Energy Policy - let’s get it right this time!
With prospects for near-term resolution of conflict in the Persian Gulf looking slim and oil prices on the rise, the need for energy independence appears increasingly urgent.
On the other hand, the announcement last week that the Nobel Peace Prize went to Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change raises the specter of climate change due to global warming. The consequences have yet to be fully determined. But estimates range from serious to catastrophic. Scientists say that in order to avoid the most catastrophic scenarios, we must begin now to take bold, comprehensive actions that will add up to an 80 percent cut in carbon emissions by 2050. There are skeptics and perhaps you are not totally convinced, but what if Al Gore is right? Are you willing to play Russian roulette with your children’s future?
Global warming, air pollution, water pollution, and the prospect that oil and gas production rates have peaked, all indicate the obvious - it matters how we go about achieving energy independence. Energy policy has to be about reducing consumption of fossil fuels rather than increasing supply. The good news is that this is not an impossible task. We can do it through improvements in energy efficiency, demand management, and developing clean, safe and renewable resources.
America has the resources. Industry can provide the solutions. But government needs to provide a favorable regulatory climate.
Last Spring, the House and Senate passed energy bills containing meaningful provisions to reduce fossil fuel use. Unfortunately, neither bill is complete. So it’s vital that the best in both are preserved.
The two most important are the House bill provision requiring utilities to generate 15% of their power from clean, renewable energy sources and the Senate bill requirement to increase the average mileage of cars and trucks to 35 miles per gallon by 2020.
This is the absolute minimum if we are going to jump start the transition to a clean-renewable energy economy. In addition, the final energy bill should include the House provision that reduces tax breaks for oil companies and establishes incentives for renewable energy.
It’s not enough to stop the coal plants. Its not enough to oppose the nukes. We have to get serious about energy efficiency and alternative sources. Numerous studies show that serious programs will create more and better jobs than the polluting industries they replace. Ultimately a healthy economy depends on a healthy environment.
Tell your representatives in Congress that you want a strong energy bill with the renewable energy requirement for electric power generation and improved fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks.
— CONTACT INFO —
TEXAS U.S. SENATORS:
Kay Bailey Hutchison
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4304
202-224-5922
202-224-0776 (FAX)
202-224-5903 (TDD).
email Kay Bailey Hutchison
John Cornyn
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
517 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Main: 202-224-2934
Fax: 202-228-2856
email John Cornyn
TEXAS U.S. REPRESENTATIVES:
Go to the house website to find your congressman.
If you know the name, you can use the Representatives-By-Name drop down box to get a link to the website.
Otherwise, you can type in your zip +4 in the FindYourRep box in the upper left.
Click here to find your congressman!
— SAMPLE MESSAGE —
Energy Policy - we have to get it right!
There are a lot of reasons why energy policy needs to be about reducing consumption of fossil fuels. Energy independence, global warming, air pollution, water pollution, and the prospect that production will not keep up with demand are a few of them. We have to get serious about energy efficiency and alternative sources. America has clean energy resources. Industry can provide the solutions. But government needs to provide a favorable regulatory climate.
Last Spring, the House and Senate passed energy bills containing meaningful provisions to reduce fossil fuel use. Unfortunately, neither bill is complete. So it’s vital that the best in both are preserved.
The two most important are the House bill provision requiring utilities to generate 15% of their power from clean, renewable energy sources and the Senate bill requirement to increase the average mileage of cars and trucks to 35 miles per gallon by 2020.
This is the absolute minimum if we are going to jump start the transition to a clean-renewable energy economy. A serious program will create more and better jobs than the polluting industries. Ultimately a healthy economy depends on a healthy environment.
As your constituent, I urge you to support a strong energy bill with the renewable energy requirement for electric power generation and improved fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks. In addition, the final energy bill should include the House provision that reduces tax breaks for oil companies and establishes incentives for renewable energy.
