Denver, Colorado - As Colorado families pay increasingly high prices for gas and energy, Democrats today rolled out the Clean Energy Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) Initiative to begin moving America in a new direction and achieve energy independence by 2020. Democrats announced the Clean EDGE Initiative today on the fifth anniversary of President Bush's introduction of the Administration's energy plan written by and for their friends in the oil and energy industry. In the five years since, the President and Bush Republicans in Congress have stuck with the same rhetoric and failed policies, continuing huge giveaways for big oil companies while failing to reduce the burden on Colorado families. That's why according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll, by a "2 to 1 or better" margin, the American people prefer Democrats to handle gas prices, and a majority want Democrats in control of Congress. [Washington Post, 5/17/06; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/16/AR2006051601264_pf.html]

Under the Bush Administration, gas prices in Colorado have risen to an average of $2.82 for regular gas and over $3.00 per gallon for Mid, Premium and Diesel. A year ago gas prices ranged form $2.18 to $2.35 per gallon. Nationally Americans have experienced a 71 percent increase in gas prices overall. The average energy bill for Colorado with natural gas has increased by $340. Home heating oil costs in Colorado have increased by $215. The Democrats' Clean EDGE Initiative, unveiled by Sen. Salazar in the nation's capital, begins with an aggressive goal to reduce U.S. petroleum consumption by 6 million barrels a day in 2020-or 40 percent of America's projected imports. By clearing the pathways to innovation, investing in our workers and infrastructure, and providing American consumers with broader, more responsible choices, the Clean EDGE initiative will provide the tools to help move America forward, toward real energy security for the 21st century.

"For five years, the oil men in the White House and Republicans in Congress have failed to address high energy costs, instead giving their friends in the energy industry a free pass to write the country's energy policy that handed out billions in tax breaks for oil and gas companies," said Pat Waak, Colorado Democratic Party Chair. "For too long, the Republican Party in Washington has put the interests of its own Party ahead of the interests of the country, and the interests of its friends in the energy industry ahead of those of American families. It's no wonder the latest poll numbers show the American people's confidence in Washington Republicans has collapsed. The American people want real change, and know that the Bush Administration's failure to lead is costing Colorado's families more than just dollars and cents. Republicans need to step up to this national challenge by joining Democrats to relieve the burden on our state's hard working families, and take us on the path towards energy independence by 2020. Together, America can do better."

To read more about the Initiative, go to: www.democrats.senate.gov/energy

The Democratic staff of the House Committee on Government Reform also released a five-year review today of the Bush Administration's energy policy, which can be found at: http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/Documents/20060516113738-56093.pdf. The report shows what has happened to energy prices and dependency on foreign oil since the release of the plan developed by Vice President Cheney's energy task force.