California Governor Jerry Brown Urges Action on Clean Energy

Speaking at the fourth annual National Clean Energy Summit in Las Vegas, California Governor Jerry Brown urged attendees to boost efforts to promote clean, renewable energy sources.

Brown said, "Climate change has become more obvious, and we see great opportunity in investing in wind, solar and energy efficiency, or 'negawatts.' This is like the computer industry when it first started. It starts small and it keeps growing. We're not going to ever not need energy. Last year we permitted 5,000 megawatts of wind and solar, and we have applications for 70,000 megawatts. The 33 percent goal has stimulated real investment. The entrepreneurs that made the computer revolution are the same people investing in renewable energy. Google is investing. These companies will grow.""

Vice President Joe Biden spoke in a similar vein, remarking, "Our country has a choice -- what kind of country are we going to be? Are we going to rise to the challenges, like our grandfathers and grandmothers did? Or are we going to be a follower? It's sad that we're having this debate - in the past America has always led. If we don't lead, we will have to trade importing oil for importing clean technology. Innovation and energy will go on whether or not we join, and no nation which expects to be a leader of other nations can fall behind," The San Jose Mercury News reported.

By. Charles Kennedy, Deputy Editor OilPrice.com