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

DoD, ACLU, Human Rights First Lawsuit

DoD Comment on ACLU and Human Rights First Lawsuit

There are 4 civil complaints are under review within this Department and at the Justice Department.

We vigorously dispute any assertion or implication that the Department of Defense approved of, sanctioned, or condoned as a matter of policy detainee abuse.

No policies or procedures approved by the Secretary of Defense were intended as, or could conceivably have been interpreted as, a policy of abuse, or as condoning abuse.

There have been multiple investigations into the various aspects of detainee abuse.

None has concluded that there was a policy of abuse.

The Department of Defense has demonstrated a record that credible allegations of illegal conduct by U.S. military personnel are taken seriously and investigated.

- There have been 8 major reviews, inspections, and investigations; three more are in progress.
- To date, more than 100 individuals have undergone, or are undergoing, disciplinary proceedings. We anticipate there may be additional proceedings against additional individuals.

U.S. policy as expressed in relevant Defense Department orders, techniques, and procedures requires that detainees be treated humanely and in accordance with the law.

- The Geneva Conventions apply to the conflict in Iraq.
- The Al Qaeda and Taliban are unlawful enemy combatants who fail to comply with the laws of war.
- The President has ordered and Defense Department policy emphasizes that Al Qaeda and Taliban detainees be treated humanely and, to the extent appropriate and consistent with military necessity, in a manner consistent with the principles of Geneva.

U.S. Department of DefenseOffice of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)News Release
On the Web: defenselink.mil/releases/2005/ Media contact: +1 (703) 697-5131
Public contact: dod.mil/faq/comment or +1 (703) 428-0711 No. 216-05 IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 1, 2005