Nuclear Energy Information Service
Illinois' Nuclear Power Watchdog for 25 Years

George II Repeats Failed George I Energy Policy

PRESS STATEMENT
by David A. Kraft, Director, NEIS
April 17, 2001

"Forward -- Into the Past!: Bush Administration Energy Policy Retreats"

Ten years ago, almost to the day, President George Bush I unveiled his new "National Energy Strategy." After one year of fact finding, public hearings, and focus groups, even the DOE concluded in 1990 that, "Energy efficiency and renewables are basically the cleanest, cheapest and safest means of meeting our nation's growing energy needs in the 1990s and beyond." But instead, President George I's plan called for -- drilling in ANWR; more nuclear power; more oil and gas exploration; "clean coal" technology; ignoring better vehicle fleet mileage; eliminating tax breaks for renewables and some energy efficiency; and ignoring the threat of global warming.

Ten years and one failed energy war in the Persian Gulf later, George II is calling for exactly the same things. Only this time the energy war is being waged AGAINST the American people and the environment.

The environmental community is incensed that the highest officials of the most powerful nation on earth are hell bent to repeat the same energy mistakes that have resulted in decades of environmental degradation. They seem to enjoy living in the past, but have failed to learn its lessons. Since assuming to power, George Bush II has:

disingenuously used the California energy crisis to promote failed and highly polluting policies of extraction and production;
established an energy "advisory team" consisting of 62 people, 52 of whom have present or past direct affiliation with the fossil fuel (36) or nuclear power (20) industry; who contributed a total of more than $8 million to Republican candidates in 1999-2000; and only one of whom has primary expertise in energy efficiency;
appointed as the nation's chief energy expert a man with virtually no energy credentials, other than twice advocating the elimination of the Dept. of Energy;
called for more energy production from coal, gas and nuclear power to combat our nation's energy "crisis" and shortage, while proposing an energy budget that would slash energy efficiency R&D programs by over 30%; and renewable energy R&D programs by $136 million -- nearly 50% in some cases.

George II has made it abundantly clear that

his "national energy strategy" is not about energy; it's about rewarding campaign contributors and promoting self-interest; and
it is not really a "strategy," since it blatantly ignores or cripples the most effective energy resources available to deal with our nation's current energy crisis: energy efficiency and renewable energy resources, and fails to take the long-term viewpoint.

It may be the duty of business to maximize profits. But it is the constitutionally mandated obligation and responsibility of government to design, enact and carry out laws and policies that are in the best interests of the people. The current self-serving flailing about of this Administration on energy fails to act in the best interests of the people and the environment.

A REAL energy policy:

must seek to meet multiple energy and environmental goals simultaneously with each increasingly scarce dollar spent; increased extraction and pollution from coal, oil or nuclear power without efficiency fails this test miserably.

seeks long-term, hence "strategic" shifts in meeting energy needs; by retreating into the failed and environmentally disastrous energy policies of the 19th Century, the Administration's current actions to this point fail to meet this criterion as well.
The energy strategy this nation needs would:

increase renewable energy production and energy efficiency use PRIOR TO calling for more energy production. When you leave your refrigerator door open and the food spoils and your electric bill goes sky high, the solution isn't to go out and buy a bigger refrigerator.

increase vehicle fleet mileage standards, since this is the quickest way to BOTH reduce vehicle air pollution AND reduce foreign oil imports;

move away from polluting fuel sources and industries, ideally through markets and incentives, but by force if need be.

eliminate the need to go to war again to defend our nation's energy self-interests.

Present Administration actions on energy fail to meet these goals. The environmental community will not tolerate the prospects of going to war for energy again. We say, it's time to fight the energy wars -- AT HOME!

Thank you. I am available for questions.

Dave Kraft
Executive Director
neis@neis.org

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