Clinton Urges Cutting Oil Dependence

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 24, 2006 — -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is calling for the United States to cut "our dependence on foreign oil by at least 50 percent by the year 2025."

She delivered her second "major policy address" in a series of such speeches around the country as she runs for re-election in New York and lays the groundwork for a presidential run in 2008.

Clinton, D-N.Y., addressed the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday against the backdrop of high gas prices and record profits for oil companies.

Clinton said dependence can be reduced through innovation and efficiency. The senator said the United States needs to convert its liquid fuel base from oil to bio-mass (such as ethanol from Iowa farmers). She went on to call for changing "our reliance on high-carbon electricity sources to low-carbon electricity sources" such as solar and wind energy. And Clinton also called for getting more efficiency from cars, buildings, power plants and manufacturing processes.

"We can't just point fingers and sort of place blame on anyone else. Foreigners over there, oil companies over here ... the ball is in our court. It is up to us to act and to act soon. It is going to require a virtual revolution in our thinking about energy and in the actions that must follow," said Clinton.

The nominal front-runner for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination made sure to express her dissatisfaction with the country's current energy policy.

"Our present system of energy is weakening our national security, hurting our pocketbooks, violating our common values, and threatening our children's future. Right now, instead of national security dictating our energy policy, our failed energy policy dictates our national security," Clinton said.

The Republican National Committee and the Iowa Republican Party were quick to respond. "Senator Clinton's energy policy consists of a unique balancing act involving partisanship, political pandering and yesterday's mistakes," said RNC spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt.