President Obama Touts Clean Energy

“One of the things that makes America great is our passion for innovation – that spirit of discovery and entrepreneurship that helps us meet any challenge,” said President Obama in the opening of his weekly address to the nation.

The President noted that one of the greatest challenges facing the nation is climate change. He also said that over the last seven years historic investments have been made in clean energy — a move which has helped private sector companies to create tens of thousands of good jobs.

Photo Credit : The Official White House - President Obama. — Photo Credit : The Official White House – President Obama.

Furthermore, he said today, cleaner energy from the wind or sun has produce cheaper power to communities, cut total carbon pollution, and grow the economy.

He said, “Leadership helped bring nearly 200 nations together in Paris around the most ambitious climate agreement in history. And in Paris, we also launched one of the most important partnerships ever assembled to accelerate this kind of clean energy innovation around the world. Investors and business leaders including Bill Gates, Meg Whitman, and Mark Zuckerberg joined us, pledging their own money to help advance new technologies to the market.”

He stated that the participation of the private sector is important for any meaningful change to be achieved.

“As I said in my State of the Union address, rather than subsidize the past, we should invest in the future. That’s why the budget I will send to Congress this Tuesday will double funding for clean energy research and development by 2020. This will include new investments to help the private sector create more jobs faster, lower the cost of clean energy faster, and help clean, renewable power out compete dirty fuels in every state,” the President said.

n addition, he said that while the Republicans in Congress were still considering their position on climate change, many of them have now seen that clean energy is not a job killer but offers an incredible good source of high-paying jobs for their constituents.

“That’s why we were able to boost clean energy research and development in last year’s budget agreement. And I hope they support my plan to double that kind of investment,” he said.

He noted that collaboration and partnerships among private sector enterprises within different states have had a positive outcome in boosting energy and creating a more resilient electric grid.

“The point is, all across the country, folks are putting their differences aside to face this challenge as one. Washington should do the same. That’s how we’re going to solve this challenge – together. And that’s how we’re going to give our kids and grandkids the future they deserve – one with a safe, secure, and prosperous planet,” the President concluded.