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Shunning any rhetorical flourishes to dramatize his plan, Carter rushed through its main proposals in low-key style, putting a number of members of Congress to sleep. The multiple facts and figures were somewhat numbing. The delivery was smooth and nearly faultless (he twice said "miles per hour" when he meant "miles per gallon") but far short of inspiring. Making his energy program work, Carter said, "will demand the best of us, our vision, our dedication, our courage and our sense of common purpose." The President told his audience he expected little applause—and he was not disappointed. He was interrupted, however, when he took a poke at the oil companies, declaring: "I happen to believe in competition, and we don't have enough of it right now." He held out the threat of divestiture—a bull-baiting word among the big oil companies—if data he sought from the companies showed that antitrust laws were being flouted.
Beyond the rather modest sacrifices Carter asked of most individuals, his program offered some incentives for saving fuel. Both homeowners and businesses could receive tax credits for installing insulation, storm windows and weather stripping in their buildings. Homeowners also would be encouraged through tax credits to install solar equipment.
Overall, the package seemed well designed to wend its way past the broadest political hazards. It appeases some conservatives by letting oil and gas prices rise—but does not offend liberals by removing controls completely or allowing the producers to reap higher profits. It encourages coal production and conversion, as well as a speedier expansion of nuclear power plants, without lifting environmental safeguards.
Perhaps most important for its prospects of success, Carter's program would not drastically alter the life-styles of most Americans. There would be a significant shift toward smaller, lighter cars (although many cars designed to meet the gradually increasing gasoline-efficiency standards, and thus avoid a tax penalty, could readily seat six people), but that trend has already begun. People on limited incomes might well have to plan shopping trips more carefully and curtail nonessential driving. Teen-agers in middle-income families might have to bicycle to school instead of driving their own cars.
By Friday morning's press conference Carter was easily able to defend his program against the generally uncritical questions of reporters. The President spun off his statistics and conservation "principles" with assurance. He stoutly defended his stand-by gasoline tax, as he must at so early a moment in a long debate, declaring: "I will fight for it till the last vote in Congress." Notably, he held out the possibility of gasoline rationing as "a viable alternative" if his program fell short of its goals. He pointed out that he had the power to impose rationing without congressional approval by declaring a national emergency.