President Obama set greenhouse gas emissions targets for the federal government, promising 28 percent cuts by 2020.

“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,” Obama said in a written statement. “Our goal is to lower costs, reduce pollution, and shift Federal energy expenses away from oil and towards local, clean energy.”

The White House estimates a savings of between $8-11 billion over that time.

Hours earlier, the administration submitted its non-binding pledge on reductions under the Copenhagen Accord, promising cuts “in the range of 17 percent” pending the successful passage of Congressional legislation — itself a dubious prospect.

China and India have yet to commit to the Accord.