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10 Tough Questions and Answers for President Bush on Kicking the Oil Habit

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“Here we have a serious problem: America is addicted to oil.”
— President George W. Bush, State of the Union, January 31, 2006

The Center for American Progress presents ten questions and provides key answers to help determine whether the administration’s actions will match the President’s rhetoric on America’s energy policy. The urgent need to end our oil dependence demands that America pass this test. Serious problems deserve serious solutions. The Center for American Progress puts forward the answers to transform words into immediate action and set the United States on a path to a clean and renewable energy future.

1. INVESTING IN RESEARCH: Does the President commit enough new investment into R&D to shift our nation to biofuels?

2. GETTING BIOFUELS TO THE PUMP: Does the President’s plan build the infrastructure needed for the biofuels transition?

3. DEPLOYING A NEW GENERATION OF CARS: Will the President’s plan really put new cars that use less gas on the road?

4. AVERTING GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: Is the President facing the reality of global warming?

5. USING CLEAN AND SMART ALTERNATIVES: Does the President commit to renewables and efficiency before more costly and polluting technology?

6. LOOKING OUT FOR FAMILY FARMS: Does the President’s proposal create jobs and strengthen rural communities?

7. PROMOTING TRANSPORTATION CHOICE: Does the President’s budget support real transportation alternatives like rail and transit?

8. TRANSFORMING MARKETS: Does the President’s budget use federal purchasing power to jump-start new markets?

9. GUARANTEEING REAL OIL SAVINGS: Is the President willing to require this transition by enforcing new rules?

10. EMPOWERING CONSUMERS: Does the President’s plan create more consumer choice and promote public education and innovation?

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