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A Daily Chronicle of Bush Administration Distortion October 15, 2003
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President Bush Fails on Promise To Quickly Modernize U.S. Electricity Grid



One week after the August blackout that left 50 million Americans without power1, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham refused to separate grid modernization from the rest of the energy bill and place it on a fast track. Abraham's refusal contradicted President Bush's promise immediately following the blackout to take action to "determine whether or not our grid needs to be modernized."2

Bush also said, "I happen to think it does [need modernizing], and have said so all along."3 In at least two previous instances, however, his Administration failed to support funding for modernization.

In June 2001 Bush accepted the decision of the Republican Congress to disallow a vote on an investment of $350 million in the western U. S. electric grid infrastructure.4

Then in August 2001 his Administration played an active role in derailing $2 billion in low-interest loans for expanding transmission capacity in the Pacific Northwest.5 The regional transmission system is under stress from a 30 percent increase in the amount of electricity during a time when the grid size increased by only 6 percent.6

On the other hand, the Administration was able to find $350 million for an U.S. AID contract last month to develop Iraq's electric infrastructure. Paul Bremer, the U.S. official overseeing reconstruction efforts in Iraq, explained, "Restoring Iraq's electricity is vital to our mission here."7

Sources:
1. "High Voltage", National Journal, 8/30/03.
2. Presidential Remarks, 8/14/03.
3. Presidential Remarks, 8/14/03.
4. Rep. Farr Press Release, 6/20/01.
5. BPA Request for More Power Lines Hits Wall on Capitol Hill, The Oregonian, 8/5/01
6. "Stretched to the Limit," The Oregonian, 8/24/03.
7. Washington Post, 9/25/03.


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