Alternative Solar Power

The alternative power and renewable energy sources was the main topics of the President in his weekly radio and Web address. Under pressure to spur job growth Mr. Obama announced that the Department of Energy is awarding two solar companies with nearly $2 billion in conditional commitments from the economic stimulus, like a part of his plan to bring new industries to the country. He explained the advantages of this project which will create 5,000 jobs in the near term.

The first company that will receive the money is Abengoa Solar, which has agreed to build one of the largest solar plants in the world near Gila Bend, Arizona, generating enough energy to power 70,000 homes and creating about 1,600 construction jobs. The second one is Colorado-based Abound Solar Manufacturing, which is seeking to build plants in Indiana and Colorado.

Obama’s announcement came a day after the Labor Department reported that the unemployment rate dropped to 9.5 percent. These plants are expected to produce millions of solar panels each year. President Obama said it would take years to replace all the jobs we’ve lost overnight, but the economy is improving. He placed some of the blame for the slow pace of recovery on Republicans, for holding hostage a bill that would have expanded unemployment benefits.

Republicans say the problem is Democrats want to pass legislation that would add to the country’s $13 trillion debt. The Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss mentioned that the American debt is held by other nations, like China and this became a growing national security issue.

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