Gov't Will Slash Greenhouse Emissions: Obama

Federal agencies have until 2020 to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 28% under an executive order President Obama signed today. The order also calls for improvements in energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction. "As the largest energy consumer in the United States, we have a responsibility to American citizens to reduce our energy use and become more efficient," Obama said before signing the order.

"Our goal is to lower costs, reduce pollution and shift federal energy expenses away from oil and towards local, clean energy," the president said. The White House predicts that the guidelines could lead to energy savings of $8 billion to $11 billion. The federal government spent $24.5 billion on electricity and fuel in 2008, CNN reports.