President-elect on energy and climate: "The time for denial is over"

Tuesday, December 9, 2008 04:23pm EST / Posted by Dave Rochelson

"All three of us are in agreement that the time for delay is over, the time for denial is over," President-elect Barack Obama said today, following a meeting with former Vice President Al Gore and Vice President-elect Joe Biden.

The three met at the Transition's Chicago headquarters to discuss energy and climate policy -- and how addressing those issues can drive the nation's economic recovery.

"This is a matter of urgency and national security...[but] it is not only a problem, it is also an opportunity," President-elect Obama said. "We have the opportunity now to create jobs all across this country in all 50 states to repower America, to redesign how we use energy and think about how we are increasing efficiency to make our economy stronger, make us more safe, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and make us competitive for decades to come -- even as we save the planet."