Obama to ‘repower America’

Barack Obama has promised to "re-power America" following a meeting with former Vice President turned climate campaigner Al Gore.


The US President-elect and his Vice President-elect Joe Biden met with Mr Gore at their Transition team’s Chicago headquarters to discuss energy and climate policy.

Following the meeting, President-elect Obama said rethinking the way energy is used in the US was not just a problem, but also presented an opportunity to drive the recovery of the nation’s economy.

“We have the opportunity now to create jobs all across this country in all 50 states to repower America, to redesign how we use energy and think about how we are increasing efficiency to make our economy stronger, make us more safe, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and make us competitive for decades to come – even as we save the planet,” he said.

Although he did not commit to any targets, his words echoed those of Al Gore, who in July coined the Repower America concept – an aim to switch the country to 100% renewable electricity within ten years.

Earlier this month, the Alliance for Climate Protection launched a national advertising campaign to encourage the American people and the incoming administration to back the Repower America concept.

Cathy Zoi, CEO of the alliance, said: “The technologies to harness the sun and wind and to make us more energy efficient exist today, and have been expanding.

“Truly unleashing them will create millions of new jobs for hardworking Americans, free us from volatile energy prices, and ensure a future fuelled by energy that is free, limitless and clean.”

President-elect Obama reiterated his commitment to address America’s energy challenge on Monday as he announced key members of his White House environment team.

“The future of our economy and national security is inextricably linked to one challenge – energy,” he said.

“The team that I have assembled here today is uniquely suited to meet the great challenges of this defining moment.”

Read about the team here.

Kate Martin

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