President Barak Obama visits Buckley Air Force Base

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  • By Capt. Cody Hawkins
  • 90th Missile Warning Public Affairs
President Barack Obama stopped by Buckley Air Force Base on Jan. 26, to deliver a speech on energy and his efforts to restore the American promise that if you work hard, you can achieve the American Dream.

The president's speech is part of a five western state stop and an extension of his State of the Union address on Jan. 24.

Obama explained to the crowd of about 500 military, civilian and media members that in order to restore our economy, we must dump our dependence on foreign oil and continue to drill and develop alternative fuel sources here in America.

"We've opened millions of new acres for oil and gas exploration," said Obama. "And right now, American oil production is the highest it's been in eight years."

The president's plan includes opening up public lands for clean energy projects, providing tax incentives to those within the renewable energy sector.

"Because of federal investments, renewable energy use, from sources like wind and solar, has nearly doubled. And thousands of Americans have jobs because of it," said Obama.

Obama is also motivating the military to use cleaner fuel sources. And many people within the U.S. Department of Defense, the largest user of energy in the world, seem supportive. According to the president, the U.S. Navy recently made the single largest purchase of biofuel in government history and plans to use the biofuel in many of its ships and submarines during an upcoming exercise. The Air Force is also apparently on track to save $500 million in fuel costs over the next five years because of changes using alternative sources.

The president also took time to congratulate Buckley's energy program for installing thousands of solar panels on base as a way to produce alternative, clean energy in 2010.

According to the president, America's economy should be fueled by homegrown and alternative energy sources. And by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, we will strengthen our economy and national security.

"It will make our environment cleaner for our children and their children. It will make energy costs cheaper for our businesses and our families. And doubling down on a clean energy industry will create lots of good jobs in the process," said Obama. "These are the industries of the future. These are the jobs of the future."

Distinguished guests in attendance for the president's speech included Secretary of the Air Force, Michael Donley, Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, Assistant Secretary of Defense for energy planning, Sharon Burke, Colorado Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia and Denver Mayor, Michael Hancock.