For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 18, 2003
Press Gaggle by Scott McClellan
Crawford Middle School
Crawford, Texas
12:05 P.M. CDT
MR. McCLELLAN: Good afternoon, everybody. Let me walk you through
the President's morning. The President had his usual briefings this
morning. Following the briefings, the President placed a phone call to
Secretary Abraham. The President continued to emphasize the need to
find out what caused the blackout and to do so as quickly as possible.
The two discussed the ongoing investigation into the cause. As you're
aware, we continue to aggressively investigate the cause of the
blackout so we can better seek solutions.
Just this weekend, the Department of Energy dispatched teams of
investigators to the Northeast and Upper Midwest to begin their onsite
investigation. The President and Prime Minister Chretien spoke Friday
and established the joint taskforce between the United States and
Canada. Secretary Abraham is scheduled to meet with his Canadian
counterpart on Wednesday. And the Department of Energy is already
collecting information and talking to the appropriate people at
utilities, at the North American Electric Reliability Council and
independent system operators to investigate the causes. The two also
talked about the importance and the need to modernize the electrical
delivery system and improve the transmission infrastructure.
And just one -- if someone will remind me at the end, I have one
announcement I want to make at the end of this. And with that, I'm
happy to jump right into questions.
Q Can you talk a little bit about the White House response to these
sabotage attacks in Iraq on the oil pipelines and the water supply? It
looks like a new tactic for the folks who are working against our
troops there. How do you guys plan to deal with this?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think it's a reminder of what we've talked about
all along, that as we continue to make progress and achieve successes,
as we move to a free and democratic Iraq, there will be those remanents
of the former regime and foreign terrorists who are enemies of the
Iraqi people that will continue to seek to carry out attacks.
And we are on the offensive. We are going after those remnants of
the former regime. We are going after those foreign terrorists. This
are people that seek to prevent the Iraqi people from having a brighter
future, from having a future that is free and democratic, from having
an Iraq that is governed by the Iraqi people. And we will continue to
aggressively pursue those killers.
Q -- are becoming more and more successful, and they're changing
their tactics. How is the White House and the administration going to
deal with this and really confront it, stop it?
MR. McCLELLAN: Our men and women in the armed forces are going to
continue to stay on the offensive. Our troops are going after these
remnants. They're going after these foreign terrorists and finding
them. And they will continue to do that and defeat them wherever they
may be. But these are enemies of the Iraqi people. They are enemies of
a brighter future for the people of Iraq. But they will be defeated.
Q Scott, let me ask you about -- a little bit more on the
blackouts. What is the President's position on changing the regulatory
environment for a lot of utilities across the country? Does he think
that federal regulators should play, as Pat Wood suggested over the
weekend, a kind of "air traffic controller" role to make sure that the
feds have the most complete picture as possible over transmission and
delivery?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, first of all, the President believes strongly
that we need a comprehensive solution, not patchwork crisis management.
This is just today's crisis. We don't know what tomorrow's crisis will
be. So we need to proceed forward with a comprehensive solution. And I
would remind you that more than two years ago, the President outlined a
comprehensive energy strategy and a comprehensive energy plan to
strengthen our economic security, to strengthen our national security.
It's a plan that reduces our dependence on foreign sources of energy,
it modernizes our outdated, antiquated electrical delivery system, it
expands conservation, increases energy efficiency and diversifies our
supply of energy by use of new technologies -- or promoting use of new
technologies to explore in an environmentally friendly way.
That was all detailed in the National Energy Policy report that was
171 pages long, containing 105 recomendations. We've already
administratively implemented about 90 of those recommendations. The
rest of those proposals do require congressional action. But there was
an entire chapter in that energy report called America's Energy
Infastructure. And it talks about the need to modernize the electricity
grid and our electric delivery system.
And what's most important right now is that we move forward to act
on mandatory and enforceable reliabilty standards, that we move forward
to upgrade and expand our transmission capacity. We need to improve our
infastructure to meet the demand that continues to increase.
But specifically to what you were talking about, we do believe that
regional management is an important issue. We've been working to
encourage parcitipation in regional organizations, regional
transmission organizations. That's something that's already occuring at
this point.
Q But isn't that part of the problem, that it's on a regional basis
and not a national basis? Isn't what we're talking about, the --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think you're talking about the regional
transmission organizations, which is one thing that the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission has been talking about. And that's what --
there's some timing issues and there's some issues of regional concerns
that are still beging worked on. And we want to work -- continue to
work with Congress on these issues. But what's most important is that
Congress act and get an energy plan -- a comprehensive energy plan
enacted.
Q But isn't it imperative for the federal government to put more
pressure on the biggest energy producers in the country, the biggest
utilities in the country, to say that deregulation and the kind of -- a
less centralized approach is no longer tolerable?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, and that's why I was talking about --
specifically, let me go back through -- that's why I talked about
mandatory reliability standards, standards that are enforceable,
standards where we can hold people accountable if they don't comply
with those standards.
We've outlined in the President's proposal, that he put forward
more than two years ago, expediting siting of transmission facilities
in interstate conjestion areas. We're promoting -- the plan promotes
investment in transmission infastructure. The plan provides incentives
for more efficient and advanced transmission technologies and improving
siting of transmission facilities on federal lands. So we've got these
proposals and that's what we're moving forward on.
Q Scott, if I could just follow, the Democrats are saying that the
controversial proposal to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge is holding up passing the energy policy. If the President gets a
bill on his desk that does not include that provision, would he veto
the legislation?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think, first of all, that suggestion is just
ridiculous. I mean are these the same people --
First of all, Suzanne, in response to your question, I think it's
ridiculous. Are these the -- same people that are pointing fingers,
saying that if that one provision is taken out, that they will now
support a comprehensive energy plan, as outlined by the President? Of
course not. I think that what you're seeing is political posturing. The
President is focused on seeking solutions.
And as I mentioned a minute ago, we need comprehensive solutions,
not patchwork crisis management. We are now in today's crisis. We don't
know what tomorrow's crisis is going to be. But leadership is about
acting to address big challenges in a comprehensive way. It's not about
shirking responsibility and governing crisis by crisis. And so I think
it's ridiculous. And that's just political posturing.
Q So you're saying it has to be included in the bill?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, what we're pursuing is a comprehensive energy
plan that will address -- that will solve the problems that are before
us, that will address the challeneges that we face. This is just the
latest crisis regarding our energy infrastructure and regarding our
nation's energy supply.
Q So it was taken out of the bill. Would the President veto the
policy?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we're going to continue to work with Congress
and get the most comprehensive energy plan we can passed.
Q Scott, your estimate to modernize or upgrade these transmission
lines or grids is as high as $100 billion. Who does the President
believe should pay for this? The utilities are resisting that kind of
cost.
MR. McCLELLAN: I think the President believes the cost of inaction
is far greater than the cost of -- that could be born over the
long-term, that the cost of enacting -- the cost of not acting on this
comprehensive plan is far greater, and we're focused on solving this
problem, we're focused on moving forward to address these issues before
the next crisis happens so that we can prevent crisis from happening --
crises from happening in the future. That's what we're focused on.
Q But it's a lot of money, Scott. Someone has got to pay for it. I
mean, should the consumers, the taxpayers --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, that's what we're going to work to address. I
don't know what the ultimate costs are at this point. But the cost of
not acting, I know, is far greater.
Q Scott, to go back to that FERC proposal, just for a moment, that
regulatory proposal. So are you saying -- you mentioned there are some
timing issues. Are you saying that the administration does want to put
that on hold as has been reported?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, what I'm saying is that there's some timing
issues and that there's some issues relating to regional concerns that
need to be addressed. And we're working on that, we're working with
Congress. And what I'm also pointing out is that we're already acting
on these regional management issues. Those things -- those are already
moving forward. We're already encouraging participation in regional
transmission organizations.
Q Is it true that the administration would not like to see that
move forward at this point because it could jeopardize --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I just said that we're already moving forward
on regional transmission organizations. You're getting into issues of
timing about mandatory versus voluntary. You're getting into issues
about regional concerns. Those are issues we're working to address.
Those are issues we're working with Congress to address, as well.
Q But what do you mean, though, by that, the timing issues? The
question is whether they're mandatory or voluntary, and the program
calls for them to be mandatory. Does the administration support that or
not?
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, what we support, and what we think is most
important, is to have mandatory reliability standards that are
enforceable. That's one of the most important things that we can do to
address the current situation.
And so that's what we're moving -- that's what we're moving forward
on. But we're going to continue to work with Congress, and there's
some different provisions in the House-passed version versus the
Senate-passed version.
But we're already encouraging participation in regional
transmission organizations. And that's the point I think it's important
to make. And then there's some timing issues that need to be addressed.
There's some regional concerns that need to be addressed. And state
concerns that need to be addressed as we move forward.
But the President is firmly committed, as he has been since he took
office, to passing and implementing a comprehensive energy plan that
will address these issues.
Q But what is the timing issue that you think is holding things
up?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think I've just addressed it.
Q No you haven't.
Q Scott, al Qaeda is reporting that al Qaeda is claiming
responsibility for the blackouts.
MR. McCLELLAN: There is, still, absolutely no indication that this
is -- relates to terrorism.
Q Scott, was the Secretary -- Secretary Abraham able to give the
President any preliminary rundown on what the latest is -- the
assessment of what caused Thursday's blackouts?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think, Mark, I want to avoid getting into any
speculation about what the cause may be. We still do not know the
cause. That has not been determined. It is important to move forward
as quickly as possible in a thorough way to determine the cause so that
we can look for solutions, so that we can seek the best possible
solutions, so that this doesn't happen in the future.
Q And when you speak of mandatory reliability standards that are
enforceable, can you explain what that means?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, that people will have to meet these mandatory
standards, people will have to comply with those standards, and if they
don't, then we will go after them. I think that some of the legislation
calls for some fines for failing to comply with those reliability
standards.
But I think right now you have some voluntary standards in place,
but I think it's not strong enough to where we can go after people that
aren't meeting those standards. So he wants improved reliability so
that situations like this can be -- we can do a better job of
preventing cascading outages and preventing blackouts like we saw over
the last week.
Q And the standards would be enforced on utilities?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, enforced on those that have to comply
to meet those standards.
Q Scott, on Libya, it looks like the U.N. is -- may lift sanctions.
What does the U.S. want before it lifts its unilateral sanctions? And
would that include the departure of Ghadafi?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we have -- you bring up, the U.N. is expected
to move forward soon. Libya has met the requirements of accepting
responsibility for the Pan Am 103 bombing, and that was important that
they accept that responsibility. They have sent a letter to the United
Nations to that effect. The United Nations, I expect, will move forward
soon on a resolution. And we've sent a letter, as well, saying that we
will not oppose the lifting of U.N. sanctions.
But when you get to sanctions by -- the bilateral sanctions, our
United States sanctions will remain in place because we still have a
number of serious concerns when it comes to Libya, most notably, their
continued pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and their continued
participation in regional conflicts in Africa that have been very
destructive and unhelpful. Libya continues to have a poor human rights
record. So there are a number of concerns we still have. And we have no
intention of lifting the U.S. sanctions.
Q Would it take the departure of Colonel Ghadafi to --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, they need to address the concerns I just
outlined is what our position is, before we consider any lifting of
U.S. sanctions. But there are still a number of serious concerns we
have with regard to Libya.
Q Scott, do you have any -- are there plans for U.S. military
exercises off of Australia that would be seen as enforcing this plan to
prevent North Korea from exporting weapons?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, you're getting into the Proliferation Security
Initiative that the President outlined in May of this year. And this
initiative is aimed at combatting proliferation or spread of weapons of
mass destruction. And we're working -- we already have 11 nations that
are participating in this. This is a partnership, a cooperative effort
with countries all across the world to counter proliferation.
And certainly, when it comes to North Korea, they are probably the
most serious proliferator of missiles and related technologies. And so
the specific exercise you're talking about, those are exercises that we
said would be carried out in partnership with other nations to prepare
-- to make sure that we are better prepared to interdict operations
that involve proliferation. But this is part of the exercises related
to the Proliferation Security Initiative. That's what this is.
Q Are you concerned that this may seem threatening, coming ahead of
talks that you have?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, the proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction is a serious concern. It is something that we are moving
forward on in partnership with other countries committed to eliminating
that threat or reducing that threat. I do not view it in the way you
do. I view it in the way of moving forward on the President's plan that
he outlined in May. It's a serious matter. It's a serious concern. It
involves our nation's security. It involves global security, and we're
moving forward on it. And these exercises are meant to prepare --
better prepare us to conduct sea, air, and ground interdiction
operations.
All right?
Q Scott?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes.
Q It's a hair early, but could you tell us how the President plans
to mark the second anniversary of the September 11th attacks?
MR. McCLELLAN: Sorry. No, I'll try to update you as we get closer.
This is a little bit early to get into that.
Q One last. Is there any chance that the President might travel
this week or do an event related to the blackout, that he might travel
to the affected region?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, the schedule remains the same, as it is, as
it's already outlined at this point. Obviously, if there are any
updates to his schedule in Crawford, we'll do that. We'll announce that
at the appropriate time. Nothing to update you on at this point.
Q The announcement?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes. September 7th, Sunday, back at the White House
is --
Q Tee ball.
MR. McCLELLAN: Ding, ding, ding. I'm pleased to announce that the
next White House tee ball game will be held on Sunday, September the
7th. The President will host tee ball teams from the Milwood Little
League of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and the Hamilton Little Lads Cal Ripken
League -- this is a division of the Babe Ruth League -- of Hamilton,
New Jersey. The players range in age from four to seven years old,
include both girls and boys from those areas.
This game also will honor the legacy of the All-American Girls
Professional Baseball League, the women's baseball league that was
founded during World War II. The game will precede the 60th Anniversary
Reunion of the league that's to be held later that week in New York.
And so, we're honoring those players for their accomplishments on
the field and their historic role in advancing women's sports.
And that's all I have. Thank you everybody.
END 12:25 P.M. CDT
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