SAFE Energy Act of 2007 Unveiled

This bipartisan legislation calls for stricter fuel economy standards, expanded domestic oil and natural gas production with increased environmental protections, accelerated development of long-term renewable energy sources, and greater attention to energy risk management. A new poll released March 14 by the Council found 80 percent public support for these measures.

The Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) Energy Act adopts the key policy proposals put forth by the Energy Security Leadership Council last December in its report entitled Recommendations to the Nation on Reducing U.S. Oil Dependence.

As with the Recommendations, the bill aims to advance the goal of increased oil security through action. It calls on government to design and apply workable standards capable of spurring the needed private-sector responses.

Council members in attendance at the press conference included: General P.X. Kelley, USMC (Ret.), 28th Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps (Co-Chair); John F. Lehman, former Secretary of the U.S. Navy and member of the 9-11 Commission; Andrew N. Liveris, Chairman and CEO, The Dow Chemical Company; David P. Steiner, CEO, Waste Management, Inc; and General Charles F. Wald USAF (Ret.), former Deputy Commander of the United States European Command (EUCOM).

"We thank Senators Dorgan and Craig for their leadership," said General Kelley, USMC (Ret.). "They recognize that we must increase both the efficiency of oil use and the stability of oil supply if we are to reduce the serious threat to national security posed by oil dependence.