Robin Eckstein, one of Champions honored at the White House Champions of Change event, speaks about her experience driving trucks while serving in Iraq, and how this has influenced her work in advocating for comprehensive clean energy reform.
View a slideshow of images from the event.
Yesterday, Secretary Moniz honored veterans advancing clean energy and climate security at a White House "Champions of Change" event.
The Champions of Change series highlights the ordinary Americans who are doing extraordinary things in their communities to out-innovate, out-educate and out-build the rest of the world. Yesterday's event honored 12 veterans and leaders who are using the skills they learned in the armed services to advance the clean energy economy.
Secretary Moniz noted the Energy Department's strong commitment to recruiting and hiring veterans. In 2013, veterans represented 25 percent of new Energy Department hires. He also highlighted the strong partnership between the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy in developing new energy solutions -- from better batteries to biofuels.
The veterans also participated in two panels focused on climate security and clean energy. One theme remained constant through each speaker: the lessons they learned in the armed forces are serving them well in their careers as entrepreneurs, small business owners and clean energy leaders.
Watch Secretary Moniz's remarks and learn more about the Champions of Change.
