By Kate Galbraith

“Why wouldn’t we want to make that kind of investment?” Mr. Obama asked of his energy efficiency initiatives.

At his first news conference since assuming the presidency, Barack Obama aggressively defended the stimulus bill now moving through Congress. He also brought up energy efficiency — long a favorite theme of his — as an example of a fast-acting and useful investment.

The President said:

This is another concern that I’ve had in some of the arguments that I’m hearing. When people suggest that, “What a waste of money to make federal buildings more energy-efficient.” Why would that be a waste of money?

We’re creating jobs immediately by retrofitting these buildings or weatherizing 2 million Americans’ homes, as was called for in the package, so that right there creates economic stimulus.

And we are saving taxpayers when it comes to federal buildings potentially $2 billion. In the case of homeowners, they will see more money in their pockets. And we’re reducing our dependence on foreign oil in the Middle East. Why wouldn’t we want to make that kind of investment?