Updates to our Terms of Use

We are updating our Terms of Use. Please carefully review the updated Terms before proceeding to our website.

Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Obama Orders Federal Fleet to Be Green by 2015

WASHINGTON (CN) - By 2015, all light duty cars and trucks bought or leased by the federal government must be "alternative fueled vehicles" such as hybrids or those that run on electricity, compressed natural gas, or biofuel, according to an order by President Barack Obama.

The federal government has a "a responsibility to American citizens to lead by example and contribute to meeting our national goals of reducing oil imports by one-third by 2025 and putting one million advanced vehicles on the road by 2015," according to Obama's memorandum announcing the change.

Obama also ordered federal agencies to locate their fleets near fueling stations with alternative fuels and, where practical, to encourage development of commercial infrastructure for such fuels, including locating pumps and electric charging stations on federal property.

Within 90 days, the General Services Administration will distribute a Vehicle Allocation Methodology which will guide agencies in determining the optimum fleet inventory to meet the mission of the agency.

Federal agencies will have 180 days from the release of the methodology document to determine their optimal fleet inventory, and post it on their agency website. Agencies also will have 180 days to conduct performance reviews of their current light truck and auto fleets and list any vehicles larger than a mid-size sedan on their website, along with an explanation of why the vehicle is essential to the agency's mission.

The president excluded vehicles needed for military or law enforcement activities, and ordered the United States Postal Service to conduct a separate analysis of its fleet needs and to develop a plan to phase out the purchase of non-alternative fueled vehicles.

Categories / Uncategorized

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Loading...