Obama Dedicated to Creating "Green Jobs"

President-Elect Barack Obama touted his economic recovery program at a speech in Bedford Heights, Ohio, yesterday. With only four days until he becomes president, Obama is focused on hitting the ground running and building support for his massive fiscal stimulus.

His plan's dedication to green energy was the focus of the president-elect's remarks. The location of the speech - at Cardinal Fastener & Specialty Company which produces parts for wind turbines - was fitting for Obama's focus on growing green jobs.

"The need for this action has never been more urgent," Obama said in prepared remarks. "We've started this year in the midst of a crisis unlike any we've seen in our lifetime."

He noted that nearly 2.6 million jobs were lost in 2006 alone, a trend that most economists predict will continue for some time. Obama once again warned about the dangers of not passing a stimulus, warning that "this recession could linger for years - and America could lose the competitive edge that has served as the foundation for our strength and standing in the world."

His plan would create or save three to four million jobs, with 90 percent of the creation in the private sector, Obama said.
The downturn and credit crunch are severely threatening energy projects like wind power, Obama warned. Without financing half the planned wind projects in 2009 could be abandoned, he said.
The rising deficit, projected at $1.2 trillion for 2008, reflects massive government intervention in the economy. Deficits will remain over $1 trillion for several years, Obama warned, with his economic recovery plan estimated at $800 billion.

From rttnews.com