Statement of President, Alliance to Save Energy, On the Energy Bill

             A Nod to Efficiency, a Deep Bow to Energy Production

    WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 The following is a statement of David
M. Nemtzow, President of the Alliance to Save Energy, on the Republican energy
bill:

    "For a nation struggling to address the high cost of energy, the
Republican energy bill offers little relief. Good energy policy must balance
increasing supply with decreasing demand. Rather than maximizing the efficient
use of energy -- our nation's cheapest, cleanest and most accessible energy
source -- this imbalanced bill gives a gentle nod to efficiency, but makes a
deep bow to expensive and exotic energy production.

    "This bill ignores the three most successful policies for cutting energy
waste: automobile fuel economy standards, electric utility-sector efficiency
investments, and clean energy research and development.

    "First, the bill ignores fuel economy (CAFE) standards which are already
saving the nation over 3 million barrels of oil imports daily, but despite
enormous technological progress the standards have not been updated since the
mid-'80s. And the loophole for SUVs and light trucks remains big enough to
drive a Chevy Suburban through it. We won't significantly reduce our oil
dependency unless we make more fuel-efficient cars and trucks.

    "Second, the bill leaves electricity consumers in the dark. It fails to do
what N.Y. Governor Pataki and many others have done -- adopt an across-the-
board 'public benefit fund' that will provide investments in energy
efficiency, renewable resources, and low-income assistance.

    "Third, this legislation does nothing to expand our federal investment to
R&D that has resulted in breakthroughs and commercial products that help
consumers and businesses use less energy and save money by getting innovative
technology into the marketplace.

    "Fortunately, the bill does make a nod to energy efficiency: its proposed
tax credits for efficient homes, appliances, cars, and other equipment, and
its provisions for investing in the efficiency of schools, federal facilities
and low-income homes are a welcome start.  They are worthy of debate and
eventual adoption, along with other energy efficiency provisions.

    "Senator Murkowski is to be commended for bringing forward the debate on
energy policy. But instead of providing an Everest of goodies for energy
producers, Congress should provide the nation with a balanced energy policy
that promotes the cheapest, cleanest and most reliable energy sources for
families and businesses."

    The Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition of prominent business,
government, environmental, and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and
clean use of energy worldwide to benefit consumers, the environment, economy,
and national security.