Renewable energy garnered a mention in a high-profile political speech on Monday, as President Barack Obama included discussion of ‘sustainable energy sources’ in his inaugural address.
Obama, newly sworn in to his second term, called for the U.S. to transition to these energy sources in order to fight climate change and create new jobs.
‘We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations,’ Obama said. ‘Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires, and crippling drought and more powerful storms.’
‘The path toward sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult,’ he continued. ‘But America cannot resist this transition; we must lead it. We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries – we must claim its promise.’
Although the speech did not specifically mention solar energy, Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, applauded the president for re-stating his support for clean energy.
‘We praise the president for emphasizing that a transition to sustainable energy sources is vital – and that the U.S. must lead it,’ Resch said in a statement. ‘Solar is the fastest-growing and most affordable, accessible and reliable clean energy technology available today.’Â Â Â
