Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Energy Crunch and the Bush Administration

Aired May 15, 2001 - 10:08   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Now, the Bush White House plans to play a vital role in addressing the nation's growing energy concerns, but in the eyes of many, this administration may also be part of the problem. George W. Bush, like his father, has roots in the Texas oil fields and many of his inner circle have their own vested interests as well.

CNN senior White House correspondent John King explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Oil man was on George W. Bush's resume long before governor or president, and energy ties are a common bond at this table, the task force behind the administration's sweeping new long-term energy proposal. Vice President Dick Cheney, Commerce Secretary Don Evans and Interior Secretary Gale Norton are among the senior officials with energy ties. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham is a former senator who was a favorite of energy and transportation interests.

It is experience the industry says is proving its worth as the White House calls for new exploration for oil and natural gas and new power plants fueled by coal and nuclear energy.

JACK GERARD, NATIONAL MINING ASSOCIATION: I think this White House clearly recognizes the challenge we face with a national energy policy. The previous administration unfortunately felt that it perhaps could be addressed by moving to one sector or another.

KING: Critics say the administration is exaggerating the scope of the problem to justify drilling in environmentally sensitive areas and see the new strategy as little more than political payback. Energy industry groups gave nearly $50 million to the Republicans in the last campaign cycle, three times the amount contributed to Democrats. The Bush presidential campaign received nearly $3 million, and Secretary Abraham's unsuccessful Senate reelection campaign received more than $400,000 from the industry he now regulates.

Transportation interests with high stakes in the energy debate also favored the GOP in the last cycle, contributing $39 million to Republicans compared to $15 million to Democrats.

DANIEL BECKER, SIERRA CLUB: It is very disturbing that the president of the United States raised millions of dollars from a group of polluting industries in the coal, oil, nuclear, utility and auto industries and is now paying them back with very lucrative deals that will benefit them but will hurt the rest of us.

KING: The White House rejects any suggestion of payback or favoritism.

DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The old stereotypes kind of need to be set aside and we need to be set aside and we need to calm down a little bit and get everybody down off the ceiling and sit down and have an informed, intelligent debate over where we ought to go with energy policy.

KING: But critics promise to make the energy connections of the president, the vice president and other top administration officials a major factor in the political debate as Mr. Bush tries to sell the country on a new long-term energy policy.

John King, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: Well, House Democrats are due to unveil an energy blueprint of their own today. Their plan would offer tax credits of up to $4,000 for the purchase of energy efficient homes and cars. It also proposes tax incentives for businesses that invest in energy efficient technologies or vehicles. It would also call upon the government to set price controls to curb what critics call price gouging.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com