U.S. President George W. Bush said Wednesday that it is time for the country to start building new nuclear power plants and oil refineries to reduce reliance on foreign sources of energy. "Technology is this nation's ticket to greater energy independence," Bush said in an address to small business owners in Washington. He added that while increased output from oil-producing countries could ease prices, technology will allow the U.S. to assume "greater control of our economic destiny" by making energy "more abundant and more affordable". "Today's technology has made nuclear power safer, cleaner and more efficient than ever before," Bush said. "Nuclear power's one of the safest, cleanest sources of power in the world, and we need more of it here in America." The president also pointed out that U.S. oil refineries are running near maximum capacity and new facilities must be built. "To encourage the expansion of existing facilities, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is simplifying rules and regulations," Bush said, adding that states should encourage the building of new refineries, for example, on closed military facilities. Bush also urged Congress to allow drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a centrepiece of the administration's energy plan. The president also stressed the need to increase the supply of natural gas and to harness the power of clean coal.
