[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
[February 23, 2002]
[Pages 277-279]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



The President's Radio Address
February 23, 2002

    Good morning. As I return from a successful trip to Asia, the United 
States Senate will return from its recess for an important debate on 
America's energy security.

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    As our economy continues to grow, U.S. oil consumption is projected 
to increase by about one-third during the next 20 years. Our demand for 
electricity is expected to rise by 45 percent. America is already using 
more energy than our domestic resources can provide, and unless we act 
to increase our energy independence, our reliance on foreign sources of 
energy will only increase. I have a balanced, comprehensive, and 
aggressive energy plan that will help address this challenge. The plan 
has five main parts.
    First, it promotes conservation. It increases funding for energy 
efficiency and renewable energy programs and supports the development of 
fuel-efficient vehicles.
    Second, my plan will modernize our energy delivery systems. America 
can't meet tomorrow's energy needs with yesterday's infrastructure. Just 
as the Internet has made our information more convenient, new technology 
can make our energy cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient by upgrading 
powerlines and connecting producers and consumers across the whole 
country.
    Third, my new budget invests in new technologies such as fuel cells 
that may someday power our cars with hydrogen and emit only water.
    Fourth, my plan offers tax credits and other incentives for the use 
of renewable energy sources like wind power, solar power, and fuels 
derived from crops. Renewable energy can increase our energy 
independence and help our farm economy.
    Conservation technology and renewables are important. Yet they alone 
cannot solve our energy problems. We must also reduce America's 
dependence on foreign sources of oil by encouraging safe and clean 
exploration at home.
    On my way to visit Asia, I stopped in Alaska, a place of tremendous 
natural beauty and important energy resources. I met with many Alaskans, 
including native leaders, who want to preserve the grandeur of their 
State while carefully developing the energy beneath a small fraction of 
it. New technology makes this possible; our national security makes it 
urgent. Alaskans know firsthand that modern technology allows us to 
bring oil to the surface cleanly and safely, while protecting our 
environment and wildlife. We should listen to Alaskans who support 
exploring ANWR in a safe and clean way.
    Passing my comprehensive energy plan is not just important for 
energy security, it is also vital to our economic security. Economic 
growth requires reliable and affordable energy, and labor organizations 
support my plan because they know my energy plan means thousands of new 
jobs across America.
    We all remember the blackouts and the sky-high energy bills of 
recent summers. I urge Congress to protect consumers from these wild 
swings in energy prices for the future. The House has passed my agenda 
for energy independence; now I urge the Senate to act.
    Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 3:30 p.m. on February 21 at the St. 
Regis Hotel in Beijing, China, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on February 
23. The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on February 22 but was embargoed for release until the 
broadcast. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish 
language transcript of this address.



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