1/23/01

COMMISSIONER ASKS PRESIDENT BUSH TO DECLARE A NATIONAL EMERGENCY

A call to arms to solve America’s energy woes

 

Saying a crisis exists, Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Ed Apple is asking President Bush to declare a national energy emergency.

"The anguish and pain caused by the recent record jump in natural gas prices is only the latest chapter in what has become a story without end," said Apple. "We must find a long-term solution to this problem, and our only hope of accomplishing that is to marshal all this country’s intellectual and physical resources. Such a program can only come about as a result of firm action by the highest office in this country."

Apple envisions an effort similar to the program that was a direct result of then-President Kennedy’s call for America to land a man on the moon before 1970.

"That presidential edict resulted in a program which had a definite goal, ample resources, and a firm path to follow to reach the desired goal," said Apple. "It is the same kind of program we need to achieve this country’s independence when it comes to our energy needs."

Apple stressed his call includes goals of revitalizing domestic producers of conventional energy sources, and of finding ways of making alternative energy sources both affordable and widely available.

NOTE TO MEDIA: A COPY OF COMMISSIONER APPLE’S LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH IS INCLUDED WITH THIS RELEASE.

 

OCC

 

OKLAHOMA
CORPORATION COMMISSION		308 Jim Thorpe Building

	P.O. BOX 52000-2000                                                                       Telephone:  (405) 521-2264

	OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA 73152-2000		FAX:  (405) 522-1623





	Ed Apple

January 23, 2001

 

The President
The White House
Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. President:

This letter is to ask you to declare a national emergency regarding the energy policies
of this nation and the effect those policies (or lack of same) are having on our citizens.

I respectfully submit that anything short of action by the highest official in this country will
leave this country fragmented and divided, with little or no progress made towards
solving the problem.

Therefore, I ask you to appoint Vice President Dick Cheney as "energy czar" and direct
him to work with all stakeholders including the Secretary of Energy to develop new
energy policies that will decrease our dependence on foreign powers and revitalize our
domestic producers of all energy sources, both conventional and alternative.

As a strong, enthusiastic supporter of your campaign and of your presidency, and one
who lives daily in this uncertainty, I urge you to use your leadership skills to establish a
realistic and functional national energy policy.

Your immediate attention to this critical issue would be appreciated.

Sincerely,



Ed Apple