WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today Rep. Ed Markey, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement in reaction to President Bush's speech today on energy:

"President Bush once again gave an energy speech in which he ducked the only near-term solution to our foreign oil addiction -- upgrading the nation's fuel economy standards from levels set in 1975 to higher levels reflecting nearly 30 years of new technologies. President Bush's willfull disregard of imposing tough new fuel economy standards is hobbling our national security, our economy and our environment.  And proposing nuclear power as an answer to cars, SUVs and trucks burning oil shows that the president isn't serious about our dangerous Middle East oil dependence.  President Bush made very clear that he intends to stay the course with a failed energy policy that guarantees blackmail by countries like Iran along with gasoline price spikes here at home. The ship of state is headed in the wrong direction but the captain won't turn the wheel."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2006

CONTACT: Israel Klein
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