Ecologia, Medio Ambiente y Energias Renovables en la Naturaleza

Mr. Obama, whose speech talked about making a U.S. economy that's "built to last," said some progress on the "clean energy" front has been made in the country, although more needs to be done especially in terms of government support.

"In three years, our partnership with the private sector has already positioned America to be the world's leading manufacturer of high-tech batteries. Because of federal investments, renewable energy use has nearly doubled, and thousands of Americans have jobs because of it," Mr. Obama said.

Mr. Obama gave as example the experience of Bryan Ritterb, a furniture worker who was laid off at 55, but who reportedly found work at Energetx, a company which makes wind turbines in Michigan.

Addressing lawmakers, Mr. Obama called on Congress to pass clean energy tax credits; to set a clean energy standard; and to make incentives for businesses to upgrade their buildings for energy efficiency.

"We've subsidized oil companies for a century. That's long enough. It's time to end the taxpayer giveaways to an industry that rarely has been more profitable, and double-down on a clean energy industry that never has been more promising. Pass clean energy tax credits. Create these jobs," Mr. Obama said.

Earlier, before Mr. Obama's speech, the American Wind Energy Association stressed that the extension of the production tax credit for wind should be the first order of the day for renewables.

"Wind energy is one of the few sources of agreement in a divided Washington. But with an expiration of wind's key federal incentive, the Production Tax Credit, looming at the end of the year, these good manufacturing jobs are in peril," said Denise Bode, AWEA chief executive.

Currently, a bipartisan legislation introduced by Representatives Dave Reichert, Republican of Washington, and Earl Blumenauer, Democrat of Oregon, is seeking to grant a four-year extension of the existing production tax credit for wind energy.

The bill so far as 56 cosponsors, including 13 Republicans.

Meanwhile, as part of action from the executive branch, Mr. Obama directed the administration to allow the development of clean energy on enough public land to power 3 million homes.

The president said this drive has already been started, with the United States Navy buying enough renewable energy capacity enough to power 250,000 homes a year.

Last month, the Navy was reported making an order for 100,000 gallons of jet fuel and 350,000 gallons of marine distillate fuel - the largest order of its kind globally.

Mr. Obama also said he was directing the opening up of more than 75 percent of the United States' potential offshore oil and gas resources, to audience applause, and promoted the development of natural gas.

"I will not walk away from the promise of clean energy.... I will not cede the wind or solar or battery industry to China or Germany because we refuse to make the same commitment here," Mr. Obama said.

Reaction

In a statement, The Sierra Club said the United States needs to clean up the fossil fuel industry by ensuring strong safeguards like protections from toxic mercury pollution and natural gas safeguards "that go much further than what the President suggested."

The Solar Energy Industries Association, meanwhile, said it is looking forward to working with both Republicans and Democrats in Congress to implement policies.

On Monday, the Energy Information Administration reported that primary energy consumption in the United States will grow from 98.2 quadrillion Btu in 2010 to 108 quadrillion Btu in 2035.

But the agency, which independently analyzes U.S. energy statistics, said it projects that increased oil, natural gas and renewable energy production and energy efficiency improvements will be reducing the country's reliance on imported energy sources.

"The fossil fuel share of energy consumption falls from 83 percent of total U.S. energy demand in 2010 to 77 percent in 2035," the agency said. (Eric Dorente)

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