For Immediate Release Contact: David Willett, 202-675-6698 Statement on Oil Independence for a Stronger America Act
Washington, DC: Upon the introduction of the Oil Independence for a Stronger America Act, the Sierra Club issues the following statement from Executive Director, Michael Brune: "Senators Merkley, Carper, Udall and Bennet are putting us on the right track. This bill to reduce oil dependence is absolutely the right place to start and will focus action where it is most needed. Calling on the President to use all existing authority to reduce the amount of oil we use by at least 8 million barrels a day by 2030 sets an appropriate floor for what together we can achieve. Taking these early steps in the wake of an immediate disaster is also vital to the success of our ultimate goal--an oil-free economy that works for America's middle class."
July 15, 2010
Sierra Club Urges Proposal Included in Senate Climate and Energy Package
"As we have learned this summer, our oil dependence threatens our communities, our way of life and our security no matter where the oil comes from. BP's disaster in the gulf has destroyed the region, and now BP has admitted it lobbied the British government to speed up prisoner transfers to Libya in order to secure off-shore drilling there. But BP is only one of many oil companies. Clearly we must break the chains with which this corrupt and polluting industry binds us."
"By reducing the amount of oil we use, particularly through better transportation choices, this new bill can begin to address 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. These solutions will also significantly reduce global warming pollution."
"We urge the Senate to incorporate Senators Merkley, Carper, Udall and Bennet's proposal into the package of climate and energy measures to be voted on in the next few weeks. 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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