[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 5 (Monday, February 5, 2001)]
[Pages 236-237]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Prior to a Meeting With the Energy Policy Development Group and 
an Exchange With Reporters

January 29, 2001

Energy Policy

    The President. This is the first in a series of meetings which will 
be chaired by Vice President Cheney on discussing our Nation's energy 
situation--can't think of a better man to run it than the Vice 
President.
    I've also asked, and he has asked, that senior members of the 
Cabinet participate. This is a matter of high concern for this 
administration, because it's a matter of high concern for our Nation. 
It's becoming very clear to the country that demand is outstripping 
supply, that there are more users of electricity and natural gas than 
there is new units being found, and we've got to do something about that 
in the country.
    This administration is concerned about the people who work for a 
living, concerned about people who struggle every day to get ahead. And 
we understand--fully understand--what high energy costs can mean to 
people in America, and we're going to formulate a strategy to deal with 
it. And the Vice President's going to head the task force to report back 
to me, and to the Nation, how best to cope with high energy prices and 
how best to cope with reliance upon foreign oil, how best to encourage 
the development of pipelines and power-generating capacity in the 
country so that we can help our fellow citizens.
    We have been dealing with this issue, obviously, because of the 
State of California's woes. And I appreciate very much the way you 
handled it, Mr. Secretary. The Governor of California asked for a 2 week 
extension of mandatory sales of power and natural gas. We've granted 
that extension for 2 weeks. It looks like they're making progress in 
California, and we're pleased, because the situation is going to be best 
remedied in California by Californians.
    We're very aware in this administration that the situation in 
California is beginning

[[Page 237]]

to affect neighboring States. Western Governors came to see the Vice 
President, and they came to see me, as well. And they're deeply 
concerned about the situation spreading beyond the California borders, 
and so are we. And so the task force that's being assembled will not 
only deal with the very short-run issues dealing with the West but, 
obviously, the longer-term issues that will be confronting our country 
for a while, unless we're willing to act boldly and swiftly, which we 
will do.
    Thank you for coming.

Super Bowl XXXV

    Q. ----questions?
    The President. Next time. Give you a chance to really think of some 
good ones. [Laughter] I've got some suggestions--I've got some 
suggestions. First answer--you can think of the question--first answer 
is, Ravens. [Laughter]

Note: The President spoke at 11:35 a.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Secretary of Energy Spencer 
Abraham and Gov. Gray Davis of California. A tape was not available for 
verification of the content of these remarks.