State of the Union and the Environment

Bush's speech writers mentioned climate change - once - in a teeny section about energy in the State of the Union Address.

Not nearly as creative as last year's linking fighting climate change to fighting terrorism, but the speech writers did manage to imply federal support of clean-coal and hydrogen technologies without actually coming out and saying so, then sandwiching the 'n' word in between (in the same sentence as renewables)...

Let us fund new technologies that can generate coal power while capturing carbon emissions. (Applause.) Let us increase the use of renewable power and emissions-free nuclear power. (Applause.) Let us continue investing in advanced battery technology and renewable fuels to power the cars and trucks of the future. (Applause.)

The speech writers did also include a bit about supporting a post-Kyoto agreement (of course, again, without naming names), yet, still standing strong on the U.S.'s 'we're not going to unless they do' platform.

Let us create a new international clean technology fund, which will help developing nations like India and China make greater use of clean energy sources. And let us complete an international agreement that has the potential to slow, stop, and eventually reverse the growth of greenhouse gases. (Applause.)

This agreement will be effective only if it includes commitments by every major economy and gives none a free ride. (Applause.) The United States is committed to strengthening our energy security and confronting global climate change. And the best way to meet these goals is for America to continue leading the way toward the development of cleaner and more energy-efficient technology. (Applause.)

Of course I'm not quite sure how the U.S. is going to be a leader in developing this cleaner technology, which will free us from our dependence on foreign oil - we're either going to have to spend more money on education to increase our social capital, or loosen immigration laws to bring in others to do it.