Federal offices in California ordered to save energy

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Federal offices in California ordered to save energy

Thursday, May 3, 2001

By SCOTT LINDLAW THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON -- President Bush on Thursday ordered all federal agencies in California to cut power use, saying "we want to be a part of any solutions" to an energy crunch that could cripple the largest state.

Officials said Bush was issuing a directive that would instruct federal agencies in California to turn off escalators and keep building temperatures at 78 degrees.

Paul Wolfowitz, deputy secretary of defense, said the military uses 1 percent of California's energy load and will reduce use by one-tenth.

Bush's announcement was designed to clear up confusion after Vice President Dick Cheney suggested Monday that conservation was not a key part of the president's energy plan.

"I think conservation has got to be part of making sure we have got a reasonable energy policy, but what the vice president was saying was we can't conserve our way to energy independence," Bush said. "We have got to do both. We've got to conserve, but we also have to find new sources of energy."

"We have got to find additional supplies of energy," he said. "I suspect the people will find a balanced approach.

"We're worried about blackouts that may occur this summer and we want to be a part of any solutions," Bush said at an appearance with Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, Cheney and Wolfowitz.

Bush has been criticized as doing too little to address California's energy crisis. "This administration is deeply concerned about California and its citizens," Bush said.

The president dispatched Abraham to meet with California Gov. Gray Davis Thursday in Sacramento, Calif. Abraham plans to visit an energy-efficient federal building in San Francisco on Friday.

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said Bush's directive would apply to federal facilities in any region with energy problems, "but clearly the principal area is California." All government agencies and departments -- including the White House -- will have 30 days to report on energy consumption, Fleischer said.

The directive also requires federal building managers across the country to draw up plans to save energy.

Bush's action signaled a shift in approach since he took office in January.

On Jan. 24, Fleischer said of the California crisis: "The federal arsenal is not well equipped to get California out of this problem."

And just three days ago, Cheney said that while conservation is "a sign of personal virtue," it does not alone make for sound or comprehensive policy.

On Thursday, Fleischer described Bush's directive as "one more example of how the administration has been working with California officials to be helpful."

House Democratic leader Dick Gephardt called the conservation measures a good idea but said the administration could be doing a lot more.

"What he's not doing and what he ought to be doing is encouraging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to take action on wholesale prices in California and the West," Gephardt said.

In California, Abraham will meet with federal officials as part of an effort to educate federal employees on how they can save energy.

"We want to try to help California as best we can," Abraham said Thursday before testifying before a House Appropriations subcommittee.

But as Abraham began to explain his department's budget before the House panel, he came under criticism for cutting money for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.

Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Wash., questioned whether there are any short-term solutions to an energy situation in the West that "is a disaster" with looming blackouts this summer and soaring power prices.

He said Bush's cuts of $42 million from spending this year on developing energy-efficient buildings and $41 million in a program to help develop a next-generation fuel-efficient automobile don't make sense.

Abraham said the administration is focusing on "the most promising area of energy development" and cutting elsewhere.

It was not clear how much of a reduction Bush would order at federal sites. But two officials said he was pressing for energy reduction at military installations as well.

The directive came in advance of the recommendations from a White House task force that is developing a national energy strategy. That panel met for 90 minutes Wednesday, and is expected to issue its findings by midmonth.

http://seattlep-i.nwsource.com/national/21415_energy03ww.shtml

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), May 03, 2001


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