Secretary Chu on Energy

Energy Secretary Steven Chu reinforces Obama's speech yesterday. In that speech, Obama said Chu is the kind of guy who tinkers in his garage on the weekend to figure out how to extract natural gas.

Energy Secretary Chu on U.S. Nuclear Power Plans

Secretary Chu testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee today:

Chairman Upton, Ranking Member Waxman, Mr. Barton, Mr. Dingell and Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to discuss the President's Fiscal Year 2012 budget request for the Department of Energy.
I want to begin by expressing the Administration's support for the people of Japan, as well as American citizens in Japan, as they respond to and recover from the tragic events of the past few days.
Officials from the Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and other agencies have maintained close contact with Japanese officials and have provided the Japanese government with expertise in a variety of areas.
As part of that effort, the Department of Energy has sent two experts to Japan to provide advice and technical assistance.
We are positioning Consequence Management Response Teams at U.S. Consulates and military installations in Japan. These teams have the skills, expertise and equipment to help assess, survey, monitor and sample areas. They include smaller groups that could be sent out to gather technical information in the area.
We have sent our Aerial Measuring System capability, including detectors and analytical equipment used to provide assessments of contamination on the ground.
In total, the DOE team includes 39 people with more than 17,000 pounds of equipment.
The Department is also monitoring activities through the DOE Nuclear Incident Team and is employing assets at its National Laboratories to provide ongoing predictive atmospheric modeling capabilities based on a variety of scenarios.
The American people should have full confidence that the United States has rigorous safety regulations in place to ensure that our nuclear power is generated safely and responsibly. Information is still coming in about the events unfolding in Japan, but the Administration is committed to learning from Japan's experience as we work to continue to strengthen America's nuclear industry.
Safety remains at the forefront of our effort to responsibly develop America's energy resources, and we will continue to incorporate best practices and lessons learned into that process.
To meet our energy needs, the Administration believes we must rely on a diverse set of energy sources including renewables like wind and solar, natural gas, clean coal and nuclear power. We look forward to a continued dialogue with Congress on moving that agenda forward.
Now, I would like to turn to the budget.
President Obama has a plan to win the future by out-innovating, out-educating and out-building the rest of the world, while at the same time addressing the deficit. The President's budget makes tough choices, cutting in many areas while recognizing that we must invest in strategic areas like clean energy innovation that will create jobs and strengthen competitiveness.
To that end, President Obama has called for increased investments in clean energy research, development and deployment. In addition, he has proposed a bold but achievable goal of generating 80 percent of America's electricity from clean sources by 2035.
A Clean Energy Standard will provide a clear, long-term signal to industry to bring capital off the sidelines and into the clean energy sector. The government does not need to pick favorites - the most competitive clean energy sources will win in the marketplace.
The Department of Energy's FY 12 budget request of $29.5 billion supports the President's goals. Defense-related activities such as non-proliferation and cleaning up Cold War sites account for roughly half of our budget. The other half, which includes energy and science programs, is also critical to national security in addition to economic competitiveness.
Through energy efficiency programs, we will save money for consumers by saving energy. In addition, the budget supports the research, development and deployment of renewable energy, the modernization of the electric grid and the advancement of carbon capture and sequestration technologies. And it helps reduce our dependence on oil by developing the next generation of biofuels and accelerating electric vehicle research and deployment.
The budget supports loan guarantees for renewable and energy efficiency technologies. Nuclear energy also has an important role to play in our energy portfolio. The budget requests up to $36 billion in loan guarantee authority to help deploy a new generation of American nuclear reactors. It also invests in the research and development of advanced nuclear technologies.
The President's budget invests in basic and applied research and keeps us on the path to doubling funding for key science agencies, including the Office of Science. Read the rest

Obama's Remarks at the White House Science Fair Oct. 18

Bill Nye the Science Guy was in the House. Here's a list of who was at the White House Science Fair. Obama will be on Discovery's MythBusters Dec. 8 to advocate for science.

Obama announced that DARPA is launching a new program to inspire young people to be scientists and engineers.

Student explains her science project to Obama:

Obama's Statement on Top Kill Failure

Today, I’ve spoken with National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen, as well as Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, and senior White House advisors John Brennan and Carol Browner regarding the ongoing efforts to stop the BP oil spill. From the beginning, our concern has been that the surest way to stop the flow of oil – the drilling of relief wells – would take several months to complete. So engineers and experts have explored a variety of alternatives to stop the leak now. They had hoped that the top kill approach attempted this week would halt the flow of oil and gas currently escaping from the seafloor. But while we initially received optimistic reports about the procedure, it is now clear that it has not worked. Rear Admiral Mary Landry today directed BP to launch a new procedure whereby the riser pipe will be cut and a containment structure fitted over the leak.

This approach is not without risk and has never been attempted before at this depth. That is why it was not activated until other methods had been exhausted. It will be difficult and will take several days. It is also important to note that while we were hopeful that the top kill would succeed, we were also mindful that there was a significant chance it would not. And we will continue to pursue any and all responsible means of stopping this leak until the completion of the two relief wells currently being drilled.

As I said yesterday, every day that this leak continues is an assault on the people of the Gulf Coast region, their livelihoods, and the natural bounty that belongs to all of us. It is as enraging as it is heartbreaking, and we will not relent until this leak is contained, until the waters and shores are cleaned up, and until the people unjustly victimized by this manmade disaster are made whole.

Media Sloppiness on Reporting Oil Disaster Response

Elizabeth Shogren seems to suggest Steven Chu is just a token of trust and that he hasn't been working on the oil leak for long. In fact, Obama asked him to help out BP officials May 10. Right now, Chu's working on contingency plans if top kill doesn't work. I track this stuff daily.

If anyone bothered to read any of the information that's here, here, here, here, and here, they would know that the Obama administration has been very responsive. But reporters have been yappity yapp yapping into absurdity.

Chuck Todd also said tonight that Obama said they are out of boom. Not sure if that is true, since I can't find anything else that backs that up. Obama didn't say that in his remarks today. Perhaps Obama mentioned it off camera.

Here is a timeline of the Obama administration's response to the disaster that begin April 20.

Obama Speaks in Grand Isle on BP Oil Spill

Browner Says Oil Spill Worst Ever

In an interview with ABC, Carol Browner, assistant to POTUS for energy and climate change, says the administration is doing everything it can on day 36 to stop the oil leak. The top minds are on the job, including Energy Secretary Steven Chu. The next attempt to stop the leak, called "top kill," comes tomorrow (or later). Browner says that some of the things that Bobby Jindal is asking for would take six to nine months to put into place and the administration is focused on NOW. Could Jindal be using the cover of a crisis to get free government services? Watch the interview here.

Everyone's a Critic But No One Can Stop the Oil Leak

Republicans have been running around all over the place saying the best government is a small government, that business handles everything better, yet now it's targeting the Obama administration, saying that it's not doing enough about the oil spill.

Republican Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana accuses democrats of creating "media events" instead of stopping the oil spill. I didn't know that a democrat could stop an oil spill.

What an arse. Politicians are so easy to read.

I don't think anyone understands the engineering behind the problem, except for BP, otherwise there would be a cap on the oil leaks because the leaking isn't making anyone look good. It will be a long-term nightmare for BP.

And since when did republicans care about oil spills? I've always heard that the economic benefits of offshore oil drilling outweigh the bad.

Scientists have been saying that BP needs to better measure how much oil is coming out before they can find a solution.

Everyone has got something to say but no one can figure out the answer. If Vitter wants to make himself useful, perhaps he should volunteer.
I think the Obama administration is doing everything it can. That may be naive, but Obama's administration actually cares about the environment. They probably jumped all over the spill because of the challenge it presented.

Steven Chu canceled his trip to China to continue to work on the solution. No one knows what's going on behind the scenes, who's offering ideas and how they're being accepted.

Because BP is a business, and they're responsible for the spill, and the Obama administration expects BP to pay for the oil spill clean up and for its economic consequences, it also seems that, legally, BP has to lead the effort.

Visit the Deepwater Horizon response site here. The latest:

BP and federal scientists and engineers continue to prepare for the top kill operation, which is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, May 25. From the command centers in Robert, La., and Houston, Texas, federal officials continue to review BP’s various procedures and contingencies for the top kill. Scientists from Sandia, Los Alamos and Livermore National Laboratories are examining the risks associate, and BP continues to evaluate options for lower toxicity dispersant and alternative supply chains.

Transocean is holding a no-press memorial for those who died on the rig May 25.

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The Meet the Press roundtable on the spill:

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Obama's Schedule May 10

At 10 am eastern, Obama will announce Elena Kagan as his choice for Supreme Court Justice. Look for a live stream at msnbc.com or cbsnews.com.
At 1:30 pm eastern, Gibbs will hold his daily press briefing with Gen. Stanley McChrystal and Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry.
At 2:30 pm, Obama will meet on oil cleanup efforts.
At 4 pm, Obama meets with Timothy Geithner.
At 4:30 pm, Obama meets with Steven Chu.

Michelle Obama Joins Chu at Science Bowl Video

See photos here. Michelle Obama and Energy Secretary Steven Chu attended the Department of Energy's annual National Science Bowl competition among 105 high schools and middle schools. Albuquerque Academy in New Mexico won.

Michelle and Chu asked the championship round bonus point questions, according to WaPo.
If you're so inclined, here is the video of the competition. Michelle asks questions around the 2 and 20 minute hour mark. She asks questions about photovoltaics, globules and other science-y stuff. Transcript of Michelle's remarks here.

Biden Announces Stimulus Funds for Building Retrofits

Energy Secretary Steven Chu starts off:

Chu: Budget May Fund 7 to 10 Nuclear Plants

Energy Secretary Steven Chu says the plant funding will restart a dormant industry. On nuclear waste, Yucca Mountain is off the table as a storage facility. A panel is figuring out the alternatives for storing nuclear waste.

Obama Honors Science and Math Teachers Video

Sixth grade teacher Barbara Stoflet introduced Obama today. She is a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

President Obama announced a $250 million public-private effort Wednesday to improve science and mathematics instruction, aiming to help the nation compete in key fields with global economic rivals.

With funding from high-tech businesses, universities and foundations, the initiative seeks to prepare more than 10,000 new math and science schoolteachers over five years and provide on-the-job training for an additional 100,000 in science, technology, engineering and math.

"Passionate educators with deep content expertise can make all the difference," Obama said in a prepared statement, "enabling hands-on learning that truly engages students -- including girls and underrepresented minorities--and preparing them to tackle the 'grand challenges' of the 21st century such as increasing energy independence, improving people's health, protecting the environment and strengthening national security." WaPo

More on Obama's Educate to Innovate program:

Obama Speaks at a Home Depot in Virginia

Talk about ad placement. I wonder how businesses lobby to be the speaking locale.

This time, Obama speaks from a Home Depot in Virginia about retrofitting homes to be more energy efficient. He spoke to business leaders and labor. See who attended and get more background here. Obama is scheduled to speak to the press today at 3 pm eastern after his meeting with the democrats. It will be live streamed at WhiteHouse.gov.
"Insulation is sexy stuff. Here's what's sexy about it: saving money," Obama says:

Obama's Press Conference With Thailand's Prime Minister

Remarks by President Obama and Prime Minister Vejjajiva of Thailand After ASEAN-10 Meeting

Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore

5:16 P.M. SGT
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, good afternoon, everybody. We have just concluded the first ever meeting between a United States President and the leaders of all 10 ASEAN countries. And I'd like to thank my friends, Prime Minister Lee, for hosting, and Prime Minister Abhisit, for co-chairing this historic meeting.

As I said in Tokyo yesterday, the United States is a Pacific nation, and we enjoy deep historical ties to Southeast Asia -- one of the most important and dynamic regions of the world. As the first U.S. President to have a personal connection to the region, I reaffirmed to my ASEAN friends that the United States is committed to strengthening its engagement in Southeast Asia both with our individual allies and partners, and with ASEAN as an institution.

During our meeting, we talked about how the United States and ASEAN can work together as close partners, both within this region and throughout the world. We discussed the importance of meeting common challenges like climate change, nuclear proliferation, and working together in support of G20 efforts to promote a sustained and balanced global economic recovery. And I reaffirmed the policy that I put forward yesterday in Tokyo with regard to Burma.

We also recognized the need for expanding high-level engagement on these and other major issues. I proposed sending Energy Secretary Steven Chu to the region next year to talk with his ASEAN counterparts about clean energy, and we agreed that our trade ministers should develop new initiatives to promote trade and investment that could create jobs and improve living standards in all our nations.

And finally, I stressed my strong support for ASEAN's ambitious goal of creating a community by 2015, including its bold effort to achieve economic integration, which will contribute to a sustained and lasting prosperity within this region and throughout the world.

We know that there's much work left to be done, but we also know that continued dialogue and engagement between our nations can help us meet the common challenges of the 21st century and achieve our common goals.

So it was an honor to take part in this historic meeting. I look forward to a second leaders meeting next year. And I am so appreciative that we had such an outstanding chair during the course of this meeting. Thank you very much.

PRIME MINISTER VEJJAJIVA: As the President just said, we just had an historic meeting with the leaders of ASEAN and the United States. This has been made possible not because of -- just because of the longstanding partnership between individual countries in this region and the United States, and more than three decades of partnership between the U.S. and ASEAN -- I think also due to his personal leadership and his commitment to reinvigorate engagement with the region.

We had a discussion on an impressive range of issues, particularly with the U.S. support for the community building efforts of ASEAN, ranging from issues like our cooperation on disaster management, trade and investment and the creation of the economic community in ASEAN, as well as providing support for some of the new institutions like the Intergovernmental Human Rights Commission, which will be going to the U.S. to talk with the experts and consultations next year.

ASEAN also stands ready to be a reliable partner of the U.S. in attacking the various global and regional challenges, whether it's climate change, whether it's the Doha Round, or counterterrorism and other security issues.

So this has been a historic meeting. We are pleased with the progress that this enhanced partnership has achieved. And we look forward to similar meetings next year.

Thank you. WH

Chu and Locke Host Clean Energy Forum

Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and Energy Secretary Steven Chu host forum on climate change and clean energy:

Obama Speaks on Energy Efficiency - Video June 29

Obama talks about lightbulbs and energy efficient technologies in homes and commercial buildings:

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Climate bill has a long slog ahead. Chances of passing=Zero.

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Obama gave an interview on Sunday to a few reporters regarding energy. Read the transcript here. What's ahead in the Senate:

Q. Talking about the regional differences, as you well know they're much more pronounced in the Senate. What do you expect from the Senate from this bill and how do you think it will change?

President Obama: One of the things that we were convinced of was that we could not get the Senate to move aggressively until they saw how the politics aligned in the House. And I think now that you've seen somebody like a Rick Boucher of Virginia able to enter into very constructive negotiations with a Henry Waxman of California, that, I think, provides a blueprint for how the Senate can proceed.

And I think that there is a clear sense on the part of the American people, on the part of governors -- both Republican and Democrat, mayors -- both Republican and Democrat -- that the future is in clean energy and we need to do something about it. So my expectation is that the Senate is going to move forward; they're not going to have a bill that's identical to the House bill. This will end up in conference and there are going to be a series of tough negotiations. But I think the ability of the House to move forward is going to be a prod for the Senate towards action.

Chu on Updating the Electric Grid

What is a smart grid? Energy Secretary Steven Chu answers. He also talks about climate legislation. He says it's a compromise but it's a smart one.

More on climate change legislation. Oil companies are lobbying hard:

Steven Chu on Energy Conservation

Obama Aide's Family May Have H1N1 (Swine Flu)

The individual, not named, was the "lead advance" in Mexico for energy secretary Steven Chu. He came home April 18 and likely spread the virus to some of his family--wife, son and nephew. Robert Gibbs says the individuals have RECOVERED and ARE FINE. Read the White House memo here.