FLOWER MOUND, TX – Deputy Secretary of Energy Clay Sell today highlighted America’s robust economy and the role the energy sector plays to ensure its continued growth, while co-hosting an event at Home Depot in Flower Mound, Texas, with Congressman Michael Burgess (R-26 ^th).  Deputy Secretary Sell gave a brief demonstration on easy ways consumers can save energy and discussed the economic benefits of energy efficiency, particularly in relation to the American Competitiveness and Advanced Energy Initiatives, announced by President Bush in the State of the Union address. 

 

“There are many simple and inexpensive ways we can all help contribute to the nation’s strong economy while also curbing our energy demand,” Deputy Secretary Sell said.  “I’m confident President Bush’s new energy initiatives will help strengthen America’s energy security and maintain our economic leadership in the world.”

 

During today’s remarks at the Home Depot, Deputy Secretary Sell discussed how President Bush’s pro-growth policies have helped keep the economy strong and how President Bush’s new energy initiatives will encourage economic growth in the years to come.  The American Competitiveness and Advanced Energy Initiatives will promote America’s continued economic vitality through the development and use of alternative energy sources and will provide our next generation of scientists, teachers, and engineers with the strong educational foundation necessary to compete in the global economy.     

 

The American Competitiveness Initiative increases federal investment in critical research that will ensure the U.S. continues to lead the world in opportunity and innovation, and provide American children with a first-rate mathematics and science education.  The Advanced Energy Initiative aims to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil and increase production of domestically grown fuel, which will in turn, promote U.S. job growth. 

 

Deputy Secretary Sell also touched on the overall health of the U.S. economy, underscored by new employment figures released today.  These figures indicate that the American economy is strong by almost any measure.  America has experienced five straight years of growth in productivity, and per capita personal income continues to rise.  Job growth continues to be strong as well.   The unemployment rate of 4.8 percent is at its lowest point since 2001 and is lower than the average rate for the 1970s, the 1980s and the 1990s. Moreover, new jobs are being created for American workers.  The economy created 243,000 jobs in February and has created about 2.1 million jobs over the past 12 months - and almost 5 million since August 2003.     

 

Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman toured DOE’s Kansas City Plant to view their new technology activities and then delivered remarks to the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce in Kansas City, Missouri, to promote America’s strong economy, specifically related to energy security.  Under Secretary David Garman joined Ohio Representative Deborah Pryce (R-15 ^th) at American Electric Power in Columbus, Ohio, to make remarks on the strong economy and to discuss the president’s new energy initiatives.  Office of Science Director, Dr. Ray Orbach is touring Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, to promote the importance of investing in and maintaining America’s stronghold in science and education.  Assistant Secretary Karen Harbert participated in a roundtable discussion at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville, to discuss northwest Arkansas’s bio-based economics with some of the country’s largest employers.  Acting Assistant Secretary Doug Faulkner is in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to highlight the ways that the Oak Ridge National Laboratory can participate in the success of the American Competitiveness and Advanced Energy Initiatives.