As Gas Prices Rise, Bush Promotes Hydrogen Technology

"President Bush, who has never had easy relations with environmentalists, combined his oft-stated interest in using technology to reduce the nation's energy problems with the surge in gasoline prices to deliver an Earth Day declaration on Saturday that warned the nation it would face 'a tough summer' because gasoline supplies are already tight...Bush offered no short-term solutions as he sought to draw attention to what he said were signs of progress in cleaning up the nation's air, water and land...At the same time, he encouraged the expansion of the nation's oil refineries, in a "wise" manner...He completed his remarks in roughly 15 minutes â€" half the time allotted...Many analysts say a hydrogen energy system will take decades and tens of billions of dollars to develop. "