Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman Shares Policy Goals with The Energy Initiative

Coalition led by former Sen. John Breaux and past U.S. Conference of Mayors President Beverly O’Neill joins energy consumers and producers to develop consensus on America’s energy policy

U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman shared the ongoing efforts and energy policies of the administration today (Feb. 22) before The Energy Initiative at the Hotel Sofitel in Washington, DC.

The Energy Initiative, led by former U.S. Senator John Breaux of Louisiana and former Long Beach, California Mayor and U.S. Conference of Mayors President Beverly O’Neill, represents a unique collection of energy stakeholders including both producers and consumers.

“It is only by fostering cooperation between this wide cross section of interests that The Energy Initiative coalition will be able to achieve its goals of educating the public and helping to secure a future of sustained energy production in America,” said Secretary Bodman. “All of us who are interested in maintaining our economic prosperity, and leaving a healthy environment to our children, recognize that our nation’s future depends -- in a critical way -- on fostering clean energy development,” continued Secretary Bodman.

Initially launched in December, The Energy Initiative’s members are midway through a broadbased educational effort, with the ultimate goal of formulating a set of recommendations that will serve as the basis for future energy policies. The Energy Initiative consists of three working groups which are charged with reviewing the major challenges, current policy impediments, market restraints and other barriers relating to national energy policy in an effort to identify concrete recommendations that can be advocated for in the 110th Congress.

“Secretary Bodman’s remarks today allowed members of The Energy Initiative to get a better understanding of the issues and policies the administration is keying in on,” said Sen. Breaux.

“This information will be increasingly important as we continue to participate in our working groups, and develop recommendations on how to improve America’s energy policy.”

“Our members represent interests, priorities and stakeholders as diverse as the nation itself, from labor to state and municipal government, and from industry associations to major energy producers,” said Sen. Breaux. “We are working very hard to build consensus amongst our membership on a number of challenging energy issues, and are optimistic about achieving good results.”

The working groups include: 1.) Stationary Energy Supplies - charged with addressing crude oil, natural gas, electricity, coal, nuclear, wind, solar, other renewables and infrastructure; 2.) Transportation Energy Supplies - focusing on conventional motor fuels, bio-fuels, fuel cells, hybrids and emerging technologies; and, 3.) Conservation, Efficiency and Environmental Protection - analyzing environmental protection, conservation measures, and standards.

“Sen. Breaux and I are very grateful for Secretary Bodman’s willingness to share the
administration’s ongoing efforts and policies,” said Mayor O’Neill. “This coalition will look to work within the shared goals of the administration and Congress to develop an energy policy that benefits consumers, and is supported by producers, as well.”

Immediately after today’s announcement, members of The Energy Initiative, representing groups from 8 energy producing trade associations and 21 energy consuming associations, met in a joint-session, led by Breaux and O’Neill, to continue efforts to develop consensus and build toward a final report to Congress and the Bush Administration.

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The Energy Initiative

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