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

  • All-of-the-Above, In Action

    Posted by Ken Salazar on May 9, 2012 at 8:09 AM EDT

    President Obama has made it clear that our country needs an all-of-the-above strategy to develop American energy – energy that’s cleaner, cheaper, and generates new jobs for Americans.

    On Tuesday, we took another major step forward in President Obama’s commitment to responsibly expand development of America’s abundant natural gas resources by approving the Greater Natural Buttes gas development project in Utah.

    This project, proposed by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, could produce more than six trillion cubic feet of natural gas over its life, support more than 4,000 American jobs during the different phases of development, and infuse millions of dollars into local Utah communities.

    The project is a model for a balanced approach to energy development: by using innovative technologies and best practices, the project will limit new surface disturbance to just five percent of the area. And, as part of a landmark cooperative agreement with the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, Anadarko will drill the 3,600 new wells while safeguarding air quality and ensuring the protection of critical wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation values.

    Today’s announcement exemplifies the kind of progress we are making as part of the Administration’s all-of-the-above energy strategy. In 2011, U.S. natural gas production grew by more than 7 percent – the largest year-over-year increase in history. U.S. gas production is now at an all-time high and oil production is at an eight-year high. And America’s dependence on foreign oil has gone down every single year since President Obama took office; we have cut net imports by ten percent – or a million barrels a day – in the last year alone.

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  • Smart Steps on Natural Gas

    Posted by Heather Zichal on May 4, 2012 at 4:31 PM EDT

    Since taking office, President Obama has supported an all-out, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy. A strategy that’s cleaner, cheaper, and full of new jobs.

    As part of that effort, the Administration has focused on expanding production of natural gas. After all, we have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. And this Administration will continue to take steps to develop this energy resource in a way that can help fuel our economy and, according to industry experts, support more than 600,000 jobs by the end of the decade.

    Last year, U.S. natural gas production grew by more than 7 percent in 2011 – the largest year-over-year volumetric increase in history – and easily eclipsed the previous production record set in 1973. As we produce more of this resource in the years ahead, its potential to power everything from our trucks to our factories only grows, while at the same time reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

    At the same time, it’s imperative that we develop our natural gas resources in a safe and responsible way. For the Administration, this is a top priority.

    So today – following through on a promise that the President made in his State of the Union address – the Department of Interior (DOI) has proposed a rule that will require companies to publicly disclose the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing operations on public and Indian trust lands.

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  • Supporting our Troops with Better Energy Options

    Posted by Frank Kendall on May 3, 2012 at 1:43 PM EDT

    Last night, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta addressed an Environmental Defense Fund reception in honor of the Department of Defense's leadership in advancing our nation’s security though transformative 21st century clean energy and environmental initiatives. 

    He remarked that from a security and financial perspective, we have a deep commitment to finding better energy options. For example, reducing the amount of fuel used by our equipment translates to fewer loads for supply convoys, which insurgents have targeted in places like Afghanistan. And the less we spend on fuel and energy, the more we have for other critical defense priorities. That's why, next year, DoD will invest almost $3 billion in energy efficiency and renewable energy. You can read Secretary Panetta’s remarks here.

    For our combat forces, we're investing in better generators and microgrids for our combat bases, hybrid engines for ships and vehicles, and more efficient aircraft. While some of these investments are long-term, many will result in immediate returns. For example, the Marine Corps’ Experimental Forward Operating Base (ExFOB) has been testing energy efficient and renewable technologies that make the Marines more flexible, agile, and lethal. 

    The Marine Corps KickOff Their 2012 Experimental Forward Operating Base initiative at Camp LeJeune, NC

    The Marine Corps kicked off their 2012 Experimental Forward Operating Base initiative at Camp LeJeune, NC on May 2 with Assistant Secretary of Defense Sharon Burke. Marines across Afghanistan are using energy efficient and renewable technologies to become more flexible, agile, and lethal. (Photo from the US Marine Corps)

    3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment deployed in 2010 with first generation ExFOB gear. The results spoke for themselves. The Marines operated two patrol bases solely on renewable energy, reduced energy use by 90 percent at a third base, and executed a three-week foot patrol without battery resupply, reducing load on Marines by 700 lbs. In less than a year, technologies demonstrated at this first ExFOB were deployed widely to combat forces in Afghanistan.

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  • Building on Efficiency

    Posted by Heather Zichal on May 2, 2012 at 4:01 PM EDT

    Two administration-led, industry-driven efforts marked milestones today. The first will put Americans to work on more than $2 billion in energy upgrades for federal buildings. The second will offer 30 million households and businesses more control over their energy bills. And together, these efforts will support an economy that’s built to last, one that makes use of every source of American energy – more efficiently.

    Better Buildings

    In December, as part of his We Can’t Wait initiative, the President challenged federal agencies to make at least $2 billion worth of energy-efficiency upgrades over the next two years. Meeting the first of several milestones of the challenge, federal agencies have identified $2.1 billion of projects that will pay for themselves using performance-based contracts.

    Of the $2.1 billion in energy upgrade projects identified by agencies, more than $100 million in Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) and Utility Energy Savings Contracts (UESCs) have been awarded already, and an additional $1.2 billion in projects are in development – demonstrating strong momentum towards meeting the President’s goal.

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  • The Youth Sustainability Challenge: Creating an America Built to Last

    Posted by Nancy Sutley and Lisa P. Jackson on May 2, 2012 at 3:00 PM EDT

    Today we are excited to announce a new initiative in partnership with America's young leaders. We're asking you, America's youth, to tell the world how you're fostering sustainability and creating an America built to last. Starting today, submit your video message for the Youth Sustainability Challenge and share how you're making a difference.

    This June, leaders from around the world will convene in Rio de Janeiro to mark the 20th anniversary of the historic "Earth Summit," formally known as the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. The conference is an opportunity for the world to engage in a global conversation and take action to build a healthier and more sustainable future for our planet.

    Here at home, we are focused on taking action to protect the health of our families and communities, and build a strong and growing economy and middle class. Americans are already working together to create innovative solutions to our shared global challenges, including through clean energy innovations and investments that support hundreds of thousands of jobs and have put us on track to double renewable energy generation in the U.S. by the end of this year.  

    The Obama Administration will continue to support American innovation and smart investments that will build a strong and healthy country and economy. We also believe that real progress begins with individuals who take action in their own homes and their own communities. That's why, as we prepare for the conference in Rio, we are challenging America's future leaders to do their part.

    This Tuesday, May 8, Obama Administration officials and youth sustainability leaders will gather for an event at the White House to mark the launch of this Challenge. But you can get involved now. Join the conversation. Encourage others to do the same. Demonstrate how you have power to create an America built to last – and to change our world for the better.

    • Twitter: Use the hashtag #EarthDayEveryDay
    • Facebook: Update your status and profile image

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

    Lisa P. Jackson is the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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  • Innovative Technologies, Innovative Diplomacy

    Posted by David Sandalow on April 29, 2012 at 8:32 AM EDT

    I’m on my way back from London where we’ve just wrapped-up the third Clean Energy Ministerial. This innovative forum brings public and private sector leaders from around the world together to accelerate the transition to clean energy technologies. 

    This year’s meeting was especially exciting. U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron attended one of our sessions and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon participated in another by phone. Secretary Chu spoke about the huge opportunities in cutting energy waste and the Super-efficient Equipment and Appliance Deployment (SEAD) initiative, which (no kidding) could save consumers more than $1 trillion over the next two decades. Dozens of public and private sector leaders shared lessons learned and proposals for next steps in promoting energy efficiency, clean energy and sustainable energy for all.

    Most important, we announced major new steps forward. The United Kingdom pledged more than $100 million to promote carbon capture, use and storage in the developing world.   Denmark, Germany and Spain announced a global renewable energy atlas  -- an important new on-line resource for governments or companies working to bring solar, wind and other renewable energy sources to market. The United States and Italy announced the launch of Lighting India, which will bring modern lighting services to two million people by the end of 2015. The United States announced a new program to support women working in clean energy – the Clean Energy Education & Empowerment initiative.

    The first Clean Energy Ministerial was hosted by Secretary Chu in Washington in summer 2010, growing out of a Major Economies Forum Leaders meeting the year before. The second Clean Energy Ministerial was held in Abu Dhabi in spring 2011. As this week’s London meetings made clear, countries working together under the Clean Energy Ministerial have accomplished a lot in a short time.   

    Yet we’ve only begun to tap the potential. Our initiatives are gaining steam. The fourth Clean Energy Ministerial will be held in India in 2013 and the fifth in Korea in 2014. In the months and years ahead, this innovative global forum can help speed the transition to clean energy technologies in the United States and around the world. 

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