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America must turn to 'clean' energy, says Obama
Paul Thompson23.04.09
Barack Obama has urged Americans to embrace a "green revolution", warning that dependence on foreign oil poses a threat to the economy and the climate.
He used a speech on Earth Day to say America can lead the way in developing new technologies but he warned there was no "magic energy source" to help end US dependence on foreign oil.
The president said: "The nation that leads the world in creating new sources of clean energy will be the nation that leads the 21st-century global economy."
Mr Obama announced a programme to develop renewable energy projects on the Outer Continental Shelf producing electricity from wind, waves and ocean currents. He said this would lead to major investments in offshore clean energy.
"The American people are ready to be part of a mission," Mr Obama said at an appliance factory in Ohio that was converted to make towers for wind energy turbines. He said offshore energy could create up to 250,000 jobs as well as helping to reduce carbon emissions. Wind could generate as much as 20 per cent of US electricity by 2030.
Mr Obama has said fighting climate change is a priority. He has pledged to pass laws establishing a "cap and trade" system to cut greenhouse gas emissions, but is likely to face a battle to get his measures approved by Congress.
He deplored the fact that America has less than five per cent of the world's population but uses a quarter of its oil.
Critics said Mr Obama used more than 9,000 gallons of fuel for his day trip flying on Air Force One from Washington to Iowa and taking four helicopter rides.
Reader views (3)
As an aerospace engineer I know that the 5 gallons per mile statistic is only when the aircraft, 747-200 AF1, is at cruise speed. The aircraft burns a lot of fuel taxiing and taking off, and while not in cruise. The 9,000 gallons is definitely an under-measurement. According to a flight planner for a 747-200 model with Air Force One Capacity would consume approximately 6309.8 gallons (42275 lb) of fuel for a ONE WAY TRIP from Andrews Air Force Base to Des Moines INTL. Hence total gallons consumed for the entire flight would be: 12,620 gallons of fuel.
FOR **ONE** WAY in a 747-200 AIR FORCE ONE MODEL:
Andrews AFB/NAF -> Des Moines Intl
Distance: 800.0 nm
Estimated fuel burn: 6309.8 gal / 42275.5 lb
Estimated time en route: 1:34
**Something to note, AF always flies in pairs. Hence two 747-200s took this trip. If they did that for this trip, than you would have 25,240 gallons consumed for the trip.
**A sedan with a 15 gallon capacity could be filled 841 times. This calculation is made using the total fuel consumption plane of a round trip made by ONE AIR FORCE ONE.
- Jaime, DC, USA
it is great to see new Labour's environmental and econnomic plans being copied by Obama and his government
- Keith Price, Luton, England
Let us hope that this happens sooner rather than later. The sooner the world weanes itself off its dependence from the Middle East, the better.
- Ross, London, UK
