Energy vote this week This week, Congress is negotiating on a compromise energy package that will include both clean energy investments and some additional drilling. We expect to see a compromise energy bill on the floor of the House late Thursday, September 11 or Friday, September 12. The compromise package is still being crafted. The bill will likely include concessions on off-shore drilling in addition to strong clean energy provisions: a 15% renewable electricity standard, an extension of critical clean energy tax incentives (PTC and ITC), and provisions to close royalty loopholes for Big Oil. The clean energy gains -- like crackdowns on giveaways to Big Oil coupled with real investment in renewable energy, efficiency and transportation alternatives -- are a big step forward. It is less clear what the off-shore drilling provisions will be and we have heard contrasting reports - on Friday the Washington Post reported the bill would loosen the off-shore drilling moratorium from VA to GA and on Saturday, in their radio address, Democrats said they were considering a 50-mile buffer for the eastern Gulf and drilling from VA to the Keys. It's up to us to make sure the balance of this bill is a lot more about clean energy and a lot less about drilling and Big Oil. It is critical that our members of Congress continue to hear support for clean energy solutions to our energy crisis. CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TODAY Find your Rep. here: https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml Talking points: More drilling won't solve America's energy problems; Congress should support clean renewable energy alternatives. Please vote yes on clean energy, and stand up to Big Oil and reject their amendments. Please help us pass a clean energy compromise package. More wind and solar power and energy efficiency will benefit the American consumer -- not Big Oil. For full talking points see: http://sierraclub.typepad.com/clubhouse/2008/08/how-to-talk-abo.html #### Mike Carberry Sierra Club Iowa City Area Group: Director Iowa State Chapter: Executive Committee 2029 Friendship St. Iowa City IA 52245 office: 319-338-8820 mobile: 319-594-6453 Please reconsider the need to print this email. Mother Nature thanks you in advance. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp