Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 194 / Thursday, October 8, 2009 / Presidential Documents 51735 

Proclamation 8431 of October 2, 2009 

National Energy Awareness Month, 2009 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

A more prosperous future for our Nation’s economy means making investments in energy efficiency and clean energy today. Well-funded energy 

research and development will not only help protect our environment and 

support our communities, but it will also address concerns of global competitiveness and national security. Innovation in energy technology will decrease 

our oil use, strengthen our economy, and reduce the dangerous pollution 

that causes climate change. 

As American scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs bring new and improved energy technologies to homes and businesses in this country and 

around the world, they will be showing American leadership and vision 

while also making clean energy the profitable kind of energy. During National 

Energy Awareness Month, we recognize the contributions of individuals, 

organizations, and companies that are committed to advancing energy innovation and efficiency, and we promote the importance of a clean energy 

economy to our Nation. 

The Federal Government is the largest consumer of energy in the United 

States, and my Administration is committed to leading by example in the 

use of clean energy and increased energy efficiency. Not only will we 

lead through our performance, we will also leverage our ability to be the 

kind of customer that can help turn an idea into a great American enterprise. 

Through State and local grants, increased funding for weatherization programs, job training programs, and policies to support clean energy businesses, 

we are ushering in a new era of green energy that will benefit our economic 

recovery, our security, and our long-term prosperity. 

We face a turning point in our Nation’s energy policy. We can either remain 

the world’s leading importer of oil, or we can become the world’s leading 

exporter of clean energy technology. We can allow climate change to wreak 

unnatural havoc, or we can create jobs deploying low-carbon technologies 

to prevent its worst effects. 

Throughout our history, Americans have successfully confronted challenges 

that have tested our determination and our capacity to change. If we are 

to advance energy and climate security, we must focus on energy efficiency, 

promote sustainable industries, accelerate job training and job creation in 

these areas, and set effective and achievable standards for the generation 

and use of clean energy. As a Nation, we will lead by innovating, adapting 

to the global marketplace, and investing in the kind of sustainable future 

we want for the generations to come. 

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 2009 as 

National Energy Awareness Month. I call upon the people of the United 

States to mark this month by making clean energy choices that can both 

rebuild our economy and make it more sustainable. 


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51736 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 194 / Thursday, October 8, 2009 / Presidential Documents 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day 

of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth. 

[FR Doc. E9–24410 

Filed 10–7–09; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3195–W9–P 


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