Bush calls for LNG terminals, energy bill, less dependence on foreign oil

In remarks at Pensacola Junior College March 18, President George Bush said the United States needs to be building liquefied natural gas terminals and doing more with nuclear power. And he called on Congress to pass an energy bill.

The president was in Florida to talk about proposed changes in social security and mentioned energy issues in passing, reminding the audience that he put together an energy strategy in 2001, “part of which required action by the United States Congress that would encourage conservation, encourage the use of renewable sources of energy like ethanol and biodiesel,” that would encourage research into “better ways to use energy in the long run,” and into ways for the United States to become less dependent on foreign oil.

“We’ve been debating whether or not there ought to be an energy bill to my desk now for four years. And that’s too much talk,” he said, given that consumers are being hurt by energy prices.

“I know we need to be building LNG, liquefied natural gas terminals. We need to do more on nuclear power,” he said. “Congress needs to get an energy bill.”

Bush said he talked about energy issues with members of Congress who made the trip to Florida with him on Air Force One, and “they’re ready to go.”

Congress, he said, needs to pass an energy bill so that “we can start becoming less dependent on foreign sources of oil.”

—Petroleum News