Washington, D.C., November 15, 2004 – “Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham did a lot to advance energy efficiency during his tenure, including empowering consumers to lower their energy bills at home and on the road through the DOE/Alliance to Save Energy Powerful Savings campaign and, importantly, initiating rulemakings on a number of high-priority appliance and equipment standards that have been languishing at DOE since 1992.

“Another highlight of the Secretary’s tenure during the first Bush Administration was their initiation of programs to further the development of a hydrogen-based economy. We applaud their commitment to hybrid-electric and fuel-cell technologies that will reduce our nation’s growing oil dependence, benefit our economy and the environment, and enhance national energy security.

“Looking forward to a new Congress and a new debate on national energy policy, the Alliance urges the Bush Administration, including the new energy secretary, to place a greater emphasis on energy efficiency as the quickest, cheapest, cleanest way to meet growing energy demand by delivering more than any other single resource, including oil, gas, or coal. Aggressive policies advancing energy efficiency are the cornerstone of sound national energy policy, and we urge the administration to advocate such policies as a central tenet of any comprehensive energy legislation considered by the 109th Congress.”