In a display of bipartisan unity in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, all 22 members of the Senate Energy Committee today encouraged President Bush in a letter to have the Federal Government lead by example in curtailing non-essential vehicle travel … in accelerating procurement of high efficiency and alternatively fueled vehicles … and in taking other actions to conserve gasoline, diesel and aviation fuels.  The committee offered these recommendations in light of the fuel shortfalls and price increases caused by Katrina.  Here is the letter:

                                                                                                                                           September 6, 2005                              

The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

In the wake of damage to petroleum production and refining infrastructure by Hurricane Katrina, you have encouraged all Americans to take measures to conserve gasoline and diesel fuel, to help relieve some of the pressures that are leading to higher prices.  We would encourage you to make the Federal government the leader in these efforts by instructing all Federal agencies to curtail discretionary vehicle travel, to accelerate procurement of high-efficiency or alternatively fueled vehicles, and to take other measures to conserve gasoline, aviation, and diesel fuel use by the Federal government, except where needed to support essential functions and missions.  If we are going to urge our fellow citizens to cut back on their energy use, we should demonstrate to them that the Federal government is doing the same.

Thank you for your attention to and consideration of this recommendation.

      
                                                                                                            Sincerely,

                [Pete Domenici]     [Jeff Bingaman]
            
                [Larry Craig]           [Daniel Akaka]

                [Craig Thomas]      [Ron Wyden]

                [Lisa Murkowski]    [Richard Burr]

                [Conrad Burns]       [George Allen]

                [Gordon Smith]       [Jon Corzine]

                [Jim Bunning]          [Maria Cantwell]

                [Ken Salazar]          [Byron Dorgan]

                [Tim Johnson]         [Jim Talent]

                [Mary Landrieu]      [Lamar Alexander]

                [Dianne Feinstein]  [Mel Martinez]

#   #   #