This week, President Obama restated his commitment to reducing petroleum use by Federal fleets. The Presidential Memorandum updated an Executive Order previously issued October 2009, highlighting several steps to reduce oil imports by one-third by 2025:

1. Executive Order 13514 of October 5, 2009 requires that by December 31, 2015, 100% of light duty vehicles purchased by Federal fleets must be alternative fueled vehicles.
2. Federal fleets are required to determine actual vehicle needs and eliminate non-essential vehicles.
3. Agencies are required to determine and publish their vehicle inventory targets on the agency’s website within 180 days. They must also submit their plan to achieve fleet management goals by the deadline of Dec. 31, 2015.

This week’s  Presidential Memorandum isn’t just a “feel good” exercise; the Federal Government operates the largest light duty fleet in the US. Currently, military and other emergency vehicles are exempt from this order.

In 2009, Congress ultimately did not pass an Obama initiative to fight global warming, and similar legislation seems unlikely to regain priority for the administration any time soon. However, Obama has continued to press for stricter vehicle emission rules for light duty vehicles and trucks.

Read the full text of the memorandum at whitehouse.gov

alternative fuels, Alternative Fuels Policy, Clean Fuels, energy policy, fleets, Legislation