Renewable resources must be acquired wherever cost effective. The program has saved the government agencies, and thus taxpayers, hundreds of millions of dollars in energy and pollution quantities and costs. The U.S. Government also is including energy efficiency specifications in its contracting guide specifications used for construction and renovation projects. And, as a part of a massive renovation program, the Departments of Defense and Energy just have installed photovoltaic panels on the Pentagon. Government procurement programs involve payment of a premium up front, but result in very substantial long term savings.
Governments can also require the purchase for their vehicle fleets of clean and efficient vehicles.
Many municipalities in the U.S. are now purchasing electric and natural gas turbine buses. The City of Los Angeles, California has purchased a fleet of electric cars for municipal use and has installed recharging station for the public throughout the city. In the U.S., city governments have been very aggressive about reducing their carbon dioxide emissions. Cities in other countries have taken similar action. Similar efforts are being made in other countries.