President Bush made some lofty promises regarding energy reform in his State of the Union address Tuesday, and while it's easy to discount these promises on the basis of past failures to follow through, there may be valid reason to hope for some substantive change this time.

In one of the more ambitious domestic proposals of his presidency, Bush encouraged a solution to America's oil "addiction," as he put it, and set forth a timeline for steps in both improving petroleum-based fuel conservation and seeking alternative fuel development.

The proposed changes aim to reduce gasoline consumption in the United States by 20 percent by the year 2017.

While alternative fuel is ecologically preferable, and it has been regularly mentioned in Bush's energy policy — in his address he again lauded the need for increased ethanol production, with a goal of 35 billion gallons by 2017 — it is unclear whether or not a viable long-term alternative fuel solution exists at this point in time.

Perhaps more significantly, then, Bush also addressed the need for more fuel-efficient automobiles. By continuing to raise mileage standards for auto manufacturers, he said, gasoline consumption can be effectively reduced over time.

This is not the first such proposal of Bush's administration, but a key difference exists in 2007: Congress is controlled by Democrats, who tend to be more environmentally aware, rather than Republicans, who tend to be environmentally unaware (or indifferent).

As Sen. Evan Bayh, (D-Ind.) told the Associated Press, "My strong impression is not only can we meet [Bush's] targets but in fact his targets are modest. We can do much better."

Perhaps one of the greatest and oft forgotten ironies when the topics of Bush and oil consumption cross is that Bush made his fortune in the oil business during his time in Texas. Among his closest colleagues and friends are the "Who's who" in the oil business, and to make good on his promise to cut oil consumption, Bush may very well want to start with those closest to him.

Even if against his will, responsible environmental policy will be an inevitable component of Bush's last years in office. Amidst other blunders, this may prove to be one of few long-term positive outcomes of the Bush era.