National Energy Action Month, 2012

Proclamation 8878 of October 1, 2012

National Energy Action Month, 2012

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

A secure energy future is vital to an economy built to
last. When we use American energy to power our homes,
businesses, and vehicles, we create new American jobs,
grow new American industries, and safeguard our
national security and our economic potential. As demand
for energy increases worldwide, our Nation must
continue to lead the world in a rapidly evolving energy
market by pursuing safe and responsible domestic energy
production, promoting efficiency, and developing clean
energy and renewable fuels.

My Administration is pursuing an all-of-the-above
strategy to put energy independence within our reach
and power a sustainable, vibrant economy. We took bold
action to double our use of renewable energy sources
like solar, wind, and geothermal; finalized new
standards to nearly double the fuel efficiency of our
Nation's automobiles by 2025; and invested in energy-
saving upgrades in homes, public buildings, and
businesses across our Nation. These programs spur
innovation, make American manufacturers more
competitive, and save families money on their energy
bills.

As we lay the foundation for a clean energy economy, we
must also take advantage of the abundant energy
resources we have here at home and reduce our
dependence on oil imports. That is why my
Administration continues to open millions of acres for
oil and gas exploration. Today, domestic oil production
is at the highest level in nearly a decade, while oil
imports have fallen to the lowest level in nearly 20
years.

Thanks to pioneering new technologies developed right
here at home, America is also now the world's leading
producer of natural gas. As production has increased,
it has boosted our manufacturing, dramatically reduced
prices, and created more jobs for the American people.
Along with advances in renewable energy and increased
efficiency, our investments in natural gas can help
reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate
change.

Moving forward, we will continue to invest in new
technologies that put Americans to work in the jobs of
tomorrow--from building advanced wind turbines and
long-lasting batteries to developing cutting-edge clean
coal technologies and next generation biofuels. We will
promote growth and job creation throughout the entire
energy sector by further developing our domestic energy
resources and supporting our nuclear industry. And we
will modernize our electric grid, allowing us to better
integrate renewable energy, increase efficiency and
reliability, and empower families to make informed
decisions about their energy consumption.

Finally, we must also harness our greatest natural
resource--the creativity, drive, and entrepreneurial
spirit of the American people. Across our country,
scientists and engineers are laying the groundwork for
the next big energy breakthrough, farmers across rural
America are producing homegrown fuels, students are
promoting conservation in their communities, and
autoworkers are manufacturing the next generation of
fuel-efficient cars. If we continue to invest in
American potential, I am confident that new plants and
factories will dot our landscape and new energy will
power our 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 2012 as
National Energy Action Month. I call upon the citizens
of the United States to recognize this month by working
together to achieve greater energy security, a more
robust economy, and a healthier environment for our
children.

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