Obama hears out Google energy plan

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Google's energy plans are getting attention from U.S. President-elect Barack Obama.

Google Chief Executive Officer Eric Schmidt campaigned for Obama and has laid out plans for an energy solution for the United States. He is now one of Obama's economic advisers and recently gave a well-attended speech in Washington.

Congress and the new administration should "take this economic crisis and deal with it as an opportunity," Schmidt said. Spending on scientific research, clean technology and energy efficiency should be increased, he said. A second economic stimulus package, he told the Mercury News, should definitely include alternative fuel incentives.

Schmidt suggested that just as the Internet played a large role in Obama's election, it could play a large role in solving climate change.