Energy and consumer groups will watch today's speech by President George W. Bush in Ohio for signs of a renewed commitment to put the weight of his office behind the comprehensive energy policy that the US has lacked for 20 years.

Two failed attempts to push an energy bill through Congress are viewed as a disappointment of Mr Bush's first term. Energy policy still lacks the momentum it was afforded following his first election, which included 110 recommendations from a taskforce headed by Vice-President Dick Cheney.