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02/01/2010
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced his proposed DOI budget for 2011 emphasizing fiscal responsibility. This podcast highlights many of the department's priorities.
Music/Announcer: This is a podcast from the U.S. Department of the Interior
Ron Tull: Saying that President Obama has made some tough choices in tough economic times, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced the department’s proposed $12.2 billion budget for 2011.
Secretary Salazar laid out the priorities beginning with $73 million to be invested in renewable energy programs.
Secretary Salazar: “Our goal, which admittedly is an ambitious goal, which is an audacious goal, is to permit 9,000 megawatts of renewable power by the end of 2011. That is the equivalent amount of power that would be generated in 25 mid-size coal-fired power plants. And that is enough energy to power millions of households here in America every year.”
Ron Tull: Clean energy goes hand in hand with the department’s climate change initiatives including $171.3 million for the climate change adaptation initiative, investing in the science of the causes and impacts of climate change and working on solutions to adapt.
Combining stewardship of our natural resources with another important resource, America’s youth, the budget dedicates $45.4 million to expand programs including internships, outreach and employment.
Secretary Salazar: “I have challenged each of our assistant secretaries and bureau directors and all the employees in those bureaus to increase the employment of youth in our conservation mission. Not by a few percentage points, like one or two or five, but by 50 percent this year and 60 percent next year. This means thousands of young people will have an opportunity to work on our mission to protect America’s natural resources and cultural heritage.”
Ron Tull: The 2011 budget request embraces President Obama’s agenda to protect America’s great outdoors and treasured landscapes with $445 million for land acquisition and state grants, to support integrated landscape conservation strategies across all of America.
Another budget priority calls for a total of $2.6 billion to honor our commitments to the American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
Secretary Salazar: “And with that investment, we will further the ultimate goal of greater self-determination, greater opportunity, and greater prosperity for the nation’s first Americans.”
Ron Tull: To find out details on these and other priorities in the Department of the Interior’s proposed 2011 budget go to WWW.DOI.Gov/budget
This has been a podcast from the U.S. Department of the Interior, I’m Ron Tull, Washington.
