    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [April 6, 1998]
    [Page 510]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 510]]

    Statement on the Resignation of Federico Pena
    as Secretary of Energy
    April 6, 1998

        Earlier today, with regret, I accepted Secretary of Energy Federico
    Pena's resignation.
        Secretary Pena has admirably served my administration, first as
    Secretary of Transportation and then as Secretary of Energy. It is a
    measure of my confidence in his abilities that I entrusted him to run
    not one but two Cabinet agencies.
        In his last year he diligently managed the Energy Department,
    focusing on energy, environmental quality, national security, and
    science and technology issues. Just last week Secretary Pena unveiled
    our Comprehensive Electricity Competition Plan, saving consumers $20
    billion per year by introducing competition into the electricity
    industry. Under his leadership, the Department of Energy provided much
    of the analysis that gave me the confidence that we can reduce
    greenhouse gas emissions without harming the economy.
        In the last year he helped shape our policy in the Caspian region,
    building a coalition among the key nations in that region; he provided a
    comprehensive national energy strategy for the Nation that will help
    ensure that Americans have affordable, clean, and secure energy supplies
    in the 21st century; and he privatized Elk Hills Naval Petroleum
    Reserve, generating $3.65 billion for U.S. taxpayers.
        During his 4 years at the Transportation Department, Secretary Pena
    increased the level of competitiveness of America's transportation
    industry with more investments in mass transit than at any time since
    Woodrow Wilson was President. Secretary Pena helped to improve travel
    safety, signed aviation agreements with 40 nations, opened lucrative
    markets for American airlines, and oversaw a 25 percent increase in
    infrastructure investments.
        I wish Secretary Pena, his wife, Ellen,
    and their three children the best for the future. I thank him for his
    invaluable service as a member of my Cabinet.