Obama Calls for Climate Action, Sustainable Energy

In his second inaugural address on Monday, President Barack Obama issued one of his strongest statements on progressive energy policy:

“We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity. We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations. Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires, and crippling drought, and more powerful storms. The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult. But America cannot resist this transition; we must lead it. We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries – we must claim its promise. That is how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure – our forests and waterways; our croplands and snowcapped peaks. That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God. That’s what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared.”

White House officials told reporters to expect more detail in the State of the Union speech, scheduled for Feb. 12. They emphasized that the administration will use executive power to sidestep opposition in Congress, enforcing EPA rules to shut down coal-fired power plants and establishing efficiency standards for buildings and appliances.

Read the full transcript here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/01/21/inaugural-address-president-barack-obama

See the New York Times article.

Official White House Photo by Sonya N. Hebert

About Seth Masia
Seth Masia is editor of SOLAR TODAY Magazine and director of communications at the American Solar Energy Society.
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