[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 13 (Monday, April 2, 2007)]
[Page 376]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Meeting With Executives of Large Vehicle Fleet 
Operations

March 27, 2007

    Mr. Secretary, thank you. I want to thank you all very much.
    Yesterday I talked with the chief executive officers of U.S. auto 
companies about what they're doing to help us meet the goal of reducing 
gasoline usage by 20 percent over 10 years. Today I've had the honor of 
visiting with private sector companies--``Big Brown,'' FedEx, the Metro 
bus line, as well as the Postal Office folks, and DaimlerChrysler as 
well to talk about how we are using new technologies to convert truck 
fleets, bus fleets to vehicles that will be able to help meet the goal 
of reducing gasoline usage by 20 percent over 10 years.
    The reason I've come is, I want the American people to understand 
that there are new technologies on the market that are being used every 
single day, but there's more we can do. I'm looking forward to working 
with Congress to meet this goal. And they need to pass meaningful energy 
legislation as soon as possible, all aiming at making sure that we 
promote technologies that, for the sake of our national security and for 
the sake of good environmental policy, we reduce the usage of gasoline.
    The goal I laid out of reducing gasoline by 20 percent over 10 years 
is a realistic goal. In other words, this isn't a pipedream; this is 
something that our Nation can accomplish. It's going to take more 
research dollars; it's going to take working with the private sector; 
and it's going to take innovative leadership. And I thank the folks here 
who are representing companies that have got innovative leadership, 
people willing to make use of technologies that change the way we drive 
and will change the way we live.
    So I appreciate you all being with me. It's an honor to be with you. 
Thank you for your time.

Note: The President spoke at 10:39 a.m. at the U.S. Postal Service 
Vehicle Maintenance Facility. In his remarks, he referred to Secretary 
of Energy Samuel W. Bodman.