Inaugural addresses are more poetry than policy, at least when juxtaposed to State-of-the-Union addresses. Today through occasionally poetic and always carefully chosen words, the 44th President of the United States made at least five references to his plans for environmental and energy policies. So, reading between the lines in chronological order:
1) "...each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet": I can't count how many times then-Senator Obama mentioned breaking "our dependence on foreign oil" during his campaign. It remains a central theme for his administration, pushing for alternative vehicle fuels (bios and natural gas) and plug-in hybrid technology.
2) "We will restore science to its rightful place...": What I regard as a not-so-subtle swipe at EPA policy (or lack thereof) during the Bush Administration. This was also a popular topic among democratic senators on the EPW Committee during Lisa Jackson's confirmation hearing.
3) "We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories": The Obama-Biden New Energy for America Plan spells this out simply. A Renewable Portfolio Standard of 10% by 2012 and 25% by 2025. Right now, depending on what you define as "renewable energy", we're at about 5%.
4) " With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to...roll back the specter of a warming planet": Not if, but when we'll see climate change legislation. The New Energy Plan called for a cap-and-trade system in August and hasn't wavered on that. I think Henry Waxman, now chair of House Energy, may take the lead on this rather than Senate EPW chair Barbara Boxer. Rep. Waxman is predicting a cap-and-trade bill out of his committee in May.
5) "...nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect": Does that mean "clean coal" (the word's Barack Obama has used throughout the campaign) or bust for the coal industry? Incoming Energy Secretary Steven Chu does not seem to be an optimist about CCS technology.
The theme of "Change" carried Barack Obama's team through the primaries, the summer campaign, and the transition. "Change" was at times a battle cry, a mission statement, and a victory chant. But with the assumption of The White House, "Change" is giving way to "Responsibility".
A parting thought from President Barack Obama: "What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility."
Here's the link to what the White House calls "The Agenda: Energy & Environment": http://www.whitehouse.gov/
