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Bush Calls for Federal Energy Savings by William L. Watts CBS MarketWatch, June 28, 2001

WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) -- President Bush, kicking off a campaign to drum up public support for his energy plan, ordered federal agencies Thursday to acquire energy-saving devices.

The White House was slated to send the legislative portion of its energy plan to Congress.

Bush announced the executive order in a speech at Energy Department headquarters after touring an exhibit of alternative energy sources.

The executive order requires federal agencies, when cost-effective, to buy devices that utilize technology ensuring they use only 1 watt of power when not in use, compared to 4 to 7 watts for most devices.

"My dream is to have desktop computers all across our government with the latest savings devices that we saw today on display, saving devices that say when the computer is off or on standby ... the energy supply being used is reduced by seven-fold," he said.

Bush said he hoped the move would spur industry to develop and utilize a broad array of such devices.

Also, the Energy Department and the Environmental Protection Agency will incorporate a new 1-watt standard into their "Energy Star" program, which identifies energy-efficient devices.

The president also announced $85.7 million in federal grants to encourage academia and the private sector to join with contributions from the private sector to accelerate the development of fuel cells, advanced engines, hydrotechnology and more efficient appliances.

Bush earlier this year unveiled a sweeping energy plan, developed by a Cabinet-level task force, which included measures designed to boost supplies of oil, natural gas, and coal; enhance the role of nuclear energy; and fund various measures aimed at alternative fuels and conservation.

The energy package contains no detailed legislative language. House and Senate Republicans were expected to soon introduce specific legislation.

Senate Democrats, however, who now control the upper chamber, have expressed strong opposition to many elements of the Bush plan, including a provision that would allow drilling in a portion of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Bush said that while he believes there is room to explore for natural gas and hydrocarbons without harming the environment, his plan addresses several other issues as well.

"Ours is a program that says we must conserve, we must advance technologies that are smart and reasonable and make eminent sense for the future of our country," Bush said.