Obama Declares Now the Time for Clean Energy Investments

President Obama used the oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico to tout a comprehensive energy and climate bill Wednesday night. He likened the millions of gallons of oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico to an epidemic - one that the nation will be fighting for months and even years. He said recovery and restoration of the Gulf Coast is important - but also highlighted the importance of ensuring another disaster like this one doesn’t happen again and the lessons learned from the spill.

According to President Obama - there are many lessons to learn - like needing better regulations for oil drilling and safety regulations. But he said one of the biggest lessons is that the time to embrace a clean energy future is now. He noted that the U.S. sends nearly one-billion dollars of its wealth to foreign countries for their oil - and mentioned that he laid out a set of principles that would move the country toward energy independence during his campaign. Obama said the U.S. House acted on those principles by passing a strong and comprehensive energy and climate bill last year. He acknowledged some say we can’t afford the costs associated with the transition - but said the country can’t afford not to change how it produces and uses energy because the long-term costs to the economy, national security and environment of the nation are far greater.

President Obama offered to look at other ideas - as long as they seriously tackle the nation’s addiction to fossil fuels - but said he would not accept inaction.
 

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