CHRISTINA DUKE | staff writer
March 20, at approximately 10:30 a.m., President Barack Obama arrived at Edison International’s electric vehicle testing facility in Pomona, Calif. to announce his $2.4 billion grant to aid in the development of electric cars.
During his visit, he focused heavily on the need to create new jobs in green technologies and reduce dependency on foreign oil.
Edison claims the nation’s electric grid is the only source of alternative transportation fuel with a ready-made infrastructure connecting every home and business.
President Obama plans to spend $11 billion to upgrade the current grid and make renewable energy more easily deliverable.
In addition, he plans to spend $15 million on aid development in green and coal technologies. By 2015, the President pledges to put one million plug-in hybrid vehicles on the road.
After touring the facility and speaking with the CEO and top engineer of Edison International, President Obama spoke to a crowd of 100 Edison employees and a literature class from Pomona’s Village Academy High School.
“[It’s] always nice to get out of Washington for a little bit, recharge your batteries,” Obama said in his opening remarks.
Prior to his arrival, local citizens crowded the sidewalks for miles in an effort to get a glimpse of the President.
“To see the President pass by is probably the biggest thing that’s ever hit Pomona,” Pomona resident Gloria Nelson said.
Even those who did not reside in Pomona turned up for the day.
“It’s truly a once in a lifetime experience. I can tell people I saw the President,” Ontario resident Paula Flores said. “I think he’s awesome and for the people.”
For others, this was an opportunity to share ideas with the President.
“We need a little more common sense,” Montclair resident Christopher Agrella said. “I’m going to try to give my ideas to some of his staff, hopefully.”
Security precautions were at their highest for the President’s appearance.
“The whole project started very early in the morning, it’s a very dynamic situation and everybody from top to bottom and from local to national security was involved,” Pomona Police Officer Randall Randall said.
After meeting with Edison staff and local students, Obama viewed Edison’s model of a “garage of the future.”
This includes an electric car battery that is charged nightly from energy received by a solar panel on a garage roof.
Besides a $7,500 possible tax credit the President is offering for purchasing an electric vehicle, there are many other benefits.
According to Edison, U.S. Transportation is responsible for 20 percent of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.
California alone is accountable for 40 percent of that. By using plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, emissions can reduce approximately 55 percent of the transportation portion of the gas emissions.
President Obama’s economic recovery plan would also create 400,000 new jobs and turn the U.S. into the country with the greatest output of renewable energy.
Before departing, Obama met with the Valley Academy High School students to discuss the video they created, made famous by YouTube, in reaction to the economic crisis and its effects on families.
As the motorcade pulled away, hundreds of local residents had another opportunity to see the President.
Shortly after the President’s visit to Edison International, he headed to downtown L.A. for another town hall meeting, followed by the Friday’s meeting in Costa Mesa, in an effort to push his proposed $3.5-trillion budget.
That evening, Obama also made an appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” Unfortunately, he received negative feedback after an off-hand joke.
In reference to his less-than-impressive bowling skills, the President compared himself to something from the Special Olympics.
Obama contacted the Special Olympics to apologize for his remarks and make amends immediately following the taping of the show.
