Energy, Climate Change,
and Our Environment

The President has taken unprecedented action to build the foundation for a clean energy economy, tackle the issue of climate change, and protect our environment.

Energy and Environment Latest News

  • EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson Delivers Keynote at the National Council of Churches' Centennial Gathering

    Posted by Mara Vanderslice on November 19, 2010 at 2:12 PM EDT

    Last Tuesday, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson delivered a keynote address at the National Council of Churches Centennial Gathering in New Orleans.

    The Administrator discussed the ongoing efforts to restore the Gulf’s valuable ecosystems and the important role faith communities have played in response to Hurricane Katrina and ongoing stewardship of the environment.

    Jackson opened her remarks thanking the group for their commitment to the Gulf region: "Since Hurricane Katrina and throughout the BP spill, many of you and many members of your congregations, have traveled here and spent countless hours in the communities.  You have strengthened this city in its time of need with both material and spiritual support.  And you have played an invaluable role in the rebuilding that continues to this day....Thank you for all the good things you have done for the people here.  And thank you for returning once again and bringing your spirit and your enthusiasm and your joy to this city."

    Administrator Jackson commented on the occasion of the NCC 100th Anniversary and told the audience that the EPA is also coming up on the celebration of their 40th Anniversary:

    "The question now is, 'What we can do?'  As EPA and the NCC hit these milestones and celebrate the past, it is also essential that we consider the future.  It is a future where we must strengthen our collaboration on critical environmental issues: cleaning up our air, land and water, fighting for environmental justice to relieve the burdens of pollution in poor and minority communities, protecting the planet we all call home and safeguarding the creation that has been given to us to steward.  EPA will continue to expand our work with congregations through the Energy Star program.  We will continue to seek the input of faith communities in the decisions we make.  And we also plan to align our efforts with the Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnership through the White House.  You have spoken to the President, and I invite you to share your thoughts with me and my team as well."

    Mara Vanderslice serves as the Deputy Director of The White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

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  • Greening the Supply Chain

    Posted by Nancy Sutley on November 18, 2010 at 8:53 PM EDT

    The Obama Administration has taken another step to reduce the Federal Government's environmental footprint and to advance clean energy opportunities.  On Tuesday morning, I joined General Services Administration Administrator Martha Johnson in Chicago, Illinois, at the first-ever GreenGov Supply Chain Summit to announce a voluntary collaboration between the Federal Government and vendors and suppliers to create a greener and more efficient supply chain.

    The Federal Government purchases $500 billion in goods and services annually, so you could say the Federal supply chain represents an enormous opportunity to support a clean energy economy.  Through our new GreenGov Supply Chain Partnership, Federal suppliers can agree to voluntarily measure, reduce, and report their greenhouse gas emissions to help GSA design an incentive-based approach to developing contracting advantages for companies that share our sustainability goals.  We've already partnered with 60 small businesses for a pilot program that will explore the benefits and challenges of measuring greenhouse gas emissions for small business participants.

    GreenGov Supply Chain Summit

    White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley participates in the GreenGov Supply Chain Summit

    More than 150 companies – large and small – joined us at the summit.  Companies shared their corporate sustainability priorities and their experiences greening their own supply chains.  Two themes emerged in the conversation.  First, we have an extraordinary opportunity to foster innovation and entrepreneurship through the Federal Government's commitment to sustainability and the GreenGov Supply Chain Partnership.  Second, to fulfill that opportunity, we've got to develop straightforward incentives that make it easy for small and emerging businesses to work with us.

    The Federal Government has a responsibility to lead by example to cut energy use, reduce pollution and save taxpayer dollars.  Yesterday's announcement is another step in the right direction.

    Nancy Sutley is Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality

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  • Focused on Building a Strong and Sustainable Clean Energy Economy

    Posted by Nancy Sutley on November 18, 2010 at 8:23 PM EDT

    Over the past few days, I have had the opportunity to participate in events focused on building a strong and sustainable clean energy economy for America.  First, at the Applied Solutions Annual Conference in Boulder, Colorado, I spoke with local officials from around the country about our shared goal of creating healthy and prosperous American communities by growing the clean energy economy.  It was great to engage with local leaders on ways we can work together to protect the environmental and economic health of our country.

    Later, I joined Colorado Senator Mark Udall on a tour of the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) in Golden, Colorado.  While we were at NREL, we had an interesting roundtable discussion focused on how we can build a smart grid that works well for American businesses and residents by allowing them to make informed energy choices and save money on their electricity bills.

    Nancy at NREL

    Chair Sutley tours the National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden, CO. (Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL Public Affairs Office)

    Next, in San Jose, California, I joined women business leaders at the Women's Network for a Sustainable Future to discuss how to integrate sustainability into operations both in government and in the private sector.  It was a fruitful discussion and a good opportunity to engage with leading businesswomen on an issue critical to building a clean energy economy.

    Nancy at WNSF

    Chair Sutley speaks at the Women's Network for a Sustainable Future Conference. (Photo by Cynthia Cheak.) November 12, 2010. (by Cynthia R. Cheak)

    Finally, I participated in the third Governors' Global Climate Summit, hosted by California Governor Schwarzenegger at the University of California, Davis.  This year's Summit examined how leaders from across the government, academic, business and nonprofit sectors can collaborate to build a strong and sustainable economy in the face of global issues such as climate change. 

    Overall, it was a successful trip and a wonderful opportunity to engage with and hear the ideas of sustainability and clean energy leaders out west.

    Nancy Sutley is Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality

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  • Entrepreneurs Fueling Innovation

    Posted by Cathy Zoi on November 18, 2010 at 11:16 AM EDT

    Earlier this week, I witnessed the next chapter of America’s love affair with the automobile here in the nation’s capital.  I took part in a ribbon cutting at the first public curbside electric vehicle (EV) charging station, made possible by Coulomb Technologies.  It looks like a parking meter that Steve Jobs might design.  And plugging in for a charge is simple – easier than even pumping gas.  Soon brand new EVs – like the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt – will be able to power up at stations like this one whenever they need it.

    As President Obama says, “The nation that leads the clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the global economy.”  The Recovery Act is the largest clean energy investment in American history, supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses while creating hundreds of thousands of jobs. 

    Entrepreneurs, just like Richard Lowenthal and Praveen Mandal whose Coulomb Technologies manufactured the charging station in DC, are making the cutting edge stuff that will power the cars of tomorrow.  Soon, more than 20,000 stations will be popping up nationally to charge new EVs.  Coulomb Technologies’ $15 million Recovery Act award will deploy 4,600 charging stations as part of this effort.

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  • 2010 Shanghai World Expo: Better City, Better Life

    Posted by Nancy Sutley on November 17, 2010 at 7:44 PM EDT

    I was fortunate enough to represent the United States at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo Closing Ceremonies earlier this month.  In the great tradition of World Expos, the Shanghai Expo showcased the diverse international community and advancements in a global effort to support sustainable development.  This year’s expo focused on the theme Better City, Better Life.  I, along with more than 73 million visitors over the past six months, was impressed with each nation’s distinct pavilion.  Our own USA pavilion was no exception, as over 7 million people have packed its 6,000 square meters of carbon-neutral space.

    At the Expo 2010 Summit Forum, international leaders gathered to discuss the importance of urban innovation and sustainable urban development.  I spoke at the themed forum on Green Development and Ecological City, and highlighted the Obama Administration's work to support clean energy, promote sustainable communities, and prepare the Nation to adapt to climate change. 

    Brazil Pavilion

    White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley tours the USA pavilion

    During the trip, I was able to visit Shanghai’s Chongming Island, which is home to Dongtan Eco City.  Dongtan is working to become an environmentally and economically sustainable city, with the goal of attaining an ecological footprint of less than 60% than that of typical developments. 

    It was interesting to engage in discussions on sustainability at both the Shanghai Expo and on Chongming Island.  I was happy to represent the U.S.'s work on environmental and clean energy issues.

    Nancy and Jon at USA Pavilion

    White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley and CEQ Chief of Staff Jon Carson at the USA Pavilion

    Nancy Sutley is Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality

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  • National Ocean Council Principals Hold Inaugural Meeting

    Posted by National Ocean Council Staff on November 12, 2010 at 3:56 PM EDT

    Tuesday marked an historic occasion for our stewardship of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources as 25 Cabinet Secretaries and senior officials from across the Federal Government gathered in the Roosevelt Room of the White House for the inaugural meeting of the National Ocean Council’s (NOC) Principal-level Committee. 

    The Committee is charged with implementing the National Policy for the Stewardship of the Ocean, our Coasts, and Great Lakes, including coastal and marine spatial planning. Key functions of the Committee include setting national priority objectives, and providing direction for implementing the National Policy based in part on recommendations from the Deputy-level Committee, which had its first meeting earlier this year.

    During the meeting, the Council:

    • Reviewed the role of the NOC and the work ahead;
    • Approved the NOC Charter;
    • Approved operational items for establishing the Governance Coordinating Committee to formally engage state, tribal, and local authorities;
    • Approved the charter for the U.S. Extended Continental Shelf (ECS) task force for it to continue to coordinate the collection of information to establish the full extent of the continental shelf of the United States in accordance with international law; and
    • Established Interagency Working Groups to address topics including information management, and communications and public and stakeholder engagement.

    The first Principals meeting of the NOC reiterated the Administration’s commitment to providing senior-level engagement in the implementation of the National Policy.  It also was a significant step toward making good on the President’s vision of ensuring the sustainability, resilience, health, security, and productivity of ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources for the benefit of all Americans.

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