President Bush said: “To keep our economy growing, we also need reliable supplies of affordable, environmentally responsible energy. Nearly four years ago, I submitted a comprehensive energy strategy that encourages conservation, alternative sources, a modernized electricity grid, and more production here at home, including safe, clean nuclear energy. “
FACT: In his first presidential budget, Bush proposed cutting $277 million out of renewable energy research, while spending an additional $2 billion on coal-related programs. His FY2004 budget tried to “slash funding for numerous clean energy and energy efficiency programs, including funding for bioenergy, wind and geothermal electricity sources.” Those cuts “were announced less than a week after the president announced his goal of energy independence in the State of the Union address.”
FACT: While the president has announced efforts to fund a hydrogen car, he took the money to pay for the program out of efforts to develop more fuel efficient vehicles in the short-term. Even the Bush tax cuts included provisions that make the energy situation worse. His latest tax bill included a provision creating a $100,000 tax writeoff for large SUVs like the Hummer (which gets just 10 miles to the gallon).
FACT: FACT: Vice President Dick Cheney had secret, back-room meetings with top energy executives to construct the administration’s industry-friendly energy policy. Instead of coming up with an effective energy policy, his plan provided millions in energy industry tax breaks worth over $20 billion.