Statement of Margie Alt, Environment America Executive Director, on Senator Obama’s New Energy for America Plan
“Senator Obama’s “New Energy for America” plan provides a real roadmap for changing the direction of our nation’s energy policy. After nearly eight years of heading in the wrong direction, there has never been a more important time to jump start a clean energy economy. America is at an energy crossroads and this plan takes the smarter, cleaner energy path.
Senator Obama’s plan recognizes the economic and environmental imperative of real investments in the technologies that move our nation beyond oil, transition our economy to clean renewable energy and curb global warming pollution.
In particular, we look forward to working with Senator Obama and the rest of Congress to increase fuel economy standards, put one million plug in hybrids on the road, enact a strong renewable electricity standard, promote high performance energy-saving homes and businesses, put a cap on global warming pollution, and create 5 million green jobs.
In addition, Senator Obama’s plan recognizes people’s current pain at the pump. His plan anticipates high winter heating bills and has solutions that will help people immediately.
The energy saving, renewable energy policies in Senator Obama’s plan are exactly the type of solutions that America needs.
Simultaneous with Senator Obama putting out his visionary plan, Big Oil and its allies in Washington have been waging a slick campaign to convince Americans and the Congress that risking pristine beaches for offshore oil is the way to go. In fact, more drilling will neither reduce prices nor cut our dependence on dirty oil. We are disappointed to see that Senator Obama has expressed openness to compromise on offshore drilling and the health of our beaches when oil savings from his proposals for more efficient vehicles would better serve our needs, save consumers money and enhance the economy.”
