OBAMA: A Step Closer To Energy Independence

The signing of two Presidential Memoranda’s today by President Obama was a direct acknowledgement of the eminent importance to move the U.S towards energy independence. In his speech that followed, the president further acknowledged that for many years and decades presidents have been calling for energy independence, but their voices were often overshadowed by rigid ideology driven by special interest groups and political rhetoric that prevented progress.

His first agenda this morning was to call for the passing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan by congress, which is aimed at stimulating economic growth. The recovery plan promises to put 460,000 Americans back to work in the clean energy sector, beginning with the development of 3,000 miles of transmission lines to deliver clean energy. The Recovery Plan also promises to save $ 2 billion in annual taxpayer dollars by making 75% of federal building more efficient.

The second agenda signaled a shift in environmental policy by directing federal regulators to move swiftly in adopting stricter fuel efficiency standards. As Obama pointed out “Increasing fuel efficiency in our cars and trucks is the most important step we can take to break our cycle of dependence on foreign oil.” The president hopes it will spark innovation needed to ensure the survival of the US auto industry. Obama asked federal regulators to implement the new standards in time for the 2011 model year.

Obama also promised that his administration would keep working on a bipartisan basis in Washington and with industry partners across the country in hopes of forging a “comprehensive approach that makes our economy stronger and our nation more secure.”

For more information on Obama’s energy plan, please visit the White House