President Obama on Energy

President Obama on Energy. I'm Greg Martin with today's Line On Agriculture. Last week the President got busy talking about America's energy security and he spent time talking a lot about what his plans are for the energy future for the country. OBAMA: We're here to talk about America's energy security, an issue that's been a priority for my administration since the day I took office. Already, we've made the largest investment in clean energy in our nation's history. It's an investment that's expected to create or save more than 700,000 jobs across America -- jobs manufacturing advanced batteries for more efficient vehicles; upgrading the power grid so that it's smarter and it's stronger; doubling our nation's capacity to generate renewable electricity from sources like the wind and the sun. He began by announcing they would implement increased mileage standards as well as double the number of hybrid vehicles in the federal fleet. OBAMA: But we have to do more. We need to make continued investments in clean coal technologies and advanced biofuels. A few weeks ago, I announced loan guarantees to break ground on America's first new nuclear facility in three decades, a project that will create thousands of jobs. And in the short term, as we transition to cleaner energy sources, we've still got to make some tough decisions about opening new offshore areas for oil and gas development in ways that protect communities and protect coastlines. That seemed to get a lot of people's attention...on both sides of the issue. OBAMA: This is not a decision that I've made lightly. It's one that Ken and I -- as well as Carol Browner, my energy advisor, and others in my administration -- looked at closely for more than a year. But the bottom line is this: Given our energy needs, in order to sustain economic growth and produce jobs, and keep our businesses competitive, we are going to need to harness traditional sources of fuel even as we ramp up production of new sources of renewable, homegrown energy. Finally he closed by asking both sides of the legislature to work together on solutions. OBAMA: I know that we can come together to pass comprehensive energy and climate legislation that's going to foster new energy -- new industries, create millions of new jobs, protect our planet, and help us become more energy independent. That's what we can do. That is what we must do. And I'm confident that is what we will do. That's today's Line On Agriculture. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.