Media Teleconference: As Federal Government Comes up Cold for Solutions to Energy Prices, States Innovate and Lead to Address Rising Costs

Environment Colorado

With high energy prices this winter, consumers are taking a hard look at conservation and efficiency measures. Unfortunately, the federal government is failing to come up with solutions. While President Bush is expected to talk about energy policy in his State of the Union address, it is unlikely that he will propose any meaningful policies to address home heating costs, or that Congress will answer with a plan of their own. This briefing will highlight several states as examples of the steps local officials have taken across the country to address high natural gas and heating oil prices and will provide an overview of actions legislators and regulators are proposing this year.

Speakers will provide brief comments and answer questions from reporters.

WHEN: Thursday, January 26, 2006
12 pm EST

WHERE: 1-800-853-3891
Passcode: 5028
*Screeners have instructions to admit only members of the media

WHO:
• Mike Winka, Director of the NJ Clean Energy Program, will announce the start of a new home energy audit program to give ratepayers concrete suggestions on how to reduce their energy use; 
• Representative Tom Plant, Colorado, will describe natural gas and energy efficiency bill under consideration in the state legislature; 
• Beth A. Nagusky, Director of Energy Independence, Office of Governor Baldacci, will discuss Operation Keep Maine Warm; and 
• Rebecca Stanfield, Environmental Attorney, Illinois Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), will describe a bi-partisan state bill to set efficiency standards for furnaces. 

Rob Sargent, Senior Energy Policy Analyst for the State PIRGs, will facilitate the teleconference.