IBEW International President Edwin D. Hill

Statement on Release of President Bushs Energy Policy

May 17, 2001

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) hopes that the Bush Administrations new energy policy will launch a thorough national debate on the worsening energy problems facing America.

Today we are paying the price for past failures to act when the need for increased production was apparent.  We believe that more electrical generating and transmission capacity are absolutely necessary in a nation increasingly dependent upon electronic technology.

The IBEW has a long record of consistent support for the development of safe nuclear power and clean coal technologies.  Our members are in the forefront of developing technologies in renewable energy resources like wind, solar and biomass, which have viable potential to relieve our dependence on other forms of generation. 

And we have long advocated initiatives that encourage the sound development of energy production balanced with appropriate environmental measures.  Reasonable protections for our natural environment are an important part of the national debate.

Unfortunately, the plan does little to provide relief to consumers this year.   In the case of California, the Administrations continued reliance on the dysfunctional market to correct itself is a grave error that is costing the state billions and threatening the United States economy.

The IBEW represents workers in the United States and Canada in the utility, telecommunications, construction, government, manufacturing and railroad industries.