President Obama enters office in the midst of a crisis. Our economy is weakened, and the ways we use energy threaten our peace and our planet. Our challenges are new, our President acknowledges, but this is the opportunity for us to rebuild our economy on a stronger foundation by transitioning to a clean energy economy.

He has made it clear that repowering America is the path to revitalizing the American dream. Less than two weeks before taking office, President Obama spoke on the need for urgent action on an economic recovery plan: “We will put Americans to work in new jobs that pay well and can’t be outsourced – jobs building solar panels and wind turbines; constructing fuel-efficient cars and buildings; and developing the new energy technologies that will lead to even more jobs, more savings, and a cleaner, safer planet in the bargain.”

By making smart investments now, we can set a course to repower America with 100 percent clean electricity, refuel America by cutting our oil dependence in half, and rebuild America with 5 million new jobs − at the same time, we can do our part to reduce global warming pollution.

More than two million people gathered today on the National Mall to celebrate the inauguration of our 44th leader. This transition of power presents the chance for us to shift from a pollution-based economy to one fueled by clean energy – one that contributes to long-term prosperity, rebuilds our communities, and protects our environment.