In San Francisco last night, Barack Obama references JFK and calls for a clean energy moon shot:

“We can come together, and it may not be easy, but are going to be able to solve some big problems once again. And we’re going to be able to set the big goals once again.

So that when we stand up and we say that we are going to create a new energy policy that deals with global warming, and invests in solar and wind and biofuels and hydrogen and all the other ways by which we can free ourselves of foreign oil. And it’s not going to be easy, but we can do it.

We can set a goal just as JF Kennedy said: We are going to go to the moon in 10 years. We are going to cut our consumption of foreign by 30% in 10 years. We are going to make ourselves 30% more energy efficient in 10 years. When we start setting those goals, then the American people are going to stand up and shout: I want to be part of this. I believe in this.”

(extended selection of video)

3 responses to “Obama’s Clean Energy Moon Shot”

  1. Brad Pennock Avatar
    Brad Pennock

    I remember hearing a speech he gave in Missouri last month in which he said we should be completely energy independent in 10 years (via this JFK Apollo program for energy) instead of just 30% independent as he says here and he was condemning the idea of off-shore oil drilling because it would take AT LEAST 10 years to see any results from it. Interesting to watch him slowly dilute his message as the election nears. The crowd still eats it up though… I guess any improvement is better than what we have now. But let’s remember that Bush/Cheney have taken our country to NEW LOWS… so Obama or any other president doesn’t just have to be better than the status quo, they have to rise above and beyond the leadership we’ve had for the past 50+ years in order for us to have real improvement.

    Reply
  2. drona Avatar
    drona

    He knows his audience…

    Reply
  3. menlo Avatar
    menlo

    Brad–Barack appropriates the 10 year time frame from ANWR and applies it to offshore oil rigs that have historically taken 2-3 years to come online. The situation in ANWR is hampered by a short drilling season as well as delays for environmental challenges. Legislation can lop off 3 years of environmental delay. Obama opposes drilling because of the time it would take, but give no time frame for the unknown replacement energy sources.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *