Record of Achievement - Energy Security

Energy Security

"Our objective [should be] to avoid any crisis in the first instance. This requires a four-part strategy. First, to make energy security a priority of our foreign policy, by restoring American credibility with overseas suppliers and building strong relationships with energy-producing nations in our hemisphere. Second, to encourage environmentally-friendly exploration and production of domestic energy sources, like oil, natural gas and coal. Third, to promote the production of electricity, to keep pace with America's growing demands. Fourth, to support the development of cost-effective alternative energy sources. The goals of this strategy are clear, to ensure a steady supply of affordable energy for America’s homes and businesses and industries, and to work toward the day when America achieves energy independence."

- President George W. Bush, March 2, 2001

The Accomplishments

Long-term Energy Plan

President Bush put forward the first comprehensive, long-term energy plan in a decade to promote affordable, reliable, and secure energy supplies through conservation, investment in new technology, and finding and producing new domestic sources of energy.
The Bush Administration has completed, or is in the process of implementing, nearly 75 percent of the 106 recommendations contained in the President’s comprehensive National Energy Policy, such as filling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to 700 million barrels.
President Bush also proposed modernizing the electricity grid by reforming outdated laws, opening access to the transmission grid, establishing regional planning and coordination, and establishing mandatory reliability standards to prevent blackouts.
The President has advocated funding clean coal research and increasing use of clean coal technology; new efficiency standards for Federal and state governments and consumer products; tax incentives for use of renewable sources of energy like wind and solar power; and opening a small area (less than one percent) of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil and gas exploration. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has the potential to provide over one million barrels of oil a day and provides access to one of the largest known reserves of natural gas in the United States.
President Bush launched a groundbreaking initiative to develop technologies and infrastructure to produce, store, and distribute hydrogen for use in fuel-cell vehicles, electricity generation, and other applications. Hydrogen-powered fuel cells will be able to power cars, trucks, homes, and businesses while producing virtually no pollution or greenhouse gases.
The President has proposed tax incentives for the purchase of fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles.
President Bush proposed extending the ethanol tax credit to encourage its continued use as an alternative source of fuel, and promoted the safe expansion of nuclear energy, one of the cleanest forms of energy generation.