U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) had this to say following President Barack Obama’s executive order Thursday to cut the federal government’s carbon pollution by 40 percent and increase the use of renewable energy sources to 30 percent of its consumption:

“Today, the Obama Administration took another important step towards cutting carbon pollution and speeding up the transition to clean energy. As the largest consumer of energy in the country with a reach that includes some of the biggest private sector suppliers, a 40 percent reduction in carbon pollution from the federal government can make a significant impact on our national output and begin to change the way the government does business.

This is real progress, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to build on this effort and move forward with solutions to climate change.”

Sen. Brian Schatz.

Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Renewable energy is a top priority for the Hawaii senator.

As The Hill reports on the executive order, “The effort will save taxpayers as much as $18 billion due to energy savings, the White House said.”

“Today, America is going to be once again leading by example,” Obama said. “These are ambitious goals, but we know that they’re achievable goals.”

The president’s actions will likely be poorly received by leaders of oil- and coal-producing states.