Ridiculous-Sounding Group Makes Sensible Statement
Energy Bill Fails to Deal Aggressively with Dangerous Oil Dependence
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Here is a news release from a group calling itself "Republicans for Environmental Protection America." We wonder if that group consists of more than one or two people? There used to be a handful of environmentally-responsible and fiscally-responsible Republicans, but we suspect they have long since been hounded out of that party.
Well, you can make up your own mind on that. Certainly this news release is on-target, so let's wish luck to REP America. |
The energy bill passed by Congress fails to deal responsibly with the most pressing energy issue that is facing America – our nation’s increasingly dangerous dependence on oil.
America depends on oil for 40 percent of its energy consumption, yet holds only 2 percent of global conventional oil reserves.
“Congress refused to enact a responsible increase in motor vehicle fuel economy standards, the single most important step we could take to reduce oil dependence. Our elected representatives could not even bring themselves to include mild language in the bill calling for a plan to cut oil consumption a mere 5 percent by 2015. The Saudi royal family must be very pleased,” said REP America Policy Director Jim DiPeso.
Left on the cutting room floor was a requirement for utilities to obtain at least 10 percent of their electricity from renewable energy resources by 2020.
“While rejecting a slew of common sense measures that would improve efficiency, diversify our energy resources, and safeguard the environment, Congress declared Christmas in July for the oil and gas industry, lavishing it with taxpayer funded giveaways and special treatment,” said REP America Government Affairs Director David Jenkins.
The bill exempts certain oil and gas drilling on public lands from clean water requirements, endangering drinking and irrigation water for Western communities. The bill also directs the Interior Department to identify lands, including lands within national forests and wildlife refuges, to be traded away if they might contain oil shale and tar sands, a potential boondoggle threatening water supplies, private property owners, and taxpayers.
“At a time of record fuel prices, out-of-control energy demand, peaking oil supplies, and rising greenhouse gas emissions, we must change course on energy quickly. Unfortunately, Congress did not rise to the occasion, settled for politics as usual, and failed the American people,” Jenkins said.
REP America supports a strategic energy policy to strengthen the nation’s energy security, reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and provide greater economic opportunity. The path forward requires a mix of standards and market-based policies that will boost energy efficiency and accelerate the commercialization of cleaner energy technologies.
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Also see: Energy Bill in Congress is a Fake
Patriotism Means Ending U.S. Dependence on Foreign Oil
Wind Power helps us lower fossil fuel dependence |
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