What's the plan?

When I've wanted to get the attention of a public official in the past, I've sent that person an open letter.
Federal, state and local officials have all received something in their inboxes — missives that have also appeared in our venerable local paper.
This time, I have found it's the American people that have received an open letter from the new president-elect.
I did go ahead and send a letter naming several concerns about protecting open space and encouraging smart development to Barack Obama, as the new administration has allowed for at its Web site, change.gov.
But looking at the goals listed there, there's already been many ideas generated to address those problems.
Is that "carrying coals to Newcastle" or is it "preaching to the choir?"
Anyway, studying the information published there made me feel pretty positive about where our 44th president may be going. I don't need to be reminded that promising is not the same as doing.
It's already there on Change.gov, one important point after another, showing that the new administration has good priorities in mind.
A few of those points include:
• building livable and sustainable communities
"Our communities will better serve all of their residents if we are able to leave our cars to walk, bicycle and access other transportation alternatives."
This idea will lead to the new president reevaluating "the transportation funding process to ensure that smart growth considerations are taken into account."
• improving efficiencies in buildings
"Buildings account for nearly 40 percent of carbon emissions in the United States today and carbon emissions from buildings are expected to grow faster than emissions from other parts of the economy," Change.gov says. "It is expected that 15 million new buildings well be constructed between today and 2015."
The new administration will work with cities to make those new and even existing buildings more efficient when it comes to electricity.
• Strengthening core infrastructures
Obama recently underlined this commitment to state governors in having the federal government help upgrade and update transportation systems, such as roads and bridges.
"These projects will directly and indirectly create up to two million jobs per year and stimulate approximately $35 billion per year in new economic activity.”
• Supporting regional innovation
Change.gov singles out the thriving innovation cluster of Research Triangle Park in North Carolina as one that proves "that local stakeholders can successfully come together and help reshape their local economies."
The federal government will try to encourage communities to mirror that success by providing $200 million in planning and matching grants to businesses, governments and universities to enhance long-term regional growth.
Might that affect projects like the Chestnut Creek School of the Arts, based in Galax? I guess we'll have to wait and see.
• Eliminating oil imports from countries hostile to the U.S. within 10 years.
In a multi-pronged attack, the new administration plans to increase fuel economy standards; get one million plug-in hybrids on the road by 2015; create a $7,000 tax credit for buying more efficient vehicles; establish a national low-carbon fuel standard and more.
• Creating millions of green jobs
The administration would work to ensure that 10 percent of the nation's electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012 and 25 percent by 2025, weatherize one million homes each year and develop clean coal technology.
The Web site also has a whole section on strengthening rural America, including several points on giving farming a boost.
Goals to aid rural parts of the country are:
• Providing a safety net for family farms
"Fight for farm programs that provide family farmers with stability and predictability. Implement a $250,000 payment limitation so we help family farmers — not large corporate agribusiness. Close the loopholes that allow mega farms to get around payment limits."
• Establishing a country of origin labeling system, which seems pretty self-explanatory.
• Encouraging organic and local agriculture by helping organic farmers certify their crops, and promoting regional food networks.
• Partnering with landowners to conserve private lands.
"Increase incentives for farmers and private landowners to conduct sustainable agriculture and protect wetlands, grasslands and forests."
I hope that the new administration will not forget about the necessity of fully-funding national parks and preserves and their role in protecting biodiversity and providing recreation.
By and large, I'm looking forward to the new administration getting on with its agenda to create jobs by working on energy efficiency and providing some much-needed attention to the environment.
I'm also glad to have been able to provide input on what's important to me.
No one has put it any better than Woodie Guthrie, in my opinion: This land is my land and this land is your land.
In seeking suggestions from average Americans, it looks like the new administration recognizes that fact, too.