Weekly Wrap Up: Going Green

A quick look at the week of March 19, 2012:

A Pint with the President: On Saturday afternoon, the President left the White House and grabbed a pint of Guinness in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day at the Dubliner, an Irish pub near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.

A Season of New Beginnings: In a video message Tuesday, President Obama sent his best wishes to all of those who are celebrating Nowruz around the world – a holiday when many Iranian families come together to celebrate the hope that comes with renewal. Noting the continued tension between the two countries, the President reaffirmed that “there is no reason for the United States and Iran to be divided from another.”

A Timely Visit from Taoiseach Enda Kenny: On Tuesday, President Obama welcomed Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny to the White House. Besides discussions on the economy and the benefits of trade, commerce, and investment between the two countries, the Taoiseach’s stay in Washington included breakfast at the Naval Observatory, a St. Patrick’s Day lunch at the United States Capitol and a St. Patrick’s Day reception in the East Room hosted by the President and the First Lady.

Solar Power in the Silver State: The President headed west to discuss energy, making his first stop in Boulder City, Nevada at the Copper Mountain Solar 1 Facility – the largest photovoltaic plant in the country, with nearly one million solar panels powering 17,000 homes. Increasing the use of solar power is one piece of President Obama’s strategy to develop every available source of American-made energy – thereby reducing our dependence on foreign oil, creating jobs, and keeping our environment clean.

Domestic Oil Production on Second Stop: Following his trip to Nevada, the President proceeded to the Maljamar Cooperative Association located on federal lands outside of Maljamar, New Mexico – a place that is home to more than 70 active drilling rigs. Drilling is one part of an all-of-the-above strategy for American energy, and the President is committed to expanding oil and gas production. Domestic oil production has increased each year he has been in office and is currently at an eight year high.

Sooners’ Energy Production: On Thursday, the President visited an oil town that is a major hub for connecting our nation’s crude oil supply with refineries along the Gulf Coast – Cushing, Oklahoma – where he discussed the Administration’s commitment to expanding domestic oil and gas production by modernizing pipeline infrastructure and expanding its ability to deliver oil to refineries and consumers around the country.

The Buckeye Bullet: The final stop on the President’s energy tour was at Ohio State University, which is home to the Center for Automotive Research and the Buckeye Bullet – an electric car that has already traveled at speeds in excess of 300 miles per hour. “I am not going to cede the wind and solar and advanced battery industries to countries like China and Germany that are making those investments,” the President affirmed. “I want those technologies developed and manufactured here in Ohio, here in the Midwest, here in America.”

The Affordable Care Act Turns Two: Two years ago, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act, giving hardworking, middle-class families the health care they deserve. Though not fully implemented until 2014, the law is already making a real difference in many people’s lives.