Visiting Georgetown University for the first time, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., reminded the audience that "in the days after September 11th, Americans were waiting to be called to something bigger than themselves” and said the "battle around energy independence is our chance to step up and serve."

In his Sept. 20 remarks delivered in Gaston Hall, Obama challenged the new generation to take a leadership role in America's goal of energy independence. The speech, cosponsored by the Georgetown University Lecture Fund, was part of the Progressive Vision Speech Series organized by MoveOn.org.

Obama began his address by framing the issue of energy independence in terms of national security. "The Achilles Heel of the most powerful nation on Earth is the oil that we cannot live without," he said. "Simply ignoring this problem will not make it go away."

Obama's plan to approach this battle focused on two main initiatives -- better fuel efficiency and moving away from dependence on traditional sources of energy.

In terms of fuel-efficiency, he discussed a bill he introduced with Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., called the "Healthcare for Hybrids Act." The legislation is intended to help major American car manufacturers balance rising health care costs and investments in new technologies. The legislation proposes "picking up the tab for retiree health care costs" by the federal government if the savings gained by automakers are invested in new fuel-efficient technologies.

Obama outlined other important steps to greater fuel efficiency including increasing the American fuel efficiency standards. For example, he noted that raising the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards by 3 percent each year for the next 12 years would lead to passenger vehicles averaging 44 miles per gallon in 2020.

Addressing the issue of moving away from traditional energy sources, Obama touted the benefits of using alternative fuels like E85 ethanol, a fuel that is only 15 percent gasoline. He laid out three specific plans for pursuing this goal. First he emphasized that federal funding is available for implementing flexible-fuel gas tanks which run on E85. Secondly, he suggested that all government automobiles be required to utilize this technology. Finally, he pointed out the need for every American consumer to have access to E85 fueling stations across the country.

Evoking the challenges of previous generations, Obama called for leadership in energy independence from this generation.

He emphasized the need to engage members of all political parties in hopes that tackling this issue would "achieve the trifecta" of strengthening the economy, bolstering our national security, and saving the planet for our children.

"Now's the time for a call to arms. There is no issue that is more important," he said.