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TAKE ACTION >>> America needs a clean energy policy; here's what you can do
Send a letter to Senators Obama and McCain about energy policy
Obama and McCain have remained rather detached in Senate activities related to clean energy legislation.
Both were among only a few to abstain on a vote to get a bill that would renew clean energy tax credits on the floor for debate. And both have shown some allegiance to the big oil industry that so handsomely finances their presidential campaigns. In 2005, Obama voted for an energy bill backed by Bush that included billions in subsidies for oil and natural gas production. In June of this year, in the weeks following McCain's embrace of offshore oil drilling, contributions from the oil and gas industry poured in ($1 million, in fact, compared to $116 K in March, $283 K in April and $208 K in May).
Congress has gone on August recess without having passed any energy legislation. Partisan bickering over how to fund renewable energy tax incentives amounted to nothing but gridlock, and then the offshore drilling issue threw another wrench in the system. The New Energy Reform Act, which has been embraced by both parties, offers a viable solution to the impasse.
Send a letter to Nancy Pelosi voicing support of clean energy legislation
> here, online
Learn about The New Energy Reform Act.
A bipartisan group of 10 senators are cosponsoring New Energy Reform Act of 2008 in hopes of breaking the Senate deadlock on energy legislation. The legislation, which could be considered when Congress returns in September, includes limited offshore drilling with increased investment in new energy technologies. A portion of the finding for renewables would come from taking back tax breaks from the oil industry. The bill also sets a goal of fueling 85 percent of the country's automobiles with alternatives to oil within 20 years.
The upside:
- co-sponsored by a bi-partisan group committed to breaking the energy legislation gridlock in Congress
- closes tax loopholes for the oil industry
- maintains the ban on offshore drilling in California
- extends renewable energy tax incentives that will expire in December
- invests $20 billion for the conversion of cars and trucks to non-oil fuel sources
- garnering wide support from liberal democrats, moderates, and Republicans
The downside:
- permits offshore drilling in parts of the Gulf of Mexico and the east coast (by states' consent)
- recycling of spent nuclear fuel
Read a detailed overview of the bill
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Why this bill is important
Congress went on recess in early August without passing any energy legislation. Despite multiple efforts, both the House and Senate danced around the crucial issues of gas prices, offshore drilling, oil-market speculation, and the clean energy tax credits that are expiring in December.
The clean energy tax credits are especially important, because as December draws nearer, more and more investors in various renewable energy projects are getting cold feet. Many have pulled out entirely or are threatening to do so if the extension doesn't happen. Failure to renew these tax credits will be disastrous for our country and the steady momentum towards clean energy that has been taking hold.
Given the many bones of contention between the two parties, it is imperative to accept that a compromise coming from both sides of the aisle is the only solution to the impasse. Republicans need to give in on oil industry tax loopholes so that the renewable energy tax credits can be paid for. Democrats need to budge on their intractable stance on offshore drilling.
This bill will be before the Senate when they return from recess on September 4.
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