Tell Congress: Stand firm on energy

Under pressure to help consumers, many of our elected officials are wrongly giving in to the oil and gas industry's multi-million dollar lobbying campaign to open protected lands and waters to drilling.

That's why we need you to send a message to your member of Congress, insisting on an energy plan based on common sense, instead of a rush to drill.

Please use our letter below to edit as you see fit, then click on "Send this message."

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Don't Rush to Drill!

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

The high energy prices and impacts to our economy and environment from our fossil-fuel-dependent energy policy are hurting all Americans. Please don't rush to drill in protected lands and waters.

Instead, please continue the moratorium on new offshore drilling that has been endorsed by Republican and Democratic administrations and congressional leaders for four decades. Take a stand for your voters by supporting legislation that will give Americans relief and kick-start the new energy economy.

Among the actions I hope you will support:

--Immediate relief for Americans--

Repeal tax breaks for the oil and gas industry. Use the money to provide a gas price rebate and to fund programs to improve auto and home energy efficiency.

--Better energy efficiency from vehicles--

Raise auto efficiency standards (CAFE)-- to achieve a 35 miles per gallon (mpg) level by 2015 and more increases through 2020. Provide initial funding for auto makers to retool their factories to produce advanced technology vehicles that are 25 percent more fuel efficient. Provide consumer incentives to purchase high fuel-efficiency cars and trucks.

--A clean energy economy with renewable energy--

Require all electricity providers to produce at least 25 percent of their energy from renewable energy resources by 2025. Extend federal tax incentives for renewable energy and energy efficient buildings, equipment and appliances. These incentives have either already expired or will expire at the end of 2008. Increase energy efficiency standards for new homes and commercial buildings by 30 percent by 2010 and 50 percent by 2020.

Thank you for supporting these critical efforts to create the clean energy economy we need. Our economy, environment, and the secure future of our children and grandchildren depend on it.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
August 18, 2008

Background Information

Energy Crisis Response: What Congress Can Do, Fall 2008

High energy prices are hitting Americans hard, sapping our country's economic strength and further increasing the hundreds of billions we send overseas to pay for oil.

Many in Congress want to deal with this crisis with failed policies such as opening up protected areas to more drilling, but, as Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens says, "this is one emergency we can’t drill our way out of."

America needs 21st Century solutions to this crisis that will create a clean energy economy and lower energy costs, create jobs, strengthen national security, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and protect the environment.

Below are actions Congress should take this year to give Americans relief and kick-start the new, clean energy economy. These are reasonable actions that have largely been debated by Congress already and could be taken up in the short amount of time left during this Congress.

GIVE AMERICANS IMMEDIATE RELIEF

Repeal tax breaks for the oil and gas industry. Use the money to fund these programs:

A straight gas price rebate to citizens, similar to this year’s stimulus checks.
Vouchers for fuel saving vehicle tune ups and purchase of fuel efficient tires.
Vouchers for weatherization and retrofitting homes for more efficiency.

Significantly increase funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and additional funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program.

PUT CLEANER, MORE EFFICIENT CARS ON THE ROAD

Implement new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards to achieve a 35 miles per gallon (mpg) level by 2015 and more increases through 2020.
Provide initial funding for auto makers to retool their factories to produce advanced technology vehicles that are 25 percent more fuel efficient. Further funding must be tied to additional improvements in fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions performance.
Provide consumer incentives to purchase high fuel-efficiency cars and trucks.

BUILD A CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY THROUGH RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Extend federal tax incentives for renewable energy and energy efficient buildings, equipment and appliances. These incentives have either already expired or will expire at the end of 2008.
Require all electricity providers to produce at least 25 percent of their energy from renewable energy resources by 2025.
Increase energy efficiency standards for homes and commercial buildings by 30 percent by 2010 and 50 percent by 2020.