Bob Slaughter, president of the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association (NPRA), supports President Bush's remarks about the nation's energy future made in the State of the Union address January 31.
"NPRA also believes that technological advances will point the way to our nation's energy future," Slaughter said in a news release. "It is important, however, that mandates, price controls, and other command-and-control or punitive measures not be adopted as energy policy, and we do not believe that the President indicated any support for these options.
"Unfortunately, some members of Congress are advocating imposition of a windfall profits tax, retroactive policy changes and other punitive measures, despite the overwhelming evidence that these policies would do great harm to the nation's energy supply and security as we make the transition to a technology-driven future.
"NPRA believes that, while pursuing research and technological advances, the nation must not lose sight of the fact that oil and natural gas will continue to serve as foundation fuels for the American economy not only today, but for the foreseeable future. It follows that US energy policy must continue to target its efforts on increasing domestic production of petroleum products and natural gas supplies, and the efficient usage of these fuels while maintaining environmental progress."