Obama: America will not be held hostage to dwindling resources, hostile regimes and a warming planet

Articles — By forcechange on January 26, 2009 10:59 am

President Obama delivered his expected remarks on energy and climate change today at the White House.  As expected, he announced that his administration will grant California a waiver to more strictly regulate vehicle emissions, will have federal agencies increase energy efficiency in federal buildings, and will increase federal fuel efficiency rules.  But most importantly, Obama articulated the reasons why we must address these issues and why his strategy will work.

Reviewing the transcript of the speech, here are some of the highlights:

At a time of such great challenge for America, no single issue is as fundamental to our future as energy.

America’s dependence on oil is one of the most serious threats that our nation has faced. It bankrolls dictators, pays for nuclear proliferation and funds both sides of our struggle against terrorism. It puts the American people at the mercy of shifting gas prices, stifles innovation, and sets back our ability to compete.

These urgent dangers to our national and economic security are compounded by the long-term threat of climate change, which, if left unchecked, could result in violent conflict, terrible storms, shrinking coastlines, and irreversible catastrophe.

Now America has arrived at a crossroads. Embedded in American soil, in the wind and the sun, we have the resources to change. Our scientists, businesses and workers have the capacity to move us forward.

It falls on us to choose whether to risk the peril that comes with our current course or to seize the promise of energy independence. And for the sake of our security, our economy and our planet, we must have the courage and commitment to change.

It will be the policy of my administration to reverse our dependence on foreign oil while building a new energy economy that will create millions of jobs.

First we must take bold action to create a new American energy economy that creates millions of jobs for our people. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan before Congress places a downpayment on this economy.

It will put 460,000 Americans to work with clean energy investments and double the capacity to generate alternative energy over the next three years. It will lay down 3,000 miles of transmission lines to deliver this energy to every corner of our country. It will save taxpayers $2 billion a year by making 75 percent of federal buildings more efficient. And it’ll save working families hundreds of dollars on their energy bills by weatherizing 2 million homes.

Second, we must ensure that the fuel-efficient cars of tomorrow are built right here in the United States of America.

We will start by implementing new standards for model year 2011

Third, the federal government must work with, not against, states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Finally, we will make it clear to the world that America is ready to lead. To protect our climate and our collective security, we must call together a truly global coalition. I’ve made it clear that we will act, but so too must the world. That’s how we will deny leverage to dictators and dollars to terrorists,

America will not be held hostage to dwindling resources, hostile regimes and a warming planet.

We will not be put off from action because action is hard.

Now is the time to make the tough choices. Now is the time to meet the challenge at this crossroad of history by choosing a future that is safer for our country, prosperous for our planet, and sustainable.

Those are my priorities, and they’re reflected in the executive orders that I’m about to sign.