agency was ordered to meet certain energy, transportation, and environmental
goals and to maintain an environmental management system (EMS) structure. The
specific manners in which these were met are to be developed by the agencies. EO 13423
also revoked the three previously mentioned orders signed by President Clinton.
Then in October of 2009, President Obama signed Executive Order 13514, “Federal
Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance.” EO 13514
enhanced the provisions in EO 13423. Some major requirements included the
naming of a Senior Sustainability Officer (SSO) by November 5th, 2009 and the