state of the union posts, articles, and infographics

Losing the Future?

April 14, 2011 by Breakthrough Institute
with 111 views

"The first step in winning the future is encouraging American innovation. ... We'll invest in biomedical research, information technology, and especially clean energy technology, an investment that will strengthen our security, protect our planet, and create countless new jobs for our people."With those remarks at the heart of his State... [read more]

Obama's 80 Percent Clean Energy Goal: Who's He Kidding?

January 26, 2011 by Keith Schneider
with 710 views

Arguably the central provision of President Obama's State of the Union address last night was the proposal to generate 80 percent of the nation's electricity from clean energy sources by 2035 -- including nuclear energy and CCS coal technology. Getting there will take a miracle. [read more]

Smart Energy Investment and the Smart Grid

January 23, 2011 by James Greenberger
with 1,523 views

By Невідомий (Інтернет) [FAL], via Wikimedia Commons

Next Tuesday in his State of the Union address, President Obama will call for increased government investment in infrastructure, education and research. But before the U.S. Treasury starts writing checks, there is much to be learned from the experience of the last two years. Federal dollars for energy infrastructure really are limited and must be spent wisely and strategically. Federal investment in energy infrastructure must be driven by rational, cost-effective and attainable goals, not by sound bites and special interests. Smart Grid investments are a case in point. [read more]

The New Environment for Climate and Energy Policy

February 7, 2010 by Chris Dreibelbis
with 189 views

In his recent State of the Union address, President Obama signaled the administration’s new messaging and policy strategy for climate and energy. Not once did he mention “cap and trade,” instead he referred to the need for a “comprehensive energy and climate bill.” He discussed energy and climate policy in the context of... [read more]

A Critical Moment for Energy Leadership

February 1, 2010 by Breakthrough Institute
with 81 views

Originally published by The Stanford Daily One of the most powerful moments during last week's State of the Union came when President Obama warned that while Washington stalls, other nations are moving quickly to dominate the global clean-energy industry. "China is not waiting to revamp its economy," Obama declared. "These nations aren'... [read more]

Atomic Show #149 - Pro Nuclear Bloggers Reaction to SOTU Address

February 1, 2010 by Rod Adams
with 121 views

During the 2010 State of the Union Address, President Obama took the handcuffs off of the nuclear industry revival when he said: But to create more of these clean energy jobs, we need more production, more efficiency, more incentives. And that means building a new generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants in this country.On January... [read more]

Obama’s first State of the Union - a disappointment from the climate perspective

January 31, 2010 by Climatico Analysis
with 151 views

The past week has marked Barack Obama’s first State of the Union address, where the president traditionally outlines his agenda and priorities for the coming year, as well as reporting on the condition of the United States. As far as climate change is concerned, Obama seems to be continuing the approach we have seen him taking in the... [read more]

Concrete Action to Follow Strongly Supportive Words On Building New Nuclear Power Plants

January 29, 2010 by Rod Adams
with 242 views

After posting a video clip of a key segment of Wednesday's State of the Union address, in which President Obama states:"But to create more of these clean energy jobs, we need more production, more efficiency, more incentives. And that means building a new generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants in this country."I received a lot... [read more]

Obama to triple nuclear loan guarantees

January 28, 2010 by Dan Yurman
with 380 views

Bloomberg wire service reports the increase will be requested in the 2011 budget Two people familiar with the Department of Energy budget for 2011 have told the Bloomberg wire service that the President’s budget for 2011 will include a request to add $36 billion to the nuclear energy loan guarantee program. Bloomberg also reported that... [read more]

Pass or Fail? Obama's State of the Union and Clean Energy Future

January 28, 2010 by Scott Edward Anderson
with 121 views

Did President Obama pass or fail on energy in last night's State of the Union address? I wasn't watching, but I've read the transcript. Here are some of the choice bits: "We can put Americans to work today building the infrastructure of tomorrow. From the first railroads to the Interstate Highway System, our nation has... [read more]

The SOTU and Energy

January 28, 2010 by Geoffrey Styles
with 162 views

Given the central focus of this year's State of the Union Address on the economy and jobs, I wasn't surprised to hear the President highlight "clean energy jobs"--a phrase that seems to have replaced the formerly ubiquitous "green jobs"--though I was relieved that he didn't hang the whole weight of his administration's jobs focus on... [read more]

State of the Union on Clean Energy Jobs - Top of List "That Means Building a New Generation of Safe, Clean Nuclear Power Plants in This Country"a

January 28, 2010 by Rod Adams
with 71 views

During the State of the Union address on January 27, 2010, President Barack Obama stressed the importance of energy innovation investments in his discussion about leading an economic recovery through infrastructure construction. Here is what he said at the very top of his list: "But to create more of these clean energy jobs, we need... [read more]

President Leads to Forge Climate Consensus Abroad and at Home

January 27, 2010 by nrdc switchboard
with 114 views

Last month President Obama threw himself into the deadlocked Copenhagen climate summit. The president challenged his fellow leaders this way: We know the fault lines because we've been imprisoned by them for years. These international discussions have essentially taken place now for almost two decades, and we have very... [read more]

Obama: “To create more of these clean energy jobs … means passing a comprehensive energy and climate bill with incentives that will finally make clean energy the profitable kind of energy in America.”

January 27, 2010 by Joseph Romm
with 111 views

This year, I am eager to help advance the bipartisan effort in the Senate. I know there have been questions about whether we can afford such changes in a tough economy; and I know that there are those who disagree with the overwhelming scientific evidence on climate change. But even if you doubt the evidence, providing incentives for... [read more]

“How long should America put its future on hold?”

January 27, 2010 by A Siegel
with 231 views

From the State of the Union speech, two questions we should ask: How long should we wait? How long should America put its future on hold? The President is challenging Congress to act how Americans expect, that they act to create a structure for tomorrow. You see, Washington has been telling us to wait for decades, even as the... [read more]