We all know that BOTH renewable energy and energy efficiency are vital components of our clean energy future. Efficiency and renewables: two distinct policies.
Minnesota got the official word today that the state will be receiving more than $186.1 million in weatherization funding and energy efficiency grants.
Posted by: Michael Noble in policy, legislation, green jobs, global warming, federal issues, energy security, energy independence, energy efficiency, economic development, driving, clean energy, clean cars on
Jan 27, 2009
This speech yesterday by Barack Obama was remarkable, not because of any surprises in his push for the energy independence provisions of the recovery bill, the move to raise fuel economy for cars, and his call for a quick EPA review of California's waiver request, allowing it to regulate CO2 from cars. What's remarkable is how clearly he communicates the three energy crises: our security, economy, and planet. If anyone has any doubts at all about how urgently Obama views the energy issue, this is a must-read speech. Heck, read it in any case.
Take a look at the basics of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, as laid out today in President-elect Barack Obama speech at George Mason University. The President-elect announced that the plan will jumpstart job creation and long-term growth by:
- Doubling the production of alternative energy in the next three years.
- Modernizing more than 75 percent of federal buildings and improve the energy efficiency of two million American homes, saving consumers and taxpayers billions on our energy bills.
- Making the immediate investments necessary to ensure that within five years, all of America's medical records are computerized.
- Equipping tens of thousands of schools, community colleges, and public universities with 21st century classrooms, labs, and libraries.
- Expanding broadband across America, so that a small business in a rural town can connect and compete with their counterparts anywhere in the world.
- Investing in the science, research, and technology that will lead to new medical breakthroughs, new discoveries, and entire new industries.
Remarks of President-Elect Barack Obama
As Prepared for Delivery
American Recovery and Reinvestment
Thursday, January 8, 2009
The building sector has taken the brunt of our economic disaster, exemplified by huge job losses in the construction industry. Numerous studies demonstrate that investing in energy efficiency in existing and new buildings is the most effective way to create American jobs and revitalize our economy.
In her blog at the New Yorker, Elizabeth Kolbert uses a speech by Energy Secretary-designee Steven Chu to highlight the strides in energy efficiency of refrigerators in the past decade or so: bigger in size and cheaper in price with a two thirds cut in energy usage.
The obvious implication is that if automakers had been as innovative as refrigerator makers, they wouldn't be peddling a fleet of 6,000 pound tanks that now seem absurd to America's car buyers, and they might not be on their knees in Congress begging for survival. The "Clean Cars" bill in the Minnesota legislature in 2009 will drive techology innovation in the industry, by joining some 15 other states with stringent pollution standards for cars.
Fresh Energy Blog