Dear Alaska Coalition Leaders of Iowa,
 
Just a brief update on the present status of how Arctic drilling is
faring in the coming congressional budget processes. 

Senate:
The Senators are debating and voting on amendments presently on the
Budget Resolution. Senator Gregg (R-NH) the Budget Committee chair has
included drilling instructions in his Resolution. There may be an
amendment from Sen. Cantwell that will try to remove this language, but
the main focus of our work has been to work with Senators to oppose the
bill and stop final passage. This vote is scheduled to happen later
today. Calls to Senator Grassley can still be helpful today (DC
202-224-3744, Waterloo 319-232-6657  Des Moines 515-284-4890   Cedar
Rapids 319-363-6832    Davenport 319-322-4331)

House:
Chairman Nussle has postponed his Budget Resolution until after the
coming recess (recess is next week) and will bring up this bill starting
end of March or first part of April. This gives us continued time to work
on messages into his office in opposition of including drilling language
in the bill!

The "rumors" have it that one of the reasons for the delay and
controversy is the drilling issue. If the Senate votes down their bill it
is thought that the House will not have the momentum to put Arctic in
their version and we may be free of Budget fights this year.  (Yeh!!).

I want to thank everyone for all of their help on this issue to date,
raising again, the public opposition to drilling in our pristine Arctic
Natl Wildlife Refuge in the key leadership Congressional offices is how
we will stop this ill-conceived idea NOW. 

We all know that Arctic drilling has nothing to do with balancing budgets
or energy independence. Drilling in the Arctic Refuge is neither a
solution to the nation’s budget crisis nor sound energy policy. We need
Congressional leadership towards new cleaner technologies, conservation,
and energy efficiencies.
 
thanks,
Lois Norrgard
Regional Organizer
Alaska Coalition
10368 Columbus Circle
Bloomington MN 55420
ph/fx: 952.881-7282
[log in to unmask]

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