October was Energy Action Month — a national effort to underscore the critical link between American energy and prosperity, highlight the tremendous potential of clean energy technologies to create new American jobs and industries, and emphasize the importance of investing in American innovation to lead the 21st century global clean energy economy.
The Administration has taken historic action to lay the foundation for a clean energy economy here in the United States. In the span of just two and a half years, we have made the largest investments in clean energy in our nation’s history, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and putting us on track to double renewable energy capacity by the end of the President’s first term. We have built the domestic advanced battery industry from scratch, jump-starting the American manufacturing sector. We have established the toughest fuel economy standards for cars and trucks ever, saving consumers money at the pump and ensuring the vehicles of the future are built here in America. And we have taken the most aggressive steps in a generation to protect the health of American families by reducing harmful air pollution.
To commemorate National Energy Action Month, the Administration took additional action to highlight our efforts in the area of clean energy. Today, the Council on Environmental Quality is hosting the 2nd annual GreenGov conference, which is designed to bring together sustainability leaders from government and the private sector, as well as the non-profit and academic communities to identify new opportunities around greening the Federal government. In addition, to create a more secure and efficient electrical grid, the Administration recently announced the selection of seven proposed transmission lines as pilot projects for accelerated permitting. These pilot projects are expected to create more than 11,000 construction and operations jobs in 12 states across the country.
Earlier this month, as part of the electric vehicle pilot program, GSA delivered the first plug-in electric vehicle to the Department of the Navy. This builds on the Administration’s previous work in this area – in 2010, GSA doubled the number of hybrids in the federal fleet.
Navy receives the first Federal plug-in electric.
These actions represent just a snapshot of the Administration’s efforts to promote clean energy. For more events and announcements, check out the posts below:
Highlights
Presidential Proclamation — National Energy Action Month, 2011
The President formally declares the Month of October, 2011, as the National Energy Action Month.
The Link Between American Energy and Prosperity
Heather Zichal, Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change, defines October Energy Action Month and outlines the President’s vision for America’s energy future.
Modernizing Our Electric Grid, Creating Jobs
Stakeholders discuss the Administration’s efforts to modernize the U.S. electrical infrastructure. The seven pilot projects identified by the Administration’s Interagency Rapid Response Team for Transmission are estimated to create more than 11,000 construction and operation jobs.
Interior Releases Updated Roadmap for Solar Energy Development
As part of President Obama’s commitment to developing the U.S.’s domestic energy portfolio, including clean energy resources, Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar, made a public supplement to the federal plan to facilitate responsible utility-scale solar development on public lands in six western states—Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah.
GreenGov 2011: Connecting you with sustainability leaders for a leaner, greener, and more efficient government
For the second year, the White House Council on Environmental Quality is hosting the GreenGov Symposium (October 31- November 2), an event intended to bring leaders in sustainability together under one roof.
GSA Challenges Private Sector to Reduce Energy Use at Federal Buildings
This month, General Services Administrator Martha Johnson announced GSA’s Net Zero Renovation Challenge: a new initiative that challenges the private sector to improve the energy performance of federal buildings through the use of Energy Service Performance Contracts (ESPCs).
Leading by Example: GSA Electrifies the Fleet; Delivers First Electric Vehicle to Navy
U.S. General Services Administration’s Chief of Staff, Michael J. Robertson, discusses the Navy’s leadership in energy security reforms, the most recent of which includes incorporating the Chevy Volt into its electric vehicle fleet.
Coming Soon to a Delivery Route Near You: Cleaner Trucks
Drew McConville, Deputy Associate Director for Energy & Climate Change at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, shares some highlights from his visit to the Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF) 2011 conference and expo in Baltimore, MD. The expo featured trucks equipped with the newest innovations in clean energy technologies.
Helping America’s Small Businesses Build a Clean Energy Future
The Small Business Administration’s, Administrator Karen Mills and Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announce green.sba.gov, a new tool small businesses can use find all federal opportunities available to their business in a single location.
University of Maryland Wins Solar Decathlon 2011!
Kicking off Energy Action Month, Secretary Chu announces the winners of the 2011 Department of Energy Solar Decathlon.
Department of Energy Announces New Clean Energy Partnership with the Republic of Korea
As part of the South Korean State visit, Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Minister of Knowledge Economy Joong-Kyung Choi of the Republic of Korea signed a new agreement establishing the U.S.-Korea Clean Energy Technology Partnership.
Source: The White House • 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW • Washington, DC 20500 • 202-456-1111
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To learn more about the President’s vision for a more secure energy future, please visit WhiteHouse.gov/energy.
