Senior US energy official says ‘tragic’ Gulf oil spill underscores need to shift to renewables

US official: oil spill shows need for green energy

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — A senior American energy official says the oil gushing in the Gulf of Mexico dramatically illustrates the need for investing in renewable sources of energy.

David Sandalow, an assistant energy secretary, said Tuesday the oil spill is a “tragic situation” that “underscores the need for a transition to a clean energy economy.”

Sandalow was speaking during a meeting of international officials in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The oil-rich sheikdom is investing heavily in renewable energy projects.

This week’s meeting is meant to lay the groundwork for a clean energy summit to be held in Washington next month.