OAK RIDGE, TN – Acting Assistant Secretary of Energy for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Doug Faulkner today visited the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to highlight America’s strong economy and the role the energy sector plays to ensure its continued growth.  Mr. Faulkner discussed with employees the Advanced Energy and American Competitiveness Initiatives recently announced by President Bush, which will continue to promote America’s economic vitality through the development of alternative energy sources and will provide our next generation of scientists and researchers with the educational foundation necessary to compete in the global economy.

 

“The research in physical sciences performed at Oak Ridge has had a profound economic impact on the state of Tennessee and around the country,” Mr. Faulkner said.  “The work that is done here benefits Americans through the development of new technologies that can be deployed to the marketplace.  As the economy continues to grow, our goal is to best prepare and educate the next generation of scientists and researchers who will carry on with these important scientific contributions for years to come.”  

 

During today’s visit, Mr. Faulkner highlighted ways that Oak Ridge can participate in the success of the Advanced Energy and American Competitiveness Initiatives, both announced by the President in his State of the Union address.  As the home to the broadest materials science program in the country, the lab’s advanced research and development of new technologies like supercomputers and neutron science can help provide abundant energy sources while maintaining a clean and safe environment. 

 

The American Competitiveness Initiative increases federal investment in critical research that will ensure the U.S. continues to lead the world in opportunity and innovation, and provide American children with a first-rate mathematics and science education.  The Advanced Energy Initiative aims to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil and increase production of domestically grown fuel, which will in turn, promote U.S. job growth. 

 

Mr. Faulkner also touched on the overall health of the U.S. economy, underscored by new employment figures released today.  These figures indicate that the American economy is strong by almost any measure.  America has experienced five straight years of growth in productivity, and per capita personal income continues to rise.  Job growth continues to be strong as well.   The unemployment rate of 4.8 percent is at its lowest point since 2001 and is lower than the average rate for the 1970s, the 1980s and the 1990s. Moreover, new jobs are being created for American workers.  The economy created 243,000 jobs in February and has created about 2.1 million jobs over the past 12 months - and almost 5 million since August 2003.            

 

As part of the Bush Administration’s ongoing effort to promote America’s strong economy and pro-growth energy policies, Administration and DOE officials are traveling the country today to discuss the importance of maintaining economic leadership and a scientific edge in the world through increased science and math education and additional funding for research and development of alternative energy sources.   

 

Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman toured DOE’s Kansas City Plant to view their new technology activities and then delivered remarks to the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce in Kansas City, Missouri, to promote America’s strong economy, specifically related to energy security.  Deputy Secretary of Energy Clay Sell joined Texas Representative Michael Burgess (R-26 ^th) to host an event at Home Depot promoting the economic benefits of energy efficiency in Flower Mound, Texas.  Under Secretary David Garman joined Ohio Representative Deborah Pryce (R-15 ^th) at American Electric Power in Columbus, Ohio, to make remarks on the strong economy and to discuss the president’s new energy initiatives.  Office of Science Director, Dr. Ray Orbach is touring Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, to promote the importance of investing in and maintaining America’s stronghold in science and education.  Assistant Secretary Karen Harbert participated in a roundtable discussion at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville, to discuss northwest Arkansas’s bio-based economics with some of the country’s largest employers.