In Alternative Energy Tussle, Obama Takes On Kochs, Fossil Fuel Companies
President Obama is letting it be known that he isn't on the same side as David and Charles Koch and Big Oil when it comes to their approach to keeping consumers hooked on fossil fuels and discouraging them from exploring other options.
Drop of Light / Shutterstock
Drop of Light / Shutterstock
President Obama is letting it be known that he isn’t on the same side as David and Charles Koch and Big Oil when it comes to their approach to keeping consumers hooked on fossil fuels and discouraging them from exploring other options.
The president threw down the gauntlet Monday while making a cameo appearance at a green energy summit in Las Vegas, as The Associated Press reported:
President Barack Obama on Monday accused fossil fuel interests and other critics of his energy policies of trying to restrict consumers from accessing solar, wind and other renewable sources in order to protect the status quo.
“That’s not the American way,” Obama said in a speech at a green energy conference in Las Vegas. “This is about the past versus the future. America believes in the future.”
The president also questioned the ideological consistency of those who champion free-market solutions — except when the free market is pointing to the wisdom of renewable energy. He singled out billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch, who are major donors to Republican political candidates.
“It’s one thing if you’re consistent in being free market,” Obama said. “It’s another thing when you’re free market until it’s solar that’s working and people want to buy and suddenly you’re not for it anymore. That’s a problem.”
Obama wasn’t there just to slag on the Koch brothers — he also rolled out his administration’s new plans to make green energy more appealing and affordable to homeowners and businesspeople, the AP added.
–Posted by Kasia Anderson
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