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

  • Green Economy Means Green Jobs at Home

    Posted by Secretary Gary Locke on October 23, 2009 at 1:49 PM EDT

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    Yesterday Energy Secretary Steven Chu and I had the opportunity to talk to a number of business and government leaders at the White House about how critical it is for America to play a leading role in the clean energy economy.

    Despite the headlines that focus on what other countries are doing abroad, little prevents us from taking the lead in the business of clean energy. In fact, much of the energy technology being used around the world has its roots in the United States – but companies in other countries have often taken the lead in bringing those innovations to market.

    There is simply no reason why this should be. We have all the smarts and all the resources we need to build light-weight car batteries or find a cheap and effective way to store power from the wind and sun here in America – we just need the willpower to act.

    China is investing over $9 billion a month in clean energy and efficiency industries – not just to meet their own domestic energy and climate needs, but to satisfy the energy needs of the entire world.

    If we don’t get our act together, we're going to be watching the capital, the businesses and the well-paying jobs end up in China – rather than in communities across America. We simply cannot allow ourselves to wake up 10 years from now asking how Shanghai became the Silicon Valley of clean energy.

    President Obama has asked every cabinet agency to play a role in promoting clean energy. Several agencies within the Commerce Department are playing a leading role in this effort:

    Building a green economy isn't going to be easy, but if government and businesses work together, America can and will be a world leader in clean energy.

    Gary Locke is Secretary of Commerce

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  • DHS Supports the GreenGov Challenge

    Posted by Secretary Janet Napolitano on October 23, 2009 at 1:00 PM EDT

    Last spring, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), launched a bold Efficiency Review initiative to make DHS a leaner, smarter agency better equipped to protect the nation.

    As part of the Efficiency Review, we are already taking steps big and small to build a green culture across the Department.

    A few examples include:

    • U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is configuring it computers to automatically shut down/standby when they are not being used to avoid energy costs.
    • U.S. Customs and Border Protection will reduce energy usage by 25% by incorporating solar power in its new Border Patrol Sector Station in El Paso, Texas.
    • The new U.S. Coast Guard headquarters facility currently under construction will receive LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, incorporating state-of-the-art efficiency technologies like green roofs, landscaped courtyards to capture and reuse surface water runoff, and innovative heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

    That’s why I’m excited by the GreenGov Challenge that runs through the end of the month. It gives federal employees and our men and women in uniform a chance to submit their ideas to make us more environmentally responsible while cutting costs and streamlining operations.

    You can submit your ideas at www.WhiteHouse.gov/GreenGov through the end of the month. Together, we can make a difference in creating a more efficient and sustainable federal government.

    Janet Napolitano is Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security

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  • Watch, Discuss, Engage at 12:30: Clean Energy Economy Forum

    Posted by Jesse Lee on October 22, 2009 at 12:05 PM EDT

    At 12:30 today, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke will host a Clean Energy Economy Forum with business leaders from around the country here at the White Hpouse. Energy Secretary Steven Chu and other Administration officials will also be featured speakers at the forum, which will include a focus on ensuring American competitiveness and leadership in the emerging clean energy economy.

    This is the latest in the series, but this will be the first time you'll be able to watch and discuss the forum live through our Facebook application. Furthermore, we'll be monitoring the chat and relaying the feedback you give during the panel session. So let us know what you think and what questions you have.

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  • Over 1,000 GreenGov Ideas and Counting!

    Posted by Robert Roberts on October 21, 2009 at 12:41 PM EDT

    Earlier this week, we launched the GreenGov Challenge – a new way for federal employees and military personnel to help green our government. The response thus far has been tremendous, but I know there are many more of you that we still need to hear from.

    Energy efficiency is an issue I’m passionate about, and it is a major focus for the Department of Energy. For the next few decades, energy efficiency will be our most effective tool for reducing our carbon emissions, and the best way to reduce energy bills for America’s families. Specific ideas on how to save money and energy are especially welcome.

    I know many federal employees share my passion and have great ideas for how to help the government become greener. Many have shared great ideas already on my Facebook page.

    The GreenGov Challenge is a way for you to have your ideas heard. Ideas can be submitted through October 31st. We recognize that some of the best ideas on how to save energy may not be new, but they are simply not widely adopted. I want to hear from you what you think are the most cost-effective ways to save energy and money as well as new ideas. The top ideas will be evaluated and put into action shortly thereafter.

    I hope you will take a moment to think about the energy saving opportunities around you, to dream up new ways to solve them, and to be a part of making this effort a success. I look forward to reviewing your ideas and tackling this challenge with you.

    Steven Chu is Secretary of Energy
     

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  • Watch, Discuss, Engage at 2:30: Behind the GreenGov Challenge

    Posted by Cammie Croft on October 19, 2009 at 1:57 PM EDT

    At 2:30pm ET today, the Council of Environmental Quality’s Michelle Moore and Christine Glunz will be chatting up the GreenGov Challenge and fielding your questions.  Check out the new program at Whitehouse.gov/GreenGov and join the chat at Facebook or Whitehouse.gov/live/discuss.

    [UPDATE: This event has now concluded]

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  • Going Green - And Saving You Money

    Posted by Terrell McSweeny on October 19, 2009 at 11:00 AM EDT

    Vice President Biden and the Middle Class Task Force just finished unveiling the Recovery Through Retrofit Report, at a public event inside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Joining the Vice President at the announcement were Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Steven Chu, Secretary of Energy, Hilda Solis, Secretary of Labor, Shaun Donovan, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Karen Mills, Administrator of the Small Business Administration.

    Last May in Denver, CO the Vice President asked the White House Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) to report back to the Middle Class Task Force with a plan to make sure that the unprecedented Recovery Act investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy lay the groundwork for a self-sustaining home energy efficiency retrofit industry -- which will create good, green jobs and save middle class families money on their energy bills. CEQ answered this call by bringing together eleven Departments and Agencies and six White House offices to develop today’s report.

    The report identifies three barriers that have prevented a national market for home retrofits from taking off. First, consumers don’t have access to reliable information about retrofits. Second, the upfront costs of home retrofits can be high but consumers don’t have access to financing. Finally, there aren’t enough skilled workers to serve a robust national retrofit market.

    Recovery Through Retrofit is an action plan to address these barriers without new money and by using authority the federal government already has.

    Here’s how we will take steps toward breaking down each barrier:

    1. To give consumers the information they need, the federal government will develop a standardized measure of home energy performance that is applicable to every home as well as a home performance label to signal that a home is energy efficient – like ENERGY STAR® does for appliances.
    2. We will make it easier for homeowners to pay for home retrofits by promoting accessible and affordable financing options.
    3. We will establish nationally recognized standards for worker training and certification so when you decide to invest in a home retrofit, you can rest assured that the work will be done right. 

     

    With almost 130 million homes in the United States, there’s plenty of work to be done.   Building a nationwide home retrofit market will create good jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Right now, homes generate more than 20 percent of our carbon dioxide emissions.

    Today’s announcement is just the beginning. The Agencies, Departments and White House offices involved with this report will continue their collaboration. An interagency Energy Retrofit Working Group will submit an implementation plan to the Vice President within thirty days. In the coming months, this group will keep track of the progress we are making on the report’s recommendations and report back to the Vice President on a regular basis.

    As the Vice President said this afternoon, "when we recover—and we will recover—we will come out of this a much stronger nation, better prepared to lead the world in the 21st Century as we did in the 20th."

    We’ll come out a little greener, too.

    Terrell McSweeny is Domestic Policy Adviser to the Vice President.

     

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