Giuliani Says His Energy Plan Would Aid Planet, Fight Terror

SAN FRANCISCO — Mayor Giuliani is promising that his plan to wean America from foreign oil would aid the planet and curtail funding for terrorism, though some of his energy-related prescriptions could be a tough sell for environmentally conscious California voters.

"This is not just good for the reduction of global warming, pollution, the domestic economy, national security. It is absolutely necessary in defeating the terrorists," Mr. Giuliani told an audience of about 125 supporters gathered at a hotel here yesterday afternoon.

Ending America's dependence on energy from abroad "would be a major factor in our being able to defuse dramatically the reach and the power of Islamic terrorism," the former mayor said.

To supplant oil imports, Mr. Giuliani called for increased use of ethanol, so-called clean coal technology, nuclear, hydroelectric, solar, and wind-generated power.

While Mr. Giuliani is also touting himself as a tax and budget cutter, he said he had no compunction about implementing widespread subsidies for alternative fuels.

"The government has to organize a program like the government organized putting a man on the moon," he said. "We do it by supporting everything. … This is not just a private enterprise."

Mr. Giuliani acknowledged that many of his proposals were not unique or original. "Most people will agree with most of it," he said. "Who's going to get it done for you? … A lot of people have talked about energy independence, including some pretty good presidents. I will do it."

Still, some of the measures he touted, such the building of new nuclear power plants, seemed certain to face resistance. Mr. Giuliani suggested that the safety concerns were overblown. "We have never in this country lost a life to nuclear power, never," he said. "That says a lot."

The former mayor also said nuclear power would increase America's energy independence. "We don't have to buy it from anybody else. … We have it right here in the United States," he said.

While there are uranium mines in America, imported uranium accounts for 84% of the market here, according to the Energy Department.

Mr. Giuliani backed ending the 26-year-old moratorium on new oil drilling off America's coasts. "We have to expand the use of the oil that's within our control," he said. "In environmentally sound ways, we should take advantage of that oil."

Mr. Giuliani kicked off his 35-minute speech yesterday by challenging the Democratic presidential hopefuls debating in South Carolina last night to acknowledge the threat that America faces from what the former mayor repeatedly labeled "Islamic terrorism." "In order to lead, you have to face reality. The reality is that there are Islamic terrorists. The reality is that they are at war with us," the former mayor said.

Mr. Giuliani said that in the prior debates, none of the Democratic candidates owned up to the nature and the seriousness of the terrorist threat. "We'll see if they do it tonight. If they do, I'll take credit for it," he joked.

The former mayor also bashed the Democrats for being "defeatist," particularly when it comes to the emerging economic power of countries such as China.

"Isn't this what we always wanted, that China would come out of poverty and have some hope of coming out of political oppression?" Mr. Giuliani said. America simply needs to ask, "What to sell them? … It's not that hard. It's not brain surgery," he said.

Western companies have struggled to make a profit in the Chinese market. Some have quit the market after seeing their brand names and proprietary technology stolen with near impunity.

"This is the guy America needs, the only guy that can heal everybody," a public relations executive on hand for Mr. Giuliani's speech, Michael Levinson, 60, said. "You can't have any more Clintons or Bushes. It will be too divisive."

Mr. Levinson said Mr. Giuliani's views on social issues make him palatable to Democrats in a way the other Republican contenders are not. The p.r. man said he liked the ex-mayor's comments on energy but is supporting him mainly because of his tough persona. "We can't have any weaklings in the White House," Mr. Levinson said. Today, Mr. Giuliani's campaign is to begin airing radio ads in New Hampshire and Iowa for the first time. The spots tout his record cutting taxes, government spending, and the welfare rolls during his time as New York City's mayor between 1994 and 2001.