- Worked to make the environment a national priority, and a primary source for job creation
- Laid the groundwork for a new green energy economy
- Attempted to double the amount of renewable energy
- Provided tax credits and loan guarantees to companies the are part of the green economy
- Making more loans available to small businesses including cleantech startups
- Wants producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources
- Developed a program for renewable energy projects on the waters of our outer continental shelf to produce electricity from wind, wave, and ocean currents
- Signed Executive Order 13514 that directed Federal Agencies to reduce their greenhouse gas pollution, meet a number of energy, water, and waste reduction targets, and leverage Federal purchasing power to promote environmentally-responsible products and technologies
- Rejected the environmentally destructive Keystone XL pipeline
- Ordered federal transportation officials to develop new federal rules directing automakers to start making more fuel-efficient cars
- Enacted fuel efficiency standards that will reduce emissions by will requiring cars and light trucks manufactured in the US to get 54.5 mpg by 2025
- Allowed states to enact higher standards than those mandated by the Federal government
- Saved the American automotive industry by making GM restructure before bailing them out, and putting incentive money to help the industry build greener cars
- Encouraged GM to make more fuel efficient cars that helped the company to once again be the world's largest automaker
- Provided tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles
- Implemented the cash for clunkers program offered vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars
- Saved the economy from collapse by providing a $789 billion economic stimulus plan known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which has helped to create green jobs
- Sought to build a new electrical grid
- Increased research funding for science and research labs (including research related to climate change and the green economy)
- Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports\
- Ended previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions
- Launched Recovery.gov to track spending from the Recovery Act, an unprecedented step to provide transparency and accountability through technology
- Launched Business.gov – enabling conversation and online collaboration between small business owners, government representatives and industry experts in discussion forums relevant to starting and managing a business. Great for the economy.
- Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants…) after years of neglect
- Made education a national priority by putting emphasis and money behind new ideas like charter schools.
- Increased student loans
- Protected 300,000 education jobs, such as teachers, principals, librarians, and counselors through the Recovery Act that would have otherwise been lost.
- New funds for school construction including green schools
© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.
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