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On May 9, 2014, President Obama announced more than 300 private and public sector commitments to create jobs and cut carbon pollution by advancing solar deployment and energy efficiency. The commitments represent more than 850 megawatts of solar deployed—enough to power nearly 130,000 homes—as well as energy efficiency investments that will lower bills for more than 1 billion square feet of buildings.

Additionally, the President announced new executive actions that will lead to $2 billion in energy efficiency investments in Federal buildings;, smarter appliances that will cut carbon pollution by more than 380 million metric tons—equivalent to taking 80 million cars off the road for one year—and will save businesses nearly $26 billion on their energy bills, and training programs at community colleges across the country that will assist 50,000 workers to enter the solar industry by 2020.

Drive $2 Billion in Energy Efficiency Investments for Federal Buildings

The President’s new executive action for an additional $2 billion goal in Federal energy efficiency upgrades to Federal buildings over the next three years. The challenge, in combination with the initial commitment of $2 billion in 2011, will result in a total of $4 billion in energy efficiency performance contracts in the Federal sector through 2016. These investments will save Americans billions in energy costs, promote energy independence, and, according to independent estimates, create tens of thousands of jobs in the hard-hit construction sector. The $2 billion investment announced extends and expands the President’s commitment to energy upgrades of Federal buildings using long-term energy savings to pay for up-front costs, at no net cost to taxpayers. Federal agencies have already committed to a pipeline of nearly $2.7 billion in projects.

President Obama is committed to making 2014 a year of action and has pledged to use the power of his phone and his pen to expand opportunity for all Americans. Last month, the White House hosted a Solar Summit celebrating cross-sector leadership on solar and calling for commitments to support solar deployment and jobs through the expand use of solar in our homes, businesses, and schools. The President has also called on private and public sector leaders to join the Better Buildings Challenge and continue improving the efficiency of American commercial, institutional, and multifamily buildings and industrial plants by 20% or more over 10 years.

For more information about these and other activities, which are part of President Obama’s “year of action,” read the White House fact sheet.

White House Installs Solar Array to Rooftop

In related news, also on May 9, the White House released this video featuring information about the installation of solar panels on the White House’s roof. According to the video, the array is the typical size for an average American home. Watch the video above to learn more.