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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 28 , 2005 CONTACT: Brian O'Malley 202-675-6279 SIERRA CLUB STATEMENT ON SENATE ENERGY BILL Carl Pope, Executive Director "Today, America missed the opportunity to adopt an energy policy that will give Americans relief at the gas pump and put our nation on the path to a cleaner, cheaper, and safer energy future. Instead of passing an energy bill that boosts fuel economy, significantly increases efficiency and our use of clean renewable energy, the US Senate passed a bill that does virtually nothing to lower our dependence on oil, funnels billions of taxpayer dollars to polluting energy industries, and opens up our coastlines and wildlands to destructive oil and gas activities. "At a time when gas prices are skyrocketing, Americans need an energy plan that saves consumers money, creates new jobs, protects the environment, and makes America more secure by cutting our dependence on oil. Senate and House leaders still have a chance to show some political leadership by supporting these solutions when the energy bill goes to conference committee." "There are a few rays of hope in this Senate bill: They did include a provision that requires America to produce 10 percent of its electricity with clean, renewable energy and created tax credits for a selection of energy-efficient buildings and practices. And while the steps it took to address global warming were very small, the Senate did acknowledge for the first time that the threat from human-induced climate change is real and serious. We urge the conference committee to preserve these bright spots in the final bill." ### Printer-friendly version of this page