In recent years the Federal Government has begun to recognize and come to grips with our national energy crisis. Contributing to improved government understanding of the problem was the National Petroleum Council's report released last December.

The National Fuels and Energy Study being conducted by the Senate Interior Committee, on which I serve, has made great progress in attempting to develop our own recommendations for national energy policy. We have been especially assisted by the expert testimony of The American Association of Petroleum Geologists.

President Nixon earlier this year announced his proposals for abating our energy crisis. The Congress has been asked to act. However, the question remains whether the Congress will cooperate with the President, as I believe it should, or whether a matter as important to our national security and economic well-being as our energy supply will be turned into a political football by an uncooperative Congress.

End_of_Article - Last_Page 782------------