    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [August 23, 2008]
    [Pages 1157-1158]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    August 23, 2008

        Good morning. Before they left Washington for their August recess,
    Congress failed to take action on an issue that is currently of great
    concern to Americans: high prices at the gas pump.
        The fundamental reason for high gasoline prices is that the supply
    of oil is not keeping pace with demand. To reduce pressure on prices, we
    need to increase the supply of oil, especially oil produced here at
    home. So in June, I called on Congress to open up more of America's
    domestic oil resources for exploration, including offshore exploration
    of the Outer Continental Shelf. The American people overwhelmingly
    support this proposal. But throughout the summer, the leaders of the
    Democratic Congress have refused to allow it to come to a vote.
        Now that the pressure to take action has become overwhelming,
    Democratic leaders in Congress have changed their strategy. Rather than
    attempting to block expanded drilling by preventing a vote, they are now
    attempting to block it by bringing up a bill that is designed to fail.
        News reports indicate that Democratic leaders in Congress may plan
    to hold a vote on a bill that would make us more dependent on foreign
    oil and would likely make energy costs go up, not down. This bill would
    raise taxes on energy companies, which would reduce domestic production.
    This bill would make the Nation more vulnerable to supply shocks by
    tapping into our emergency supply of oil, the Strategic Petroleum
    Reserve. And it would impose a rigid national mandate that would
    increase electricity costs in States where there are few renewable
    resources.
        Democratic leaders know that these counterproductive proposals will
    not become law. Yet they seem ready to push this legislation as a way to
    block offshore drilling while appearing to be in favor of it. They need
    to stop standing in the way of expanding domestic production and take
    meaningful steps now to address the pain caused by high energy prices.
        I've proposed a comprehensive approach to our energy problems that
    would permit a range of new drilling options and encourage the
    development of alternative resources. If Democratic leaders will not
    approve this comprehensive approach, the very least they should do when
    they return in September is to take action on three commonsense energy
    solutions that enjoy bipartisan support.

    [[Page 1158]]

        First, Congress should open the way for environmentally responsible
    offshore exploration on the Outer Continental Shelf. Experts believe
    that these areas could eventually produce nearly 10 years worth of
    America's current annual oil production. This exploration is now banned
    by a provision included in the annual interior appropriations bill. When
    Congress returns, they should remove this restriction so we can get
    these vast oil resources from the ocean floor to your gas tank.
        Second, Congress should expand access to oil shale, a resource right
    here in America that could produce the equivalent of more than a
    century's worth of imports at current levels. Last year, however,
    Democratic leaders pushed through legislation blocking oil shale leasing
    on Federal lands. They should lift that ban as soon as they return.
        Third, Congress should extend renewable power tax credits to spur
    the development of alternative sources of energy like wind and solar.
    They should make these credits long-term and expand them to cover all
    forms of low-emission power generation, including nuclear power.
    Increasing production of low-carbon electricity will help us reduce our
    addiction to oil by allowing us to power a new generation of plug-in
    hybrid and hydrogen-powered vehicles.
        There is bipartisan support in Congress for all three of these
    measures. So instead of spending the next month deadlocked on matters
    where Republicans and Democrats disagree, Members of Congress should
    come together to pass legislation in these areas where there is
    agreement.
        This Congress has been one of the most unproductive on record.
    They've failed to address the challenge of high gas prices. Members
    still have time to take action on this vital priority for the American
    people. They need to send me a bill next month that I can sign, so we
    can bring relief to drivers, small-business owners, farmers and
    ranchers, and every American affected by high prices at the pump.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 7 a.m. on August 22 at the Bush Ranch
    in Crawford, TX, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on August 23. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    August 22, but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office
    of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of
    this address.