Secretary Bodman Promotes Energy Bill to Western Governors

Secretary Bodman Promotes Energy Bill to Western Governors

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman in a speech before the Western Governors Association today expressed the need for Congress to pass comprehensive energy legislation and highlighted the benefits of the proposal for the western United States. Secretary Bodman also discussed a number of important energy initiatives including: nuclear defense; scientific research; oil and gas exploration in Alaska; hydropower; the strengthening of our power grid; further development of renewable energy; hydrogen powered fuel-cell vehicles; and clean-coal power generation.

“The energy challenges facing our country today are greater than they have ever been. We face rapid growth in the demand for oil and natural gas at a time when domestic production is hard-pressed to keep up, and world energy markets are increasingly characterized by price volatility and political uncertainty. Passing the energy bill is among the most important matters to come before this Congress, and I intend to be an enthusiastic advocate for the passage of energy legislation this year,” Bodman said to the governors.

Full text of the speech Media contact: Jason Van Buren, 202/586-4940 Number: R-04-025 March 1, 2005