US has a leading role in energy efficiency and sustainability

In a Presidential Proclamation on October 1, 2012, Barack Obama declared the month of October as National Energy Action Month.  During his presidency, Barack Obama has encouraged federal agencies to make improvements in economic, energy, and environmental performance.  “As demand for energy increases worldwide, our nation must continue to lead the world in a rapidly evolving energy market by pursuing safe and responsible domestic energy production, promoting efficiency, and developing clean energy and renewable fuels,” President Obama said in his October Presidential Proclamation.  

Energy consumption and sustainability will be an important topic of discussion in the future.  America has a vital role to play in creating energy resources not only for its own citizens but for the rest of the world as well. 
With a population of approximately 315 million people the United States has less than 5% of the global population.  However, the U.S. consumes about ¼ of the world’s fossil fuel resources and 27% of the world’s natural gas, according to Washington, D.C. based Worldwatch Institute.  The United States is the world’s leading producer of natural gas.  Additionally, the U.S. burns nearly 25% of the world’s coal resources and 26% of the world’s oil.
As the largest single consumer of energy in the United States, the federal government has taken a prominent role in trying to reduce its energy consumption.  The United States Postal Service is one government entity that has been working towards greater energy efficiency and sustainability.
In a December 10, 2012 Boston Globe opinion column, former New Hampshire Senator John E. Sununu wrote that the U.S. Energy Information Agency is predicting that by 2020 the United States will become the world’s leading producer of oil and natural gas liquids.  If this projection becomes a reality the U.S. would surpass Saudi Arabia and Russia in this category.  Government agencies and private companies will have to continue to review and develop strategies for competent and reliable energy practices.


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