SAFE Commends Kerry-Lieberman, But Emphasizes the Importance of Oil Savings

WASHINGTON, May 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) today commended Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Joe Lieberman (I-OH) for including support for nuclear power in their energy and climate legislation, but emphasized that the most important measure of any comprehensive energy bill was oil savings.

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"There are elements of this bill that deserve praise, not least of which are the measures to restart the nuclear power industry in this nation," SAFE President and CEO Robbie Diamond said. "However, what is truly important in any energy legislation is oil savings—how effective is this or any bill in stemming our nation's dangerous dependence on oil? In the coming days, SAFE will carefully examine the legislation, particularly as it relates to the transportation sector, which today is responsible for 70 percent of our oil consumption."

In 2006, SAFE's Energy Security Leadership Council (ESLC)—a group of business executives and retired military leaders led by General P.X. Kelley (Ret.), 28th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, and Frederick W. Smith, Chairman, President and CEO of FedEx Corporation—released their Recommendations to the Nation on Reducing U.S. Oil Dependence, helping shape groundbreaking legislation in 2007 that included the first improvements in vehicle fuel-economy standards in three decades. In September 2008, the ESLC released A National Strategy for Energy Security, a new plan building on the accomplishments of 2007 by proposing the electrification of the short-haul transportation fleet along with required infrastructural upgrades necessary for that effort, and measures—including increased oil and natural gas production—to keep our nation secure in the interim.

"Ultimately, the only way to end our dependence on oil is to sever the relationship between oil and transportation," Diamond added. "The best way to do so is by utilizing electricity, which represents a stable, domestic, clean source of power that is generated from a diverse portfolio of fuels. What is perhaps most crucial is that bipartisan action take place this year. Every day that we are not working to reduce our oil dependence is a day that our national security and economy remain threatened."

Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) is an action-oriented, nonpartisan organization that aims to reduce America's dependence on oil and improve U.S. energy security to bolster national security and strengthen the economy.

SOURCE Securing America's Future Energy