Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
organizations, representing over 2 billion square feet are on track to
meet the 2020 goal: cutting energy use by an average 2.5 percent
annually, equivalent to about $58 million in energy savings per year.
To continue this success, the Administration will expand the program
to multifamily housing - partnering both with private and affordable
building owners and public housing agencies to cut energy waste. In
addition, the Administration is launching the Better Buildings
Accelerators, a new track that will support and encourage adoption of
State and local policies to cut energy waste, building on the
momentum of ongoing efforts at that level.
IV. Reducing Other Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Curbing Emissions of Hydrofluorocarbons:
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs),
which are primarily used for refrigeration and air conditioning, are potent
greenhouse gases. In the United States, emissions of HFCs are expected to
nearly triple by 2030, and double from current levels of 1.5 percent of
greenhouse gas emissions to 3 percent by 2020.
To reduce emissions of HFCs, the United States can and will lead both
through international diplomacy as well as domestic actions. In fact, the
Administration has already acted by including a flexible and powerful
incentive in the fuel economy and carbon pollution standards for cars and
trucks to encourage automakers to reduce HFC leakage and transition away
from the most potent HFCs in vehicle air conditioning systems. Moving
forward, the Environmental Protection Agency will use its authority through
the Significant New Alternatives Policy Program to encourage private sector
investment in low-emissions technology by identifying and approving climate-
friendly chemicals while prohibiting certain uses of the most harmful chemical
alternatives. In addition, the President has directed his Administration to
purchase cleaner alternatives to HFCs whenever feasible and transition over
time to equipment that uses safer and more sustainable alternatives.
Reducing Methane Emissions:
Curbing emissions of methane is critical to
our overall effort to address global climate change. Methane currently
accounts for roughly 9 percent of domestic greenhouse gas emissions and has
a global warming potential that is more than 20 times greater than carbon
dioxide. Notably, since 1990, methane emissions in the United States have
decreased by 8 percent. This has occurred in part through partnerships with
industry, both at home and abroad, in which we have demonstrated that we
