From Sierra Club
DC Public Lands Action Update
Energy Issues
June 2003

Senate Debates Dirty, Polluting Bush Energy Policy

The Energy Policy Act of 2003 is currently being debated on the floor of
the Senate after having recently been pushed through the House.
Unfortunately, this fatally flawed bill threatens the environment and takes
us backwards by entrenching our dependence on polluting sources of energy.
From opening up our coasts and special places to oil development, to
removing key consumer protections in electricity markets, to funneling
billions of dollars to polluting industries, this bill fails on all counts.

Instead of an energy bill that takes us backwards, the country needs an
energy policy that cuts our dependence on oil, increases our use of clean,
renewable energy sources like wind and solar power and protects our special
wilderness places from drilling.  The current bill is even worse than last
year's energy bill and the Sierra Club has called on the Senate to reject
this irresponsible and environmentally destructive legislation.

Take Action:
To get involved please call your Senators and urge them to vote NO on the
energy bill, S. 14.  You can contact your members by calling the capitol
switchboard at 202-224-3121.  For more information on the energy bill
please contact Geoffrey Suttle at [log in to unmask]


Arctic Refuge Lays Low

Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, said there will be no attempt to make
Arctic drilling part of the Senate energy bill this year, although the
House-passed energy bill includes an Arctic drilling provision. The real
threat will come when (if) the Senate passes its energy legislation and the
two bodies meet in a conference later in the year. Last year several sham
''compromise'' proposals were offered in the conference but none were
accepted. Stay tuned to the PLAU for the latest information or check out
the Sierra Club's Arctic website at www.sierraclub.org/wildlands/arctic

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