Energy Bill

Dear Friends,

Congress is nearing a decision on a piece of legislation that will determine the country's energy policy for the next three decades. We need your help in opposing this dangerous bill that threatens our communities and the environment. "The National Energy Policy Act of 2003," or H.R. 6, is a reprehensible package of subsidies that favors the energy industry while further disenfranchising citizen and environmental interests. This backwards bill puts our communities at risk to more air and water pollution, increases the country's oil dependence, fails to modernize the electricity grid, and saddles taxpayers with billions of dollars in corporate giveaways. Absent is a plan to foster the development of renewable energy, to advocate conservation and efficiency, and to support more democratic power production in local communities.

Please send a letter to your Senators by Wednesday, October 29, 2003.

Miigwech,

Honor the Earth Staff and Volunteers

Click here to find your Senators.
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Here is a sample letter:

Honorable ________
Address
City, State Zip

Dear Honorable ___________,

I am writing to urge you to oppose H.R. 6, which threatens our communities and the environment by providing the United States with a backward energy plan.

Several sections of H.R. 6 cause me great concern including:

• The "Indian Energy Title," or Title III amendment, as introduced by Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.), which streamlines the approval process for new energy projects on tribal lands allowing tribes to submit proposals directly to the Secretary of the Interior bypassing the additional approvals that help can help protect the communities as projects evolve over time. With passage of this title, we are concerned that exploitative and environmentally unsound business practices will dominate energy development on Native lands.
• The opening of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling, which will disrupt Gwich'in communities and local caribou herds for a mere six-months' supply of oil.
• The repeal of the Public Utility Holding Company Act (PUHCA), which would allow for the expansion of deregulation and may lead to increased energy costs in tribal communities where markets are often unformed and competition is too scarce to drive down energy prices.
• The billions of dollars allocated to the nuclear industry for research and development, construction of new reactors, and to fund "in-situ" leaching uranium mining projects.
• Tax breaks given to big energy companies estimated between $14.5 billion and $18.1 billion.
• The open door given to the U.S. Department of the Interior to inventory oil and natural gas in the outer continental shelf off the U.S. coast, paving the way for drilling in ecologically-sensitive coastal areas.

As well, I oppose "The National Energy Policy Act of 2003" as it fails to include a "Renewable Portfolio Standard" requiring utilities to incorporate renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, into their production portfolio. A truly visionary energy bill not only would look toward the development of renewable energy but would also give voice to communities looking to supply the nation with clean, homegrown electricity such as the twenty-three Indian tribes that have over 250 gigawatts of wind generating potential. Those tribes live in some of the poorest counties in the country and yet they are putting up wind turbines that could power America- if they had more contracts and access to power lines, which H.R. 6 does not provide.

Senator _________, I ask you take every step possible, including mounting a filibuster, to defeat H.R. 6.

Thanks for your support.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Address
City, State Zip