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Through the release of an executive order, energy reform and emission reduction has gained a significant spotlight around the country. President Obama’s latest EO may have been received with little fanfare in the populist media, but is likely to have a very significant effect on overall energy use in the United States.

Pres. Obama has received some criticism for not being more vocal in his support for climate change, for not recognizing that the USA must take a lead in environmental issues. After signing his latest executive order, energy change advocates granted him some credibility for at least taking a step to curb the carbon emissions of the country’s largest polluter, the federal government.

Pres. Obama’s predecessor was not seen as a friend of climate change legislation or overall energy restrictions. Bush had issued his own executive order, but it was not seen as far-reaching, nor did it directly address the issue of carbon emissions.

Through Obama’s executive order, energy use must be curtailed at federal agency level. The president has instructed each agency head to come up with a nominal percentage figure, representing a 10 year reduction. Once these figures have been determined, each agency must put in place provisions to ensure that they achieve the percentage reduction.

In order to address the requirements of the executive order, energy reduction requirements and reporting needs, agency chiefs must first take stock of their existing greenhouse gas emissions inventories. The federal government has never been asked to show the size of its own carbon footprint and the agencies will undoubtedly face considerable challenge as they try and determine the scale for the first time.

The federal government must take the lead, according to Pres. Obama, when it comes to energy conservation and greenhouse emissions. The government is the largest consumer of energy and as these new procedures are implemented, a knock on effect can be expected throughout the country as suppliers, employees and communities become more aware.

According to the executive order, agency officials must work interactively as they develop new practices to ensure compliance. Each individual asset must be scrutinized and its overall efficiency determined, a major job in itself. The agencies will no doubt be looking for solutions and software packages to help them achieve this goal.

Copenhagen will be the setting for a gathering of world leaders as a new international climate change protocol is debated. With legislation stalled in the U.S. Congress, Pres. Obama’s new administration and his latest executive order will be closely scrutinized as their stance on overall environmental protection is judged.

Daniel Stouffer has much more information about executive order energy issues and how a visit to www.verisae.com can aid you.