Thanks in part to the Obama Administration’s investment in clean energy – the largest in American history – the United States has more than doubled renewable energy generation from wind, solar, and geothermal sources since 2008.

In addition, President Obama has repeatedly called on Congress to eliminate the wasteful tax breaks for the oil and gas industry, which would save American taxpayers $4 billion per year.

Since 2009, the Department of Interior has approved 25 utility-scale solar facilities, 9 wind farms, and 11 geothermal plants, which will provide enough electricity to power 4.4 million homes and support an estimated 17,000 jobs.

The Administration has conditionally committed to support the financing of a new nuclear power plant in Burke, Georgia. This plant received its license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in February 2012, making it the first new commercial nuclear power plant approved in the United States in more than three decades. When built, the plant will provide clean electricity to 1.4 million people.

Expanding and modernizing our electric grid can provide improved access to remote sources of solar and wind energy, reduce power outages, and save consumers money. In 2011, the Administration announced that it would accelerate the permitting review of seven proposed electric transmissions lines. These infrastructure projects, when built, will increase grid capacity, facilitating better integration of renewable energy sources, avoiding blackouts, and helping to accommodate the growing number of electric vehicles on the road.

The Administration launched a Green Button initiative in 2011 to empower Americans to reduce energy use in their homes. Thirty-five utilities across the country have voluntarily committed to provide 36 million homes and businesses with access to their own energy data in the Green Button format, with already 19 million homes and businesses having access today.