Personalized my ass 2003-07-24

Okay. So I emailed the president of the United States the other day. Again. About the National Energy Policy. Again.
I applauded his proposals to explore new technologies and all that crap, but then I asked him about the technology we already have, and why he hasn't proposed anything to develop that, improve that.

Well, I got a response... Here it is. If you go to the White House website, and read his statements on his energy policy, see if you can detect any difference between my letter and what's posted on the website:

July 22, 2003

Dear Reverend Fountain:

Thank you for your letter concerning the energy issues facing our Nation. I appreciate hearing your concerns and welcome you suggestions.

I strongly believe that our national and economic security requires that we address our long-neglected energy issues in a balanced and comprehensive way. to encourage economic and job growth and to lessen our reliance on foreign supplies, we must implement a comprehensive energy plan to promote efficiency and conservation, increase our energy supply in an environmentally sound manner, and modernize our energy infrastructure.

My Administration has made energy policy a priority. Our National Energy Policy, issued in May 200, is a comprehensive series of more tha 100 recommendations that light the way to a bright future through energy that is abundant, reliable, clean, and affordable. The plan addresses three key aspects of the energy equation: demand, supply, and the means to match them. The plan reduces demand by promoting innovation and technology, expands and diversifies America's supply of all sources of energy, and outlines ways to bring producers and consumers together by modernizing the networks of pipes and wires that link power plants to wall outlets in our homes and businesses.

Across our Nation, my Administration is making progress in addressing important energy issies. We have increased funding for the weatherization program and for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program that helps low-income familes facing high energy bills. We are working to fill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to capacity and to alleviate electricity transmission bottlenecks in California. I have proposed Clear Skies legislation that would cut pollution from power plants by 70 percent by 2018.

I have great faith in our country's ability to tackle energy problems with a 21st century focu on conservation. I recently announced a $1.2 billion initiative to reverse America's growing dependence on foreign oil by developing the technology for commercially viable, hydrogen-powered fuel cells, which will help power cars, trucks, homes, and businesses without pollution and greenhouse gases. The initiative will include $720 million in new funding over the next 5 years to develop the infrastructure needed to produce, store, and distribute hydrogen fuel for fuel cell vehicles and electricity generation. This new national commitment could make it possible for the first car driven by a child born today to be powered by hydrogen, and pollution-free.

I also announced that the Undited States will join ITER, an ambitious international research project to harness the promis of fusion energy. The results of ITER will advance the effort to produce clean, safe, renewable, and commercially-available fusion energy by the middle of this century. These innovations could make our air significantly cleaner and our country much less dependent on foreign sources of energy.

Too often, Americans have been asked to take sides between energy production and environmental protection. The truth is, energy production and environmental protection are not competing priorities. Bothe can be achieved with new technology and a new vision. Most of the new electric power plants we build will be fueled by clean and safe natural gas. Most others will be powered by wind, solar, hydropower, nuclear, and other energy sources that emit no pollution at all.

The Congress should enact legislation this year that will modernize our antiquated electricity laws to protect consumers, increase reliability of our Nation's electricity grid, promote efficiency and renewable fuels, and increase investment in generation and transmission. To reduce our reliance on foreign oil and create tens of thousands of good jobs for American workers, the Congress oalso should permit exploration of the potentially lard oil resources in a small area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Using advanced technology and the strictest standards to protect wildlife and the environment, we cna help supply our national energy needs for many decades, while developing only 2,000 acres in a landmass the size of South Carolina, Energy legislation should include the environmetally friendly tax proposals in my National Energy Plan such as those that would encourage citizens to purchase hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles and to install residential solar equipment. The Congress should also increase the use of clean, domestically produced ethanol.

As we continue to make significant progress on energy issues that are important for all Americans, I will work with the Congress to produce bipartisan, comprehensive energy legislation that will benefit all Americans and protect our national security, the environment, and our economy.

That you again for writing about these important issues. To view my Administration's National Energy Policy Report which summarizeds our policy for the future, please visit the White House website at www.whitehouse.gov. I hope this information is helpful to you.

Best wishes.

Sincerly,

George W. Bush