President Obama spoke at Penn State, University Park last week. The president focused on energy innovation, and the implications of such developments. Obama discussed the number of jobs energy innovation could create, the amount of emissions it could reduce and the amount of money it could save. He encouraged the student attendees to focus their efforts and work with a sense of urgency to reduce America’s energy dependence.
The theme of the speech was “winning the future.” President Obama voiced his confidence in the nation’s ability to succeed and offered the tactics necessary to do so.
“We are going to have to win the future by being smarter and working harder and working together,” said Obama. “If we want those jobs and businesses to thrive in the United States of America, we’re going to have to out-innovate and out-educate and out-build the rest of the world.”
He recognized that in order to out-educate and out-build the rest of the world, we must support and invest in the efforts of America’s researchers and scientists. He applauded the researchers at Penn State University, who are currently working to create more energy-efficient buildings, as a part of the government’s energy innovation hub program.
“Our homes and our businesses consume 40 percent of the energy we use,” said Obama. “Think about that. Everybody focuses on cars and gas prices, and that’s understandable. But our homes and our businesses use 40 percent of the energy.”
He also announced a program to encourage the use of energy innovations, the Better Buildings Initiative. The program will offer tax breaks, grants and loan guarantees to companies who incorporate energy efficient products in their buildings.
The president also impressed upon audience members the impact these innovations can have, and how they will help us win the future.
“We can do this because of what this university is going to lead will be more than a pioneering research center or an economic engine for Pennsylvania and America for years to come,” said Obama. “What you’re going to do [through the energy innovation hub] is lead a modern-day incubator for what sets us apart — the greatest force that the world has ever known — and that is the American ideal.”
To read his full speech click here.