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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
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Energy Bill is Unwelcome Blast from the Past,
Says NRDC
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| WASHINGTON
- March 19 - As Americans prepare for imminent war abroad and
continue to endure economic uncertainty on the home front, Congress
is set to debate highly controversial energy legislation. Today
the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Energy & Air Quality
is taking up the "Energy Policy Act of 2003" (H.R. 3). The bill
is essentially a warmed over version of the anti-environmental,
pro-industry legislation that failed to pass in the last Congress.
With war looming and energy prices rising, supporters hope the
outcome will be different this time around. But this not so new
or improved energy bill is the wrong approach, at the wrong time.
Below is a
statement by Alys Campiagne, NRDC's legislative director:
"Recycling
is normally good for the environment, but not in the case of this
energy bill.
"This sham
bill rips off taxpayers to the tune of billions in subsidies to
polluting industries -- and for what? To drill, dig and burn our
way to a dirtier and unhealthier environment and leaving us dangerously
dependent on foreign oil.
"Although the
world has changed since 9/11, amazingly, the House is still pushing
a bill that would make America less secure, not more.
"What is needed
is a forward-looking national energy policy that promotes clean,
renewable energy, increased energy efficiency, and better fuel
economy.
"Several amendments
will be offered to improve the energy bill and safeguard all Americans.
Rep. Ed Markey is planning to offer an amendment to boost domestic
oil savings and another to stem the threat of nuclear proliferation
posed by the Bush administration's plan to reprocess plutonium
waste. Anyone opposing these amendments will be voting against
our national security."
The Natural
Resources Defense Council is a national, non-profit organization
of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated
to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970,
NRDC has more than 550,000 members nationwide, served from offices
in New York, Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
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