Obama Orders Federal Government To Boost Use Of Renewable Electricity

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is ordering the federal government to nearly triple its use of renewable sources for electricity by 2020.

Obama says the government should lead by example.

The president says the plan to use renewables for 20 percent of electricity needs will help reduce pollution that causes global warming, promote American energy independence and boost domestic energy sources such as solar and wind power that provide thousands of jobs.

Obama announced the plan Thursday as part of a wide-ranging, second-term drive to fight climate change and prepare for its effects.

The directive on renewable energy applies to all federal agencies — civilian and military. The Defense Department has already set a goal that 25 percent of its energy needs should be supplied by renewable energy by 2025.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.