Bush State of Union Address Renews Focus on Energy with Biofuels Emphasis
President Bush renewed his call for building new nuclear power plants in the US, and gave highlights of his plan for displacing petroleum fuels with biofuels, in his State of the Union Address today
January 31, 2006
With low approval ratings, debatable signs economic recovery, and soaring national debt, the scope of President Bush's proposals were modest. He dedicated a portion of his State of the Union Address tonight to the subject of energy.
We must replace more than 75% of Middle East oil imports by 2025.
But first, the president called on leaders to keep nuclear capabilities out of the hands of Iran.
"The nations of the world must not allow the Iranian regime to gain nuclear weapons," he proclaimed.
The nuclear industry surely rose in applause with the president's supporters as Bush called once again for programs to fund nuclear research and streamline nuclear plant construction.
To achieve a breakthrough in energy, the president called for a 22 percent increase in energy research at DOE. He suggested that the research would address alternative sources of power, including solar, wind, and "clean, safe nuclear energy."
Bush said we must change how we power automobiles, by developing advanced batteries and hydrogen-powered cars. He also called for biofuels from ethanol from wood chips, stalks, switchgrass to be "practical and competitive" within 6 years. He said, "We must replace more than 75 percent of Middle East oil imports by 2025."
The top exporters of oil to the US are, in order, Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Venezuela. Total crude oil imports averaged 10.3 million barrels per day as of November, 2005. The top five exporting countries accounted for 67 percent of United States crude oil imports and the top ten sources accounted for approximately 87 percent of all U.S. crude oil imports. (Source: DOE)
"Americans can improve the environment, move beyond a petroleum econonomy, and make dependence on Middle East oil a thing of the past," he said.
Bush also asked legislators to make permanent the R&D tax credit.