FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2002
CONTACT:
Wendy Balazik, 202-675-2383
SIERRA CLUB RUNS ADS ASKING SENATORS TO SUPPORT CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY
Washington-As the U.S. Senate begins this week debating how America's
energy future will look, the Sierra Club is running radio ads in four
states, urging Senators to require that by the year 2020, 20 percent of
America's electricity be produced by renewable energy sources like wind and
solar power. Comparing our energy challenges to the efforts to put a man
on the moon and win World War II, the Sierra Club is calling on Senators to
show visionary leadership to protect our children's future.
The ads state that America can meet our energy needs in ways that are
cleaner, cheaper and more secure than fossil fuels such as coal and gas.
By 2020, we can provide 20 percent of our electricity from renewable energy
sources like wind and solar. Competitive technologies already exist and
experts say the shift won't cost us more and will cut air pollution.
The radio ads will run in Georgia, Michigan, New Hampshire and Florida
through the weekend.
"We don't have to dig, drill and destroy to meet our energy needs," said
Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club. "We need leadership from
Senators to ensure that our energy policy is clean, safe, and secure. With
modern technology, we can have clean, renewable energy and a healthy
environment -- but we need our Senators to show far-reaching vision. If we
keep relying on dirty power plants, we'll be stuck with pollution, health
problems and security concerns. Our dependence on fossil fuels leaves us
vulnerable.
"Clean energy based on renewable power like wind and solar is a triple
win," continued Pope. "It keeps our air and environment clean and healthy,
it makes America more secure by relying on diversified technology and using
resources that we have in abundance, and it creates jobs and grows the
economy. The Sierra Club wants Senators to support an energy plan that
will truly move us forward into the 21st century- a plan that increases how
much energy we get from renewable sources to 20 percent, significantly
increases fuel economy and protects our special places like the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge from oil drilling."
Sample script to follow. To receive a copy of the ad, please contact Wendy
Balazik at 202-675-2383.
Starting March 6, 2002, the ad can be seen at
http://www.sierraclub.org/pressroom/media/.
Sierra Club
Radio :60
"Can Do" Macon
March 4, 2002
Our grandparents met the challenge of World War II.
Our parents put a man on the moon.
Now, we face our own test of American know how and "can do" spirit.
Our challenge is to meet our energy needs...
in ways that are cleaner, cheaper and more secure than coal and gas.
That's why we're asking the U.S. Senate
to require that 20 percent of our energy be produced from renewable sources
like wind and solar power by the year 2020.
The technologies already exist...
and experts say the shift won't cost us more,
and will cut air pollution.
Call Senators Max Cleland and Zell Miller at 202-225-3121.
Tell them 70 percent of Americans want to shift to renewable fuels...
Ask them to commit to a sensible energy plan --
that includes producing 20 percent of our electricity from
renewable sources, increasing the fuel economy of our cars, and protecting
special places like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, from drilling --
for our families, for our future.
Paid for by the Georgia Chapter of the Sierra Club.
Erin Jordahl
Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-277-8868
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