President Bush asked Congress to help solve "one of the great challenges facing our generation" by approving proposals he says will cut U.S. gasoline consumption by up to 20 percent over 10 years.

"Every member of Congress who cares about strengthening our economy, protecting our national security and confronting climate change should support the energy initiatives I have set out," the president said yesterday in his weekly radio address. "We can leave behind a cleaner and better world for our children and grandchildren."

Bush's energy proposals, made in his State of the Union address last month, include ramping up the production of alternative fuels such as ethanol made from new, non-corn feedstocks. The president wants to require the use of 35 billion gallons a year of ethanol and other alternative fuels, such as soybean-based biodiesel, by 2017, a fivefold increase over current requirements.

The other key element of his plan is changing the way fuel-economy standards are set for passenger cars.

The president wants Congress to give his administration the power to set the standards for cars, using a system it says cuts emissions while preserving choices and safety for costumers. Bush opposes any legislation simply setting a number for higher fuel-economy standards, an approach Democrats like better.

Some environmentalists say Bush's goals fall far short of what is needed.

Sen. Jeff Bingaman, a New Mexico Democrat and chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, says Bush is ignoring the problem of global warming by not embracing some mandatory emission reductions.

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By JENNIFER LOVEN

The Associated Press