Power the future

Power the future:

"Monday, January 10, 2005

Power the future

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER EDITORIAL BOARD

We can't keep wasting energy. Across the political spectrum, Americans know that financial, environmental and even national security reasons dictate the need to be smarter about the energy choices we make.

But, even amid rising energy prices, we've stayed stuck in wasteful patterns for decades. An independent, bipartisan group of energy experts last month handed the country a promising blueprint of ideas on reducing foreign-oil dependence, addressing global warming and promoting a wider variety of energy sources.

The National Commission on Energy Policy's report has something for everyone to like and hate. It calls for strong action against greenhouse gases, which will drive many conservatives wild, and development of demonstration projects with advanced nuclear power plants, a taboo on the left.

The report should offer opportunities for those with creative energy ideas like U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., to push discussion forward. Inslee just joined the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The Bush administration took office with Vice President Dick Cheney trying to create a national energy policy. The effort was tainted from the start by Cheney's secrecy and special-interest favoritism.

The administration and the country have a fresh chance on energy policy. The report should energize discussions that go beyond arguing to acting on the kinds of changes we all sense are needed.

On the Net: www.energycommission.org"