2009 address to joint session of Congress: on Energy & Oil


Barack Obama: $15B in clean energy; plus market-based cap on carbon

We know the country that harnesses the power of clean, renewable energy will lead the 21st century.

We will double this nation's supply of renewable energy in the next three years. We've also made the largest investment in basic research funding in American history--an investment that will spur not only new discoveries in energy, but breakthroughs in medicine and science and technology.

But to truly transform our economy, to protect our security, and save our planet from the ravages of climate change, we need to ultimately make clean, renewable energy the profitable kind of energy. So I ask this Congress to send me legislation that places a market-based cap on carbon pollution and drives the production of more renewable energy in America. And to support that innovation, we will invest $15 billion a year to develop technologies like wind power and solar power, advanced biofuels, clean coal, and more efficient cars and trucks built right here in America.

Source: 2009 State of the Union address Feb 24, 2009

Barack Obama: FactCheck: US imports less oil today than in 2005

Given the widespread concern about foreign oil, one line certainly sounded plausible: Obama said, "We have known for decades that our survival depends on finding new sources of energy, yet we import more oil today than ever before."

Not true. We're importing less than we were just a few years ago. Imports reached a high point of 15 million barrels per day on Nov. 4, 2005. Most recently, they totaled 11.5 million on Feb. 20, 2009. Monthly and annual imports show the same trend.

Source: FactCheck.org on 2009 State of the Union address Feb 24, 2009

Barack Obama: FactCheck: Chevy Volt uses Korean battery, but Ford's don't

Obama gave a few examples of how the U.S. isn't leading when it comes to "clean, renewable energy," saying at one point that "new plug-in hybrids roll off our assembly lines, but they will run on batteries made in Korea."

He's partly right. The Chevy Volt, if it comes to market as scheduled in 2010, would be the first American-made, plug-in hybrid car, and General Motors recently announced that the Volt will use battery systems from South Korea's LG Chem Ltd.

But the U.S. isn't a complete laggard in this department. Ford said earlier this month that batteries for its hybrid, due to be available in 2012, will be supplied by a joint venture between a U.S. company, Johnson Controls Inc., and France's Saft. At least initially, though, the battery cells will be made in France; they will be assembled into power packs in the U.S.

Source: FactCheck.org on 2009 State of the Union address Feb 24, 2009

Bobby Jindal: More renewables; more nuclear power, more drilling

We need urgent action to keep energy prices down. All of us remember what it felt like to pay $4 at the pump and unless we act now, those prices will return. To stop that from happening, we need to increase conservation, increase energy efficiency, increase the use of alternative and renewable fuels, increase our use of nuclear power, and increase drilling for oil and gas here at home. We believe that if we unleash the innovative spirit of our citizens, we can achieve energy independence.
Source: GOP response to the 2009 State of the Union address Feb 24, 2009

  • The above quotations are from 2009 address to a joint session of Congress, plus the Republican Response: Feb. 24, 2009.
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