President Sends Clear Message: Comprehensive U.S. Energy Policy Vital (4-29-05)
Sound energy policy that includes ethanol took center
stage in President George W. Bush’s address to the nation
last night, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) notes.
In his address, Bush laid out four steps the United States must
take to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, including developing
“promising new sources of energy such as ethanol.”
“The president’s message was clear,”
said NCGA President Leon Corzine. “Comprehensive energy policy
is necessary to ease this nation’s growing dependence on foreign
oil and ethanol is a part of the long-term solution.”
In addition to comprehensive energy policy, Bush
said the administration is doing everything it can to ensure affordable
gasoline prices and laid out four steps to reduce U.S. dependence
on foreign sources of energy including better use of technology
to conserve energy; development of environmentally sensitive ways
to make the most of existing energy resources; development of new
sources of energy such as ethanol and biodiesel; and help growing
energy-consuming nations apply new technologies to use energy more
efficiently and reduce global demand of fossil fuels.
Bush applauded the House for passing energy policy
and encouraged the Senate to move swiftly to pass its version of
an energy bill. He also called on Congress to have an energy bill
on his desk by August.
“We are certainly encouraged by the president’s statement
and his commitment to this issue,” Corzine said. “Congress
must take up President Bush’s call, do what our nation wants
and needs and give Americans an energy policy by August.”