Washington, DC - Late yesterday the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) National Research Council issued a report titled: Review of the Research Program of the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership. Following is a statement from Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman in response to the report:

"I am pleased that the National Academy of Sciences agrees that we are on the right path with our research and development. We agree that this effort could lead to enormous benefits for the nation and the world. I also am pleased that the report notes the promise of our government’s partnership with the energy and automotive industries to develop advanced energy-efficient passenger vehicles and the infrastructure to support them."

"I am proud of the work we are doing with our partners to eventually attain a clean and sustainable energy future through advances in combustion and hybrid vehicle technology, and ultimately with hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. This research promotes President Bush’s vision to strengthen our nation’s energy security through new technologies, increased conservation, and improved electrical delivery infrastructure. President Bush will soon sign historic, comprehensive energy legislation that meets his priorities and puts our nation on a path to more energy independence."

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