by Christi Parsons
ARCADIA, Fla. -- President Barack Obama declared today that a "consensus is building" around climate-change legislation and characterized opponents as preoccupied with the past instead of a "clean energy future."
Standing on the edge of a large solar-power farm, Obama urged the Senate to pass a measure that caps carbon emissions -- and to set aside arguments that it would harm the economy and costs jobs.
"The closer we get, the harder the special interests are going to fight," Obama said, with the sun glinting off acres of Florida Power and Light Co. solar panels behind him as he spoke to the utility's employees. "It's a debate between looking backward and looking forward."
The visit coincided with an announcement by the Obama administration that it will invest $3.4 billion in stimulus funds to modernize the nation's energy grid. Some 100 private companies and utilities will receive grants of up to $200 million each to help build a nationwide "smart grid" meant to improve energy delivery and boost the use of renewable energy sources.
Obama administration officials say the projects also will create tens of thousands of new jobs in the near future, while updating the way that Americans feed their need for energy.
But as Obama made his way to the field -- and then afterward toward another political fundraiser -- Republican critics complained that the president was taking a public relations tour on behalf of his economic stimulus program that provides the grants.
"He's on what appears to be a PR swing to try to boost up his own popularity to move legislation and policies that the American people don't want, don't need," said Rep. Connie Mack, a Florida Republican.
(President Barack Obama tours the DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center in Arcadia, Fla., above, photo by Gerald Herbert ./ AP)
At Obama's side today stood Lewis Hay III, chairman and CEO of the FPL Group that owns the farm. Though a major political contributor to Sen. John McCain, Obama's Republican opponent this time last year, Hays today was clearly in Obama's court, at one point calling him the person who has "done more to promote renewable energy than anyone ."
Hays laughed as Obama joked about opponents of cap-and-trade legislation, particularly when the president cracked that "especially utility executives" get nervous about change.
The Arcadia farm is not a recipient of the grants which Obama announced today, though company officials say they expect to apply for money under another part of the stimulus act later this week.
Still, Obama pointed to the farm as emblematic of the clean energy economy which he hopes to spur, with this program and others to come.
"Building this 21st Century infrastructure," he said, "will help us lay a foundation for lasting growth and prosperity."
Comments
This is to whoever chooses the photos for the Swamp layout. Very cool front page stuff. Energy panels never looked this good.
Posted by: swamp rat | October 27, 2009 1:26 PM
Countdown to the flat earth, Repuglican global warming deniers.
5..4..3..2..1...Ding Ding Ding!
.
Posted by: John E. | October 27, 2009 1:27 PM
It is great to see President Obama, among our workers, championing the stimulus package and what it is beginning to do for America. Jobs will increase and air pollution will decease with this particular story, covering solar energy !! Of course, you know, those panels that former President Carter had installed on the roof of the White House, only to have them ripped down, by Ronnie Raygun, upon his disastrous stay in Office !! Now, it is a new day and foreign oil will be relegated to second- and third-rate status, once America realizes the benefits of renewable energy, jobs and clean air !! Former President Carter and President Obama have much in common, not counting their Nobel Prize, they share a passion, to do what is right for all of America. That is what you call, and mean, " America First " !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | October 27, 2009 4:23 PM
McChrystal asked for more troops months ago and we can all tell the community-organizer-dither'er-in chief is real busy on that request while he walks through a sea of solar panels in sunny Florida.
Pray for our troops because this guy is clueless.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | October 27, 2009 5:33 PM
This climate change agreement cannot change the problem of climate change because they see the problem as CO2. NOVA had a program a number of years ago that if the sun and moon were a little closer, it would dramatically increase the C02 and you would almost be able to watch things grow, they would grow so fast. By reducing C02 it would decrease the growing capacity of the earth and we would die quickly from starvation at least.
It takes more polluting energy to create green technology and transport all the parts around the world. It would not reduce the cost of energy, it would only change who was paid for it. Most people, especially in a financial crisis will not be able to afford the new technologies. The plan is well-intentioned, but has no positive affect.
The surest, easiest, quickest, fairest, most beautiful and least expensive solution is to turn from the employment lifestyle that is destroying the air, land, water and food making the people and the earth diseased. We can solve the world problems at the same time we turn to a garden paradise lifestyle with trees, plants and pets that provide fresh food around us. It is the only sustainable solution.
It will be an answer to the expected extinction of humanity and a joy in ending the oppression and stress of the employment lifestyle. It is a solution that ends the controversy. It obviously will work; the only question is, Are we ready to retire?
Marie Devine
http://www.divine-way.com
God has solutions to world problems we created by ignoring His wisdom.
Posted by: Marie Devine | October 27, 2009 7:35 PM
Here in Chicago, we get 62 percent of our electricity from nuclear power, which not only is totally non-polluting but has proved to be among the safest forms of energy over the past 65 years without a single death from a nuclear plant accident in the U.S. (And don't mention Chernobyl which was built in a country that couldn't even make a workable refrigerator). Nuclear power does not consume fossil fuels and emits no carbon. So why isn't Obama touting nuclear power as the obvious answer to the fictional global warming? Answer: Because it doesn't fit the template of the environmental left because it makes too much sense. Sure isn't stopping Iran.
Posted by: Demaurice | October 27, 2009 9:28 PM
Annual estimated generation will be about 42,000 megawatt hours or enough power to serve about 3,000 home (during the day). At night, these homes will be powered by the TECO coal power plant 40 miles south of Tampa.
The solar plant cost $150 million to construct, or $50,000 per each home it is able to power.
The solar plant occupies 180 acres, or 2,600 square feet per daylight powered home.
Posted by: Xavier Itzmann | October 28, 2009 1:44 PM