U.S. President Barack Obama has ridiculed the anti-solar lobby’s criticisms of the industry and has again called for an end to $4 billion in U.S. subsidies to the oil sector.
While visiting a solar farm in Boulder City, Colorado, President Obama expanded on his "all-of-the-above energy" strategy; one in which solar energy features heavily.
The President was touring Copper Mountain Solar 1 Facility, the largest solar panel based facility in the USA, boasting nearly one million solar panels powering 17,000 homes.
In regard to a member of Congress who has previously stated jobs in the renewable energy industry were "phony" and others who joke about solar’s potential; Obama said:
"I mean, think about that mindset, that attitude that says because something is new, it must not be real. If these guys were around when Columbus set sail, they’d be charter members of the Flat Earth Society."
He later turned his attention to the thorny topic of oil subsidies; again conjuring up the "flat earther" threat.
"The current members of the Flat Earth Society in Congress — (laughter) — they would rather see us continue to provide $4 billion — $4 billion — in tax subsidies, tax giveaways, to the oil companies — $4 billion to an industry that is making record profits. Every time you fill up the pump, they’re making money. They are doing just fine. They’re not having any problems."
Repeating the call from his 2011 State Of The Union speech, Obama said a century of subsidies to oil companies is long enough and it was time to "double down on investments in an energy industry that has never been more promising".
Referring to the need for continuing and increased support for renewable energy and fuel-efficient cars, Obama pointed out, " That’s been true of every innovation that we’ve ever had."
The President stated there were now over 5,600 solar companies nationwide and the USA is producing enough solar electricity to power 730,000 American homes – not including 16 major projects in the pipeline that will bump that figure up to 2 million homes.
The full text of President Obama’s speech can be viewed here.
