Renew Green Energy

Alternative energy sources have been a foundation of Barack Obama’s campaign since the beginning. Now, as president, he has proposed a three-point solution to the current crisis. First, he aims at decreasing the reliance on foreign oil, supporting new sources, and starting new jobs. Secondly, he has set a goal of renewable sources providing 25 of the nation’s energy by 2025, and hopes to provide new investments to achieve that goal. Finally, he wants to target the problem of global climate change once and for all, by focusing on energy efficiency and conservation.Recent headlines prove that, if nothing else, Obama is still trying to make good on these promises. On Monday, Obama said the Department of Energy would approve 1.85 billion in loan guarantees for two solar energy projects. Together, these projects (Spanish energy firm Abengoa Solar and Colorado company Abound Solar Manufacturing) will create up to 5,000 new jobs.Earlier in the week, the Department of Energy applauded the 12 states which have already completed weatherization work on 30 of their homes for the Weatherization Assistance Program. This is a government program which aims at reducing the energy bills in low-income houses by increasing efficiency. Nationwide, more than 108,000 homes have been weatherized, saving more than 47 million, according to the DOE.However, with the ever-present oil spill crisis still going on in the Gulf, some critics, like Senator Tom Harkin, have said Obama is still not doing enough to promote short-term change. He says that the recent legislation by Senators Kerry and Lieberman has been weakened in an attempt to gain more supporters. The bill attempts to reduce carbon emissions and encourage development of cleaner energy. While Obama’s campaign may not be satisfying everybody, it is still refreshing to see discussion of the issue rising to the surface, and hopefully encouraging change.