NBC Evening News for
Friday, May 18, 2001

(White House: Campbell Brown) President Bush's efforts to defend the new energy plan from critics reported; television ad shown; details given of the opposition from environmental groups. [In Pennsylvania, BUSH - says economic growth and environmental policy are not mutually exclusive.] [Sierra Club Dan BECKER - criticizes Bush's plan.]

(Studio: Tom Brokaw) Report introduced.

(Washington: Lisa Myers) The efforts to increase fuel standards for sport utility vehicles (SUVs) reported; statistics cited. [Senator Olympia SNOWE - says conservation measures would be better over time than new drilling.] [Senator Dianne FEINSTEIN - says people want good gas mileage.] [Auto dealer Phillip VOGEL - says stricter standards would cause a drop in SUV sales.] [Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers Gloria BERQUIST - says consumers value safety above fuel economy.]

(Studio: Tom Brokaw) Report introduced.

(Butte, MT: David Bloom) The efforts to find solutions to high energy prices in Montana because jobs are being lost reported; details given of plans for a copper mine to use diesel-powered locomotives as power plants. [Montana Resources president Greg STRICKER - says his company is not operating because of the energy crisis.] [Miner Greg BARR - says electricity shut down the mine.] [Commercial Energy of Montana president Ron PERRY - says there is a way to make some power.] [Montana Environmental Information Center Patrick JUDGE - says the diesel fuel will cause a lot of pollution.] [Montana resident Judy JACKSON - says the plan scares her.]