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energy accountability radio ad April 2, 2002, Oklahoma Chapter FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SIERRA CLUB RADIO ADS ASK SENATOR INHOFE TO SUPPORT A CLEAN, SAFE AND MORE SECURE ENERGY FUTURE
Oklahoma City, OK: The Sierra Club is running radio ads this week about Senator James Inhofe’s vote against a requirement to make more cars that get better gas mileage. The Sierra Club wants Senator Inhofe to support an energy bill that reduces our dependence on oil by increasing fuel efficiency for passenger vehicles and protects special places like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The ad notes that America needs “to loosen the grip oil-producing nations have on us, to make responsible plans for the future that employ better technology and American know-how to decrease our dependence on oil.” The ad calls on Senator Inhofe to fix the current energy bill being considered by Congress, which does nothing to reduce our dependence on oil, and could sacrifice special places like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. "The energy bill in its current form is short-sighted and is not good for Oklahomans,” said Jeannine Hale, Director of the Oklahoma Field Office for Sierra Club. The Sierra Club also released a report that finds that the Senate has failed to make the grade so far on the national energy bill. The report, called "Failing Grades" rates Senator Inhofe on the key votes that have occurred to date on the energy bill. The report is available at www.newenergyfuture.com and www.uspirg.org. The Senate energy bill began as a promising vehicle for meeting our nation’s energy needs. Senators voted against raising corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards, the single biggest step America can take to reduce our dependence on oil and improve our energy security. Senators also rejected a measure that would have increased the amount of electricity produced by clean, renewable sources like wind and solar power, replacing it with an amendment that does little to promote renewable energy. "There is still a chance that the Senate will take the right road, but unless the energy bill is fixed, it's unacceptable policy for our future,” according to Ms. Hale. Ms. Hale challenged Senator Inhofe’s recent assertion that his votes against better car mileage saved jobs. “Instead of hurting the workforce of America and Oklahoma if fuel efficiencies for cars are increased, it will create more jobs to design and build new technology into fuel-saving cars and tap into renewable, clean energy sources. We will also benefit from better air quality, reduced health care costs associated with respiratory illness and a reduction in how much we have to spend on gasoline products.” The Sierra Club wants Senator Inhofe and others in Congress to amend the energy bill to add provisions to safeguard the Arctic Wildlife Refuge, reduce America's oil consumption by one million barrels a day, guarantee that at least 10 % of our electricity comes from renewable energy resources, ensure that electricity consumers will not be ripped off by more Enrons, and reduce pollution of our air, water and land. # # # FOR OUR FAMILIES, FOR OUR FUTURE |
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