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President Obama examines a light unit during a tour of a lab on the Penn State University campus in State College, Pa., Thursday.
From NBC's Scott Foster
STATE COLLEGE, PA -- President Obama came to Penn State University here today to focus on the economy by unveiling a new initiative that would encourage American businesses to invest in building upgrades to reduce their energy consumption.
While the White House has been forced this week to deal with the crisis in Egypt, today's visit to Central Pennsylvania is part of a renewed push by the administration to create clean-energy jobs through investments and innovation.
The president has proposed tax credits for small businesses to invest in new technologies that would cut down energy use.
Here at the university, scientists and engineers backed by $129 million in funds from federal government are working on cutting-edge technology that would reduce energy consumption in both residential and commercial buildings.
The Penn State research program is part of an "Energy Innovation Hub" that aims to reach a 20% reduction in energy use in commercial buildings by 2020.
Obama argued that not only will the program reduce carbon pollution, but it will also create so-called green jobs.
"Making our buildings more energy efficient is one of the fastest, easiest, and cheapest ways to save money and combat pollution and create jobs right here in the United States of America. And that's what we're going to do," he said.
Seeking to drive home his argument, the president explained, "That may not sound too sexy until -- you know energy efficient buildings -- but listen: Our homes and our businesses consume 40% of the energy we use."
The plan builds on last year's "Homestar" program that provided rebates to homeowners to make similar energy-saving improvements.
Today, Obama explained that these incentives will boost manufacturing jobs. He cited several companies, including a window manufacturing plant in Maryland and a lighting company in North Carolina that have expanded their workforce because of similar initiatives.
To pay for the tax credits the administration in its' upcoming budget proposal would eliminate subsidies for oil companies.
"It's time to stop subsidizing yesterday's energy," he said. "It's time to invest in tomorrow's. It's time to win the future."
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Yay, more give aways for "clean energy." Perhaps with all this golbal warming we might want to step up carbon emmission - you know to ward of the coming ice age? So where's the money for these programs coming from? What's that, from China?
Spanky, the Carter clone has no clue about money- he proven that. He has no clue about reality, either- he proves that everyday.
Normally, you keep to the other side of the street from the nutcase who rails about the energy fairy.
Liberals vote for him- and convince enough other people that he rawly is normal that they vote for him, too.
Well, try finally woke up- but it is way too late now. We will be paying for those disaster for generations- if we ever recover.
Carter Clone ....
or the village idiot of Plains GA dumb side kick.
Buildings? Win The Future? Where has he been the last 20 years?
Chiller replacements, lighting retro-fits, new energy management systems, automatic light switches.... all been done and done and done for years. No new magic roof coatings?
Where has this guy been?
I realize he has probably never had a business class. Business runs on cost / benefit. Business needs energy cost control, not taking money away from what works for some nebulous, possible ideological dream benefit somewhere in the future.
Wow, how unfathomably clueless is Obama?
Does he not know
no joe....stop your trash talking and take a deep breath. this country can't move forward without innovative thinking. so tell me, what's your way forward? cut taxes, kill education, kill ss, fight war and don't pay for it, invade countries.......and do you know why we'll go back to china, because we were BUSHED.
So where is the Republican focus on jobs that they promised us?
Spanky
Who cares about global warming, if companies will invest in the clean energy its going to be good for everybody, for the earth and for the workers. Clean up your cup, get out and breath some fresh air or your hate will eat you from the inside out.
Obama has to give tax breaks to companies to make green energy products because there is no profit incentive since the demand is too low because of the cost compared to other options. Then he has to give tax breaks to buy them because they are too expensive compared to other optioon. Tax breaks to make followed by tax breaks to buy. That's a strong fiscal policy. For a liberal
What is "clean energy" Emma? Is there such a thing as "clean enery" that is effecient or can stand on its own with out government subsidy?
Problem is I just can't get my car to run on rainbow jiuce or unicorn poop. But other than than, my cup cup is clean, although I do own several oil belching two strokes. But I do love the smell. But thanks for the tip about the hate.
Let's get real. Energy conservation is good, and common sense alternative energy is also good, but it has to make economic sense.
As long as "green energy' sources cost more than existing energy sources, it does not make sense because SOMEONE HAS TO PAY THE HIGHER COST, and that 'someone' is the American consumer, either directly through higher utility bills, or indirectly through higher costs for products and services and taxes (driving more jobs overseas).
At some point in the near term future the cost of conventional energy sources will exceed 'green' sources, and only then will it make sense to switch over (this will be a gradual process), but for the government to "force" higher conventional energy sources, or "subsidize" green energy (at taxpayer expense) will just weaken our economy even further, and drive more jobs out of the country.
That being said, I think that conservation is one of the great potential sources of energy savings that makes economic sense as well.
Good point; conservation often lowers the energy requirements of a process so that more sources become viable. The design activity of improving the efficiency is also valuable in increasing our knowledge of how to lower operational and construction costs of new projects. From a strategic perspective, targeted conservation efforts of scant resources - particularly those that we largely import or won't be able to produce cheaply in the future - is a good move.
Just more political games
Putting the fed in charge of anything is a mistake. It will cost 10 times as much to have them develop it instead of private industry. The oil industry is planning ahead. Why because they have to have jobs in the future. Nobody, puts themselves out of work intentionally. The oil companies have led in research and developement of alternate energy. The only reason Obama wants his hands on it is so that industry can no longer support the Repubs. Just like his move to bolster the Insurance industry with the health care mess. The Dem's get their support from them. The politicians think we as peons can not figure out there plans. Let private industry develop the alternate energy. I find it hypocritical to have Obama give the example of the roofer/solar company in his SOTUS and then his actions point to take over instead of entrepreneurship. He is so toast in 2012
"I find it hypocritical"......like as in:
Mr. Obama's Mandated Universal Health Care Legislation giving over 700 companies (mainly those with Unions) waivers to "opt" out:
or how about Mr. Obama letting GE obtain a waiver from the EPA's new greenhouse gas emissions regulations:
Yep, sock it to everyone except your buddies. Standby for more taxpayer "handouts" to Mr. Obama's "Go Green" buddies in his next budget (if his Administation can come up with one).
Exactly IDO. Hypocrite should be his middle name. He promised the Corp Influences would be removed from the White house. Heck he has them permanently moved in upstairs. He is so toast in 2012.....
Sure thing Spank.....but it's ok for continued give aways to the oil companies for dying technologies instead of preparing for the future. Or how about the continued the tax cuts to corps to create jobs, except they create them in China and India etc
rc-554943
Sure thing Spank.....but it's ok for continued give aways to the oil companies for dying technologies instead of preparing for the future. Or how about the continued the tax cuts to corps to create jobs, except they create them in China and India etc
Excellent response, as for the Spank(er), what will he say when California feels the effect of the presence of greenhouse gases because he objects to green technology?
When the sea level rises from the Pacific Ocean and California falls in the sea, will Spanky say uh oh?
@ mitch j
of course the whole mini ice age from 1350-1850 was from global warming too.
lol, fools
Ditto
the problem is we cannot change our economy overnight to a different type of source. This is like telling Europe to change to 60Hz from 50Hz. This would take an enormous effort and likely bankrupt every country.
We can and should be building nuclear plants, gas plants... and encouraging the US to make as many of the components here as possible (valves, pumps, cables, etc)
Wind and solar have a ways to go -- let's concentrate on making all the components here in the US. This technology will take decades to make a significant dent and it is foolish and absurd to drive our current energy sector into the ground.
PSSSST Bev. the seas they are receding.
But fear not dear I have a lovely house in Arizona.
Mission Accomplished!!
It was ordained.
Did you catch Bev.'s "ditto" to Mitch J's jab? Poor old gal, I really do feel sorry for her sometimes.
But damn she is fun.
Spanky you may be the most negative person I've seen in any forums period.This man can do no right in your opinion.And your ignorance shows on so many levels.
Clean energy is the future of our country.The world is running out of oil.Besides the fact it extremely harmful to the environment.How can you be against companies that are making their own decisions?Are they being forced to "Go Green"?We all know how you are the allmighty thinker in these forums even though everything you say has already been said by Rush and Hannity.Come up with your own thoughts please.
Also do any of you people realize how long it took our Earth to filter out all the carbon in our atmosphere?Well it took millions of years and we are pumping it back out in the span of a couple of hundred years.I don't know about you but it seems a bit pretensious of you to think that won't have an effect on our planet.You Spanky are clueless.Read some science magazines and please educate yourself because your brain seems to be leaking dribble.Have a nice day and I'm sad you live in the same state as me.
of course the whole mini ice age from 1350-1850 was from global warming too.
lol, fools.
That one was caused by a massive volcano spewing tons of Carbon into the air along with particulate matter that blocked the sun.
Now we have natural spewing and man spewing. Climate change makes things extreme. Like the massive snow storm this week and the massive Cyclone that hit Austrilia. What about the flooding all over this country in 2010, or the massive flooding in Pakistan that covered 1/3 of their country. EXTREMES in weather NOT just a slight increase in temperature.
Aw sonokursh2 - religion: no matter what happens it proves the belief true. Global warming = hot. Oh it's really clod, then global warming = cold. See, it's global warming.
Must have been really, really hot during the ice age, right?
well hell sonokursh..... if man is the problem then maybe we should all go home tonight.... get any weapon of your choice and go out and start killing our neighbors...... if the cops say anything we'll just explain to them that man made global warming is killing the planet and we're just trying to save the planet!
Okay, mitch. The industrial revolution didn't start until after 1850. You do realize that?
That's when man started rapidly increasing the atmospheric CO2 concentration by burning fossil fuels.
Matt L,
You are asking too much of Mitch and Spanky and the right wing crowd. Too much reading and research for them. They rely of Fox News for everything.
come on anna , when you're freezing your butt off in blizzard conditions , spend eight days walking through puddles in sunny California , read story after story of manipulated tests by scientists studying global warming you don't need fox news to open your eyes . Although they do give the most honest . and open account of the events happening around the world , unlike the sources you obviously watch
Why can't we harness all that hot air coming from you lovers of Mid-east oil?
How about we harness all the hot air coming from the right wing nuts here at First Read?
That alone should get us through until 2050!
again Red, you have my pity (Ill)
remember to vote early and often for the latest thug to run your city.
How about you trying some hot air in your gas tank,foolish bedwetting liberal clowns.
Booo. Penn State. Booo.
Good answer Feisty ....we need some hot air around here in the Chicago area and looks we are getting it on this thread lol.....thx
Fiesty, thanks for clarifying, they do seem to be a bit dense don't they? But some of them seem to be breathing fire out of both ends, that probably isn't the best clean energy.
mitch j
again Red, you have my pity (Ill)
remember to vote early and often for the latest thug to run your city.
Mitch
Have you ever been to our city? Chicago is a city of world-class status and is very cosmopolitan. We are the 3rd most visited city in the USA. Oh and its not run by thugs....so why don't you do some research and stop all the hating or are you just jealous because you live in Podunk?
@ Tom - No problemo! I liked your idea! Miserable bunch aren't they? lol
@ rc - Nice job straightening mitch out rc! Chicago is a wonderful city and I couldn't imagine living anywhere else!
Trust you're thawing out some? lol Streets are still a disaster out here in the burbs!
rc "city of world-class status and is very cosmopolitan"
lol.
get ethanol the hell out of gasoline. It ruins engines from carbs to fuel injectors. PLUS, in a starving world WTF are we doing using corn? Good God....
oh,, you want clean energy...4th generation nuclear plants eat it's own plutonium waste. For all you Euro-socialites...France runs 80% on nuke, Germany 65%. You want to put a million people back to work? Start building plants for the first time in 35 freakin years! You want to free yourself of all the madness in the mid east....build plants and flip Opec the BIRD!
We have 200 years worth of natural gas, un-tapped oil, oil shale, coal (all which with new technology can be resourced quite clean. Tax all of it here at home and start paying down this astronomical debt that grows by $4,000,000,000 a day! NOoooo this makes too much sense (and dollars)...so either Obama and his administration is just plain stupid (which I know that is not the case), or he and his goon-squad are on a mission to literally bankrupt this country and make us butt-brothers with Islam that currently holds the oil card.
It is absolutely maddening. Yes, we need to prepare for the future and continue developing renewable energy...but we are FAR from making it practical and affordable. What are these eco-greenies smoking?
Now the EPA is raising it to 15% ethanol instead of 10%.
Wood can "sustainable" if you subsidize it enough. geez
I agree, bs- just ask Rush and Pfizer.
Clean energy.? How did BHO arrive@ Penn.?? Magic carpet.? If I could afford clean energy I'd already have it. What does our military run on.??
Guy little our military is actually the worlds largest consumer of oil.
Feisty,
Thanks. Yes the streets are getting better but it's almost time to kick back and have your favorite libation so I'll just stay in and get warm in front of the fire.
That sounds like a most excellent idea!
*cheers* ;o)
mitch j
rc "city of world-class status and is very cosmopolitan"
lol.
Jeez just Google it and besides if you had ever been here you would know. Then again its all about the hate. You know all that hate and anger built up inside of you can cause ulcers, or have outwards signs like boils and blisters (if it hasn't already happened). Don't be so dark life is too short
wait and see the ulcers, boils and blisters thats gonna hit the citizens of Ill when they come to the fed to bail them out for decades of mismanagement.
the answer will be NO!
This concept worked extremely well in California. After making a big deal of giving a boatload of $$$ to a NoCal company for expanding their green energy product production the recipient company determined that it was unable to compete with overseas producers - and even some other U.S. companies since, after all, this is California with all its regulations.
I think it was right after Obama took office when he visited an Air Force base in Nevada to tout, among other things, the "greening" of our military. Unfortunately, all of the many solar panels installed were made in...........yep. China.
We have no business subsidizing businesses that cannot stand on their own two feet from the get-go. Clean energy may not be bad as something to have but with all of our inherent costs including wages, benefits, taxes and regulations we are not going to be creating a ton of green energy jobs in the U.S. anytime soon. Nor will be creating jobs manufacturing kids toys laden with lead paint either.
Rick in the Forest You said, "We have no business subsidizing businesses that cannot stand on their own two feet from the get-go." Should we subsidize those that are already making big profits?
Hey Mitch,
Angry and Stupid are no way to go through life , son..
So the POTUS wants to build energy efficient buildings and homes that no one can afford to buy. Sounds like a plan to me.
In the past new technologies have never replaced old ones unless they proved to be better and cheaper than the old one - it is why the internal combustion gasoline engine killed off the early versions of the electric cars back at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries.
They were just plain better and won out.
Taxing an older existing technology out of existence (which is what the Europeans believe in) to attempt to have it replaced by a newer 'green' technology won't make the newer technology any better - it will just make what we're paying for today more expensive tomorrow. The same goes with many of the tax subsidies that are handed out for some of these new technologies. You just end up with another government mandate like the introduction of ethanol in to our fuel.
In the first place, ethanol doesn't burn as well as gasoline does and by growing corn for ethanol we are removing an important 'edible' commodity and diverting it away from feeding hungry people which is what it was meant to do in the first place.
Do you really think that ethanol would be in our gas today if huge tax subsidies had not been given to the corn growers and ethanol producers?
Build a better mouse trap and people will flock to a new technology and that technology will prosper on its own - 'green dollars' for the sake of green technologies only works as long as the $$$ keeps coming if they aren't better than what we have today.
Obama is right about pushing green energy and it's use. It is the only way to stop GLOBAL WARMING MASS EXTINCTION. I tell you it is real. If you search for it, you get thousands of hits and find out that we are already in the greatest mass extinction in 65 million years and will loose ¼ of all wild life species in 40 years.
But remember how the planet began getting cooler when the volcano in iceland erupted. Most people were just laughing because the rushbo was soooo wrong again because he said volcanoes is the main reason why termps are going up but when the eruptions began temps began going down and the scientists even began plans for thousands of manufactured artificial volcanoes to cool the planet. It can be done.
But you would also need green energy and green energy usage. And don't forget how when the iceland volcano erupted nearly all flights into and out of europe were grounded. We could do nearly the same thing with high speed electric trains powered by green electric energy. The amount of solar energy falling on arizona alone is enough to power the entire country.
China & europe already run these high speed electric trains. But we don't have any because we use low cost fossil fuels to fly us everywhere. But high speed electric trains are needed for high speed green transportation. I tell you, if you keep on killing off the wild life, the creator is going to be pissed and going to kick ass in the after life. I hear hell is like being in a pot of boiling sewage for eternity.
marshal-2837579 -- You are in contact with those in hell?
Marshall,
I believe you are right on, problem here in America, the big oil companies are killing every new technology or stalling it as fast as they can. They killed our solar rebates recently here in Virginia making it harder to afford installing a new system.
Big business does not want us off of oil or coal and it's insane they control America's politicians. I'm having to build my own system, screw any help from big brother, cause it 's not coming...
Wow! I guess all of you would have tried to change Edison's mind away from invention and innovation as well. Or Bell's, or Ford's. Why invent something new when the same old stuff works just fine... And Edison went through countless failures before finally succeeding.
Unless we try new things, we are truly going to be left behind by the rest of the world.
I don't think Obama has any sense at all, beyond beying extremely naive about money and business. Why would someone go to Pennsylvania, a coal state, and talk about clean energy and the jobs it will create? Nice way to piss off many people involved in the coal industry. Not only clueless, but just plain stupid.
Look where he went Leslie, State College. a college town with bright young minds, they are the future and are the ones who will have to get it done, because the old mindset like you will just have to die off first.
What do you think the jobs of tommorrow will be???? Coal mining???? I think the President is alot smarter than you think...
Or perhaps a coal state is an excellent place to start. If we can challenge people to think of new ways to mine and use coal, perhaps we can make it cleaner, discover new ways to use it... We won't know if we continue to resist trying.
The Slickster is back on the road campaigning. Clean fuel? How about the economy? Oh yeah that can wait. The Lemmings will vote me in for another term. What idiots.
How did the air get so dirty in the last 2 years...is it because of money or someone not experienced in what they want to do.
I was at the speech today and I am dumbfounded by some of the silly comments above by folks who clearly have no vision, no ability to plan for the future, and no objectivity.
Obama spoke of the uniqueness of American inventiveness and cited many examples throughout American history where the government greased the wheel that made the innovations economically viable. This makes perfect sense. What also makes sense is for taxpayers to stop giving subsidies to oil companies. Why on earth do they need them? Does ANYONE think they are hurting? No, it is time to invest in our future and this president has the sense to do look ahead and act like an adult. What a change from what we had!
Thanks Roger for some logic here is these posts..
Personally, I'm for not giving subsidies to any industry.
Job opportunities.