Stop the Giveaway to Energy Companies

The energy bill (H.R. 3893) that comes to a vote in the House Friday, October 7 would do little to address our energy problems or rising fuel prices, but it would:

allow construction of refineries on protected federal lands like wilderness and roadless areas;
roll back Clean Air Act protections;
permit unlimited tanker traffic in the biologically rich and sensitive waters of the Puget Sound;
and limit penalties against energy companies for price gouging.

This bill is anti-environment and anti-consumer. Please use our letter below to ask your representative to oppose it.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Oppose HR 3893

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am utterly opposed to H.R. 3893, the so-called "Gasoline for America's Security Act of 2005." It is a cynical attempt to reward the energy industry with budget-busting subsidies and relaxed environmental standards while damaging our national lands, wilderness and air quality. Moreover, it will do little to reduce my fuel costs in the coming months.

President Bush has called on America to conserve energy. I call on you to ensure that this sop to the energy industry does not pass.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
October 06, 2005

Background Information

HR 3893 -- Bad for the environment, no energy solution for consumers

While the cost of fuel continues to skyrocket some members of Congress are cynically exploiting the tragedies in Louisiana and Mississippi by compiling an energy industry wish-list of environmental rollbacks and calling it an emergency energy bill.

This bill would do little to solve our energy problems or help consumers cope with rising energy costs – but it will significantly damage our most special lands and our clean air and water. The House of Representatives will vote on this "No Relief" bill in just 24 hours. Please don't wait -take action now.

The bill H.R. 3893 would allow the President to designate sites on federal lands -- including wilderness-quality lands such as Wilderness Study Areas and National Forest roadless areas -- as "appropriate" locations for refineries. It would also undo a 28-year-old law that limits tanker traffic in the sensitive waters of Puget Sound.

The legislation would expose American families to risks by using the recent natural disasters as a pretext to advance a longstanding industry agenda to roll back key Clean Air Act protections.

And what would energy legislation be without a handout to the hugely profitable energy industry? This bill does that and more – it would limit penalties against energy companies for price gouging.

We have no time to spare - this bill will be voted on in the house this Friday, October 7!

Now more than ever, Americans around the country are realizing that we need forward-thinking energy solutions that will help all of us cope with the rising cost of energy. This bill would be a step backwards to the same old giveaways that have made massive profits for industry but that have failed to protect consumers, communities, and the lands, air, and water on which we depend We need your help to get the word out about this dangerous legislation. Please forward this message to at least ten friends urging them to take action before the vote on Friday!