http://www.energyefficiencynews.comAfion Media Ltd Obama unveils energy efficiency recovery plan <p>In President-elect Barack Obama&rsquo;s first speech of 2009 he outlined a major investment plan to boost the US economy centred on works creating a new energy infrastructure and more energy efficient buildings.</p> <p>He urged Congress to put aside ideological difference and support a raft of measures that include a commitment to improve the energy efficiency of 75% of federal buildings and two million homes, as well as a doubling of the production of alternative energy over the next three years.</p> <p>Plans to rebuild the infrastructure of the US &ndash; roads, bridges and schools &ndash; also encompass the creation of a new smart grid that will be more efficient and more able to handle increased levels of renewable energy generation.</p> <p>The plan will not only boost the economy, claims Obama, but will also lead to the creation of over three million jobs.</p> <p>&ldquo;We will put Americans to work in new jobs &ndash; jobs building solar panels and wind turbines; constructing fuel-efficient cars and buildings; and developing the new energy technologies that will lead to even more jobs, more savings, and a cleaner, safer planet in the bargain,&rdquo; he said.</p> <p>American billionaire businessman, and investor in renewables, T. Boone Pickens welcomed Obama&rsquo;s plans.</p> <p>&ldquo;A program focused on renewable energy, conservation, improving the grid and replacing foreign oil with domestic resources in our transportation system is something that I believe will create hundreds of thousands of jobs and revitalizes our economy,&rdquo; he commented.</p> <p>For further information:<br /> <a rel="external" href="http://www.barackobama.com/index.php">www.barackobama.com/index.php</a></p> http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/transport/i/1762/ 2009-01-09T00:00:00-00:00 US policy, Barack Obama, energy efficiency, refurbishment, renewables, transport, road