Good evening. As we speak, our nation faces a multitude of challenges. At home, our top priority is to recover and rebuild from a recession that has touched the lives of nearly every American. Abroad, our brave men and women in uniform are taking the fight to al Qaeda wherever it exists. And tonight, I've returned from a trip to the Gulf Coast to speak with you about the battle we're waging against an oil spill that is assaulting our shores and our citizens. 晚上好。此时此刻，我们的国家面临着诸多挑战。在国内，我们的首要任务是从一场几乎触及每个美国人生活的经济衰退中复苏和重建。在国外，我们英勇的男女军人正在世界各地追击基地组织。今晚，我刚从墨西哥湾沿岸归来，要和大家谈谈我们正在进行的这场抗击石油泄漏的战斗，这场泄漏正在侵害我们的海岸和我们的人民。
On April 20th, an explosion ripped through BP Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, about 40 miles off the coast of Louisiana. Eleven workers lost their lives. Seventeen others were injured. And soon, nearly a mile beneath the surface of the ocean, oil began spewing into the water. 4月20日，英国石油公司（BP）的深水地平线钻井平台在距路易斯安那州海岸约40英里处发生爆炸。十一名工人丧生，另有十七人受伤。很快，在海底近一英里深处，石油开始喷涌进入海水。
Because there has never been a leak this size at this depth, stopping it has tested the limits of human technology. That's why just after the rig sank, I assembled a team of our nation's best scientists and engineers to tackle this challenge -- a team led by Dr. Steven Chu, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist and our nation's Secretary of Energy. Scientists at our national labs and experts from academia and other oil companies have also provided ideas and advice. 由于从未在这种深度发生过如此规模的泄漏，阻止它已成为对人类技术极限的考验。正因如此，在钻井平台沉没后，我便组建了一支由我国最优秀的科学家和工程师组成的团队来应对这一挑战——这支团队由诺贝尔物理学奖得主、我国能源部长朱棣文博士领导。国家实验室的科学家以及来自学术界和其他石油公司的专家也提供了意见和建议。
As a result of these efforts, we've directed BP to mobilize additional equipment and technology. And in the coming weeks and days, these efforts should capture up to 90 percent of the oil leaking out of the well. This is until the company finishes drilling a relief well later in the summer that's expected to stop the leak completely. 作为这些努力的结果，我们已指示BP调配更多的设备和技术。在未来几周和几天内，这些努力应能收集从油井中泄漏的最多百分之九十的石油。在此之前，该公司将在今年夏天晚些时候完成钻探一口减压井，预计将完全阻止泄漏。
Already, this oil spill is the worst environmental disaster America has ever faced. And unlike an earthquake or a hurricane, it's not a single event that does its damage in a matter of minutes or days. The millions of gallons of oil that have spilled into the Gulf of Mexico are more like an epidemic, one that we will be fighting for months and even years. 这次石油泄漏已经成为美国有史以来面临的最严重的环境灾难。与地震或飓风不同，它不是在几分钟或几天内造成损害的单一事件。数百万加仑的石油泄漏到墨西哥湾，更像是一场瘟疫，我们将为此战斗数月甚至数年。
But make no mistake: We will fight this spill with everything we've got for as long as it takes. We will make BP pay for the damage their company has caused. And we will do whatever's necessary to help the Gulf Coast and its people recover from this tragedy. 但请不要误会：我们将竭尽全力与这场泄漏作斗争，坚持到底。我们将让BP为其公司造成的损害付出代价。我们将采取一切必要措施，帮助墨西哥湾沿岸及其人民从这场悲剧中恢复。
Tonight I'd like to lay out for you what our battle plan is going forward: what we're doing to clean up the oil, what we're doing to help our neighbors in the Gulf, and what we're doing to make sure that a catastrophe like this never happens again. 今晚，我想向大家介绍我们接下来的作战计划：我们在清理石油方面正在做什么，我们在帮助墨西哥湾邻邦方面正在做什么，以及我们在确保此类灾难不再发生方面正在做什么。
First, the cleanup. From the very beginning of this crisis, the federal government has been in charge of the largest environmental cleanup effort in our nation's history -- an effort led by Admiral Thad Allen, who has almost 40 years of experience responding to disasters. We now have nearly 30,000 personnel who are working across four states to contain and clean up the oil. Thousands of ships and other vessels are responding in the Gulf. And I've authorized the deployment of over 17,000 National Guard members along the coast. 首先是清理工作。从这场危机一开始，联邦政府就负责了我国历史上规模最大的环境清理行动——这一行动由萨德·艾伦上将领导，他拥有近四十年的灾难应对经验。我们目前有近三万名人员分布在四个州，参与遏制和清理石油的工作。数千艘船只和其他舰艇正在墨西哥湾开展应对行动。我已授权在沿岸部署超过一万七千名国民警卫队成员。
These servicemen and women are ready to help stop the oil from coming ashore, they're ready to help clean the beaches, train response workers, or even help with processing claims -- and I urge the governors in the affected states to activate these troops as soon as possible. 这些男女军人随时准备帮助阻止石油上岸，他们随时准备帮助清理海滩、培训应对人员，甚至协助处理索赔——我敦促受影响各州的州长尽快激活这些部队。
Because of our efforts, millions of gallons of oil have already been removed from the water through burning, skimming and other collection methods. Over five and a half million feet of boom has been laid across the water to block and absorb the approaching oil. We've approved the construction of new barrier islands in Louisiana to try to stop the oil before it reaches the shore, and we're working with Alabama, Mississippi and Florida to implement creative approaches to their unique coastlines. 由于我们的努力，已经通过燃烧、撇油和其他收集方法从水中清除了数百万加仑的石油。已在水面上铺设了超过五百五十万英尺的围油栏，用于阻挡和吸收逼近的石油。我们已批准在路易斯安那州建造新的屏障岛，试图在石油到达海岸之前将其拦截，我们还在与亚拉巴马州、密西西比州和佛罗里达州合作，针对各自独特的海岸线采取创新的应对方法。
As the cleanup continues, we will offer whatever additional resources and assistance our coastal states may need. Now, a mobilization of this speed and magnitude will never be perfect, and new challenges will always arise. I saw and heard evidence of that during this trip. So if something isn't working, we want to hear about it. If there are problems in the operation, we will fix them. 随着清理工作的继续，我们将提供沿海各州可能需要的任何额外资源和援助。如此速度和规模的动员不可能完美无缺，新的挑战总会出现。在这次行程中，我亲眼所见、亲耳所闻了这些情况。所以，如果有什么地方做得不对，我们希望听到反馈。如果行动中存在问题，我们会加以解决。
But we have to recognize that despite our best efforts, oil has already caused damage to our coastline and its wildlife. And sadly, no matter how effective our response is, there will be more oil and more damage before this siege is done. That's why the second thing we're focused on is the recovery and restoration of the Gulf Coast. 但我们必须认识到，尽管我们尽了最大努力，石油已经对我们的海岸线及其野生动物造成了损害。令人遗憾的是，无论我们的应对多么有效，在这场围困结束之前，还会有更多的石油和更大的损害。正因如此，我们关注的第二件事是墨西哥湾沿岸的恢复和重建。
You know, for generations, men and women who call this region home have made their living from the water. That living is now in jeopardy. I've talked to shrimpers and fishermen who don't know how they're going to support their families this year. I've seen empty docks and restaurants with fewer customers -- even in areas where the beaches are not yet affected. 要知道，世世代代以来，以这片地区为家的人们一直靠水谋生。这种生计如今岌岌可危。我与那些不知道今年将如何养家糊口的捕虾人和渔民交谈过。我看到空荡荡的码头和顾客稀少的餐厅——甚至在那些海滩尚未受到影响的地方也是如此。
I've talked to owners of shops and hotels who wonder when the tourists might start coming back. The sadness and the anger they feel is not just about the money they've lost. It's about a wrenching anxiety that their way of life may be lost. 我与商店和酒店老板交谈过，他们想知道游客何时才会回来。他们所感到的悲伤和愤怒不仅仅是因为失去的金钱，更是一种令人揪心的焦虑——他们的生活方式可能就此丧失。
I refuse to let that happen. Tomorrow, I will meet with the chairman of BP and inform him that he is to set aside whatever resources are required to compensate the workers and business owners who have been harmed as a result of his company's recklessness. And this fund will not be controlled by BP. In order to ensure that all legitimate claims are paid out in a fair and timely manner, the account must and will be administered by an independent third party. 我决不会让这种事情发生。明天，我将与BP董事长会面，告知他必须拨出所需的任何资源，来赔偿因该公司的鲁莽行为而受到损害的工人和企业主。这笔基金不会由BP控制。为了确保所有合理的索赔都能得到公平及时的赔付，该账户必须也将会由独立的第三方管理。
Beyond compensating the people of the Gulf in the short term, it's also clear we need a long-term plan to restore the unique beauty and bounty of this region. The oil spill represents just the latest blow to a place that's already suffered multiple economic disasters and decades of environmental degradation that has led to disappearing wetlands and habitats. And the region still hasn't recovered from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. That's why we must make a commitment to the Gulf Coast that goes beyond responding to the crisis of the moment. 除了短期内对墨西哥湾人民进行补偿外，我们显然还需要一项长期计划来恢复这一地区独特的美丽和丰饶。这场石油泄漏只是一个已经遭受多次经济灾难和数十年环境退化——导致湿地和栖息地消失——的地区所承受的最新打击。而且该地区至今仍未从卡特里娜和丽塔飓风中恢复过来。正因如此，我们必须对墨西哥湾沿岸作出一项超越应对当下危机的承诺。
I make that commitment tonight. Earlier, I asked Ray Mabus, the Secretary of the Navy, who is also a former governor of Mississippi and a son of the Gulf Coast, to develop a long-term Gulf Coast Restoration Plan as soon as possible. The plan will be designed by states, local communities, tribes, fishermen, businesses, conservationists and other Gulf residents. And BP will pay for the impact this spill has had on the region. 今晚我就作出这一承诺。此前，我已要求海军部长雷·马布斯尽快制定一项长期的墨西哥湾沿岸恢复计划。他同时也是密西西比州前州长、墨西哥湾沿岸的儿子。该计划将由各州、地方社区、部落、渔民、企业、环保人士和其他墨西哥湾居民共同设计。BP将为这次泄漏对该地区造成的影响承担费用。
The third part of our response plan is the steps we're taking to ensure that a disaster like this does not happen again. A few months ago, I approved a proposal to consider new, limited offshore drilling under the assurance that it would be absolutely safe -- that the proper technology would be in place and the necessary precautions would be taken. 我们应对计划的第三部分，是我们正在采取的确保此类灾难不再发生的措施。几个月前，我批准了一项关于考虑新的、有限近海钻探的提案，其前提是保证绝对安全——即会配备适当的技术并采取必要的预防措施。
That obviously was not the case in the Deepwater Horizon rig, and I want to know why. The American people deserve to know why. The families I met with last week who lost their loved ones in the explosion -- these families deserve to know why. And so I've established a National Commission to understand the causes of this disaster and offer recommendations on what additional safety and environmental standards we need to put in place. Already, I've issued a six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling. 深水地平线钻井平台的情况显然并非如此，我想知道原因何在。美国人民有权知道原因何在。上周我会见的那些在爆炸中失去亲人的家属——这些家庭有权知道原因何在。因此，我已成立了一个国家委员会，以了解这场灾难的根源，并就我们需要制定哪些额外的安全和环境标准提出建议。我已颁布了为期六个月的深水钻探暂停令。
I know this creates difficulty for the people who work on these rigs, but for the sake of their safety, and for the sake of the entire region, we need to know the facts before we allow deepwater drilling to continue. And while I urge the Commission to complete its work as quickly as possible, I expect them to do that work thoroughly and impartially. 我知道这给在这些钻井平台上工作的人们带来了困难，但为了他们的安全，也为了整个地区，我们需要在允许深水钻探继续之前了解事实真相。同时，我敦促委员会尽快完成工作，但我期望他们认真、公正地履行职责。
One place we've already begun to take action is at the agency in charge of regulating drilling and issuing permits, known as the Minerals Management Service. Over the last decade, this agency has become emblematic of a failed philosophy that views all regulation with hostility -- a philosophy that says corporations should be allowed to play by their own rules and police themselves. At this agency, industry insiders were put in charge of industry oversight. 我们已经着手采取行动的一个领域，是负责监管钻探和发放许可证的机构——即矿产资源管理服务局。在过去十年中，这个机构已成为一种失败理念的缩影，这种理念对所有监管都持敌意——它认为应该允许企业按自己的规则行事、自我监督。在这个机构里，行业内部人士被安排负责行业监管。
Oil companies showered regulators with gifts and favors, and were essentially allowed to conduct their own safety inspections and write their own regulations. 石油公司向监管人员大量赠送礼物和恩惠，实际上被允许自行进行安全检查、自行制定监管规章。
When Ken Salazar became my Secretary of the Interior, one of his very first acts was to clean up the worst of the corruption at this agency. But it's now clear that the problem there ran much deeper, and the pace of reform was just too slow. And so Secretary Salazar and I are bringing in new leadership at the agency -- Michael Bromwich, who was a tough federal prosecutor and Inspector General. And his charge over the next few months is to build an organization that acts as the oil industry's watchdog -- not its partner. 当肯·萨拉查成为我的内政部长时，他最先采取的行动之一就是清理该机构最严重的腐败问题。但现在看来，那里的问题要深得多，改革的步伐也太慢。因此，萨拉查部长和我正在为该机构引入新的领导层——迈克尔·布罗姆维奇，他曾是一名强硬的联邦检察官和监察长。他在未来几个月的任务是建立一个充当石油行业监管者——而非其合作伙伴——的组织。
So one of the lessons we've learned from this spill is that we need better regulations, better safety standards, and better enforcement when it comes to offshore drilling. But a larger lesson is that no matter how much we improve our regulation of the industry, drilling for oil these days entails greater risk. After all, oil is a finite resource. We consume more than 20 percent of the world's oil, but have less than 2 percent of the world's oil reserves. 因此，我们从这次泄漏中得到的教训之一是，在近海钻探方面，我们需要更好的法规、更好的安全标准和更好的执法。但更大的教训是，无论我们多么加强对该行业的监管，如今钻探石油都意味着更大的风险。毕竟，石油是有限的资源。我们消费了世界石油的百分之二十以上，但拥有的石油储量却不到世界的百分之二。
And that's part of the reason oil companies are drilling a mile beneath the surface of the ocean -- because we're running out of places to drill on land and in shallow water. 这也是石油公司在海底一英里深处钻探的部分原因——因为我们陆地上和浅水区的钻探地点正在耗尽。
For decades, we have known the days of cheap and easily accessible oil were numbered. For decades, we've talked and talked about the need to end America's century-long addiction to fossil fuels. And for decades, we have failed to act with the sense of urgency that this challenge requires. Time and again, the path forward has been blocked -- not only by oil industry lobbyists, but also by a lack of political courage and candor. 几十年来，我们一直知道廉价且易于开采的石油时代已为时不多了。几十年来，我们反复谈论结束美国长达一个世纪对化石燃料依赖的必要性。几十年来，我们却未能以这一挑战所需的紧迫感采取行动。一次又一次，前进的道路被阻断——不仅被石油行业的游说者，也被政治勇气和坦诚的缺失所阻断。
The consequences of our inaction are now in plain sight. Countries like China are investing in clean energy jobs and industries that should be right here in America. Each day, we send nearly $1 billion of our wealth to foreign countries for their oil. And today, as we look to the Gulf, we see an entire way of life being threatened by a menacing cloud of black crude. 我们不作为的后果如今已清晰可见。像中国这样的国家正在投资清洁能源岗位和产业，而这些本应就在美国。每一天，我们将近十亿美元的财富送往外国购买石油。而今天，当我们望向墨西哥湾，我们看到一整片生活方式正受到一股黑色原油阴云的威胁。
We cannot consign our children to this future. The tragedy unfolding on our coast is the most painful and powerful reminder yet that the time to embrace a clean energy future is now. Now is the moment for this generation to embark on a national mission to unleash America's innovation and seize control of our own destiny. 我们不能把这样的未来留给我们的子孙。在我们海岸上演的悲剧是最令人痛心也最有力的警示：拥抱清洁能源未来的时刻就是现在。现在正是这一代人开启一项国家使命的时刻——释放美国的创新力量，掌控我们自己的命运。
This is not some distant vision for America. The transition away from fossil fuels is going to take some time, but over the last year and a half, we've already taken unprecedented action to jumpstart the clean energy industry. As we speak, old factories are reopening to produce wind turbines, people are going back to work installing energy-efficient windows, and small businesses are making solar panels. Consumers are buying more efficient cars and trucks, and families are making their homes more energy-efficient. 这不是美国遥不可及的愿景。摆脱化石燃料的转型需要一些时间，但在过去一年半里，我们已经采取了前所未有的行动来推动清洁能源产业。就在我们说话之际，旧工厂正在重新开工生产风力涡轮机，人们正在重返工作岗位安装节能窗户，小企业正在制造太阳能电池板。消费者正在购买更高效的汽车和卡车，家庭正在使他们的住宅更加节能。
Scientists and researchers are discovering clean energy technologies that someday will lead to entire new industries. 科学家和研究人员正在发现清洁能源技术，有朝一日这些技术将催生全新的产业。
Each of us has a part to play in a new future that will benefit all of us. As we recover from this recession, the transition to clean energy has the potential to grow our economy and create millions of jobs -- but only if we accelerate that transition. Only if we seize the moment. And only if we rally together and act as one nation -- workers and entrepreneurs; scientists and citizens; the public and private sectors. 在将惠及我们所有人的新未来中，我们每个人都有一份责任。在我们从经济衰退中复苏之际，向清洁能源的转型有可能促进经济增长并创造数百万就业岗位——但前提是我们加速这一转型。前提是我们抓住这一时刻。前提是我们团结一致，作为一个国家共同行动——工人和企业家、科学家和公民、公共部门和私营部门。
When I was a candidate for this office, I laid out a set of principles that would move our country towards energy independence. Last year, the House of Representatives acted on these principles by passing a strong and comprehensive energy and climate bill -- a bill that finally makes clean energy the profitable kind of energy for America's businesses. 当我竞选这一职位时，我提出了一套推动我国走向能源独立的原则。去年，众议院依据这些原则采取行动，通过了一项强有力且全面的能源和气候法案——这项法案最终使清洁能源成为对美国企业有利可图的能源。
Now, there are costs associated with this transition. And there are some who believe that we can't afford those costs right now. I say we can't afford not to change how we produce and use energy --because the long-term costs to our economy, our national security, and our environment are far greater. 当然，这种转型是有代价的。有些人认为我们现在承担不起这些代价。我要说的是，我们承担不起不改变我们生产和利用能源方式的后果——因为从长远来看，对我们经济、国家安全和环境造成的代价要大得多。
So I'm happy to look at other ideas and approaches from either party -- as long they seriously tackle our addiction to fossil fuels. Some have suggested raising efficiency standards in our buildings like we did in our cars and trucks. Some believe we should set standards to ensure that more of our electricity comes from wind and solar power. Others wonder why the energy industry only spends a fraction of what the high-tech industry does on research and development -- and want to rapidly boost our investments in such research and development. 因此，我很乐意听取两党提出的其他想法和方案——只要它们能认真应对我们对化石燃料的依赖。有人建议提高建筑的能效标准，就像我们对汽车和卡车所做的那样。有人认为我们应该制定标准，确保更多的电力来自风能和太阳能。还有人质疑为什么能源行业在研发上的投入只有高科技行业的一小部分——并希望迅速增加我们在这类研发上的投资。
All of these approaches have merit, and deserve a fair hearing in the months ahead. But the one approach I will not accept is inaction. The one answer I will not settle for is the idea that this challenge is somehow too big and too difficult to meet. You know, the same thing was said about our ability to produce enough planes and tanks in World War II. The same thing was said about our ability to harness the science and technology to land a man safely on the surface of the moon. And yet, time and again, we have refused to settle for the paltry limits of conventional wisdom. 所有这些方案都有其价值，在未来的几个月里值得公平地听取。但有一样我绝不能接受，那就是无所作为。有一种答案我绝不能接受，那就是认为这个挑战太大、太难而无法应对。要知道，关于我们在二战中能否生产出足够的飞机和坦克，人们也曾这样说过。关于我们能否驾驭科学技术将人类安全送上月球表面，人们也曾这样说过。然而，一次又一次，我们拒绝接受传统观念的狭隘限制。
Instead, what has defined us as a nation since our founding is the capacity to shape our destiny -- our determination to fight for the America we want for our children. Even if we're unsure exactly what that looks like. Even if we don't yet know precisely how we're going to get there. We know we'll get there. 相反，自建国以来定义我们这个国家的，是塑造自身命运的能力——是我们为子孙后代想要的美国而奋斗的决心。即使我们并不确知它究竟是什么样子。即使我们还不完全清楚如何抵达那里。我们知道我们终将到达。
It's a faith in the future that sustains us as a people. It is that same faith that sustains our neighbors in the Gulf right now. 正是对未来的信念支撑着我们这个民族。也正是同样的信念，此刻支撑着我们在墨西哥湾的邻邦。
Each year, at the beginning of shrimping season, the region's fishermen take part in a tradition that was brought to America long ago by fishing immigrants from Europe. It's called "The Blessing of the Fleet," and today it's a celebration where clergy from different religions gather to say a prayer for the safety and success of the men and women who will soon head out to sea -- some for weeks at a time. The ceremony goes on in good times and in bad. It took place after Katrina, and it took place a few weeks ago -- at the beginning of the most difficult season these fishermen have ever faced. 每年捕虾季开始时，该地区的渔民都会参加一项传统活动，这项传统很久以前由来自欧洲的移民渔民带到美国。它被称为"船队祝福仪式"，如今这已成为一种庆典，不同宗教的神职人员聚集在一起，为即将出海——有时一出海就是数周——的男女渔民的安全和成功祈祷。这一仪式无论顺境逆境都会举行。卡特里娜飓风过后举行过，几周前也举行过——正值这些渔民所面临的最艰难的捕捞季的开始。
And still, they came and they prayed. For as a priest and former fisherman once said of the tradition, "The blessing is not that God has promised to remove all obstacles and dangers. The blessing is that He is with us always," a blessing that's granted "even in the midst of the storm." 尽管如此，他们仍然来了，他们祈祷了。正如一位神父、也是前渔民在谈到这一传统时所说："祝福不在于上帝承诺会移除一切障碍和危险。祝福在于祂永远与我们同在"——一种"即使在风暴之中"也会被赐予的祝福。
The oil spill is not the last crisis America will face. This nation has known hard times before and we will surely know them again. What sees us through -- what has always seen us through -- is our strength, our resilience, and our unyielding faith that something better awaits us if we summon the courage to reach for it. 这次石油泄漏不是美国将面临的最后一次危机。这个国家以前经历过艰难时期，将来必定还会经历。让我们渡过难关的——一直以来让我们渡过难关的——是我们的力量、我们的韧性，以及我们不屈的信念：只要我们鼓起勇气去争取，更美好的事物就在前方等待着我们。
Tonight, we pray for that courage. We pray for the people of the Gulf. And we pray that a hand may guide us through the storm towards a brighter day. 今晚，我们为那份勇气祈祷。我们为墨西哥湾的人民祈祷。我们祈祷有一只手能指引我们穿越风暴，走向更加光明的明天。
Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America. 谢谢大家，愿上帝保佑你们，愿上帝保佑美利坚合众国。
