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Energy and Environment Latest News

President Obama has take unprecedented action to build the foundation for a clean energy economy, tackle the issue of climate change, and protext our environment. See the Energy and Environment section for more information.

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Chart of the Week: 2015 Was Earth's Hottest Year on Record

A stark look at rising temperatures shows why the world must act to combat climate change.
January 25, 2016 at 3:01 PM ET by Tanya Somanader

Department of Energy Announces $220 Million for the Grid Modernization Initiative

The Department of Energy unveiled new steps in its Grid Modernization Initiative to make our Nation’s electrical power grid more affordable, resilient, and sustainable.
January 14, 2016 at 4:30 PM ET by Dan Utech

Food and Agriculture for the 21st Century

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy is calling for a new commitment to research and education in food and agriculture from all sectors.
January 13, 2016 at 2:16 PM ET by Jo Handelsman and Elizabeth Stulberg

Department of Agriculture Boosts Climate Solutions in Rural Vermont

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack awarded a $46 million loan to expand access to climate solutions in rural areas across Vermont.
January 8, 2016 at 3:18 PM ET by Ali Zaidi, Doug O'Brien

What You Need to Know About How President Obama is Fighting Climate Change

Earlier this month in Paris, the world came together to announce the most ambitious global agreement ever to combat climate change. Watch a message from the President.
December 22, 2015 at 1:58 PM ET by Alex Wall

Changing the Game on Water Supply

Thanks to American innovation, solutions to water resource challenges are within reach.
December 15, 2015 at 11:00 AM ET by Ali Zaidi

Follow Along: A Global Agreement to Act on Climate

President Obama and world leaders just secured the most ambitious global climate agreement in history. Get the latest.
December 14, 2015 at 10:04 AM ET by Tanya Somanader

New Report Describes Progress and Promise of Interagency Approach to Arctic Research

Today, the National Science and Technology Council is releasing a report on Arctic research activities being carried out by Federal agencies.
December 14, 2015 at 9:57 AM ET by Tamara Dickinson and Mike Kuperberg

Improving Access to Earth Observations

Requesting public input on the new USGEO draft Common Framework for Earth-Observation Data.
December 9, 2015 at 1:57 PM ET by Timothy Stryker

Why We Have to Act on Climate Now -- In One Chart

This week's chart of the week shows exactly why world leaders are working to reach a global agreement to act on climate.
December 8, 2015 at 2:46 PM ET by Tanya Somanader

One Year of Progress in Climate Education and Literacy

Today, OSTP celebrates the one-year anniversary of the Climate Education and Literacy Initiative.
December 3, 2015 at 2:12 PM ET by Laura Petes and Austin Brown

Winners Announced for the National Climate Game Jam

Take a look at the top games prototyped at October's National Climate Game Jam—part of the Climate Education and Literacy Initiative.
November 30, 2015 at 3:30 PM ET by Hannah Safford and Peg Steffen

Announcing: "Mission Innovation"

President Obama joins world leaders in announcing “Mission Innovation” to dramatically accelerate global clean energy innovation to address climate change.
November 29, 2015 at 7:01 PM ET by Paul Bodnar, Dave Turk

A Major Milestone for President Obama’s Climate Agenda

Over 100 cities have pledged to create bold climate action plans as President Obama & Secretary Kerry travel to Paris to negotiate an international climate agreement.
November 20, 2015 at 2:33 PM ET by Valerie Jarrett

Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the U.S. Global Change Research Program

Today, the U.S. Global Change Research Program celebrates 25 years of work to understand, assess, predict, and respond to process of global change.
November 16, 2015 at 9:50 AM ET by John P. Holdren, Tamara Dickinson, Mike Kuperberg, and Afua Bruce

Investments in Renewable Energy Are Paying Off and Paving the Way for Ambitious Climate Action

By 2030, climate commitments could make clean energy less costly than even our cheapest fossil resources.
November 13, 2015 at 3:29 PM ET by Dan Utech

Raising Youth Voices at COP21 Through the Climate Education and Literacy Initiative

Institutions are coming together to launch the #Youth4Climate – Road to COP21 campaign to raise the voice of youth in climate action.
November 12, 2015 at 11:41 AM ET by Frank Niepold, Matthew Garcia, and Laura Petes

President Obama: "Hello, Facebook!"

President Obama finally launches his own Facebook page with a video about our efforts to combat climate change.
November 9, 2015 at 12:25 PM ET by Kori Schulman

What Environmental and Conservation Advocates Are Saying About TPP’s Environment Chapter

Here's why the President's trade deal presents a historic opportunity to protect the environment.
November 6, 2015 at 12:09 PM ET by Rohan Patel

State, Tribal, and Local Leaders Take Steps to Advance National Ocean Policy

Recently, State, tribal, and local leaders charged with coordinating national ocean policies across jurisdictions reconvened at the White House.
November 2, 2015 at 4:08 PM ET by Beth Kerttula

The World’s Climate Targets: Major Steps Toward our Climate Goals

We now have an opportunity to take a big step toward the goal of an ambitious and effective global framework for addressing climate change.
October 30, 2015 at 9:52 AM ET by Paul Bodnar

Legacies of Hurricane Sandy: Science and Technology for a More Resilient Nation

On the third anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, taking a look at the ways that the storm accelerated the use of science to inform disaster planning.
October 29, 2015 at 5:52 PM ET by Tamara Dickinson and Kevin V. Werner

In Ongoing Response to Hurricane Sandy, We Must Remain Focused on Climate Change's Long-Term Impacts

Since Hurricane Sandy made landfall, the Administration has invested in hard-hit communities to ensure that they don’t just rebuild, but rebuild smarter.
October 29, 2015 at 10:00 AM ET by Shaun Donovan

Acting on Climate through Sustainable Agriculture: White House Champions of Change

The White House honors 12 farmers, producers and educators who are making an impact in the fight against climate change.
October 27, 2015 at 8:28 PM ET by Angela Barranco

Progress on the Administration’s Clean Energy Investment Initiative

OSTP's Tom Kalil chats with the co-founders of Spark Thermionics, who are benefiting from actions made under the Administration's Clean Energy Investment Initiative.
October 14, 2015 at 2:20 PM ET by Tom Kalil

Incorporating Natural Infrastructure and Ecosystem Services in Federal Decision-Making

Today, the Administration released a new memorandum directing Federal agencies to factor the value of ecosystem services into Federal planning and decision-making.
October 7, 2015 at 2:30 PM ET by Ali Zaidi, Tamara Dickinson, Timothy Male

10 Things To Do for National Preparedness Month

National Preparedness Month serves as a reminder to prepare, now and throughout the year, for a wide range of emergencies.
September 30, 2015 at 3:05 PM ET by Lisa O. Monaco

Announcing the National Climate Game Jam

On October 2-4, teams across the country will participate in a National Climate Game Jam.
September 25, 2015 at 3:43 PM ET by Hannah Safford and Peg Steffen

The Current State of Energy Technology

The Department of Energy releases the second Quadrennial Technology Review (QTR), exploring the current state of technologies and R&D in key energy sectors.
September 10, 2015 at 8:19 PM ET by John P. Holdren, Secretary Ernest Moniz

Launching the Clean Energy Solutions for Remote Communities Call-to-Action

The Administration is launching a new initiative to catalyze investment in clean energy solutions for remote communities.
September 8, 2015 at 11:57 AM ET by Austin Brown

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Unlocking Wind Power Across America

The Energy Department released a new report – Enabling Wind Power Nationwide – that shows how the next generation of wind turbines can help expand wind power in all 50 states.
May 19, 2015 at 4:31 PM ET by Christy Goldfuss and Dan Utech

Combat Veterans Leading Climate Change

July 25, 2014 at 4:42 PM ET by Koby Langley

Putting the Spotlight on Federal Collaboration

CEQ asked agencies to tell us where they were working collectively to leverage regional resources toward a common goal, and we chose six projects to focus on. After a year of tracking progress and compiling results, I am excited to share with you the accomplishments of these projects. From cutting costs to reducing carbon emissions, these local efforts show how Federal agencies can lead by example in the areas of energy and sustainability:
February 4, 2014 at 1:28 PM ET by Jon Powers

Investing in Solutions: Leaders in Finance and Climate

This week, I participated in an event at the White House on Women Leaders in Climate Finance and Investment that highlighted the pioneering role women leaders in the finance sector are playing to mainstream climate change into finance and investment decisions. Women around the world are often the first to feel the effects of climate and at the same time can offer unique perspectives and solutions.
January 17, 2014 at 3:18 PM ET by Alka Banerjee

Improving Energy Efficiency and Creating Jobs Through Weatherization

December 9, 2013 at 12:00 PM ET by David Danielson

Outlining U.S. Climate Progress On the World Stage

This week, I am in Warsaw, Poland at the United Nations climate negotiations (COP 19) spreading the word about the President’s Climate Action Plan to our international partners.
November 20, 2013 at 10:29 AM ET by Nancy Sutley

Introducing the National Drought Resilience Partnership

Today, the Obama Administration is excited to announce a new partnership between seven Federal agencies that will help communities better prepare for droughts and reduce the impact of drought events on families and businesses. The interagency National Drought Resilience Partnership is part of the President’s Climate Action Plan. Federal agencies are already working with communities, businesses and farmers and ranchers to build resilience to drought on the ground, and this Partnership will enhance those efforts.
November 15, 2013 at 1:03 PM ET by Nancy Sutley

Cutting Costs and Modernizing Buildings through Performance-Based Contracting

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) operations encompass more than 10,000 buildings in all 50 states, from air traffic control centers and research facilities to our regional offices and headquarters, a range that complicates efforts to green internal operations and infrastructure. But, over the last two years, DOT has improved its sustainability performance across all seven measures of the OMB Sustainability and Energy Scorecard.
June 19, 2013 at 10:45 AM ET by Brodi Fontenot

From General Mechanics to General Motors: Lynn Gantt's EcoCAR Experience

EcoCar Challenge helps bring innovative talent like Lynn Gantt and his team, the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Team of Virgina Tech, to the forefront of the clean energy jobs movement.
June 17, 2011 at 5:12 PM ET by April Saylor