May 17, 2001

Washington, D.C. - The vitality and survival of America's small business and entrepreneurial sector is dependent upon a reliable and affordable supply of energy, according to a leading small business advocacy group that expressed enthusiasm and support for the Bush energy plan.

Small Business Survival Committee (SBSC) Chairman Karen Kerrigan released the following statement in reaction to President George W. Bush's energy strategy for the nation:

"The situation in California is becoming increasingly intolerable for many small businesses, and the lessons should be clear for our nation's lawmakers - supply matters. Small firms nationwide are also feeling the sting of higher energy costs, and indeed they continue to search for additional ways to conserve - above and beyond what they normally do to cut costs and economize -- so that they won't be forced to lay-off employees or take other actions that, on a broad scale, would have an adverse impact on the economy.  That is why we are so pleased that the President addresses the root cause of our current problem through the development of a sensible plan to help create a more affordable, reliable and self-determining supply of energy. We applaud President Bush's practical approach towards solving our current and future energy challenges."

SBSC is a national small business advocacy organization with 70,000 members nationwide.  For more information, please call 202-785-0238 or visit the website at www.sbsc.org.