    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 9 (Monday, March 4, 2002)]
    [Pages 286-287]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    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.
        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.

    [[Page 287]]

        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.