THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President

              VICE PRESIDENT GORE ANNOUNCES NEW DATA SHOWING
                         WARMEST AUGUST ON RECORD

               Joins Rep. Matsui in Announcing Proposed 
                   Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives

Washington, DC -- Vice President Gore announced new data today showing that last month was the warmest August on record, and he joined Rep. Bob Matsui in announcing proposed energy efficiency tax incentives designed to encourage innovation and reduce energy costs for American businesses and consumers.

"We have had the hottest year in more than a century, followed by the eight straight hottest months in more than a century, together with some of the most severe weather of the century," Vice President Gore said. "How much more evidence do we need that global warming is real and here to stay?"

Last month was the warmest August on record globally, according to data from the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The average global temperature index for the month was 61.4 degrees Fahrenheit -- 1.3 degrees above the long-term mean of 60.1 degrees for August (based on data from 1880 to 1997). The previous record for August was 61.1 degrees, set in 1997.

For the year to date (January through August), the average global temperature of 58.5 degrees Fahrenheit was also 1.3 degrees above the long-term mean of 57.2 for that period.

The Vice President joined Matsui in announcing the congressman's introduction of the Administration's five-year, $3.6 billion energy efficiency tax package. The bill would cut energy costs for American families and businesses; increase the nation's economic competitiveness; cut U.S. dependence on foreign oil; and protect the environment through improved air quality and lower emissions of greenhouse gases.

"For consumers, these kinds of tax incentives mean lower energy costs -- by providing incentives for more energy-efficient homes, and by providing tax credits to people who buy more energy-efficient vehicles," Vice President Gore said.

"For industry, it means more jobs and increased competitiveness -- by making it cheaper and easier to create energy-efficient heat and power systems, and by encouraging more renewable forms of electricity," he added.

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