Also touching on energy, Obama said, "That [image-nocss] we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet."
Click hereto view the full text and video of the inaugural speech.
Obama, who has said energy and environmental matters would be important to his administration, has said that he wants to spend billions of dollars to promote alternative energy sources and create millions of green energy jobs.
According to the new White House webpage, the Obama-Biden comprehensive New Energy for America plan will:
Help create five million new jobs by strategically investing $150 billion over the next ten years to catalyze private efforts to build a clean energy future. Within 10 years save more oil than we currently import from the Middle East and Venezuela combined. Put 1 million plug-in hybrid cars-cars that can get up to 150 miles per gallon-on the road by 2015, cars that we will work to make sure are built here in America. Ensure 10% of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25% by 2025. Implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050. Energy Plan Overview
Provide Short-term Relief to American Families
Crack down on excessive energy speculation. Swap oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to cut prices. Eliminate Our Current Imports from the Middle East and Venezuela within 10 Years
Increase fuel economy standards. Get 1 million plug-in hybrid cars on the road by 2015. Create a new $7,000 tax credit for purchasing advanced vehicles. Establish a national low carbon fuel standard. A "use it or lose it" approach to existing oil and gas leases. Promote the responsible domestic production of oil and natural gas. Create Millions of New Green Jobs
Ensure 10% of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25% by 2025. Deploy the cheapest, cleanest, fastest energy source - energy efficiency. Weatherize one million homes annually. Develop and deploy clean coal technology. Prioritize the construction of the Alaska natural gas pipeline. Reduce Our Greenhouse Gas Emissions 80% by 2050
Implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050. Make the U.S. a leader on climate change. Although the policies of President Obama have yet to be articulated beyond this plan, Candidate Obama has favored windfall profits taxes on oil companies and has opposed expanded offshore and Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) drilling. He eventually backed "limited" drilling, although a ban could be reinstated by the new, largely Democratic-controlled Congress.
Click herefor previous CSP Daily News coverage of Obama's new energy team.
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