SAFE Commends Rice Energy Testimony

Feb. 14, 2008

New Energy Security Envoy Position Demonstrates Understanding

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) applauded U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's testimony before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday. Rice, in response to questions from Senator Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), confirmed that the U.S. State Department intends to appoint a high-level special envoy tasked to the issue of energy security, and added that "the politics of energy is warping diplomacy in certain parts of the world."

"Secretary Rice's testimony today shows a genuine appreciation of the energy security issue," Robbie Diamond , SAFE's Founder and President, said. "The creation of a high-level position to deal specifically with these challenges sends a message to the world that energy security will now be even more of a core issue at the U.S. State Department, as it should be. Now we hope that our leaders follow this important first step with an ongoing commitment to confront America's energy security challenge.

"Just this week, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced the suspension of crude oil sales to Exxon Mobil," Diamond added. "There is little doubt that oil is used as diplomacy by other means. Secretary Rice clearly recognizes the challenges and is taking important first steps to face them."

According to Rice, the appointee would focus on the use of oil and natural gas for geopolitical purposes, with a particular focus on central Asia and the Caspian region. She emphasized the importance of what she called "U.S. energy vulnerability," saying that "It is a really important part of diplomacy."

Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) is an action-oriented, nonpartisan organization that aims to reduce America's dependence on oil and improve U.S. energy security to bolster national security and strengthen the economy.

SOURCE Securing America's Future Energy

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