For Immediate Release Contact: David Willett, 202-675-6698
June 7, 2010
Sierra Club Urges Lugar to Join Bi-Partisan Energy Effort
Comprehensive Climate and Energy Bill Needed to End Oil Dependence
WASHINGTON, DC- As Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) released a proposed energy bill today, the Sierra Club issued the following statement:
Statement of Michael Brune, Sierra Club Executive Director :
We welcome Senator Lugar's efforts to join the discussion over U.S. energy policy in the Senate. Unfortunately there are several elements of the bill that fall short of the mark, particularly when it comes to strong measures to end our oil dependence.
Given his dedication to energy issues, we hope that Senator Lugar will become actively involved in Majority Leader Reid's and President Obama’s effort to craft a bipartisan, comprehensive climate and energy bill that moves our country beyond our dependence on dirty energy sources such as oil and coal, and into a clean energy economy.
Last month's West Virginia coal mine tragedy and the oil disaster currently unfolding highlight the desperate need for a new clean energy economy that ends our self-destructive addiction to dirty energy. We need to move away from dangerous and deadly energy sources towards greater efficiency and cleaner energy. Every day the Senate fails to pass clean energy and climate policy, we put our economy, our national security and our environment at risk. Now is the time to put America back in control of our energy future with comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation.
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