RANKING MEMBER HALL APPLAUDS PRESIDENT’S FINAL STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS  

WASHINGTON D.C. - January 28, 2008 – Following this evening’s State of the Union address, Science and Technology Committee Ranking Member Ralph Hall (R-TX) made the following statement:

"The President is doing exactly the right thing in focusing on advancing technologies to improve our energy security, without undermining economic growth. He has taken a long term view of what this country needs – not only to remain globally competitive with a strong economy, but to stay at the forefront of technological innovation in the future. I applaud his $2 billion commitment to create a new international clean energy technology fund. This will help leverage the private sector by making clean energy projects more attractive to investors.

"There is no doubt that alternative and renewable energy will play an important role in our future energy mix. My home state of Texas, for example, is the leading producer of wind energy in the country. However, as the President noted, we have to be all-encompassing and not exclude such alternatives as clean coal and nuclear energy. Coal is the nation’s most abundant resource and nuclear power is a proven, safe and available source of electricity.

"We also cannot ignore that the U.S. has vast domestic resources available. Continued research and development into advanced technologies permits the recovery and use of these resources cleanly, efficiently and in an environmentally friendly way. Fossil fuels are not the enemy, but the necessary bridge to the alternative fuels of the future.

"I also applaud the President’s continued support of his American Competitiveness Initiative. It is important for our country to double the funding for physical science research and development, so we remain competitive in the global marketplace. As Ranking Member of the Science and Technology Committee, I supported the America COMPETES Act that passed Congress and was signed by the President, advancing these goals. I share the President’s disappointment that Congress did not fund this important initiative, and I will continue to work to support full funding for research and development.

"I look forward to working with the President and my colleagues on the Science and Technology Committee to advance the President’s forward-looking proposals.”

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