Bush Visits Johnson Controls

President Bush visited Johnson Controls on Monday, one of the nation's leading producers of energy-efficient technologies. Johnson Controls produces batteries for hybrid vehicles and energy-saving devices for buildings.

"I think we're in an important moment in history," Bush said. "We have a chance to transform the way we power our economy, and the way we lead our lives."

In the President's State of the Union speech, Bush called for plans to "replace more than 75% of our oil imports from the Middle East by 2025."

During the visit to Johnson Controls, crude oil prices rose as a result of rebel attacks in Nigeria, which reduced output, emphasizing the volatility of the market. "Some of the nations we rely on for oil have unstable governments or fundamental differences with the United States," Bush said.

The President's new budget calls for increased funding for research into ethanol production and hybrid technologies. The president pointed out the most promising breakthrough is the hybrid vehicle. In 2005, the Toyota Prius and the Ford Escape were the two most popular models sold in the United States.

Johnson Controls is currently working on the next generation of hybrids that can be plugged in at home to recharge a new line of batteries. These batteries will continue to decrease gasoline use and pollution.