In President Obama’s first campaign, he vowed to end the war in Iraq, provide health care coverage to all Americans and take action against the potential global climate change.
All promises have been kept, but since Hurricane Sandy, the climate change has been a main focus by the Obama administration.
Their efforts have been redirected to develop cleaner sources of energy and improve fuel efficiency in vehicles.
Obama addressed this last issue in his recent acceptance speech: “We want our children to live in an America that isn’t burdened by debt, that isn’t weakened by inequality, that isn’t threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet.”
Friday, the Department of Interior ceased development in oil shale (a type of rock that contains kerogen, a low-grade fuel) from 1.6 million acres of federal land in the west.
This can be extracted to produce oil by heating and cooling, which is a less cost-effective method compared to hydraulic fracturing with oil shale.
Other venues for clean energy have been initiated by Obama and his administration.
This October, he has announced an initiative for 96,000 acres of water near Delaware to provide alternative energy development.
Also, they announced expansion of wind power development in Wyoming which alone can provide 3,000 megawatts of power.
Lastly, the Obama administration has announced alternative energy initiatives to take place in Arizona. This utility-scale solar energy will be accessible to neighboring states through transmission lines.
These initiatives are only stepping stones to the Obama administration’s plan to use alternative methods to generate clean energy, reducing negative impacts on our environment. Finding a source for clean energy is one part and dealing with the energy and fuel that we have available is the second.
Obama has cooperated with auto companies to create a 54.5 mile-a-gallon fuel standard, a goal to achieve by 2025.
This long-term plan will lower America’s reliance on off-shore oil as well as reduce carbon emissions from our vehicles. This will reduce the costs of vehicles and their fuel for American drivers.
In lieu of his second term, Obama is also pushing for the renewable-energy tax credit to be passed this year in Congress. This is an initiative to give back to those who make an effort to use cleaner energy and alternatives to fossil fuels.
With more land to create in-state energy alternatives and car companies willing to go green, our country has jump started a mission to clean our air and cool down the climate.
Despite the campaign and possibly your candidate losing, recognize that Obama has stuck to his word and respect the move towards a healthier environment.
Regardless of political parties, our Earth should be first priority, and Obama has shown us that he cares.
Krista Brooks is a junior journalism major and the assistant opinions editor for the Daily 49er.