Kansas City Star

Dec. 9, 2004

U.S. energy policy over the long term will require new nuclear power plants, cleaner coal and cars that get more miles per gallon, experts said Wednesday.

They also said mandatory federal programs are needed to address climate change and scale back the expected growth of greenhouse gases. The Bush administration has asserted that voluntary action by industry will do the job and opposes government-imposed rules.

The Commission on Energy Policy, a privately funded group, said in its report that the government should spend billions of dollars on energy research and projects, including the development of a next-generation nuclear power reactors.

William Reilly, one of the commission's leaders, said any national energy policy must address climate change and propose mandatory emission requirements because 'the long-term risks are real.'

The experts said Congress should 'significantly strengthen' the standards for vehicles' fuel efficiency so the United States could reduce its oil consumption.

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National Commission on Energy Policy