\ntepid defense of offshore drilling and a maddening
\nsilence<\/a> about the big energy picture, he’s
\nfinally starting to do just that, talking about renewable energy and the Gulf
\nfiasco in the same speeches.<\/p>\n
From The reason that folks are now having to go down a mile deep That tells us that we’ve got to have a long-term energy Today at Climate change poses a threat to our way of life—in Fifteen years ago, the United States produced 40 percent of So that’s why we’ve placed a big emphasis on clean energy … “We’re going to try to Next up, Obama Lots of smart thinkers But the BP spill might “Honestly, I have not Oof-that sounds like a <\/p>\n Related Links:<\/strong><\/p>\n The federal government needs to take command of the disaster response<\/a><\/p>\n How would you stop the Gulf oil leak?<\/a><\/p>\n Will Obama admin allow Shell Oil to do to Arctic waters what BP did to the Gulf?<\/a><\/p>\n
\na San Francisco fundraiser<\/a> yesterday:<\/p>\n
\ninto the ocean, and then another mile drilling into the ground below, that is
\nbecause the easy oil fields and oil wells are gone, or they’re starting to
\ndiminish.<\/p>\n
\nstrategy in this country. And we’ve got to start cultivating solar and wind and
\nbiodiesel. And we’ve got to increase energy efficiency across our economy in
\nour buildings and our automobiles.<\/p>\n
\nthe Solyndra solar panel plant in Fremont, Calif<\/a>:<\/p>\n
\nfact, we’re already beginning to see its profound and costly impact. And the spill in the Gulf, which is just
\nheartbreaking, only underscores the necessity of seeking alternative fuel
\nsources … <\/p>\n
\nthe world’s solar panels—40 percent. That was just 15 years ago.
\nBy 2008, our share had fallen to just over 5 percent. I don’t know about
\nyou, but I’m not prepared to cede American leadership in this industry, because
\nI’m not prepared to cede America’s leadership in the global economy. <\/p>\n
\nBut we’ve still got more work to do, and that’s why I’m going to keep fighting
\nto pass comprehensive energy and climate legislation in Washington. We’re
\ngoing to try to get it done this year, because what we want to do is create
\nincentives that will fully unleash the potential for jobs and growth in this
\nsector.<\/p>\n
\nget it done this year” doesn’t presage a full-court press. But it’s a step in the right direction. <\/p>\n
\nis set
\nto announce<\/a> new offshore drilling regulations on Thursday—another
\nopportunity to talk fundamentals. On Friday, he’ll
\ntravel to the Gulf<\/a> to prove his commitment to stopping the bleeding gash in
\nthe Gulf. It’s his best opportunity yet to influence how the country talks
\nabout the state of its energy system.<\/p>\n
\non the left have been arguing<\/a> that it’s naïve and ineffectual to demand that
\nObama somehow “do more” to get the country on a progressive track; he can’t change
\nthe country—and certainly can’t change the minds of intransigent senators—on his own.<\/p>\n
\nbe big enough to alter the dynamics. Americans can now see with their own eyes
\nwhat’s so wrong with our energy system. A
\nnew CBS
\npoll<\/a> found a marked drop in public support for domestic offshore drilling-down
\n17 percent since two summers ago-meaning that more Americans now oppose offshore
\nexploration than support it. There’s an opening for fundamental change. <\/p>\n
\nreacted to anything with this much impotent despair since 9\/11,” writes<\/a> an
\nAndrew Sullivan reader. “Not even Abu Ghraib and our collective, in effect,
\nnon-reaction to it made me feel more negative about the likely course of our
\nsociety in the remaining decades of my lifetime.”<\/p>\n
\ncitizen ready for a bold plan. Obama, by directing the media’s and the public’s
\nattention to the need for a massive energy shift, can give the issue more of a
\nboost than it’s gotten in decades. He
\ncan make the point that climate and clean-energy legislation is desperately
\nneeded, now. If Americans follow his
\nlead, they could—yes, I’m being hopeful here—put enough pressure on other
\nelected officials (senators) to get moving on an energy bill and other critical
\npolicy changes. I get all tingly thinking about it.<\/p>\n
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