By the OGJ Online Staff
WASHINGTON, DC, Mar. 29�US President George W. Bush Thursday defended his decision not to regulate the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide as a pollutant under the Clean Air Act, saying the economic needs of the American people override international environmental concerns.
"In terms of the CO2 issue, I will explain as clearly as I can, today and every other chance I get, that we will not do anything that harms our economy. Because, first things first, are the people who live in America. That's my priority," Bush told reporters this morning during a press conference. "And I'm worried about the economy. I'm worried about the lack of an energy policy. I'm worried about rolling blackouts in California. It's in our national interest that we develop a strong energy policy, with realistic, common-sense environmental policy. And I'm going to explain that to our friends.�
His decision to abandon the Kyoto international global warming protocols however does not mean America plans to turn its back on future environmental discussions, he indicated.
"For those who worry about our willingness to consult, they shouldn't worry. We are. We're going to be open-minded, and we'll have open dialogue. "
Turning to domestic policy, Bush acknowledged that opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge coastal plain to drilling may not pass a divided Congress.
"There are other areas in the US on which we can find natural gas. I think it's important for us to open up ANWR. Whether or not the Congress sees it that way is another matter," Bush said. "That's not going to deter me from having, for example, the Interior Secretary look at all lands that are not � to be fully protected, for exploration.�
The president added that both Canada and Mexico offer huge potential sources of increased supply to the Lower 48 as well.
"We've got a plan to make sure that gas comes�flows freely out of Canada into the US. I talked to the Prime Minister about that. What I find interesting is that I think�we have meaningful discussions about exploration in the Northwest Territories, right across the line, admittedly miles away, as ANWR. But nevertheless, it's a big, vast region of natural gas. And it's important for us to explore, encourage exploration, work with the Canadians to get pipelines coming out of the Northwest Territories to the US.
"I've talked to the president of Mexico about a policy. There's going to be a lot of areas where we can find natural gas in America other than ANWR. It would be helpful if we opened up ANWR. I think it's a mistake not to.�
According to Bush, if the US has energy supply shortages it should not matter where additional supplies come from, as long as they can be delivered to meet demand.
"There's gas in our hemisphere. And the fundamental question is, where's it going to come from? I'd like it to be American gas. But if the Congress decides not to have for exploration in ANWR, we'll work with the Canadians.
"I'm interested in getting more energy supply so that businesses can grow and people can heat their homes. We've got a shortage of energy in America. And it doesn't matter to me where the gas comes from, in the long run, just so long as we get gas moving into the country, so long as we increase supply of natural gas."
He added that expanding trade with both Canada and Mexico will have long-term trade benefits as well.
Meanwhile, other domestic sources of fuel should not be overlooked, the president said.
"We also need to have clean coal technologies, as well. And we need a full affront on a energy crisis that is real in California and looms for other parts of our country if we don't move quickly."
