Obama promises alternative energy in inaugural speech

Many in Portland's environmental advocacy and clean energy communities gathered this morning at Living Room Theaters to watch Barack Obama's inaugural address. Stoel Rives' Ashley Henry and the Oregon Environmental Council's Andrea Durbin hosted the event, which packed the theaters to capacity. In one room, the crowd watched the big screen with rapt attention as the 44th President gave his speech, then erupted into cheers and applause at the first mention of energy.

"Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet."

The president went on to say the country will meet the many challenges it faces and referenced his economic stimulus plan, promising to rebuild roads, bridges and electric grids.

"We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories."

And he spoke of rolling back "the spectre of a warming planet" and an end to consuming the world's resources "without regard to effect."
Energy use and climate change were only a small part of the address, but the President clearly felt they earned a mention among other pressing world issues such as peace, justice and prosperity. For the full text of the inaugural address and to compare it to previous addresses, The New York Times has a useful multimedia graphic.