The White House was against energy conservation before it was for it:

QUESTION: Does the President believe that, given the amount of energy Americans consume per capita, how much it exceeds any other citizen in any other country in the world, does the President believe we need to correct our lifestyles to address the energy problem?

FLEISCHER: That’s a big no. The President believes that it’s an American way of life.

(White House press briefing with Ari Fleischer, May 7, 2001)

Contrast with:

MCCLELLAN: [T]here are steps that — or initiatives that the President has outlined that are important steps that we can take to reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy. This has been a high priority for the President from day one.

(White House press briefing with Scott McClellan, September 26, 2005)

Comments

[Jason Whong]

Hear hear. Conservation is smart - even if it is late...