Who's addicted to oil?

[Oak]

Remember way back on Jan. 30th when Dubya said that we are addicted to oil? Here's the quote for those that have forgotten:

America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world. The best way to break this addiction is through technology. Since 2001, we have spent nearly $10 billion to develop cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable alternative energy sources -- and we are on the threshold of incredible advances.
So tonight, I announce the Advanced Energy Initiative -- a 22-percent increase in clean-energy research -- at the Department of Energy, to push for breakthroughs in two vital areas. To change how we power our homes and offices, we will invest more in zero-emission coal-fired plants, revolutionary solar and wind technologies, and clean, safe nuclear energy.

Looks like he's off to a good start at curbing that addiction. Keep in mind when you read this that the NREL's budget was $214 million when Dubya first took office.

Energy lab sees staff, funds cut

Up to 40 workers must go despite Bush's commitment to finding oil alternatives.

By Dave Curtin
Denver Post Staff Writer

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden will lay off up to 40 staffers and faces a proposed $10 million budget cut for the coming year.

The cutbacks come a week after President Bush said in his State of the Union address that finding alternatives to oil was vital to the nation's economic competitiveness.

The layoffs at NREL - the nation's top renewable energy lab - are the result of moving current- year spending to projects in other states.

NREL spokesman George Douglas confirmed "between 30 and 40" layoffs as soon as Friday.

That is fewer than the 100-worker cut outlined in a December memo to employees by NREL director Dan Arvizu.

On top of that, NREL's proposed 2007 budget of $162 million - released Monday by Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman - is $10 million less than the lab's current appropriation.

In his State of the Union speech Jan. 31, Bush said the country is "addicted to oil" and must wean itself from foreign imports.

Bush put a premium on alternative-fuel vehicles, ethanol from agricultural waste, solar power and wind technologies.

"The president said all the right things about energy in his State of the Union speech, but his actions do not match his words," U.S. Rep. Mark Udall, D-Colo., said in a statement.

"How do layoffs at NREL and a flat budget for next year add up to a commitment to new thinking on energy?" Udall said. DOE spokesman Craig Stevens said the proposal directs $34.5 million to NREL for research and development of wind energy, $27.5 million for biomass, $14 million for hydrogen and $44 million for solar.

"We're going to work hard this year to make sure we front programs that work," Stevens said. "NREL is certainly one of the jewels of the national laboratory system, and we're going to get back on track and move forward with these things that are important."

U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., said the budget shows Bush's commitment to renewable energy.

The proposed cuts, however, belie Bush's commitment to alternative energy, said Drew Nanis, a spokesman for Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo. "We'd like to see a willingness to back up those words with action."

The DOE budget calls for increases in plug-in hybrid fuel, hydrogen fuels, fuel cells, photovoltaics and wind, said Scott Sklar, president of the Stella Group, a Washington energy consultancy. But to help the new programs, the budget cuts out funding for concentrating solar power, geothermal power and hydropower. "Will that come out of NREL?" Sklar said. "Yes. I would say it's probably a wash for NREL."

 

[BuzzH]

What a shock that dubya would do something like that...I cant believe it.

Another lie in the long list.

At least this lie wont kill thousands of people.

He'll find that alternative energy about the same time he finds WMD's in Iraq.

 

[BigHornRam]

Buzz,

Did you even bother to read the article? Increased spending in some alternative energy sources means cuts in others. The people most upset are the Colorado politicians that are getting their share of the pork cut.

"We're going to work hard this year to make sure we front programs that work," Stevens said.

Do you have a problem with the quote in the article? Makes sense to me.

 

[noharleyyet]

Buzz, you really should consider a position with the DNC now that Carville is doing freelance aspersion.

 

[JoseCuervo]

Noharley,
Remember when Dubya wanted to fight the War on Terror, and ended up in Iraq? Remember when he then said Iraq had WMD's, and found none? Remember when he wanted to solve Social Security? etc... etc... etc...

 

[cjcj]

Remember when Jose ... oh never mind....its a waste of my time.

 

[noharleyyet]

Noharley,
Remember when Dubya wanted to fight the War on Terror, and ended up in Iraq? Remember when he then said Iraq had WMD's, and found none? Remember when he wanted to solve Social Security? etc... etc... etc...

...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ..

 

[BigHornRam]

I think I see your point Jose. Your mocking Buzz's wacko rhetoric in an attempt to highlight his shear stupidity. Point made.

 

[noharleyyet]

I think I see your point Jose. Your mocking Buzz's wacko rhetoric in an attempt to highlight his shear stupidity. Point made.

....and one time...at band camp..etc...etc...etc

 

[ELKCHSR]

LOL.. And Bob LeBlah strikes another blow for lesser mediocrity...