Dear Mr. President: let's hear more on energy By G. Michael Dobbs Managing Editor Dear Mr. President, I didn't get the chance to listen to your State of the Union address because I was tired and, frankly, I wanted to be entertained for a few minutes. Sorry. But I did read your address. I did this the day after my gas bill arrived in the mail. You might not be aware that for those of us in the Northeast, natural gas rates have increased substantially over the last year. The increase not only affects home and business heating, but also electrical generation since many plants use natural gas to create electricity. Thank God, this has been a mild winter. If we had a normal winter, the impact of these heating bills would be even more devastating for many people. And I'm sure you're aware that for many people there has been a real issue here of how to pay for the increased costs of heating one's home and business as well as the gas tank of one's vehicle. How we develop energy and how we use it are overwhelmingly important topics. I write about this subject because you mentioned energy issues in your address and have spoken about it more in appearances later in the week. Energy is not a new theme for you, but it is one that has clearly drawn more of your attention in your address over the last three speeches. In the State of the Union address you delivered in 2004, you said, "Consumers and businesses need reliable supplies of energy to make our economy run so I urge you to pass legislation to modernize our electricity system, promote conservation, and make America less dependent on foreign sources of energy." That was it. Last year, you said, "To keep our economy growing, we also need reliable supplies of affordable, environmentally responsible energy. Nearly four years ago, I submitted a comprehensive energy strategy that encourages conservation, alternative sources, a modernized electricity grid, and more production here at home, including safe, clean nuclear energy. My Clear Skies legislation will cut power plant pollution and improve the health of our citizens. And my budget provides strong funding for leading-edge technology from hydrogen-fueled cars, to clean coal, to renewable sources such as ethanol. Four years of debate is enough I urge Congress to pass legislation that makes America more secure and less dependent on foreign energy." A little more and this statement had more specifics. This year, you said, "Keeping America competitive requires affordable energy. Here we have a serious problem: America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world. "The best way to break this addiction is through technology. Since 2001, we have spent nearly $10 billion to develop cleaner, cheaper, more reliable alternative energy sources, and we are on the threshold of incredible advances. So tonight, I announce the Advanced Energy Initiative, a 22 percent increase in clean-energy research at the Department of Energy, to push for breakthroughs in two vital areas. To change how we power our homes and offices, we will invest more in zero-emission coal-fired plants, revolutionary solar and wind technologies, and clean, safe nuclear energy. "We must also change how we power our automobiles. We will increase our research in better batteries for hybrid and electric cars, and in pollution-free cars that run on hydrogen. We will also fund additional research in cutting-edge methods of producing ethanol, not just from corn but from wood chips, stalks or switch grass. Our goal is to make this new kind of ethanol practical and competitive within six years. Breakthroughs on this and other new technologies will help us reach another great goal: to replace more than 75 percent of our oil imports from the Middle East by 2025. By applying the talent and technology of America, this country can dramatically improve our environment, move beyond a petroleum-based economy and make our dependence on Middle Eastern oil a thing of the past." I know that in the coming weeks, you will probably speak more on how you will achieve these goals, but are you aware that we import far less oil from the Middle East than from other parts of the world? I hope that you are sincere in your statements of changing our nation's energy policy. The questions that I have include: How much are you willing to fight for in terms of funding your initiatives? Considering our deep deficits and needs such as the re-building of the Gulf Coast, how much can we do as a nation? Who will lead these initiatives? Scientists? Engineers? Political appointments of such caliber as Michael Brown? What has been done since 2001? You mention spending $10 billion, but how has that affected what consumers see? Has anything trickled down to the average working person? Would you support tax breaks for businesses and consumers who invest in alternative energy products such as hybrid cars, for instance? It would be great to get answers to these questions. I'll include my e-mail address. This column represents the opinions of its author and no one else. Send your comments to mdobbs@reminderpublications.com or to 280 N. Main St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028.