U.S. now has an energy strategy, Bush says

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- The energy bill signed into law gives the United States a strategy to address global warming at home and globally, President George Bush said Thursday.

"We passed a piece of legislation that allows us to have a national strategy," Bush said during a news conference when asked why the federal government barred California from enacting more stringent environmental measures.

Among other things, the measure Bush signed into law Wednesday raises vehicle fuel efficiency requirements, increases reliance on alternative fuel sources such as ethanol, and seeks to make buildings more energy efficient and people more energy conscious.

"We want to make sure we're efficient in what we do and not wreck our economy" in the process of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, he said.

Globally, he said his administration believes "countries that emit greenhouse gases need to be at the table" when discussing how to address global warming. He singled out China, one of the biggest polluters.

He also pushed for the development of nuclear power domestically.

"If you're truly serious about greenhouse gases," Bush said, then nuclear power should be supported as an alternative.