Obama says clean energy programs can help environment while promoting economic growth

Obama: Clean energy helps economy, environment

NEW ORLEANS — President Barack Obama says it’s time to do the right thing for the environment and at the same boost the economy by doing more to promote renewable energy and reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil.

At a town hall meeting Thursday in New Orleans, a participant asked Obama what can be done to make environmental policies more effective.

Obama pointed to clean-energy programs already being financed by the economic stimulus package. He said renewable energy has the potential to become a huge engine for economic growth in the economy.

The president said he’ll be pushing for a broader clean-energy initiative once he’s done working on health care legislation.