[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 124, 111th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8576--OCT. 1, 2010

Proclamation 8576 of October 1, 2010
National Energy Awareness Month, 2010
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

America's energy resources are inextricably linked to our continued
prosperity, security, and environmental health. When it comes to our
Nation's energy future, we face fundamental choices between action

[[Page 4708]]

and inaction, between embracing the possibilities of a new clean energy
economy and settling for the status quo, and between leading the world
in clean energy and lagging behind. We must choose wisely and invest in
clean energy technologies to position our country for a sustainable
future, create new jobs, improve the health of our environment, and lay
the foundation for our long-term economic security and prosperity.
The time to act is now. Every year our overdependence on fossil fuels
sends billions of dollars overseas to buy foreign oil instead of
supporting American workers and farmers, rewarding innovation, and
developing clean energy industries here at home. Fossil fuel pollution
has already begun to change our climate, posing a grave and growing
danger to our economy, our national security, and our environment.
Over the last year and a half, we have taken unprecedented action to
build a clean energy economy. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
made a $90 billion down-payment on a clean energy future for our
country. This critical investment is expanding manufacturing capacity
for clean energy technologies; advancing vehicle and fuel technologies;
spurring the development of renewable fuels; and catalyzing progress
towards a bigger, better, smarter electric grid; all while creating new
jobs that cannot be shipped overseas. My Administration also set tough
new fuel-economy standards and the first greenhouse gas emissions
standards for cars and light trucks. Additionally, I signed an Executive
Order that empowers the Federal Government to lead by example by cutting
its energy use. As our Nation's single largest energy consumer, the
Federal Government has an obligation to improve its energy efficiency,
increase its use of renewable energy, cut greenhouse gas pollution, and
leverage its purchasing power to advance a clean energy economy.
Across the country, citizens themselves are helping to lead the way. In
small towns and city neighborhoods, on college campuses and in houses of
worship, in office buildings and on the shop floor, Americans are
standing up and building a clean energy economy together through
community information, education, and action.
This progress must mark the start, not the end, of our efforts. Today,
countries around the world are competing to create the clean energy
economy and jobs of tomorrow, and the country that harnesses the power
of clean energy will lead the global economy. As a Nation of scientists
and engineers, farmers and entrepreneurs, we must continue to invest in
clean, domestic sources of energy, harness the innovation of our
brightest minds, promote our world-leading industries, and find lasting
solutions to our energy challenges.
If we seize this moment, we stand to strengthen our economy, enhance our
national security, and preserve our environment. During National Energy
Awareness Month, let us commit to embarking on a new course to achieve
our clean energy future.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 2010 as
National Energy Awareness Month. I call upon the citizens of the United
States to recognize this month by making clean energy choices that will
help build a stronger Nation, a more robust economy, and a healthier
environment for our children.

[[Page 4709]]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
fifth.
BARACK OBAMA