The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
November 20, 2014

FACT SHEET: Global Entrepreneurship Summit

President Obama elevated entrepreneurship to the forefront of the United States’ engagement agenda during a historic speech in Cairo in 2009.  The Administration has delivered on this commitment, greatly expanding support for entrepreneurship and economic opportunity around the world.  Signature achievements in the past five years include:

  • The United States has played a prominent role in organizing five Global Entrepreneurship Summits (GES) that have elevated entrepreneurship on the global agenda and inspired new generations of innovators to choose entrepreneurship as a profession.  These Summits have opened up new markets for products and encouraged policymakers to break down barriers to business, such as the draft law currently being developed by the Moroccan Government to create a legal status for startups.
  • The Administration has invested in over 1000 initiatives and programs promoting entrepreneurship around the world, many of which are focused on generating opportunities for women and youth and increasing access to capital for entrepreneurs.
  • The Unites States sends some of America’s top entrepreneurs abroad through the Presidential Ambassadors for Global Entrepreneurship.  Begun earlier this year, the Ambassadors have already met with entrepreneurs and promoted entrepreneurship on four continents. 
  • The United States’ Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) Initiative has helped young scientists from throughout the Muslim world generate more than $80 million in revenue for their companies. 
  • The Administration has committed roughly $3.2 billion to support micro, small, and medium sized enterprises and mobilized $80 million in private capital for startup accelerators in the developing world through development financing institutions and programs.

This year’s GES in Marrakech, Morocco brings together nearly 4,000 entrepreneurs and business, government, and thought leaders.  The United States’ delegation is led by Vice President Joe Biden and includes several cabinet members, heads of agencies, and senior U.S. Government officials.  With a focus on technology, this year’s Summit gives participants the opportunity to discover some of the latest trends and tools driving the next wave of innovators.  For the first time, the Summit has a day dedicated to the specific challenges and opportunities relevant to women entrepreneurs, as well as a day-long program for young entrepreneurs.

Committing to a Bold New Goal to Spark Global Entrepreneurship

Building on the past five years of enhanced support for entrepreneurship, today, the Vice President announced that the United States has committed to a bold new goal to expand economic opportunity for all, especially women and youth.  Bringing together the U.S. Government’s most exceptional entrepreneurship programs, the United States will spark $1 billion in new private investments over the next three years for entrepreneurs worldwide, including social entrepreneurs.  Half of these investments will be generated by women and young entrepreneurs.  In addition, the United States is issuing a call to action to other organizations, companies, and countries to build on this goal.  The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation already pledged its support to this effort, announcing today that the new Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) would generate additional investments for entrepreneurs.  One of the first GEN operations will be in Morocco.

Expanding Entrepreneurship in the Middle East and North Africa

To support Morocco’s demand-driven professional training strategy, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is expected to invest an estimated $50 million in public-private partnerships that provide students with the skills employers need.  Starting in January, MCC and the Moroccan Government will solicit ideas from the private sector, government, and civil society to develop public-private training partnerships.  Pending MCC Board approval and Congressional Notification, the program will be included as part of a new compact agreement that is expected to be signed in 2015.

Through the Middle East and North Africa Investment Initiative, the U.S. government is launching new partnerships with the Shell Foundation in Iraq to provide financial and practical support to small and medium sized businesses run by entrepreneurs.  In Lebanon, through a new partnership with Berytech, the U.S. government will provide early capital and advice for entrepreneurs, as well as mentoring, business networks, and other support as they grow and create even more jobs and economic activity. 

As announced by the Vice President today, the United States and Volvo are partnering to establish a training academy for entrepreneurs in Morocco.  The academy will train 150 students each year from Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal, focusing on maintenance of industrial and commercial equipment.  Training will also include technology and general business skills to prepare graduates to enter the modern workforce – either employed by local or multinational companies like Volvo, or as entrepreneurs running their own businesses.

In partnership with Spain, the U.S. government is providing a $7 million credit guarantee to help finance a state-of-the-art cold storage facility at the Tanger-Med port in Morocco.  The cold storage facility will fill a crucial gap in the agriculture value chain in Morocco, enabling increased agricultural exports to key markets and facilitating job creation across the sector.  This effort supports the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement and Morocco’s agricultural modernization strategy.

Enhancing Networking and Resources for Entrepreneurs

To deepen engagement and networking among entrepreneurs, GIST has partnered with nine investment, entrepreneurial, education, and corporate organizations to create GIST Net (www.gistnetwork.org).  This global, user-driven online platform will connect science and technology entrepreneurs in emerging economies and provide them with the ongoing resources and mentorship they need to collaborate, seek funding, and grow their businesses.  GIST Net will keep science and technology innovators informed on the latest news, trends, and industry insights and enable them to connect with each other and experts around the globe.  This public-private partnership gives science and technology entrepreneurs access to wide-ranging resources, such as interactive learning tools, mentors, potential financing, and advice, thanks to the intellectual and creative contributions of the U.S. Department of State, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Founder Institute, Gust, NestGSV, NovoED, Ponscio, Stanford Technology Ventures Program, TechWadi, and VentureWell.  Additionally, GIST and Global Entrepreneurship Week will expand the 1 Million Cups entrepreneurial education program globally.  1 Million Cups facilitates a weekly, in-person forum at which entrepreneurs present their startups to a diverse audience of mentors, advisors, and their peers and receive feedback in a safe environment, helping them to advance their businesses. 

Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship and Coursera Co-Founder and CEO, Daphne Koller, has developed a new online series of courses for entrepreneurs.  The Coursera Specialization in Entrepreneurship will focus on training entrepreneurs how to develop a business model, discover customer insights, enhance sales and marketing techniques, and pitch their venture.  The entrepreneurship curriculum allows for students to generate an innovative new venture concept or enhance their existing concepts.  At the end of the course, students will create an investor pitch.  Through a competitive process, leading concepts will be evaluated for funding by experts and investors.  The Specialization in Entrepreneurship was created in partnership with University of Maryland, College Park.

Salman Khan, a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship, has launched a new set of free online tutorials through Khan Academy for creating and designing a website – a critical first step for most entrepreneurs in the 21st century.

Launching the J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative

Increased connectivity is inspiring global citizenship, driving young people to seek connections with peers outside of their communities, and encouraging them to tackle local and global challenges.  The United States is committed to cultivating a new generation of globally-minded youth, and announced today a major contribution to this effort.  The J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative, a multilateral public-private partnership, will strengthen engagement between young people in the Middle East and North Africa and in the United States as a lasting tribute to the legacy of Ambassador Chris Stevens. 

The J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative will use technology and online tools to achieve the largest-ever increase in people-to-people educational exchanges between the United States and the broader Middle East.  Through intensive, structured online engagements between youth at various education levels, the Initiative will equip more than one million youth with the skills and aptitudes they need to succeed in the 21st century and lessen the potential for global misunderstanding.

A number of governments have expressed their intent to contribute to and partner with the United States on this Initiative.  To date, the Kingdom of Morocco and the governments of Algeria, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have joined the United States in making financial pledges totaling over $31 million over the next five years.  In addition, the Initiative will involve foundations and private sector partners, including Microsoft and GoPro.  The J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative will be kicked off with a pilot project early next year in Morocco.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
November 19, 2014

Presidential Nominations and Withdrawal Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:

Matthew Stuart Butler, of Ohio, to be a Member of the Election Assistance Commission for a term expiring December 12, 2015, vice Rosemary E. Rodriguez, term expired.

Mark R. Rosekind, of California, to be Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, vice David L. Strickland, resigned.

WITHDRAWAL SENT TO THE SENATE:

Myrna Perez, of Texas, to be a Member of the Election Assistance Commission for a term expiring December 12, 2015, vice Rosemary E. Rodriguez, term expired, which was sent to the Senate on January 6, 2014.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
November 19, 2014

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts

  • Matthew Butler - Nominee for Commissioner, Election Assistance Commission
  • Mark R. Rosekind - Nominee for Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation

President Obama also announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts:

  • Darryl J. Madden – Member, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin
  • Brigadier General Kent D. Savre, USA – Member, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin
  • Robert M. Sussman – Member, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin

President Obama said, “I am pleased to announce that these experienced and committed individuals have decided to serve our country.  I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”

President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

Matthew Butler, Nominee for Commissioner, Election Assistance Commission
Matthew Butler is a Principal at BCT Consulting Group LLC, a role he has held since 2013.  From 2009 to 2013, Mr. Butler worked with Media Matters for America, first as the Chief Financial Officer and Director of Progressive Talent Initiative from 2009 to 2011, and then as the Chief Executive Officer and President from 2011 to 2013.  From 2008 to 2011, Mr. Butler was the Principal Consultant with East Capitol Consulting, LLC, where he served as a senior level political advisor to various organizations.  From 2007 to 2008, he was the Deputy Campaign Manager for the Chris Dodd for President Campaign, and in 2006, he was the Campaign Manager for the Maria Cantwell for Senate campaign in Washington.  In 2004, Mr. Butler served as the Deputy Campaign Manager for the Kerry-Edwards campaign, and from 2002 to 2004, he was the Chief Financial Officer for the John Kerry for President campaign.  He was an Associate Attorney at Haight, Brown & Bonesteel, LLP.  In 2000, he served as the General Election Comptroller for the Democratic National Committee, and he served as the Planning Manager for the Presidential Inaugural Gala following the 1996 Presidential election.  He began his professional career as the Deputy to the National Coordinated Campaign Director at the Democratic National Committee from 1995 to 1996.  Mr. Butler received a B.A. from American University and a J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law.

Dr. Mark R. Rosekind, Nominee for Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
Dr. Mark R. Rosekind is a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a position he has held since 2010.  Prior to his service on the NTSB, he was President and Chief Scientist of Alertness Solutions from 1997 to 2010.  From 1996 to 1997, Dr. Rosekind was Chief of the Aviation Operations Branch in the Flight Management and Human Factors Division with NASA Ames Research Center.  Dr. Rosekind also served as a Research Scientist at the Ames Research Center and Team Leader for the Fatigue Countermeasures Program in the Aviation Safety Research Branch of the Flight Management and Human Factors Division from 1990 to 1997.  From 1989 to 1990, he was a Research Associate in the Department of Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine.  From 1987 to 1989, Dr. Rosekind was a postdoctoral fellow in Sleep and Chronobiology at Brown University Medical School.  Dr. Rosekind received an A.B. from Stanford University and an M.S., an M.Phil., and a Ph.D  from Yale University.   

President Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts:

Darryl J. Madden, Appointee for Member, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin
Darryl J. Madden is the Commodore of the Port of Washington Yacht Club, a position he has held since 2014.  He also currently serves as Executive Director of the Homeland Security and Public Safety Practice at IMRI, Federal Sector, a position he has held since 2014.  From 2010 to 2014, Mr. Madden was Director for the Ready Campaign on Emergency Preparedness and Deputy Director for Strategic Communications at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and previously held several other positions at FEMA starting in 2005.  Mr. Madden was Chief Operations Officer at The Trident Group from 2004 to 2006 and Managing Partner of the communications division from 2002 to 2006.  From 1998 to 2004, he worked as Director of Communications for the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety in the District of Columbia.  He also served as Special Assistant to the Mayor of Baltimore from 1995 to 1998.  Mr. Madden received a B.S. from the University of Baltimore and is a Senior Executive Fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.  

Brigadier General Kent D. Savre, USA, Appointee for Member, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin
Brigadier General Kent D. Savre serves as the Commanding General for the United States Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Division, a position he has held since 2012.  Prior to this position, he was the Director of the Office of the Chief of Engineers from 2011 to 2012.  From 2008 to 2011, he served as U.S. Forces-Iraq Theater Engineer Brigade commander in Iraq and Commander of the 36th Engineer Brigade at Fort Hood, Texas.  Brigadier General Savre was Director of Counter Explosive Hazards Center at the U.S. Army Engineer School from 2005 to 2007.  From 2003 to 2005, Brigadier General Savre was Battalion Commander in Fort Lewis, Washington and Commander for “Operation Iraqi Freedom” in Iraq.  From 2002 to 2003, he was Assistant Corps Engineer for I Corps at Fort Lewis, Washington.  From 1998 to 2002, Brigadier General Savre served as an Executive Officer in Germany and for “Operation Joint Guardian” in Kosovo.  Brigadier General Savre received a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, an M.S. from Arizona State University, and an M.S.S. from the United States Army War College.

Robert M. Sussman, Appointee for Member, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin
Robert M. Sussman is Principal at Sussman and Associates and is an Adjunct Law Professor at Georgetown University School of Law.  From 2009 to 2013, he served as Senior Policy Counsel to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator.  Mr. Sussman was Co-Chair of the Obama Transition Team for EPA from 2008 to 2009.  Mr. Sussman was partner at Latham & Watkins from 1995 to 2007 as well as from 1987 to 1993.  From 1993 to 1994, he served as EPA Deputy Administrator.  Mr. Sussman was an Associate and Partner at Covington and Burling from 1974 to 1987.  He was a Judicial Clerk to Judge Stapleton of the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware from 1973 to 1974.  Mr. Sussman received a B.A. from Yale College and an L.L.D. from Yale Law School.  

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
November 19, 2014

Readout of the Vice President's Meeting with King Mohammed VI of Morocco

Vice President Joe Biden and His Majesty King Mohammed VI met today and reaffirmed the strategic alliance between the United States and Morocco and our enduring friendship, which dates back more than 236 years. The Vice President thanked King Mohammed VI for hosting the fifth Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Marrakech, and both agreed on the importance of promoting economic opportunity, especially for women and young people. The Vice President and King Mohammed VI discussed how best to support Morocco's success, and reaffirmed their dedication to work together to promote human and economic development, including through vocational training and educational exchange.

The Vice President and King Mohammed VI spoke about the wide range of global, regional, and bilateral issues on which Morocco and the United States are partners, including efforts to advance the shared priority of achieving a secure, stable, and prosperous Maghreb, Africa, and Middle East. In particular, they discussed their countries’ efforts together as part of the international coalition against ISIL. The Vice President and King Mohammed VI agreed on the importance of the non-military aspects of the struggle against violent extremism, including exposing and discrediting violent extremist recruitment and providing a compelling alternative through social and political inclusion and economic opportunity. They agreed on the need for the international community to help Libyans unite behind a peaceful path forward. The Vice President and King Mohammed VI also discussed Morocco’s important role as a gateway for trade and investment in sub-Saharan Africa. Regarding the Western Sahara, the Vice President reaffirmed the text of the November 2013 Joint Statement between the United States and Morocco.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
November 19, 2014

Statement by National Security Council Spokesperson Bernadette Meehan on President Obama's Meeting with Prince Mitib bin Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud

President Obama met today at the White House with Prince Mitib bin Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, the Saudi Minister of the National Guard, to discuss our shared interests in regional developments. Affirming the strong and enduring partnership between our nations, the President expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s contributions to the global coalition to counter ISIL and noted Saudi Arabia’s critical role in upholding regional peace and security, including through its recent engagement with the new Iraqi government. The President and Prince Mitib also discussed our efforts to promote stability in Yemen, the international response to counter the Ebola epidemic and strengthen global health and security, and the status of the P5+1 nuclear negotiations with Iran.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
November 19, 2014

Statement by the Press Secretary on S. 1086

On Wednesday, November 19, 2014, the President signed into law:

S. 1086, the "Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014," which reauthorizes and reforms the State block grant program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services for child care assistance for low income families.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
November 19, 2014

FACT SHEET: ConnectED to the Future

Today, President Obama hosts school leaders and educators from across the country at the White House for “ConnectED to the Future,” a day-long convening to explore the potential of education technology and the innovations needed to bring America’s schools into the digital age.  At the event, the President will launch his Administration’s effort to assist school leaders in their transition to digital learning, following his plan to connect 99 percent of America’s students high-speed broadband internet in their schools and libraries. The President will applaud superintendents across the country that will collaborate with students, educators, and parents to become “Future Ready.”  

More than 1,200 school superintendents will join the Obama Administration’sFuture Ready District Pledge to set a vision for digital learning across America.  These educational leaders will foster a culture of learning through technology across their schools; assist their students and families in the transition to high-speed connectivity; provide their learners greater access to high-quality digital devices and content; and provide teachers and principals the support needed to use technology in innovative ways.  Together, they will reach approximately 10 million students across more than 16,000 schools across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 

Preparing America’s students with the skills they need to get good jobs and compete in the global economy demands an interactive, personalized learning experience.  According to the FCC, 68% of school districts report that not a single school in their district can meet high-speed connectivity goals. Too few American schools have the broadband connections necessary to support innovative teaching and learning and most lack the wireless connectivity to individualize instruction for students. 

In June 2013, President Obama visited Mooresville, NC to announce the ConnectED initiative, beginning with a call to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to enable the connectivity and high-speed broadband needed to spur 21st century learning for America’s students within five years.  Since that time, the FCC has taken steps to modernize the E-rate program to support high-speed connectivity for America’s schools and libraries, providing a $2 billion down payment toward the President’s ConnectED goals.  Additionally, private-sector companies have committed more than $2 billion to supplement federal actions and help support cutting-edge technologies across a greater number of schools and homes.

On Monday, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler announced plans to dramatically expand investments in the E-rate program, increasing the program by $1.5 billion annually. This proposal – scheduled for consideration by the FCC in December – constitutes an essential step to provide the resources needed to meet the goals the President outlined last June

Today’s White House “ConnectED to the Future” convening will feature new commitments from private and non-profit partners and from the U.S. Department of Education to support educators as they transition to digital learning, including:

  • Support for State and Local Educational Leaders:   In partnership with the Alliance for Excellent Education, the U.S. Department of Education will host 12 regional summits for Future Ready school districts, to assist local educational leaders as they develop and implement action plans to use technology to personalize learning across their school districts. Secretary Duncan will also issue guidance to state and local superintendents, to support technology and digital learning as an allowable use of more than $27 billion in federal funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.   
  • Access to Virtual Learning for Teachers and Students:  EdX has committed to provide free online coursework from top universities, including free course certificates to teachers and high-school students in high-need schools.  All students will have free access to all Advanced Placement-level courses offered through EdX.  In addition, Coursera will provide no-cost online professional development at every school district over the next two years, including opportunities for teachers to earn Coursera’s completion certificates which may be used for continuing education credits. The company is partnering with leading schools of education to further expand its teacher professional learning offerings.
  • Future Ready Technology Infrastructure Guide: The U.S. Department of Education will issue a new technical assistance guide that outlines specific and tangible examples that will help schools improve their technological infrastructure by getting high-speed broadband Internet connectivity to and throughout schools, choosing devices for learning and establishing policy and procedures for their use.
  • Future Ready Professional Learning Toolkit:  The U.S. Department of Education will issue a new technical assistance toolkit that provides rubrics, checklists and examples to assist district teams as they develop, refine, and evaluate professional learning plans that align with their capacity, learning goals, and standards of professional learning. In particular, the toolkit focuses on how districts can use technology to connect educators and provide tailored professional learning experiences.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
November 18, 2014

Readout of the Vice President’s Meeting with Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka

Vice President Joe Biden met today with Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka to discuss bilateral relations, the crisis in Ukraine, and European energy security. The Vice President expressed appreciation for the Czech Republic’s contributions to international security in Afghanistan and Iraq, and discussed the importance of strengthening the NATO Alliance to respond to emerging challenges. In this regard, the Vice President noted the importance of allies reinvesting in defense and better sharing the cost of security. The Vice President underscored the importance of imposing costs on Russia for its continued violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its blatant disregard for the commitments it undertook in the September 5 Minsk agreement, particularly with regard to the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory. The two leaders also agreed on the importance of bolstering Europe’s energy security and creating a true market for natural gas in Europe. Finally, on the 25th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution the Vice President conveyed his profound admiration for the late Czech President Vaclav Havel, whose legacy is being commemorated on Capitol Hill this week, and who served as a champion for countless human rights advocates who believe in the “power of the powerless.”

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
November 18, 2014

FACT SHEET: Growing the United States Electric Vehicle Market

The White House and U.S. Department of Energy Announce Private Sector Commitments to Cut Carbon Pollution and Reduce Our Dependence on Foreign Oil

The Obama Administration is committed to taking responsible steps to combat climate change and reduce our dependence on oil. That is why today, the White House and the Edison Electric Institute, which represents investor-owned electric utilities, are announcing new commitments by more than 120 businesses, non-profits, and schools, including more than 70 Edison Electric Institute utility companies, to purchase electric vehicles and technologies and to install workplace charging stations.

Today’s commitments demonstrate that businesses across the U.S. are investing in the technology that will enhance our energy security by reducing our dependence on oil, promoting measures to cut fuel costs for American families and businesses, and helping the U.S. continue to cut carbon pollution. In fact, electric vehicles can actually get cleaner as they get older, because the grid they are plugged into can be powered by cleaner energy over time. Today’s announcements include:

  • Commitments from more than 70 electric utility companies to devote at least 5 percent of their annual fleet acquisition budgets to purchasing plug-in electric vehicles and technologies, totaling investments of approximately $50 million per year.
  • 61 new businesses, schools, and non-profits committing to install workplace charging stations for their employees.
  • A new action by the U.S. Department of Energy to support new, competitively-awarded projects to enable aggregated purchases of EVs and other advanced technology vehicles.

The commitments made today will create new demand, bringing the U.S. one step further to achieving the EV Everywhere Grand Challenge President Obama launched in March 2012. The goal of the challenge is to become the first nation in the world to produce plug-in electric vehicles that are as affordable for the average American family as gasoline-powered vehicles. Since 2009, the cost of battery technology has already come down by more than 60 percent.  As costs have fallen and vehicle choice has grown, plug-in electric vehicle sales continue to grow rapidly.  Sales in the first ten months of 2014 were nearly 25 percent higher than during the same period in 2013. Today, 13 manufacturers offer 19 electric vehicle models, presenting consumers with real choices as they look to adopt new technology, enhancing the competitive position of U.S. industry, and driving job creation through American innovation.

Electric Utilities Leading By Example: More than 70 electric utility companies today announced a commitment to devote at least 5 percent of their annual fleet acquisition budgets to purchasing plug-in electric vehicles and technologies, totaling investments of approximately $50 million per year. The companies will meet the 5 percent commitment by purchasing a variety of technologies, from electric passenger cars to medium- and heavy-duty work trucks with electric Power Take Off (ePTO) systems that power the trucks at worksites without the need to run the engine. Deploying plug-in vehicles in utility fleets carries a powerful message to the community about the capabilities of plug-in technology. By adopting plug-in technologies in their own fleets, utilities will be better equipped to enable their customers – including commercial fleets – to follow suit. This is an unprecedented effort by the electric utility industry to lead by example, and drive the electric vehicle market. Examples of companies making the commitment today include:

  • Dayton Power & Light
  • Indianapolis Power & Light
  • Minnesota Power
  • Superior Water, Light and Power Co
  • Ameren Illinois
  • Ameren Missouri
  • AEP Ohio
  • AEP Texas
  • Appalachian Power
  • Indiana Michigan Power
  • Kentucky Power
  • Public Service Company of Oklahoma
  • Southwestern Electric Power Company
  • Avista Utilities
  • MidAmerican Energy Company
  • NV Energy
  • Pacific Power
  • Rocky Mountain Power
  • CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
  • Consumers Energy
  • Consolidated Edison Co of New York
  • Pike County Light & Power Company
  • Rockland Electric Company
  • DTE Electric
  • Duke Energy Carolinas
  • Duke Energy Florida
  • Duke Energy Indiana
  • Duke Energy Kentucky
  • Duke Energy Ohio
  • Duke Energy Progress
  • Southern California Edison
  • Empire District Electric Company
  • Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
  • Commonwealth Edison Co.
  • PECO Energy
  • Florida Public Utilities
  • Kansas City Power & Light Company
  • Green Mountain Power Corporation
  • Hawaii Electric Light Company, Inc.
  • Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc.
  • Maui Electric Company, Ltd.
  • Central Maine Power
  • New York State Electric & Gas
  • Rochester Gas & Electric
  • Wisconsin Public Service Corporation
  • National Grid
  • Florida Power & Light Company
  • Connecticut Light and Power
  • NSTAR
  • Public Service of New Hampshire
  • Western Massachusetts Electric Co.
  • Atlantic City Electric
  • Delmarva Power
  • Pepco
  • Pacific Gas & Electric Company
  • Arizona Public Service Company
  • Public Service Co. of New Mexico
  • Texas-New Mexico Power Company
  • Portland General Electric
  • Kentucky Utilities
  • Louisville Gas & Electric
  • PPL Electric Utilities Corporation
  • PSEG Long Island
  • Public Service Electric and Gas Company
  • Puget Sound Energy
  • Alabama Power Company
  • Georgia Power Company
  • Gulf Power Company
  • Mississippi Power Company
  • Tampa Electric Company
  • Westar Energy
  • We Energies

Leading U.S. Organizations Stepping Up To The Workplace Charging Challenge: The Energy Department’s Workplace Charging Challenge encourages America’s employers to commit to providing EV charging access for their workforce.  After the home, the workplace is the most likely place a vehicle will spend time parked – a significant opportunity to expand our nation’s charging infrastructure. In fact, the ability to charge at work can potentially double a PEV driver's all-electric daily commuting range. The Workplace Charging Challenge has grown to 150 members since its launch in January 2013 with 13 founding members.  Today, 61 new businesses, non-profits, and universities are joining the challenge:

  • Advocate Health Care
  • AeroVironment, Inc.
  • Arkansas Power Electronics
  • Atlanta Regional Commission
  • Avista Utilities
  • BECO South
  • BMW North America
  • City of Palm Springs
  • College of Lake County
  • Conrad N Hilton Foundation
  • Consumers Energy
  • Duro-Last
  • El Camino Real Charter High School
  • Electric Power Research Institute(EPRI)
  • EMD Serono
  • EV Grid
  • Evolution Marketing
  • Great River Energy (GRE)
  • Green Cab VT
  • Green Mountain Power
  • Green Wheels
  • Hannah Solar
  • Harvard University
  • Heartland Community College
  • IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • Kankakee Community College
  • Kaskaskia College
  • KEMET
  • Kohl's
  • Legrand
  • Leviton
  • Lewis and Clark Community College
  • Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)
  • Melink Corp
  • Mitsubishi
  • Northern Illinois University
  • Pacific Gas & Electric
  • Pat's Garage
  • Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
  • PJM Interconnection
  • Pomona College
  • PPL Electric Utilities
  • Prairie State College
  • Rockwood Lithium
  • SAS Institute
  • SemaConnect
  • State of Illinois
  • Telefonix Inc.
  • Township High School District 214
  • UL LLC
  • University of California Los Angeles - Smart Grid Energy Research Center
  • University of Louisville
  • University of Maine
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke
  • University of Vermont
  • Vermont Energy Investment Corp
  • Volkswagen Group of America
  • Westar Energy
  • Wisconsin Public Service Corporation
  • Zero Motorcycles Inc.

Enhancing Aggregated Purchasing To Simplify EV Adoption: The U.S. Department of Energy is also announcing a Notice of Intent to support new, competitively-awarded projects of up to $2 million, to enable aggregated purchases of EVs and other advanced technology vehicles. Aggregated purchasing maximizes customers’ collective buying power by taking advantage of volume pricing and helps provide manufacturers with an assured sales base. Often when attempting to assemble themselves into groups to aggregate purchasing power, companies run into hurdles that inhibit their ability to coordinate—for example the lack of innovative financing mechanisms that allow a diverse group of companies to participate. This funding would help pay for that coordination function and create additional models of successful aggregate purchases that could be applied by other groups. Aggregated purchasing provides an opportunity for manufacturers and suppliers to lower costs through assured purchases and for fleet operators and other customers to benefit from more favorable pricing. 

Today’s actions build on substantial progress.  Since President Obama took office, the number of Federal fleet EVs in operation has grown significantly from only 57 in FY 2009 to nearly 4,000 in FY 2013, and the number of hybrid electric vehicles in the Federal fleet has grown significantly from fewer than 1,800 in FY 2008 to nearly 16,000 in FY 2013.  Just last week, the Los Angeles Air Force Base became the first Federal facility to replace 100 percent of its general purpose vehicle fleet with plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs). With 42 vehicles and charging stations, LA Air Force Base represents the largest PEV vehicle fleet on a federal facility -- and the largest Vehicle to Grid (V2G) demonstration in the world. Eight states have also committed to putting 3.3 million zero-emission vehicles on the road by 2025, in part by including them in their own public fleets.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
November 18, 2014

Statement by the President on Attack in Jerusalem

I strongly condemn today’s terrorist attack on worshipers at a synagogue in Jerusalem, which killed four innocent people, including U.S. citizens Aryeh Kupinsky, Cary William Levine, and Mosheh Twersky, and injured several more.  There is and can be no justification for such attacks against innocent civilians.  The thoughts and prayers of the American people are with the victims and families of all those who were killed and injured in this horrific attack and in other recent violence.  At this sensitive moment in Jerusalem, it is all the more important for Israeli and Palestinian leaders and ordinary citizens to work cooperatively together to lower tensions, reject violence, and seek a path forward towards peace.