WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, today issued the following statement regarding President Bush’s speech at the Major Economies Meeting on Energy Security and Climate Change at the State Department this morning:

 

            “Global climate change is a serious challenge, and finding a solution will require a truly global approach.  For that reason, I am pleased that the United States hosted this major economies summit and began important work to prepare for the U.N. climate meeting in Bali this December.

 

            “Today, the President laid a guiding principle for our nation that calls us to produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions while continuing economic growth and prosperity.  In particular, he noted that questions of global climate change and energy security are now related, and share a common solution: technology.  I agree. 

 

           “In my view, our nation must move in concert with China, India, and other nations to ensure not only our own economic security, but the overall success of the effort to reduce emissions.  Consider that while the number of cars in China more than doubled in the last six years, there still remains just one vehicle for every 40 people there, compared to one vehicle for every 2 people in the U.S.  Such evidence of strong growth in the developing world is a clear signal that we need global solutions.

 

          “I am encouraged by the emergence of clean energy technology, and in particular by the renaissance of nuclear power, which provides carbon-free electricity to millions around the globe.  As the President pointed out today, without the world’s 439 nuclear power plants, there would be nearly 2 billion additional tons of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere each year.

 

         “I’m intrigued by the President’s proposal to create a new international clean technology fund to help developing nations establish their own clean energy sources.  I look forward to hearing more from Secretary Paulson about this proposal.”

 

 

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