For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 16, 2001
Remarks by the President on National Energy Policy in Photo Opportunity with Cabinet Members
The Cabinet Room
4:50 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all for
coming. Today, the Vice President and the National Energy
Policy Development Group made their presentation to me and the
Cabinet. This is an extensive report. It provides
over a hundred proposals to diversify and increase the supply of
energy; innovative proposals to encourage conservation and ways to make
sure that we get energy from producer to consumer.
I am really pleased with the work the Vice
President and his folks did. This is a very optimistic look
at America. It's tough, in that it lays out the problems;
it's a direct assessment of neglect. But this great nation
of ours, because of our technology, our attitude, our adherence to free
enterprise, our willingness to conserve, we're going to solve this
problem. And I'm looking forward to making my case to the
American people tomorrow and throughout the years.
While there are some -- you know, we can't
overcome the fact that we haven't built a refinery in years and we
should have. We can make sure -- we can make sure that any
entity will not illegally overcharge. And so I'm calling on
the FTC to make sure that nobody in America gets illegally
overcharged. And we're going to make sure FERC will monitor
electricity suppliers to make sure that they charge rates that are fair
and reasonable. The Attorney General and I will work with the FTC.
But I'm upbeat about America, I truly
am. I think this is a country that is going to show the rest
of the world how to deal wisely with energy.
Q Mr. President, let me
make it clearer. Are you calling on an FTC and FERC
investigation, or are you plainly restating their obligations under the
law already?
THE PRESIDENT: I am calling on the
FTC to take appropriate action any time there is a complaint against
illegal pricing.
Q Is there any
evidence, to your mind, that there is illegal pricing
now? Is there a reason for an investigation?
THE PRESIDENT: None
whatsoever. But should somebody have a complaint, it is the
appropriate role of the FTC to look into that complaint.
Q And you feel the same
on FERC, sir? None whatsoever?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, sir, I do.
Q Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, actually I say
that -- FERC has made an analysis and has actually rebated money back
to people in the state of California, they have already acted on the
notion of reasonable pricing. And we expect FERC to continue
to do that, to be vigilant on behalf of the American consumer.
Steve.
Q Sir, what can you say
to Californians suffering through rolling blackouts? How
does your plan help them in the short term?
THE PRESIDENT: My plan helps people
in the short term and long term by recognizing the problem and by
expediting energy development. And what we have done in the
state of California is we've worked very closely with the governor, to
help the governor permit plants necessary to increase the supply of
energy in that big state.
Administrator Whitman and myself and Secretary
Abraham heard the call of Governor Davis. He said, help us
build plants in the state of California, and we did. And we
expedited the construction of plants. And so the quicker
supply gets on, the easier it's going to be for the consumers in the
state of California. And we will continue to listen and work
with the governor of California. We're deeply concerned
about the state of California, as we are with the rest of the nation.
But we haven't had an energy
policy. Interestingly enough, this is the first
comprehensive energy policy probably ever -- certainly in a long
time. And I appreciate so very much the hard
work. I've told the people of America, if given the chance
to be the President, we would address this problem, and we would
address it in a comprehensive way.
As I say, there are over a hundred
recommendations, over a hundred proposals. And we're going
to get after it. This isn't just a report that's going to
gather dust, this is an action plan. Because this is an
action administration.
Q Mr. President, how
will your plan lead to lower prices at the gas pump now?
THE PRESIDENT: Pardon me?
Q How will it lead to
lower prices at the gas pump now?
THE PRESIDENT: Because we recognize
that we need more supply. And when you read the report,
you'll see that we've laid out constructive ways to make sure that
there are more supply available.
I will tell you, there are some who advocate
price controls. Price controls do not increase supply, nor
do they affect demand. And this is an administration that
will take a hard look at the problems. And we'll deal
straightforward with the American people, with a plan that is
optimistic, it is very hopeful. And it's the right thing to
do. And I can't wait for the American people to hear the
proposals.
It talks about the ingenuity of
America. Ours is a great nation. Ours is a nation that can
lead the world in innovative conservation measures. And we
provide incentives to do that. Ours is a nation that can
explore in technologically friendly ways, and we will show the world
how to do so.
But we also have got to recognize our
infrastructure is old and stale, and so we've got innovative approaches
to be able to move product from one part of the country to another; or
natural gas, for example, from outside our borders to inside our
borders. And so I look forward to good -- folks taking a
good look at this, because it makes eminent sense for the future of the
country.
Thank you all very much.
END 4:56
P.M. EDT
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