KANSAS CITY, MO – Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel W. Bodman today highlighted America’s robust economy and the role the energy sector plays to ensure its continued growth, while speaking to the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.  During his remarks, Secretary Bodman discussed the American Competitiveness and Advanced Energy Initiatives, announced by President Bush in the State of the Union address.  These initiatives promote America’s continued economic vitality through the development and use of alternative energy sources and aim to provide our next generation of scientists, teachers, and engineers with the strong educational foundation necessary to compete in the global economy.     

 

“Secure, affordable supplies of energy are critical to the continued growth of our economy,” Secretary Bodman said.  “The President’s initiatives will help America maintain its economic leadership by diversifying our energy mix, making basic scientific research and education a priority for America’s 21 ^st-century workforce.”

 

During today’s remarks at the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Secretary Bodman discussed how President Bush’s pro-growth policies have helped keep the economy strong and how the new initiatives will encourage economic growth in the years to come.  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. 

 

Secretary Bodman 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.     

 

As part of the Bush Administration’s ongoing effort to promote America’s strong economy and pro-growth energy policies, Administration and DOE officials are traveling the country today to discuss the importance of maintaining economic leadership and a scientific edge in the world through increased science and math education and additional funding for research and development of alternative energy sources.    

 

Deputy Secretary of Energy Clay Sell joined Texas Representative Michael Burgess (R-26 ^th) to host an event at Home Depot promoting the economic benefits of energy efficiency in Flower Mound, Texas.  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.