WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Frank H. Murkowski (R-AK), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee released the following statement this morning at the first hearing to review the Administration’s recently released National Energy Policy: “At long last we have a proposal for a balanced, national energy policy. I applaud the President and the members of the National Energy Policy Development Group for their leadership. “This is our first national energy strategy in a generation. It is comprehensive, balanced and long term. Through 105 specific recommendations, it spells out a plan to renew America’s energy security. The plan is built on a foundation of conservation, increased efficiency, and additional domestic production - each of these on its own won’t help us - only the cumulative effect of all three will end this crisis. The plan accomplishes this by embracing the best technology American ingenuity has to offer. “Ten years ago this Committee passed out ‘comprehensive’ energy legislation, the Energy Policy Act of 1992. The bill had sixteen titles, increased CAFÉ fuel economy standards and opened up the coastal plain of ANWR for responsible exploration. The bill also had provisions on alternative fuels, mass transit, renewables, energy efficiency and research and development. Everything was in it from production to ‘low flush’ toilets. After Congress was finished with it, ANWR was out, CAFÉ was out, but the ‘low flush’ toilet remained. Now ten years later, we face an energy crisis. We are importing more oil than ever, 56 percent. Our energy infrastructure is falling apart and our supplies are insufficient to meet demand. “Let’s be clear, there is no magic bullet; no quick fix that will make this energy crisis go away. It took us several years of neglect to get us here, and it will take a long term approach to get us out,” the Chairman said. “The best thing we can do for consumers is to act quickly and decisively to enact comprehensive energy legislation. The President’s plan uses American technology and ingenuity to meet our energy needs without damaging the environment. It reduces our dangerous dependence on foreign oil, and ensures a clean, affordable and reliable energy supply. “The President has acted decisively. Let us follow his lead and make the tough choices we avoided ten years ago.” ###