America at an Energy Crossroads

07/18/2006

Dear Editor:

America is at an energy crossroads. Which way are we going to go?

We could go the dirtiest, slowest, most expensive way to energy security. Or the cleanest, fastest, cheapest way.

Seems like an easy decision? Not when Big Oil is involved. The U.S. Senate may vote in the next week or two on a bill to open eight million acres off of Florida’s west coast to new offshore drilling.  And as if that’s not bad enough, if the Senate passes this bill it could be combined with an abysmal offshore drilling bill that recently passed the U.S. House. Trust me – this is not the best route to take.

Demand a better energy future – write your Senators today!

The Senate vote follows a disastrous vote by the U.S. House of Representatives two weeks ago on a bill authored by Big Oil’s darling in Congress, Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA). Despite opposition from thousands of LCV activists like you, the House voted to lift 25 years of coastal protections and potentially allowing widespread new oil and gas drilling.

Now our hope lies with the Senate, which has an opportunity to stand up for real solutions to our energy crisis – ones that embrace innovative new energy-efficient technologies, create jobs, cut pollution, and reduce our dependence on oil.

Why should your Senators vote against the offshore oil drilling bill?

America should focus on developing new technologies, slowing oil consumption, and reducing the global warming pollution it causes.

This bill opens eight million acres off of Florida’s west coast to new offshore drilling.
If passed, the Senate bill could be conferenced with the House bill, which opens millions of acres off our coasts to offshore drilling rigs.

We have better energy solutions right at our fingertips; we do not need to drill off our pristine coasts. It’s time for Congress to embrace a cleaner energy future!

Your Senators are at an energy crossroads – click below to tell them which way to go.
http://action.lcv.org/campaign/senate_drilling_0717/ks8ubw4o535emj?

Tell your Senators there is no reason to sacrifice our sensitive shorelines. Not when we can take the faster, cleaner, cheaper, and longer-term energy route.

The choice seems obvious, doesn’t it? Together, let’s convince the Senate.

Sincerely,

Gene Karpinski
President
League of Conservation Voters