George P. Radanovich: “In closing I would say I hope that the lessons that are being learned in California do not have to be learned in the…”

“In closing I would say I hope that the lessons that are being learned in California do not have to be learned in the United States to get a decent energy policy. Even though California is second only to Rhode Island in energy conservation, we have had 68 stage one power emergencies, 63 stage two power emergencies and 38 stage three power emergencies. The way it happens is when electricity begins to run out, that is a stage one alert. When it gets worse, that is a stage two alert. When that gets worse, that is a stage three alert and from there we enter into rolling blackouts. We are having to suffer through that because I think we have not been keen on making sure that California has had adequate energy supply and we will create that. We will become a great State or continue to be the great State that we are. But I do not want the country to have to go through the same problems that California is because of an unrealistic expectation out of energy and where the supply needs to go. California is getting real real fast. I think the rest of country needs to learn to get real about where our energy supplies need to come from. That is why I applaud the leadership in the House and also the President of the United States for putting this energy plan together, a realistic one that also includes alternative fuels, energies and conservation and puts them in their proper perspective.”