( CNN ) -- The federal government will cut its greenhouse gas emissions 28 percent by 2020 , President Obama announced Friday . `` As the largest energy consumer in the United States , we have a responsibility to American citizens to reduce our energy use and become more efficient , '' the president said in a statement . `` Our goal is to lower costs , reduce pollution and shift federal energy expenses away from oil and towards local , clean energy . '' Obama signed an executive order in October requiring federal agencies to set their goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions within 90 days . The order also called on agencies to increase energy efficiency , conserve water and reduce waste , among other things . The White House said the executive order will lead to new private sector jobs and drive long-term savings . Obama stressed the importance of energy efficiency in his State of the Union address Wednesday , saying `` the nation that leads the clean-energy economy will be the nation that leads the global economy , and America must be that nation . '' `` We need to encourage American innovation , '' Obama said . `` And no area is more ripe for such innovation than energy . '' In 2008 , the federal government spent more than $ 24.5 billion on electricity and fuel . Achieving its goals for reducing greenhouse gas pollution would save $ 8 billion to $ 11 billion in avoided energy costs over the next decade , the White House said . The Obama administration is also pushing for comprehensive energy legislation from Congress that puts a price on carbon emissions , a `` cap and trade '' policy that uses market forces as an incentive for businesses to reduce carbon emissions .
Federal mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 28 percent . Government has responsibility ` ` to reduce our energy use , '' Obama said . White House energy reductions will amount to $ 8 billion to $ 10 billion in avoided energy costs .