A day in the life of President Bush (8/8/05): photos

President George W Bush today spoke about the Energy Policy Act of 2005 he signed into law today at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, N.M.

Before he departed for New Mexico he spoke to reporters at WACO expressing condolences regarding the death from lung cancer of ABC broadcaster Peter Jennings

THE PRESIDENT: “Laura and I were saddened to learn about the death of Peter Jennings. Peter Jennings had a long and distinguished career as a news journalist. He covered many important events, events that helped define the world as we know it today. A lot of Americans relied upon Peter Jennings for their news. He became a part of the lives of a lot of our fellow citizens, and he will be missed. May God bless his soul.”

Over the weekend there has been much talk on TV and FR about a lady called Cindy Sheehan of Gold Star Families for Peace and her demands to speak to the President. For further details on this please see yesterday’s dose and for suggestions in how one can support the President against this women please see Dr Deb post Number 369

Last Friday Vice President Dick Cheney led a delegation to Saudi Arabia to pay respects following the recent death of King Fahd which included former President GHW Bush and former Secretary of State Colin Powell.

QUOTE OF THE DAY –

President Signs Energy Policy Act
Sandia National Laboratory
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Thirdly, the bill I sign today will help diversify our energy supply by promoting alternative and renewable energy sources. The bill extends tax credits for wind, biomass, landfill gas and other renewable electricity sources. The bill offers new incentives to promote clean, renewable geothermal energy. It creates a new tax credit for residential solar power systems. And by developing these innovative technologies, we can keep the lights running while protecting the environment and using energy produced right here at home. When you hear us talking about less dependence on foreign sources of energy, one of the ways to become less dependent is to enhance the use of renewable sources of energy. (Applause.)

The bill also will lead to a greater diversity of fuels for cars and trucks. The bill includes tax incentives for producers of ethanol and biodiesel. The bill includes a flexible, cost-effective renewable fuel standard that will double the amount of ethanol and biodiesel in our fuel supply over the next seven years. Using ethanol and biodiesel will leave our air cleaner. And every time we use a home-grown fuel, particularly these, we're going to be helping our farmers, and at the same time, be less dependent on foreign sources of energy. (Applause.)

I used to like to kid, but I really wasn't kidding when I said, some day a President is going to pick up the crop report -- (laughter) -- and they're going to say we're growing a lot of corn, and -- or soybeans -- and the first thing that's going to pop in the President's mind is, we're less dependent on foreign sources of energy. It makes sense to promote ethanol and biodiesel. (Applause.)

The bill I sign today also includes strong support for hydrogen fuel technology. When hydrogen is used in a fuel cell, it can power consumer products from computers to cell phones to cars that emit pure water instead of exhaust fumes. I laid out a hydrogen fuel initiative, and I want to thank the members of Congress for adding to the momentum of this initiative through this energy bill.

The goal -- the goal of the research and development for hydrogen-powered automobiles is to make it possible for today's children to take their driver's test in a pollution-free car. (Applause.)

Fourth, the energy bill will help ensure that consumers receive electricity over dependable modern infrastructure. The bill removes outdated obstacles to investment in electricity transmission lines in generating facilities. The bill corrects the provision of the law that made electric reliability standards optional instead of mandatory. Most of you probably consider it mandatory that the lights come on when you flip a switch. (Laughter.) Now the utility companies will have to consider it mandatory, as well. (Laughter.)

To keep local disputes from causing national problems, the bill gives federal officials the authority to select sites for new power lines. We have a modern interstate grid for our phone line and our highways. With this bill, America can start building a modern 21st century electricity grid, as well.

The bill I sign today -- (applause) -- the bill I sign today is a critical first step. It's a first step toward a more affordable and reliable energy future for the American citizens. This bill is not going to solve our energy challenges overnight. Most of the serious problems, such as high gasoline costs, or the rising dependence on foreign oil, have developed over decades. It's going to take years of focused effort to alleviate those problems. But in about two minutes, we're going to have a strategy that will help us do that. (Applause.)

And as we work to solve our energy dependence -- dependency, we've got to remember that the market for energy is global and America is not the only large consumer of hydrocarbons. As the economies of nations like India and China grow rapidly, their demand for energy is growing rapidly, as well. It's in our interest to help these expanding energy users become more efficient, less dependent on hydrocarbons. You see, by helping them achieve these goals, it will take pressure off the global supply and it will help take pressure off price for American consumers.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

President George W. Bush shakes hands with U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM), (R), before signing the new $14.5 billion The Energy Policy Act of 2005

Vice President Dick Cheney, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, and former President George H. W. Bush are escorted from the plane by members of the Saudi delegation before meeting with the newly crowned King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia Friday, August 05, 2005. Vice President Dick Cheney led a delegation to pay respects following the recent death of King Fahd

Vice President Dick Cheney, former President George H. W. Bush and former Secretary of State Colin Powell are greeted upon their arrival following the recent death of King Fahd, Friday, August 05, 2005

Vice President Dick Cheney and former George W. H. Bush walks with newly crowned King Abdullah during a retreat at King Abdullah's Farm in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Friday, August 5, 2005, following the death of his half-brother King Fahd who passed away August 1, 2005

Vice President Dick Cheney walks with newly crowned King Abdullah, former President George H. W. Bush, and former Secretary of State Colin Powell during a retreat at King Abdullah's Farm in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Friday, August 5, 2005

Snugs comment: Interesting you do not often see the VP touch someone here he is linking his arm with King Abdullah Middle East protocol amongst friends if you look very carefully at the photos he is looking at King Abdullah so intently and sincerely a look that IMHO you only give to a friend

Vice President Dick Cheney, left, shake hands with newly crowned King Abdullah, right, during a retreat at King Abdullah's Farm in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Friday, August 5, 2005, following the death of his half-brother King Fahd who passed away August 1, 2005. Interperter Gamal Helal, center, is also pictured

Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush pays his respects to King Abdullah Friday, Aug.5, 2005. Vice President Dick Cheney, seen in background

Former President George H. W. Bush, left, shake hands with newly crowned King Abdullah, right, during a retreat at King Abdullah's Farm in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Friday, August 5, 2005

Spanish King, Juan Carlos, left, and U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, right, pay their respects to Saudi King Abdullah Friday, Aug. 5, 2005

Vice President Dick Cheney and former President George H. W. Bush talk with newly crowned King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, following the recent death of King Fahd, Friday, August 05, 2005

U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, right, pays his respects to Saudi King Abdullah Friday, Aug. 5, 2005

Vice President Dick Cheney meets with newly crowned King Abdullah during a retreat at King Abdullah's Farm in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Friday, August 5, 2005

Vice President Dick Cheney speaks with newly crowned King Abdullah during a retreat at King Abdullah's Farm in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Friday, August 5, 2005, following the death of his half-brother King Fahd who passed away August 1, 2005. Interpreter Gamal Helal, center, is also pictured

President George Bush speaks to the press pool about the death of ABC news anchor Peter Jennings, Monday, Aug. 8, 2005, before boarding Air Force One in Waco, Texas, enroute to New Mexico.

President George W. Bush (2nd R) receives a tour of the National Solar Thermal Test Facility at Sandia National Laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from Lab Director Thomas Hunter (2nd L), August 8, 2005

President George W. Bush (2nd L) speaks with lab Director Thomas Hunter (L) during Bush's tour to the National Solar Thermal Test Facility at Sandia National Laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico, August 8, 2005

President George W. Bush (2nd R) wears sunglasses to protect his eyes during a tour of the National Solar Thermal Test Facility at Sandia National Laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico August 8, 2005

President Bush shares a moment with Sen. Pete Domenici, R-NM, after Domenici's opening remarks before Bush spoke about the Energy Policy Act of 2005

President George W. Bush speaks before signing the new $14.5 billion energy bill into law while at the U.S. Energy Department's Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, August 8, 2005

President George W. Bush signs the new $14.5 billion energy bill into law while at the U.S. Energy Department's Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, August 8, 2005

President George W. Bush, right, holds up the Energy Policy Act of 2005 with Sen. Pete Domenici, R-NM, second left, after Bush signed the act at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, N.M., on Monday, Aug. 8, 2005. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-NM, middle rear, is the top Democrat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee which Sen. Domenici chairs

President George W. Bush (R) places the signature page into a box containing The Energy Policy Act of 2005

President Bush waves to the media as he walks down the steps from Air Force One after arriving back from Albuquerque, Monday, Aug. 8, 2005, in Waco, Texas, after signing the Energy Policy Act in New Mexico.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.