As Grist’s Kate Sheppard remembers, then-Sen. Barack Obama once pointed out that we won’t stop global warming through voluntary, individual actions -- like changing light bulbs. It will take mandatory, collective action -- like the new efficiency standards President Obama announced yesterday:

The president estimated that the new lighting standards would cut 594 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions between 2012 and 2042 and save American energy users $1 billion to $4 billion each year over that period—conserving enough energy to eliminate the need for as many as 14 new coal-fired power plants.

Obama also announced that the Department of Energy has outlined tougher efficiency standards for household appliances, responding to a request from the White House in February to speed up the delivery of new rules, and he noted major federal investments in energy efficiency for buildings.

“One of the fastest, easiest, and cheapest ways to make our economy stronger and cleaner is to make our economy more energy efficient,” said Obama. “By bringing more energy-efficient technologies to American homes and businesses, we won’t just significantly reduce our energy demand; we’ll put more money back in the pockets of hardworking Americans.”

After the big win in the House last week on the American Clean Energy and Security Act, it's great to see President Obama is staying focused on energy!

Photo via Flickr's KrisMicheal