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

  • Weatherization: New Jobs for Americans, Help for Families in Need

    Posted by Cathy Zoi on August 13, 2009 at 1:35 PM EDT

    Right now across the country, folks are getting a knock at the door from someone who is going to make their lives and homes better. As part of the Weatherization Assistance Program, low-income families are having their homes tuned-up by energy experts. These weatherization 'tune-ups' are improving comfort and saving money for householders from Florida to Utah, from Maine to Arizona -- and every state in between.

    A few weeks ago thousands of these energy experts gathered at the National Weatherization conference in Indianapolis to compare notes on how to ramp up their operations quickly and effectively. They're scaling to invest $5B of Recovery Act money -- creating huge numbers of new jobs to help families become energy-efficient.

    Take a moment to check out a few stories from the event -- they seem to love their work:
     

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    Cathy Zoi is Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy. For more information on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program or to apply for assistance, visit: www.weatherization.energy.gov

     

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  • Chair Sutley Speaks at LULAC National Convention

    Posted by CEQ on August 13, 2009 at 10:44 AM EDT

    On July 15th, Chair Nancy Sutley spoke at the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) National Convention about the importance of building a new clean energy economy that will create enormous economic opportunities for Latinos and all Americans alike. LULAC is the oldest and largest Hispanic civil rights organization in the country.
    "We can work to build an industry where we provide opportunities to the Latino American community, a critical part of the American workforce," said Chair Sutley. "Building a new clean energy economy will create enormous economic opportunities for Latinos, and it is important that people throughout the country become a part of the green economy.
    For nearly a century, LULAC has tackled many of the challenging issues Latinos have faced in a wide variety of areas, through community-based programs. Chair Sutley was honored to participate in this conference.
    While in Puerto Rico, she also had the opportunity to tour the San Juan Bay Estuary Program, one of 28 national estuaries recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency. EPA’s National Estuary Program was established by Congress in 1987 to improve the quality of estuaries of national importance and to develop plans for attaining or maintaining water quality in an estuary.
    San Juan Bay is the first tropical island estuary to take part in the program. It contains coral communities, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests, which are all designated critical habitats, and it is the home of seventeen endangered plant species and eight endangered animal species. The estuary also houses 160 bird, 19 reptile/amphibian, 124 fish, and 300 wetland plant species.
    CEQ Chair Sutley at LULAC(Photo by Luis Nuno Briones)



    CEQ Chair Sutley at LULACPhoto by Luis Nuno Briones)



    CEQ Chair Sutley at LULAC(Photo by Luis Nuno Briones)

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  • Friday Afternoon Trivia

    Posted by Secretary Steven Chu on August 7, 2009 at 4:39 PM EDT

    Here’s a trivia question for today:
    What do a Boeing 777 and a Bar-Tailed Godwit have in common? The Bar-Tailed Godwit is a bird, but that’s the only hint I’m giving you. And no fair cheating by using Google.
    Stumped? Find the answer (and what it has to do with energy independence) on my Facebook page.
     

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  • Green the Block - Live Chat @ 3pm EDT

    Posted by Cammie Croft on August 4, 2009 at 12:20 PM EDT

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    We're moving full speed ahead toward a 21st century, clean energy economy. Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, we've already invested more than $60 billion toward the green jobs of tomorrow. But as we're moving ahead, we've got to make sure we're not leaving others behind.
    That's what makes programs like the Green the Block campaign so important. Green the Block is a partnership between Green for All and the Hip Hop Caucus to educate and mobilize low-income, traditionally under-served communities to ensure they have the resources and platforms needed to access the benefits and opportunities of the growing clean energy economy.
    Today, several Obama Administration officials – including Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson, and Department of Energy Under Secretary Kristina Johnson – and members of Green the Block held a press conference outside the West Wing offices of the White House to discuss opportunities in the new green economy and announce the first major initiative of Green the Block.
    "From policy creation to community implementation, the Green the Block campaign wants to see access and opportunity created for all Americans, to build prosperity and a healthier planet for future generations," said Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr. of the Hip Hop Caucus. "The first milestone for Green the Block will be on our National Day of Service, September 11, 2009, where we will organize Green the Block service events around the country in coordination with the President's initiative, United We Serve."
    "We are ready to work, ready to serve, and ready to green our blocks," added Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins of Green for All.
    Learn more about our efforts toward building a clean energy economy today at 3pm EDT during the live chat on Facebook or at WhiteHouse.gov/live/discuss with CEQ's Van Jones and Christine Glunz.
    [UPDATE: This event has now concluded.]
     

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  • Ahoy Matey!

    Posted by Kol Peterson on July 31, 2009 at 4:13 PM EDT

    This week, the Environmental Protection Agency’s survey vessel, the BOLD, is surveying the New England coast, from Boston Harbor to the Penobscot Bay in Maine. Two EPA scientists are giving constant updates from the vessel about their experience. Frankly, it looks windy and rainy out there, but coastal monitoring is a long term initiative that goes on rain or shine.
    Map of anticipated coastal monitoring points in New England
    For budding ocean scientists, EPA has put together a great site that catalogs this week long coastal New England survey. So, stay tuned in to their adventures this week aboard the BOLD and cross your fingers for starry skies.
    The EPA's coastal monitoring vessel, the BOLD
    For more information about EPA's BOLD program, visit http://www.epa.gov/bold/.
     

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  • CEQ's New Site

    Posted by Nancy Sutley on July 21, 2009 at 11:59 AM EDT

    Check out the new and improved White House Council on Environmental Quality website! Our hope is to keep visitors informed on what is happening at CEQ and CEQ’s environmental priorities and activities. One of the major duties of the Council is to foster and promote environmental quality to meet the conservation, social, economic, and health goals of the Nation. Through our site, you can find up-to-date news on CEQ projects and announcements. The site gives some insight into areas we are focusing on in the environment and provides opportunities to give CEQ feedback and input on environmental initiatives.
    Nancy Sutley is the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality.

     

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