*
SENATE PUTS OIL COMPANIES FIRST IN FIGHT OVER ARCTIC REFUGE*
*Statement by NRDC Legislative Director Karen Wayland*
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 16, 2005) -- Today the U.S. Senate, by a vote of
49-51, defeated an amendment by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) that would
have removed a provision of the Senate budget bill that authorizes
energy development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The following
is a statement by Karen Wayland, legislative director at NRDC (Natural
Resources Defense Council).
"Drilling the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge won't make a dent in gas
prices at the pump or break our dependence on Middle East oil.
"This was really a vote for Big Oil, not for the solid majority of
Americans who oppose turning America's last great wilderness into a
vast, polluted oil field.
"President Bush and his Senate allies resorted to a sneaky budget
maneuver to get their way. Now, Congress is one step closer to trading
away an irreplaceable national treasure for a few drops of oil that we
wouldn't see for a decade or more.
"If the oil industry can drill in the Arctic Refuge, then no place, no
matter how pristine, will be safe.
"But there is still a lot of political tundra to cross before this fight
is over. We'll keep battling every step of the way.
"Increasing America's energy security doesn't require selling off our
natural heritage and letting oil companies despoil our last best places.
Using better technology in our cars and trucks -- so they go farther on
a gallon of gas -- would save more than 10 times the amount of oil in
the refuge, and save consumers billions of dollars at the pump."
The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, nonprofit
organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists
dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in
1970, NRDC has more than 1 million members and online activists
nationwide, served from offices in New York, Washington, Los Angeles and
San Francisco.
To all Americans on the Biofuel list(I am assuming you've joined this
list due to your distaste of oil companies); join NRDC and take action
against drilling in Alaska. Write your senators........do something,
please!
Peace
Marc
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