[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: GEORGE W. BUSH (2001, Book I)]
[May 16, 2001]
[Pages 532-534]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks on Receiving the Report of the National Energy Policy 
Development Group and an Exchange With Reporters
May 16, 2001



    The President. Thank you all for coming. Today the Vice 
President and the National Energy Policy 
Development Group made their presentation to me and the Cabinet. This is 
an extensive report. It provides over 100 proposals to diversify and 
increase the supply of energy, innovative proposals to encourage 
conservation, and ways to make sure that we get energy from producer to 
consumer.
    I am really pleased with the work the Vice President and his folks did. This is a very optimistic look at 
America. It's tough, in that it lays out the problems; it's a direct 
assessment of neglect. But this great Nation of ours, because of our 
technology, our attitude, our adherence to free enterprise, our 
willingness to conserve, we're going to solve this problem. And I'm 
looking forward to making my case to the American people tomorrow and 
throughout the years.
    While there are some--you know, we can't overcome the fact that we 
haven't built a refinery in years and we should have. We can make sure--
we can make sure that any entity will not illegally overcharge. And so 
I'm calling on the FTC to make sure that nobody in America gets 
illegally overcharged. And we're going to make sure FERC will monitor 
electricity suppliers to make sure that they charge rates that are fair 
and reasonable. The Attorney General and I 
will work with the FTC.
    But I'm upbeat about America, I truly am. I think this is a country 
that is going

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to show the rest of the world how to deal wisely with energy.
    Q. Mr. President, let me make it clearer. Are you calling on an FTC 
and FERC investigation, or are you plainly restating their obligations 
under the law already?
    The President. I am calling on the FTC to take appropriate action 
anytime there is a complaint against illegal pricing.
    Q. Is there any evidence, to your mind, that there is illegal 
pricing now? Is there a reason for an investigation?
    The President. None whatsoever. But should somebody have a 
complaint, it is the appropriate role of the FTC to look into that 
complaint.
    Q. And you feel the same on FERC, sir? None whatsoever?
    The President. Yes, sir, I do.
    Q. Thank you.
    The President. Well, actually I say that--FERC has made an analysis 
and has actually rebated money back to people in the State of 
California; they have already acted on the notion of reasonable pricing. 
And we expect FERC to continue to do that, to be vigilant on behalf of 
the American consumer.
    Steve [Steve Holland, Reuters].
    Q Sir, what can you say to Californians suffering through rolling 
blackouts? How does your plan help them in the short term?
    The President. My plan helps people in the short term and long term 
by recognizing the problem and by expediting energy development. And 
what we have done in the State of California is, we've worked very 
closely with the Governor, to help the Governor 
permit plants necessary to increase the supply of energy in that big 
State.
    Administrator Whitman and myself 
and Secretary Abraham heard the call of 
Governor Davis. He said, ``Help us build plants 
in the State of California,'' and we did. And we expedited the 
construction of plants. And so the quicker supply gets on, the easier 
it's going to be for the consumers in the State of California. And we 
will continue to listen and work with the Governor of California. We're 
deeply concerned about the State of California, as we are with the rest 
of the Nation.
    But we haven't had an energy policy. Interestingly enough, this is 
the first comprehensive energy policy probably ever--certainly in a long 
time. And I appreciate so very much the hard work. I've told the people 
of America, if given the chance to be the President, we would address 
this problem, and we would address it in a comprehensive way.
    As I say, there are over 100 recommendations--over 100 proposals. 
And we're going to get after it. This isn't just a report that's going 
to gather dust; this is an action plan, because this is an action 
administration.
    Q. Mr. President, how will your plan lead to lower prices at the gas 
pump now?
    The President. Pardon me?
    Q. How will it lead to lower prices at the gas pump now?
    The President. Because we recognize that we need more supply. And 
when you read the report, you'll see that we've laid out constructive 
ways to make sure that there are more supply available.
    I will tell you, there are some who advocate price controls. Price 
controls do not increase supply, nor do they affect demand. And this is 
an administration that will take a hard look at the problems. And we'll 
deal straightforward with the American people, with a plan that is 
optimistic--it is very hopeful. And it's the right thing to do. And I 
can't wait for the American people to hear the proposals.
    It talks about the ingenuity of America. Ours is a great nation. 
Ours is a nation that can lead the world in innovative conservation 
measures, and we provide incentives to do that. Ours is a nation that 
can explore in technologically friendly ways, and we will show the world 
how to do so.
    But we also have got to recognize our infrastructure is old and 
stale, and so we've

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got innovative approaches to be able to move product from one part of 
the country to another, or natural gas, for example, from outside our 
borders to inside our borders. And so I look forward to good--folks 
taking a good look at this, because it makes eminent sense for the 
future of the country.
    Thank you all very much.

Note: The President spoke at 4:50 p.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White 
House following a Cabinet meeting. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. 
Gray Davis of California. A tape was not available for verification of 
the content of these remarks.