Bush to detail oil policy

Thursday, 6 February, 2003, 15:52 GMT

Bush to detail oil policy


By Michael Buchanan
in Washington

US President George W Bush is set to give details of his administration's energy policy in a speech in Washington later on Thursday.

The President has been criticised for refusing to sign up to the Kyoto Treaty and instead relying on voluntary measures to reduce global warming.

The central plank of the President's energy policy is likely to be an attempt to make America less dependent on foreign oil sources.

As such, he is set to push once again for oil companies to be given permission to begin drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.

The President's recent budget proposal foresees over $2bn in revenue from the refuge by 2005, despite widespread opposition to the plan.

The Democrat controlled Senate rejected the proposals last year.

But even though Republicans are now in charge, at least six Republican senators have indicated their opposition, putting its approval in doubt.

Voter apathy

The President is also likely to highlight measures he is pushing to conserve energy.

These include his desire to see energy saving cars being developed as well as his proposal to increase fuel economy standards for gas guzzling sports utility vehicles and pick-ups.

But for his opponents, Mr Bush will always be the toxic Texan, reducing environmental controls and relying on voluntary steps to attack global warming rather than tough mandatory measures.

The problem for the critics is mobilising support against the President.

A recent opinion poll looking at 14 areas of public policy suggested the environment was only the thirteenth most important concern for voters.