Hurricane
Katrina underscored the risks of our nation’s
dangerous dependence on oil. Oil prices remain high, consumers are
being squeezed at the pump and experts are predicting an extremely
expensive winter heating season.With only three percent of global oil
reserves, we simply can’t drill our way to energy independence—but we
can combat our oil addiction by improving the fuel economy of our
passenger vehicles and investing in cleaner sources of energy.
Our
leaders should heed the lessons of Katrina by setting our nation on a
path toward energy independence. But unfortunately, the House of
Representatives next week will debate another backward looking energy
bill that favors polluting special interests and does nothing to reduce
our dependence on oil. What’s worse, the legislation would roll back
the clock on environmental protection, threatening public health and
the environment across the country.
Tell
your Member of Congress to reject this dirty energy bill and to instead support
a new energy policy that would reduce our dependence on oil while protecting
our environment.
>>The House energy bill would:
- Repeal the "New Source Review" program, which requires the nation's dirtiest power plants to install new pollution controls if they upgrade their operations and cause more pollution. Under this bill, thousands of polluting facilities could expand and pollute more.
- Delay smog-control requirements, forcing millions of Americans to breathe unhealthy air for longer periods of time.
- Undermines upcoming EPA requirements to reduce pollution from trucks, buses, farm equipment and other diesel engines.
