The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

May 09, 2014

Remarks by the President on American Energy

Walmart
Mountain View, California

9:48 A.M. PDT

THE PRESIDENT: Hello, Mountain View! (Applause.) It’s good to be in California. Everybody, have a seat. Have a seat. This is actually my third day on the West Coast. On Wednesday, we went to L.A., then we went to San Diego, we’re here in the Bay Area. But I have to get back because Sunday is what?

AUDIENCE: Mother’s Day!

THE PRESIDENT: It is Mother’s Day. That is a public service announcement -- do not forget. (Laughter.) It’s Mother’s Day.

I told Michelle one time, I said, how come people put so much emphasis on Mother’s Day, and Father’s day not so much? (Laughter.) She said every day other than Mother’s Day is Father’s Day. (Laughter and applause.) Which I thought kind of quieted me down.

I want to thank your mayor, Chris Clark, for hosting us. (Applause.) I want to thank the folks at Walmart. And I know this looks like a typical Walmart, but it is different -- and that’s why I’m here. A few years ago, you decided to put solar panels on the roof of the store. You replaced some traditional light bulbs with LEDs. You made refrigerator cases more efficient. And you even put in a charging station for electric vehicles. And all told, those upgrades created dozens of construction jobs and helped this store save money on its energy bills. And that’s why I’m here today -- because more and more companies like Walmart are realizing that wasting less energy isn’t just good for the planet, it’s good for business. It’s good for the bottom line.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, see, he agrees. (Applause.) And it means jobs.

Changing the way we use energy is just one of the ways Americans have been working so hard to move this country forward. In the wake of the worst financial and economic crisis in generations, our businesses now have created over 9.2 million new jobs. A housing market that was reeling is rebounding. An auto industry that was flat-lining is now booming. You’ve got a manufacturing sector that had lost a third of its jobs during the ‘90s and now is adding jobs for the first time. More than 8 million Americans have now signed up for health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act. (Applause.) Troops that were fighting two wars are coming home. And rather than create jobs in other countries, more companies are actually choosing to create jobs and invest right here in the United States of America.

But we’ve got a long way to go before we get to where we need to be -- which is an economy where everybody who works hard, everybody who takes responsibility has a chance to get ahead, and that we have a chance to build an economy that works not just for a few at the top, but for everybody. That’s our goal -- the idea that no matter who you are, no matter what you look like, no matter where you come from, what your last name is, if you work hard, if you take responsibility, you can make it here in America.

And that starts with helping businesses create more good jobs. One of the biggest factors in bringing jobs back to America has been our commitment to American energy over the last five years. When I took office, we set out to break our dependence on foreign oil. Today, America is closer to energy independence than we have been in decades. We generate more renewable energy than ever, with tens of thousands of good American jobs to show for it. We produce more natural gas than anyone -- and nearly everybody’s energy bill is lower because of it. So are our carbon emissions that cause climate change.

We set new fuel standards for our cars and trucks so that they’ll go twice as far on a gallon of gas by the middle of the next decade. That saves the typical family about $8,000 at the pump. And for the first time in nearly 20 years, America produces more oil here at home than we buy from other countries.

So we’re producing more traditional energy, but we’re also becoming a leader in the energy sources of the future. We’re becoming a global leader in solar, thanks in part to the investments we’ve made in the Recovery Act. Over the past few years, the cost of solar panels have fallen by 60 percent; solar installations have increased by 500 percent. Every four minutes, another American home or business goes solar, and every panel is pounded into place by a worker whose job cannot be overseas.

So today, no matter where you live or where you do business, solar is getting cheaper and is getting easier to use than before. And with more businesses and rural cooperatives and homes choosing solar, prices keep coming down, manufacturers keep getting more innovative, and more jobs are created. Last year, jobs in the solar industry increased by 20 percent.

But we’ve got more work to do. And I want to work with Congress to do it. Unfortunately, Congress has not always been as visionary on these issues as we would like. It can be a little frustrating. But in this Year of Action, wherever I can go ahead and create my own opportunities for new jobs, I'm going to take it.

And so far, I’ve taken more than 20 executive actions -- from launching new hubs to attracting more high-tech manufacturing jobs to America, to reforming our job training programs to make sure more Americans are getting the skills they need to get the jobs that exist right now.

And so today, here at Walmart, I want to announce a few more steps that we’re taking that are going to be good for job growth and good for our economy, and that we don't have to wait for Congress to do. They are going to be steps that generate more clean energy, waste less energy overall, and leave our kids and our grandkids with a cleaner, safer planet in the process.

So let me list these out. Number one, we know that making buildings more energy efficient is one of the easiest, cheapest ways to create jobs, save money, and cut down on harmful pollution that causes climate change. It could save our businesses tens of billions of dollars a year on their energy bills -- and they can then use that money to grow and hire more folks. It would put construction workers back to work installing new systems and technologies. So this is what you call a win-win-win.

So that’s why, three years ago, I announced what we called the Better Buildings Initiative. It's an ambitious plan to improve the energy efficiency of America’s commercial buildings by 20 percent by the year 2020. And already we've got 190 businesses and organizations that have signed on. On average, they’re on track to meet their goal -- cutting energy use by 2.5 percent every single year. Together, they’ve already saved $300 million in energy costs. So we know it works.

And that’s why, over the past few months, I’ve been picking up the phone and reaching out to more leaders to get them on board. And today, they’re stepping up -- from cities, school districts, businesses, universities, you're seeing folks move on energy efficiency. GM is pledging to improve energy efficiency in 31 plants. The University of Virginia is doing the same thing in its buildings. Cities like Little Rock, Kansas City and Detroit are replacing regular street lights with more efficient LEDs.

And at Walmart, you’ve committed to reducing energy consumption across 850 million square feet of space. That's a lot. That's enough to cover more than half of the city of San Francisco. Taken together, this is going to make a difference, and it's the right thing to do for the planet, but it’s also the right thing to do for the bottom line. Because when you save that money you can pass that money back to consumers in the form of lower prices, or you can use it to create more jobs.

So folks in the private sector are doing their part to create jobs and reduce pollution and cut waste. I’m making sure the federal government does its part. Two years ago, I ordered $2 billion in energy upgrades to federal buildings. Today, I’m ordering an additional $2 billion in upgrades over the next three years. And these upgrades will create tens of thousands of construction jobs and save taxpayers billions of dollars.

The Department of Energy is putting a new efficiency standard -- set of efficiency standards in place that could save businesses billions of dollars in energy costs and cut carbon pollution -- and it's the equivalent of taking about 80 million cars off the road. And I want to thank Ernie Moniz, Secretary of Energy, and Secretary Donovan -- Shaun Donovan of HUD -- who are here today because they’ve shown extraordinary leadership on these issues. That's worth applauding. (Applause.)

So that’s the first announcement. Cities, schools, businesses, the federal government -- we’re all going to pledge to waste less energy and we’ve got concrete strategies that we know work.

The second announcement is about more Americans coming together to use more clean energy. Last month, I called up leaders from a whole range of industries and made the economic case for why solar is a good idea. And they listened. And today, more than 300 organizations -- from homebuilders, to affordable housing owners, to companies like Home Depot and Apple -- announced that they are going to expand the use of solar energy, thereby creating more jobs and cutting carbon pollution.

We’ve got public banks like Connecticut’s Green Bank and private banks like Goldman Sachs ready to invest billions of dollars in renewable energy. The Treasury Department and the IRS are making it easier for renewable energy companies to operate and attract investment. And we’re going to support training programs at community colleges across the country that will help 50,000 workers earn the skills that solar companies are looking for right now.

Walmart has already got the most installed on-site solar capacity of any company in America. And now you’ve announced plans to double that capacity. And it’s all part of your goal to buy or produce 7 billion kilowatt hours of renewable energy by 2020 -- something that could save Walmart $1 billion a year in energy costs.

So we know that generating more clean energy, using less dirty energy, and wasting less energy overall can be good for business and consumers. And it’s also good for the world that we leave for our children.

So together, the commitments we’re announcing today prove that there are cost-effective ways to tackle climate change and create jobs at the same time. So often, when we hear about how we’re going to deal with this really serious issue, people say we can’t afford to do it; it won’t be good for the economy. It will be good for the economy long term -- and if we don’t, that will be bad for the economy. Rising sea levels, drought, more wildfires, more severe storms -- those are bad for the economy. So we can’t afford to wait. And there’s no reason why we can’t even go further than we are so far by working with states and utilities, and other organizations to change the way we power our economy. Climate change is real and we have to act now.

Earlier this week, I issued -- or we issued a report that was years in the making called the National Climate Assessment. Hundreds of scientists, experts and businesses, not-for-profits, local communities all contributed over the course of four years. What they found was unequivocally that climate change is not some far-off problem in the future. It’s happening now. It’s causing hardship now. It’s affecting every sector of our economy and our society -- more severe floods, more violent wildfires. It’s already costing cities and states and families and businesses money.

Here in California, you’ve seen these effects firsthand. You know what’s happening. And increasingly, more and more Americans do -- including, by the way, many Republicans outside of Washington.

So unfortunately, inside of Washington we’ve still got some climate deniers who shout loud, but they’re wasting everybody’s time on a settled debate. Climate change is a fact.

And while we know the shift to clean energy won’t happen overnight, we’ve got to make some tough choices along the way. And we know that if we do, it’s going to save us ultimately money and create jobs over the long term. That's what Walmart understands, and Walmart is pretty good at counting its pennies.

So that’s why this fight is so important. That’s why the sooner we work together to adapt the economy to this reality of climate change, the more likely it is that we do right by our kids and leave a more stable world. And ultimately that's what motivates a whole lot of us.

As Americans, we don’t look backwards. We look forward. We don’t fear the future, we seize it. We shape it. And when it comes to energy, we have a chance to shape that sector that is probably going to have more to do with how well our economy succeeds than just about any other. We are blessed when it comes to energy, but we’re much more blessed when it comes to the innovation and the dynamism and the creativity of our economy.

If we do our part right now to rebuild an economy and transition to a clean energy future, we will create new jobs, we will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, we will leave our children with a better America and a better future.

So thank you very much, everybody. God bless you. (Applause.) Thanks to all the companies who are doing the great work, and the not-for-profits. We appreciate your leadership.

Thank you, guys. Happy Mother’s Day, moms! (Applause.)

END
10:02 A.M. PDT

The Roof of the White House

John Podesta

May 09, 2014
01:25 PM EDT

Earlier this afternoon, John Podesta, Counselor to the President, sent the following message to the White House email list. In the email, he highlights the solar panels on the White House roof, as well as the outstanding solar progress our country is making.

Didn't get the email? Make sure you're signed up for White House email updates.

On America’s path toward a clean energy future, solar power is an increasingly important building block.

That's why we installed solar panels on the roof of the White House – it’s a clear sign of our commitment to energy efficiency.

Go behind the scenes with Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz and other experts, and take a closer look at the solar panels on the White House roof:

Watch on YouTube

Remarks by National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice at Palmachim Air Force Base, Israel

Good morning everyone, it’s really wonderful to be back in Israel, and I want to start by congratulating the people of Israel on your celebration of 66 years of independence this week. I met with President Peres and Prime Minister Netanyahu on my visit over the last couple of days, and I had a chance to convey President Obama’s warmest wishes as well.

I want to begin by saying to Yossi and General Shohat, as you know I just had the opportunity to take a tour and see the outstanding work you’re doing to keep the Israeli people secure. Visiting this base, it’s clear that the strength and depth of the security cooperation between Israel and the United States has never been greater. Indeed under President Obama’s leadership, we’ve taken our security cooperation to unprecedented levels.

Just two months ago, our governments signed an agreement, under which nearly half a billion dollars from the United States will be invested in the Iron Dome system. That will take our total investment in Iron Dome, which has saved countless Israeli lives, to nearly $900 million – a sign of our continued commitment to Israel’s security. We’re going to fund additional batteries that will protect more Israeli communities, military bases, and critical infrastructure from rocket and mortar attacks. And that’s why, here at Palmachim Air Force Base, where brave Israeli men and women in uniform operate cutting edge American and Israeli technology, there can be no doubt whatsoever: America’s commitment to Israel’s security is unwavering and ironclad.

Together, we’ve made enormous progress in our missile defense technology, including in the Arrow 3 and David’s Sling programs. But obviously, our work is not done. We will continue our joint research, our joint investment and our joint training. We remain deeply committed to Israel’s qualitative military edge, and this impressive facility and all the work being done here is a wonderful example of that enduring partnership.

The American people care deeply about the people of Israel. We admire your commitment to advancing the values of a free and open society, while facing the uncertainties of living in a very challenging neighborhood. Our two nations are forever bound by our shared history and our shared values, and every American dollar spent on Israel’s security is an investment in protecting the many interests that our nations share—whether that’s preventing rockets from terrorizing the Israeli people, defending against the growing ballistic missile threat in the region, or advancing our commitment to defend freedom and democracy.

Thank you all for your service and for your friendship with the American people.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

May 09, 2014

Proclamation-- Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 2014

PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY AND POLICE WEEK, 2014

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Each year, America sets aside a week to salute the men and women who do the difficult, dangerous, and often thankless work of safeguarding our communities. Our Nation's peace officers embody the very idea of citizenship -- that along with our rights come responsibilities, both to ourselves and to others. During Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, we celebrate those who protect and serve us every minute of every day, and we honor the courageous officers who devoted themselves so fully to others that in the process they laid down their lives.

As we mourn the fallen, let us also remember how they lived. With unflinching commitment, they defended our schools and businesses. They guarded prisons; patrolled borders; and kept us safe at home, on the road, and as we went about our lives. To their families, we owe an unpayable debt. And to the men and women who carry their mission forward, we owe our unyielding support.

Our Nation has an obligation to ensure that as police officers face untold risks in the line of duty, we are doing whatever we can to protect them. This means providing all necessary resources so they can get the job done, hiring new officers where they are needed most, and investing in training to prepare those on the front lines for potentially deadly situations. It also means making reforms to curb senseless epidemics of violence that threaten law enforcement officers and haunt the neighborhoods they serve.

Just as police officers never let down their guard, we must never let slide our gratitude. We should extend our thanks not only in times of tragedy, but for every tragedy averted -- every accident avoided because a patrol officer took a drunk driver off the streets, every child made safer because a criminal was brought to justice, every life saved because police officers raced to the scene. In other words, we must show our gratitude every day.

By a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962, as amended (76 Stat. 676), and by Public Law 103-322, as amended (36 U.S.C. 136-137), the President has been authorized and requested to designate May 15 of each year as "Peace Officers Memorial Day" and the week in which it falls as "Police Week."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 15, 2014, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 11 through May 17, 2014, as Police Week. I call upon all Americans to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also call on Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of the other territories subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day. I further encourage all Americans to display the flag at half-staff from their homes and businesses on that day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

May 09, 2014

Presidential Proclamation -- National Women's Health Week, 2014

NATIONAL WOMEN'S HEALTH WEEK, 2014

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

As Americans, we strive for a Nation of broad-based prosperity, where hard work pays off and everyone can go as far as their dreams allow. Over the past half-century, women have opened up vast horizons for themselves and their daughters. Yet many still work harder for less, and because of gender inequality in areas like health care, they have had to stretch paychecks further to make ends meet. During National Women's Health Week, we recommit to expanding women's access to care, fighting discrimination, and advancing the opportunity agenda.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) prohibits insurers from charging women higher premiums simply because of their gender. Insurance companies can no longer discriminate against women due to pregnancy, or deny coverage because of pre-existing conditions. Thanks to the ACA, women can receive preventive services like contraceptive care, recommended cancer screenings, and annual well-woman visits at no out-of-pocket cost. And this year, millions of women signed up for affordable coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace while millions more gained insurance through the expansion of Medicaid. To learn more about resources available to women and girls, visit www.HealthCare.gov, www.WomensHealth.gov, or www.GirlsHealth.gov.

As we continue to implement this law, my Administration remains dedicated to protecting women's rights to make their own health care decisions. The past few years have seen an orchestrated and historic effort to roll back these basic rights. States have enacted laws aimed at banning or severely limiting the right to choose and introduced legislation that would cut off access to common forms of birth control. Together, we must reject policies that aim to turn back the clock.

This week, let us uphold the principle of equality in health care. Let us affirm that women alone -- not insurance executives, not politicians, and not their bosses -- have the right to make decisions about their own health.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 11 through May 17, 2014, as National Women's Health Week. I encourage all Americans to celebrate the progress we have made in protecting women's health and to promote awareness, prevention, and educational activities that improve the health of all women.

BARACK OBAMA

West Wing Week 05/09/14 or, “Reach Higher"

May 08, 2014 | 4:02 | Public Domain

This week, the First Lady launched her new Reach Higher education initiative, while the President hosted two bilateral meetings and a press conference, let loose some humor at the White House Correspondents Dinner, and traveled to Arkansas and California.

Download mp4 (80MB)

West Wing Week 05/09/14 or, “Reach Higher”

Adam Garber

May 09, 2014
08:00 AM EDT

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The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

May 09, 2014

FACT SHEET: President Obama Announces Commitments and Executive Actions to Advance Solar Deployment and Energy Efficiency

Private and Public Sector Commitments and Executive Actions Will Create Jobs and Cut

Carbon Pollution

Today, President Obama announced more than 300 private and public sector commitments to create jobs and cut carbon pollution by advancing solar deployment and energy efficiency. The commitments represent more than 850 megawatts of solar deployed – enough to power nearly 130,000 homes – as well as energy efficiency investments that will lower bills for more than 1 billion square feet of buildings. Additionally, the President announced new executive actions that will lead to $2 billion in energy efficiency investments in Federal buildings; smarter appliances that will cut carbon pollution by more than 380 million metric tons – equivalent to taking 80 million cars off the road for one year – and will save businesses nearly $26 billion on their energy bills; and training programs at community colleges across the country that will assist 50,000 workers to enter the solar industry by 2020.

President Obama is committed to making 2014 a year of action and has pledged to use the power of his phone and his pen to expand opportunity for all Americans. Last month, the White House hosted a Solar Summit celebrating cross-sector leadership on solar and calling for commitments to support solar deployment and jobs through the expand use of solar in our homes, businesses, and schools. The President has also called on private and public sector leaders to join the Better Buildings Challenge and continue improving the efficiency of American commercial, institutional, and multifamily buildings and industrial plants by 20 percent or more over ten years.

Today, leaders from the private and public sectors are answering the call. Altogether, more than 300 multifamily housing, homebuilder and home improvement, rural electric cooperative, commercial sector (including retailers, food service, and hospitality), and public sector (including states, cities, school districts) organizations are announcing commitments.

The commitments made today build on the momentum that is driving solar deployment and energy efficiency investments all across the country:

Last year, about a quarter of new power generation capacity was from solar – second only to natural gas.
Growing deployment, led in large part by the utility sector, has driven down costs: Over the last three years, the cost of a solar energy system has dropped by more than 50 percent – helping to give more and more American families and businesses access to affordable, clean energy.
Since the President took office, America has increased its electricity generation from solar more than ten-fold and tripled electricity production from wind power.
Since the President took office, the Department of Energy has already put in place appliance efficiency standards that will save American consumers nearly $450 billion on their utility bills through 2030.

To further support solar deployment, reduce the amount of energy consumed by American families, cut down on their energy bills, and create jobs, today, the President is taking new executive actions to:

Build a skilled solar workforce;
Provide innovative financing for deploying solar;
Drive investment in energy upgrades to federal buildings;
Improve appliance efficiency; and
Strengthen building codes.

The private sector commitments and executive actions announced today reinforce American leadership in innovating and deploying clean energy, cutting energy waste, and creating good paying jobs that cannot be outsourced.

NEW EXECUTIVE ACTIONS

President Obama Announces Executive Actions that will Create Jobs and

Cut Carbon Pollution

As part of this Year of Action, the President has taken numerous actions to advance our nation’s energy and climate goals and expand opportunities for hardworking Americans to get ahead. But there’s more work to do. That’s why, today, the President announced a series of executive actions that will create jobs, reduce carbon pollution, and cut energy waste.

UNLOCKING LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IN CLEAN ENERGY AND JOBS

Solar is a vital component of the Administration’s all-of the above energy strategy. Supported by historic investments in research, development, and deployment, the price of solar technologies has decreased and the U.S. solar market has experienced rapid growth since President Obama took office. The President is committed to continuing this momentum. That’s why, last month, the White House hosted a Solar Summit to honor cross-sector leadership on solar and announce new steps to expand the use of solar in our homes, businesses, and schools. Today, the President is announcing new initiatives to further support solar deployment and create good paying American jobs that can’t be outsourced.

Building a Skilled Solar Workforce: To enable a skilled workforce to support the growth of solar deployment across America, the DOE’s Solar Instructor Training Network will support training programs at community colleges across the country that will assist 50,000 workers to enter the solar industry by 2020. This builds upon SunShot’s existing Solar Instructor Training Network of nearly 400 community colleges in 49 states that have trained over 22,000 people to join the solar industry since 2010. These community colleges include:
- San Francisco City College, San Francisco, CA
- Oglala Lakota Community College, Kyle, SD (Oglala Lakota Tribe)
- Kankakee Community College, Kankakee, IL
- St. Phillips College, San Antonio, TX
- Forsyth Technical Community College, Winston Salem, NC
- Greenfield Community College, Greenfield, MA

HUD and DOE are also partnering to advance available educational opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields to support energy literacy and employment opportunities in the solar sector for public housing residents.

Providing Innovative Financing for Deploying Solar: Building on the success of the Defense Department’s coordinated efforts to purchase renewables – and leverage its buying power to deploy clean energy technologies like solar – the General Services Administration is identifying opportunities for potential Federal Aggregated Solar Procurements in both the National Capital Region and Northern California. The effort seeks to bring together multiple Federal agencies to capitalize on economies of scale with the goal of lower electricity bills for individual sites, and increased renewable energy production, while reducing internal agency overhead costs by sharing procurement and project management resources.

In addition, in a step forward for renewable energy, the Treasury Department and IRS will shortly clarify how certain investment rules relate to renewable energy installations. This is important because real estate investment trusts (REITs), a key component of many retail investors’ portfolios, generally hold only real property. The new guidance will provide clarity regarding the treatment of renewable energy installations in REITs, thereby helping to promote investment in the sector.

REDUCING ENERGY BILLS FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES

Energy efficiency is one of the clearest and most cost-effective opportunities to save families money, make our businesses more competitive, and reduce carbon pollution. That’s why the President established a new goal for energy efficiency standards in his Climate Action Plan and directed his Administration to reduce barriers to investment in energy efficiency and expand the Better Buildings Challenge. As part of the President’s Year of Action the Administration has already issued three proposed and four final energy efficiency standards, expanded the Better Buildings Challenge to include multifamily housing, and announced new funding for innovative energy efficiency projects located in the U.S. To further reduce the amount of energy consumed by American families, cut down on their energy bills, and create jobs, today, the President announced new initiatives to:

Drive $2 Billion in Energy Efficiency Investments for Federal Buildings: Today, President Obama is announcing an additional $2 billion goal in federal energy efficiency upgrades to Federal buildings over the next 3 years. Today’s challenge, in combination with the initial commitment of $2 billion in 2011, will result in a total of $4 billion in energy efficiency performance contracts in the Federal sector through 2016. These investments will save Americans billions in energy costs, promote energy independence, and, according to independent estimates, create tens of thousands of jobs in the hard-hit construction sector. The $2 billion investment announced today extends and expands the President’s commitment to energy upgrades of Federal buildings using long-term energy savings to pay for up-front costs, at no net cost to taxpayers. Federal agencies have already committed to a pipeline of nearly $2.7 billion in projects.
Breaking through Market and Technical Barriers: As part of the President’s Climate Action Plan, the Energy Department created three Better Building Accelerators in December 2013 to support and encourage ongoing state- and local government-led effort to save money and energy. Building off of this progress, today, DOE is launching a High Performance Outdoor Lighting Accelerator to increase the adoption and use of high efficiency outdoor lighting in the public sector. This Accelerator is aimed at replacing more than 500,000 outdoor lighting poles and developing best practice approaches to municipal system-wide upgrades. The charter cities include:
- Detroit, MI
- Mid-America Regional Council representing Kansas City, MO metro area
- West Palm Beach, FL
- Little Rock, AK
- Huntington Beach, CA
Improve Appliance Efficiency: Today, DOE is issuing two final energy efficiency conservation standards. One standard for electric motors, which are frequently used to power devices such as conveyor belts and escalators, another standard for walk-in coolers and freezers, such as those used to display milk in supermarkets. Through 2030, these standards will help cut carbon pollution by about 158 million metric tons – equivalent to the annual electricity use of more than 21 million U.S. homes and will save consumers over $26 billion on their energy bills. Since June, the Department has issued nine proposed and five final energy conservation standards, and when combined with the final rules already issued under this Administration, will surpass 70 percent of the President's goal of reducing carbon pollution by at least 3 billion metric tons cumulatively by 2030.
Strengthen Building Codes: Today, the Department of Energy is preliminarily affirming that industry’s latest commercial building energy code – the 2013 edition of ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 – provide an additional 8.5 percent energy savings over the previous Standard, and up to 30 percent savings compared to today’s predominant state energy codes. The updated code will help states and the Federal government save money and energy on building operations and cut emissions by 230 million metric tons of CO2 by 2030. Since 2009, improved codes for residential and commercial buildings have already saved U.S. homes and businesses $44 billion on their energy bills, today’s action builds off of this progress.
Expand Multifamily Housing Energy Finance Solutions Through Green Preservation Plus: Fannie Mae and HUD/The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced the expansion of the Green Preservation Plus program, an enhanced financing option aimed at preserving quality affordable housing by encouraging the investment in energy- and water-saving property improvements. Green Preservation Plus, formerly Green Refinance Plus, is a Fannie Mae-FHA Multifamily mortgage loan execution that provides extra loan proceeds to owners of affordable housing properties to make energy- and water-efficient property improvements. To be eligible for a Green Preservation Plus mortgage loan, owners must commit to making energy- and water-saving improvements in an amount equal to at least 5% of the mortgage loan amount. These improvements can significantly reduce energy and water consumption at the property, thereby improving the operating income for the owner, lowering utility costs for tenants and the updating the property.

PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR COMMITMENTS

The commitments President Obama announced today span every corner of the United States, from a 75 year old vegetable farm in California to a rural electric coop in Kentucky, from the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority to a homebuilder in Texas, and from a retailer with stores all across America to research universities in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, showing that no matter where you live using clean sources of power and cutting energy waste is not an abstract idea, it’s a smart choice for American businesses and families.

Commitments to Advance Solar Deployment. Solar is becoming affordable and accessible – a smart option – for a growing number of families and businesses. Supported by historic investments in research, development, and deployment, the price of solar technologies has decreased and the U.S. solar market has experienced rapid growth since President Obama took office. Last year was a record-breaking year for new solar installations, and the amount of solar power installed in the United States has increased nearly eleven fold – from 1.2 gigawatts in 2008 to an estimated 13 gigawatts today, which is enough to power more than 2.2 million American homes.

Today, responding to the President’s call to action on solar deployment, leaders from across sectors are making commitments that will expand the use of solar in our homes, businesses, and schools – creating jobs and cutting carbon pollution. For these leaders, solar makes economic sense today; it’s something that works now:

MULTIFAMILY AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING LEADERS: Across the country, low-income housing leaders and service providers are stepping up to deploy solar on affordable multifamily properties; because solar makes economic sense for them, brings an economic boost to struggling communities and families, and it’s something that works now.
- WinnCompanies, the largest manager of affordable multifamily housing in the nation, has developed over 1 megawatt (MW) and is setting a goal of an additional 4 MW by 2020.
- Hispanic Housing Development Corporation, through its subsidiary Affordable Community Energy, Inc., a non-profit providing housing and energy services to low-income communities across the Midwest, is on track to install 600 kW of solar by May and commits to add 530 kW of additional solar by the end of 2015.
- Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF) and its eleven members joined together to reduce energy and water consumption by 20 percent by 2020 through their Big Reach Initiative. These efforts have the potential to contribute 500,000 therms and 4 MW of solar PV.
- Enterprise Community Partners, which facilitates affordable multifamily housing across the country, is announcing a 16 MW target totaling $40 million in investment by 2020 in D.C., Denver, Boston, LA, and Chicago.
- GRID Alternatives, a nonprofit organization, will help install 100 MW of solar power on affordable single-family and multifamily housing across the country by 2024; GRID Alternatives has also launched a new Tribal Solar Initiative to ensure that American Indian tribes have access to the benefits of solar power.
- National Housing Trust, an innovative affordable housing developer and owner, will install 400 kW of solar PV and 15,000 therms of Solar thermal this year; in 2015, will add another 100 kW of PV and 5,000 therms of Solar Thermal.
- LINC Housing, a non-profit organization that builds, owns, and operates affordable housing, is committed to installing 826 kilowatt (kW) of solar PV across over 1,000 units of affordable housing in California by 2016.
- Denver Housing Authority recently installed 2.5 MW of solar and continues its commitment of adding solar to every new phase of redevelopment as evidenced by its installation of another 100kw on Mariposa Phase VI starting construction in the fall of 2014. The housing authority is also developing a comprehensive district wide energy design program for PV and g‎eothermal energy under a micro-utility structure for Denver's 100 acre Sun Valley neighborhood.
- EAH Housing, a nonprofit housing development and management corporation, has 3.1 MW of on-site solar PV in their affordable housing portfolio and is committed to an additional 20 projects – a total of nearly 10 MW.
- Black Rock Solar, a non-profit clean energy organization, has a goal of installing 11 MW across housing and community facilities by 2017.
- Community Power Network is setting a goal of 1 MW of solar installed across 200 projects in DC, MD, and VA by 2015.
- Yolo County Housing Authority is setting a goal to install of 900kw of solar by 2016.
- Global Green USA is setting a goal to install 1 MW of solar by 2017.
- Affirmed Housing Group, a multi-family affordable housing provider, will add 550 KW of on-site solar across 2 projects.
- Bayview Community Development Corp., a multi-family affordable housing provider, will add 400 KW of on-site solar across 1 project.
- Chelsea Investment Corporation, a multi-family affordable housing provider, will add 6.5 MW of on-site solar across a total of 20 projects.

Community Housing Works, a multi-family affordable housing provider, will add 3.5 MW of on-site solar across a total of 22 projects.
Community Advancement Corp., a multi-family affordable housing provider, will add 255 KW of on-site solar across a total of 7 projects.
The Core Companies, a multi-family affordable housing provider, will add 1.6 MW of on-site solar across a total of 4 projects.
Horizon Development/Preservation Partners, a multi-family affordable housing provider, will add 450 KW of on-site solar across a total of 2 projects.
Innovative Housing Opportunities, a multi-family affordable housing provider, will add 500 KW of on-site solar across a total of 5 projects.
Mutual Housing California, a multi-family affordable housing provider, will add 800 KW of on-site solar across a total of 6 projects.
Standard Property Company, a multi-family affordable housing provider, will add 2.6 MW of on-site solar across a total of 4 projects.
The Reliant Group, a multi-family affordable housing provider, will add 800 KW of on-site solar across a total of 6 projects.
Urban Housing Communities, a multi-family affordable housing provider, will add 300 KW of on-site solar across a total of 3 projects.
VITUS, a multi-family affordable housing provider, will add 450 KW of on-site solar across a total of 1 project.
Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation, a multi-family affordable housing provider, will add 542 KW of on-site solar across a total of 4 projects.
HOMEBUILDERS AND HOME IMPROVEMENT LEADERS: Part of tapping the full potential of solar means making it accessible for new homebuyers and homeowners. This group of leaders is stepping up to make it possible for more new homebuyers and homeowners to have solar available as an option.
- The Home Depot will position over 1000 stores to be learning centers for residential solar power systems by 2016. Home Depot customers in AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, MA, MD, OR, NJ, NY, and PA can already choose solar.
- Lennar is making a significant commitment to more than double in size over the next several years, a groundbreaking program that includes solar as a standard feature in new homes in 80 communities across the country where consumers purchase the solar energy produced on their roofs at a guaranteed 20% discount off retail electricity rates for 20 years.
- Pulte Homes offers solar as an option in every current community in Southern California and Nevada as well as 3 communities in Arizona where solar is a standard feature. This will result in over 11,200 new homes with solar.
- Balfour Beatty is working to deploy solar on military base housing – including a project for 13.2MW on Fort Bliss, fulfilling more than 25% of the housing community’s electricity needs.
- CertainTeed Roofing, a manufacturer of building materials for both commercial and residential construction, is committing to solarize 16,000 homes, equivalent to 81 MW, over the next three years in the U.S.
- Scudder Roofing, a full-service residential and commercial contractor has a new goal to install solar for over 500 homes and commercial entities over the next three years.
- State Roofing Systems is committed to installing 3 MW of solar over the next three years.
- Beutler Corporation, one of the largest HVAC companies in the U.S., is committed to 5.4 MW of residential and 3 MW of small commercial solar over the next three years.
- 22 New Homebuilders, partnering with the Department of Energy, announced commitments to construct nearly 10,000 Zero Energy Ready Homes - outfitted for solar - supporting the DOE's goal of 75,000 Zero Energy Ready Homes by 2020:

Meritage Homes
Garbett Homes
New Town Builders
HouZE
Clayton Homes
HAO Texas Builder
Midtown Residential

Mandalay Homes
- Palo Duro Homes
  - Community Empowerment
- Green Team Real Estate
- CCRB
- Mutual Housing California
- Hyde Homes
- Nexus Energy Homes
- Bruns Realty Group
- Cobblestone
- M Street Homes
- Caribella Homes
- Christian Builders
- GEOS
- David Weekly Homes
- Desert Alliance for

RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE LEADERS: Across the country, member-owned, not-for-profit rural electric cooperatives are deploying a variety of solar options, including more than fifty community solar projects. Today, America’s electric cooperatives are announcing 199 rural electric co-ops in 27 states and American Samoa are planning solar installations that will provide over 150 MW of new solar capacity by 2020.
COMMERCIAL SECTOR LEADERS: Hundreds of American-based companies are choosing solar power as an energy source. Today, the following commercial sector leaders are rising to the President’s Challenge and committing to increase onsite solar generation at their facilities and within their supply chains:
- Wal-mart commits to double the number of onsite solar energy projects at U.S. stores, Sam’s Clubs, and Distribution Centers by 2020, as part of their commitment to drive the production or procurement of 7 billion kWh of renewable energy by the end of the decade.
  - Kaiser Permanente commits to increase its onsite generation capacity in 2014 with additional solar installations at numerous locations, including thier new Oakland Medical Center, the Hidden Lake Medical Offices in Colorado, and at various Hawaii sites; and is investigating adding as much as 40 megawatts of onsite solar power capacity through installations at dozens of our medical campuses throughout California.
  - Ikea commits to use renewable energy generation at their new U.S. IKEA store locations, when feasible, with a focus on evaluating the viability of using solar and geothermal generation. Ikea is also announcing that their Miami, Florida store, which will open in summer 2014, will be their 40^th US location with solar PV.
  - Apple, already running its data centers on 100% renewable energy, is now building a 2.8 million square-foot headquarters which will also run entirely on renewables, including 16 MW of rooftop solar. Apple has committed to powering all its facilities with green energy sources and has already achieved 94% of that goal.
  - Clif Bar is launching their 50/50 by 2020 initiative, asking their supply chain partners to use green power –including solar --for the electricity used to make their ingredients, packaging and products. Their goal is to have 50 key supply chain partners transition to at least 50% green power by 2020.
  - Viridity Energy will drive the creation of 300 MW of new battery storage for solar and other renewables by 2017. This will help make our electric grid more robust and efficient, while enabling it to accept more power from solar and other renewable energy sources.
  - Bonipak, a 75-year old farm and one of the largest growers and processors of fresh vegetables distributing to retailers, wholesalers and food service customers worldwide has set a goal to install over 2 MW of solar over the next year
  - Taylor Farms, which partners with hundreds of farmers across North America to produce ingredients for salads, set a goal to install 1 MW of solar.
  - Yahoo is committing to add a solar installation to their Sunnyvale headquarters by early 2015 to complement their efforts to source from clean energy.
  - Google is announcing a $1 million prize to develop the next generation of power inverters, enabling solar power in more homes and helping bring electricity to the most remote places on Earth.

LEADING FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS: Private finance is critical to scaling solar and renewables, which make sound, reliable investments. The following financial institutions are leading the way, announcing today new plans to grow solar and renewable installation through large scale investment and innovative programs.

Connecticut’s Green Bank, the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority, commits to help fund 75 MW of solar PV in Connecticut by 2016. The Green Bank attracts private capital by leveraging public financing at a ratio of 9 to 1, enabling Connecticut to go solar at a lower cost to ratepayers.
Citi is committed to continue expanding its finance efforts to scale distributed generation solar in the US. Citi will support public and private sector clients, and employ a number of financing mechanisms and partners, with a total financing target of $1 billion over the next three years.
Boston Community Capital, an innovative community development financial institution supporting low-income communities will develop four megawatts of solar energy projects primarily for affordable housing developments and community-based nonprofits by, doubling their program's current capacity.
In 2012, Goldman Sachs extended its long-standing commitment to support renewable energy by establishing a global target of $40 billion in financings and co- investments towards clean technology over the coming decade. Of this amount, today it announces a target of $10 billion for distributed generation renewables, including solar, in the U.S. through 2021.

Commitments to Advance Energy Efficiency Investments. In February 2011, President Obama launched the Better Buildings Challenge to help American commercial and industrial buildings become at least 20 percent more energy efficient by 2020. More than 190 diverse organizations, representing over 3 billion square feet, 600 manufacturing plants and close to $2 billion in energy efficiency financing have stepped up to the President’s Challenge. Through 2013, Partners are on track to meet the 2020 goal and on average, are cutting energy use by 2.5 percent each year. Partners have saved 36 trillion BTUs and $300 million since the Better Buildings Challenge began.

Today, responding to the President’s call to action on energy efficiency, leaders from across the country are making commitments that will advance energy efficiency investments.

25 new states, cities, school districts, multifamily housing, retailers, food service, hospitality and manufacturing organizations are announcing that they are joining as Partners in the President’s Better Buildings Challenge, committing to improving the energy efficiency of more than 1 billion square feet, an area the size of 17,000 football fields, of additional floor space by at least 20 percent by 2020.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools commits 13 million square feet of school buildings.
Balfour Beatty Communities commits 50 million square feet of multifamily residential housing across 44,000 units.
Capitol Hill Housing commits more than 1 million square feet of multifamily residential housing.
Commonwealth Partners commits 11 million square feet across its commercial properties.
Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, the 7th largest Public Housing Authority in the country, commits its multifamily portfolio over 10,500 units.
Eastman Chemical commits 8 plants.
General Mills commits 27 plants.
General Motors commits 31 plants covering 84 million square feet.
HARBEC commits 1 plant covering 50,000 square feet.
Hilton Worldwide commits its company owned portfolio of 14 million square feet.
Jonathan Rose Companies commits 2.7 million square feet across 2,855 multifamily housing units.
City of Margate, FL commits 120,000 square feet.
MGM Resorts International commits 78 million square feet.
Minneapolis Public Housing Authority commits almost 4.5 million square feet of affordable multifamily housing.
New Bedford Housing Authority commits 2.6 million square feet across 2500 multifamily housing units.
Penn State University commits 28 million square feet.
Rockford Housing Authority commits 3 million square feet across more than 1,000 multifamily housing units.
City of San Diego, CA commits 9.5 million square feet.
Towson University commits 5.5 million square feet campus-wide.
University of Virginia, commits 15 million square feet.
UTC commits 159 plants covering 38 million square feet.
Walmart commits 850 million square feet.
Whole Foods Market commits close to 13 million square feet.
VLV commits 25,000 square feet of multifamily residential housing.
Volvo commits 8 plants covering 5 million square feet.
Wishrock Investment Group commits 8 million square feet across 8,000 multifamily housing units.

Today, 7 new financial allies are also stepping up to the Better Buildings Challenge. These leadings organizations have committed to deliver innovative financing solutions and products to help owners and managers of multifamily housing and other organizations with energy efficiency upgrades. The new financial allies include:

California Housing Partnership Corporation commits $25 million.
Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA) commits $25 million.
Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. commits $25 million.
Hannon Armstrong commits $250 million.
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) commits $25 million.
Low Income Investment Fund commits $2.5 million.
Triple Bottom Line (TBL) Fund commits $25 million.

20 Better Buildings Challenge Partners are committing to participate in a new expansion of the Better Buildings Challenge to cut energy wasted from the inefficient use of water. The commercial and industrial sectors account for more than 25% of the withdrawals from public water supplies and many organizations in these sectors may have savings opportunities of 20 to 40%. The efficient use of water resources results in lower operating costs, a more reliable water supply, and improved water quality. Energy is also required to transport and treat water, saving water also saves energy. Given this nexus, thru the Better Buildings Challenge, DOE will is working with a small, diverse group of Better Buildings Challenge Partners to demonstrate successful approaches to saving water and decreasing their utility bills.
Aeon
CampusCrest Communities
City of Atlanta
Cummins
Eden Housing
Ford Motor Company
City of Fort Worth
General Motors
HARBEC
Kohl's Department Stores
- NHT/Enterprise Preservation Corporation
- Nissan North America
- Poudre School District, CO
- St Gobain
- Staples
- TIAA-CREF
- Tonti Properties
- Transwestern
- Trinity Management
- City of West Palm Beach

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

May 08, 2014

Remarks by the President at DNC Reception -- San Jose, CA

Fairmont San Jose
San Jose, California

7:50 P.M. PDT

THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody! (Applause.) Hello, California!

AUDIENCE MEMBER: We love you!

THE PRESIDENT: I love you back! It is good to be back in San Jose. (Applause.) I think one of the times I came here I started singing the Dionne Warwick song -- did I do that? (Laughter.) It was pretty good.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Do it again!

THE PRESIDENT: No, I'm not going to do it tonight. (Laughter.) Maybe after the midterms. Maybe I'll sing it to you separately. (Laughter.)

A couple of people I want to thank -- first of all, our outstanding co-hosts, Sam and Marissa. Please give them a big round of applause. (Applause.) We've got your own State Assemblywoman, Nora Campos, here. (Applause.) Way to go, Nora! There she is. And we have our outstanding DNC Finance Chair Henry Muñoz here. (Applause.) And all of you are here. (Applause.) Yay!

I am thrilled to see all of you. Some of you are old friends who have been working with me since I was a U.S. senator and nobody could pronounce my name. Some of you have been knowing me since I was a state senator. (Applause.) Exactly. See, you’ve got an Illinois guy here.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: North Side.

THE PRESIDENT: We've got a Chicago guy. All right, I can't name all the places you guys are from. (Laughter.) A lot of you worked on the campaign and on OFA -- (applause) -- and I couldn't be more grateful for that. And I want to give you a little update about where we are.

We came into office at a time when America was in dire straits, and we have made enormous progress over the last five-something years. We've created 9.2 million jobs. (Applause.) Auto industry has come roaring back. (Applause.) We have reduced our oil imports. We are producing more clean energy than ever before. We have seen college attendance go up; we've seen high school dropouts go down. And there are millions of Americans all across the country, including right here in California, who finally have the financial and emotional security of affordable health care. (Applause.) That has all happened over the last five and a half years.

But for all that we've done, for the war in Iraq that we've ended and the war in Afghanistan that we're bringing to an honorable close -- (applause) -- for all the work we're doing on climate change and making sure that we bequeath to our children and our grandchildren the kind of planet that allows them to thrive and prosper -- for all those efforts, we know that we've got more work to do.

We know that despite economic growth and close to record corporate profits, despite the fact that folks at the very top are doing better than ever, that there are too many families all across the country who are still struggling to get by, who work hard every day but have trouble making ends meet at the end of the month. We know that people still feel insecure about their future, about the possibilities of retirement. We know that there are folks who work hard every day and are still in poverty. We know that there are folks who work hard every day, but are still living in the shadows because of a broken immigration system. (Applause.)

We know that the investments that we need to make sure that every child in America -- not just my kid or your kid, but every child in America -- has an opportunity to get a world-class education -- that those investments have not yet been fully forthcoming. We know that. (Applause.)

And that's why November is so important. The Republicans who run the House of Representatives right now and want to take over the Senate --

AUDIENCE: Booo --

THE PRESIDENT: Don't boo --

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Vote!

THE PRESIDENT: -- vote! Work! (Applause.)

But they have said no to every proposal that we know could make a difference in the lives of hardworking Americans. They’ve said no to proposals that would rebuild our infrastructure. They’ve said no to proposals that would increase basic research that drives the innovation that has made this region the envy of the world. They have said no to equal pay for equal work. In fact, they’ve denied that there’s even a problem.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Really?

THE PRESIDENT: I'm just saying. (Laughter.)

They said no to increasing the minimum wage. They’ve said no to helping kids afford college. They even shut down the government and almost created another global financial catastrophe because they wanted to get their way.

Now, to be fair, they did say yes to their own budget, except when you look at the budget, what they’re saying yes to are cuts in Medicaid, cuts in education, cuts in basic research. But what they do preserve are tax breaks for folks who don't need them, that aren’t going to grow the economy.

And, look, Republicans are patriots. They love their country. They love their families. They want America to thrive. But they are operating on a theory that time and again has proven to be wrong. It’s a theory that says you’re on your own. It’s a theory that says if we just reward folks at the very top, then everybody else is going to do just fine. It’s a theory that discounts the possibility of common action in order to make sure that opportunity is real for every American, and not just some. (Applause.) They have a different theory about how America moves forward. And so they just keep on offering again and again the same failed theories that have been punishing the middle class and failing America for decades now.

And so, when I think about what’s at stake in this election, it’s not just a matter of a seat here or a seat there. It’s about competing visions of how America moves forward. And I believe that America moves forward when we recognize that we’re all in it together. I believe in an America where we rise together, where the economy is built from the bottom up and the middle out.

I believe in an America where we are investing in innovation and where, although the private sector is driving our growth, it is based on an acknowledgment that when we’ve got skilled people and we’ve got outstanding teachers, and we are honoring our researchers and our universities, that’s the dynamism that has always put us at the forefront. That’s what’s at stake. That’s what I believe.

And so the question is, what are we going to do about it in this midterm? The choices couldn’t be clearer. The choices could not be clearer. As Democrats, I believe that we should be fighting for equal pay for equal work; they do not. That’s a choice. (Applause.) As a Democrat, I believe that opportunity for all means that if you work full-time, you should not be in poverty. We should increase the minimum wage. It’s the right thing to do. (Applause.)

As a Democrat, I believe in investing in early childhood education. We know it works. We want to give every child the best chance possible to succeed. (Applause.)
They have a different view. As a Democrat, I believe that we should make college affordable for every young person who’s got the energy and drive to succeed -- every child, not just some. (Applause.) They’ve got a different view.

So I know what we stand for. And sometimes, I’ve got to say, that when you look at reporting of what’s happening in Washington -- and let’s face it, Washington is not working the way it’s supposed to -- then sometimes you’d get the impression that, yeah, both parties are just bickering and arguing and that’s why things don’t work.

Now, I’ve got a confession to make -- the Democratic Party is not perfect. (Laughter.) I know that’s crazy to say at a DNC event. (Laughter.) But there are times where folks make mistakes. There are some elected officials who don’t show the courage of their convictions. There are times where I get frustrated. And we have to be self-critical and make sure that we’re constantly asking ourselves are we serving the folks who sent us here as well as we should. But on the big issues, on our core convictions, we’re on the right side of the issues. (Applause.)

On immigration, we believe in comprehensive immigration reform that gives people a chance and that would improve our economy. (Applause.) On climate change, we believe in science
-- (applause) -- and we think it’s important for us to take action, and that if we invest in clean energy, we can create jobs and opportunity here in the United States at the same time as we’re making sure that we’ve got an environment that is what we want for our children and our grandchildren. We're on the right side of that. The other side isn't. That's just the bottom line.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Amen.

THE PRESIDENT: When it comes to education, when it comes to the minimum wage, when it comes to equal pay, when it comes to making investments in infrastructure, when it comes to basic research -- when it comes to the things that would help drive this economy right now, we're on the right side of the issues. And the reason that we've got gridlock right now is you’ve got another party that has been captured by folks who are on the wrong side of the issue.

Now, that's on inevitable. I come from Illinois -- (laughter) -- and that’s the Land of Lincoln, a great Republican President. Those of you who care about the environment -- probably our greatest environmental President -- Teddy Roosevelt, Republican. So it's not inevitable, this does not have to be how it is. But it is how it is right now. And if we are serious about solving the problems that matter for future generations, if we are serious about making sure that there are good jobs out there that pay a living wage, if we’re serious about fixing a broken immigration system, if we are serious about investing in our schools, if we are serious about making college affordable, if we are serious about making sure that our veterans are properly cared for -- (applause) -- if we are serious about a clean-energy economy, if we’re serious about innovation, then we’ve got to fix Congress.

And the way we’re going to fix Congress is not just to get cynical and sit back and complain and grouse and say, a plague on both your houses. The way to fix Congress is to take a look at who stands for the things you care about and who doesn’t, and get the folks who don’t out of the way so we can make progress in America. And that’s what this midterm election is all about. (Applause.)

I mean, what exactly are the plans of the other side right now?

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Nothing!

THE PRESIDENT: No, that’s not true. They’ve got one plan. They’ve taken 50 votes to repeal Obamacare, the Affordable Care Act, and I guess they’re going to try to take 50 more -- because that’s all they talk about. And let me tell you something. You’ve got 8 million people who signed up on these exchanges, you’ve got millions more who are benefiting from expanded Medicaid. (Applause.) You’ve got 3 million young people who are able to stay on their parents' plan. Millions of people across the country --

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Need it.

THE PRESIDENT: -- are better off. I meet them every day. And I can’t explain to you why it is that they are so obsessed with making sure those folks don’t have health insurance. But we’re on the right side of history on that issue. (Applause.) And if that’s all they’ve got -– if that’s all they’ve got, then they shouldn’t be running either chamber. They shouldn’t be running the House and they sure should not be running the Senate. And they sure shouldn’t be making appointments to the Supreme Court.

AUDIENCE: No!

THE PRESIDENT: And they shouldn’t be blocking mine. (Applause.)

Now, I know I’m preaching to the choir. (Laughter.) But we’re just kind of getting started here on this campaign season and I want to kind of get us warmed up. You’ve got to get the vocal chords are working. (Laughter.)

There’s one problem we’ve got. Our problem is not that the public doesn’t agree with us. If you look on the issues that we’re fighting for, the majority of the American public is on our side. The majority believes in raising the minimum wage. The majority of Americans believe in equal pay for equal work. The majority of Americans want to see us invest in education and job training and apprenticeships. The majority of Americans think we should be putting people back to work rebuilding our infrastructure. A majority of Americans think that it’s the right thing to do to develop a clean-energy economy. A majority of Americans want immigration reform. So what’s the problem?

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Not voting.

THE PRESIDENT: Say that again.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: They’re not voting!

THE PRESIDENT: They’re not voting. And in particular, Democrats have a congenital defect when it comes to our politics, and that is we like voting during presidential years and during the midterms we don’t vote. And so you already have lower voting totals during the midterms, and it’s our folks that stay home.

And maybe in normal times that’s okay -- although I don’t think it’s ever okay for us not to vote. But in this midterm, with the stakes as high as they are, with the progress that needs to be made, with families out there who are desperate to see a Washington that is on their side -- we’re going to have to make sure that we are coming out with the same urgency and the same enthusiasm that we typically show during presidential years. (Applause.) That’s what we’re going to need.

And that’s where all of you come in. It’s not enough that you’re going to vote. You’re going to have to grab your mom, dad, cousins, uncles, co-workers, friends, family, and you are going to have to explain to them the stakes involved in this election.

And that’s what the DNC is about. The contributions you make today are to ensure that we’ve got the infrastructure, the architecture, so that an army of young people and not-so-young people but young at heart, young in spirit are out there working in precincts and in neighborhoods, delivering a message about what the stakes are in this election and making sure that people know they need to come out and vote.

Now, I know that we live in a time where cynicism too often passes off as wisdom. And this country has been through a lot over these last five years. But I want to close by just letting you know this: I travel around the world a lot; I study global trends; I speak to world leaders and prominent businesses who operate in every corner of the Earth. And I will tell you that the assessment outside of the United States is that we’ve got all the best cards. We still have the most innovative, dynamic economy in the world. We still have the best universities in the world. We still have the most productive workers in the world.

We have this incredible opportunity to develop a clean energy economy -- even as traditional sources of energy, we’ve got more than most advanced countries. We have this incredible vibrancy that is on display right here in this community -- people from all around the world coming here, hungry, striving, ready to innovate. There’s no other country that looks like us. It’s a huge gift. The problem is that we’ll waste that gift if we don’t make the right choices.

So what I want everybody to know is, is that for all the challenges we have and for all the legitimate reasons why people get discouraged, our future is bright if we make the right choices. Our future is bright if people shake off whatever is holding them back and they go to the polls. Our future is bright if people understand the stakes involved. Our future is bright if you and I, we’re all out there working together to make sure that folks know that the decisions we make right now are going to matter to that young man and that young lady, and our kids and our grandkids. And we don’t have time to wait.

So I don’t have patience for cynicism right now. I think it’s too easy. I think it’s an excuse. The future is there for us to seize -- but we’ve got to seize it. And if we do, then we guarantee you --

AUDIENCE MEMBER: President Obama! Freedom for Ethiopia! Freedom! Freedom for Ethiopia, sir!

THE PRESIDENT: Hold on. I agree with you, although why don’t I talk about it later because I’m just about to finish. (Laughter.) You and me, we’ll talk about it. I’m going to be coming around.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible)--

THE PRESIDENT: There you go.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible) --

THE PRESIDENT: I agree with you.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: I want to hear from you.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: We love you!

THE PRESIDENT: I love you back. You kind of screwed up my ending, but that’s okay. (Laughter and applause.) That’s okay. And we’ve got free speech in this country -- (applause) -- which is great, too.

So, bottom line is this -- bottom line is this: This is not the end; this is just the beginning. I’m going to need every one of you to sign up to make sure that you are going to continue to work with the DNC. I am going to be, I guarantee you, back in California sometime before November. (Applause.) And when I come back, I expect everybody here to report back to me that you have been out there working to make sure that we are having a Democratic Senate and a Democratic House. (Applause.)

Are you with me? (Applause.) Are you fired up? (Applause.) You ready to go? (Applause.)

Thank you very much, everybody. God bless you. God bless America. Thank you. (Applause.)

END
8:12 P.M. PDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

May 08, 2014

Presidential Proclamation -- Military Spouse Appreciation Day, 2014

Our military spouses embody ideals we cherish: strength, loyalty, and commitment. They stand beside those who stand behind our flag, giving their all and making tremendous sacrifices. They shoulder the burdens of countless moves and stressful deployments, and they uphold their end of the bargain. On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, we celebrate the force behind the force and show these homefront heroes the full support of a grateful Nation.

My Administration is working to fulfill our sacred obligation to our veterans, service members, their spouses, and their families. We are helping military families avoid foreclosure and predatory lending, and we are investing in their education. We are easing burdens by supporting childcare and assisting with career training. And because our men and women in uniform and their spouses are partners not only in love, but also in law, we are doing everything we can to ensure all married couples receive the benefits they deserve -- regardless of their sexual orientation.

Through the Joining Forces initiative, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden are expanding employment opportunities for veterans, transitioning service members, and their spouses while advocating for new legislation to bolster professional development services. And they are forging stronger connections between military and civilian families and engaging us all in the push to give military families the opportunities, resources, and support they have earned -- not only today, but every day. To learn more and get involved, visit www.JoiningForces.gov.

As service members board planes for deployments to foreign lands, they need to know their country will be there for their loved ones. As mothers and fathers take on the work of two, they need to know their neighbors will lend a hand. And if called to make the ultimate sacrifice, troops must know their Nation will honor their memory and care for their family. After everything military spouses have done for America, for one another, for our wounded warriors and the families of the fallen, we must stand beside them. We must make good on our debt of gratitude. May each of us serve our military spouses and their families as well as they serve us.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 9, 2014, as Military Spouse Appreciation Day. I call upon the people of the United States to honor military spouses with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.

BARACK OBAMA