WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama, under pressure to encourage job growth, said at the weekend that two solar energy companies would get nearly $2 billion (€1.6 billion) in loan guarantees to create up to 5,000 green jobs.
In his weekly radio and web address, Mr Obama coupled his announcement with an acknowledgment that efforts to recover from the recession were slow.
“It’s going to take months, even years, to dig our way out and it’s going to require an all-hands-on-deck effort,” he said.
All told, 5,000 jobs are expected to be created through use of $1.85 billion, taken from the $787 billion economic stimulus that Mr Obama pushed through Congress in early 2009 against strenuous objections of Republicans.
Mr Obama announced the award of $1.45 billion in loan guarantees to Abengoa Solar to help it build one of the largest solar generation plants in the world, near Gila Bend, Arizona.
“After years of watching companies build things and create jobs overseas, it’s good news that we’ve attracted a company to our shores to build a plant and create jobs right here in America,” Mr Obama said.
He added that $400 million in loan guarantees would also be awarded to Colorado-based Abound Solar Manufacturing to make advanced solar panels.
The president accused Republicans of blocking a $33 billion extension of unemployment benefits that failed to pass the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
“At a time when millions of Americans feel a deep sense of urgency in their own lives, Republican leaders in Washington just don’t get it,” Mr Obama said.
Republicans say the problem is that Democrats want to add to the country’s debt.
“At a time when many Americans are clipping coupons and pinching pennies, president Obama and the Democrats in Congress continue to spend money that they – we – do not have,” said Senator Saxby Chambliss. – (Reuters)