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U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky – 9th District, Illinois
E-Newsletter April 22, 2005
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Earth Day and The Energy Bill Dear Friends, Happy Earth Day!
As each of us takes time today to think about the planet on which we live and how we can contribute to making it a safer, cleaner and healthier place, I am well aware that we have a lot of work to do.
Yesterday I voted against the energy bill (H.R. 6) which passed the House by a vote of 249-183. Like similar GOP energy bills passed in recent years by the House, this year’s energy bill is based on the pro-industry recommendations of the Cheney Energy Task Force report. H.R. 6, which is a virtual carbon copy of legislation from the 108th Congress, is bad for taxpayers, bad for the environment and bad for consumers. It is loaded down with special-interest giveaways for the worst polluters. Instead of striking a bold new and forward-thinking approach to our energy policy, this bill will force our nation to continue the same old policies of dig, burn and pollute.
Friends of the Earth has estimated that, between the bill’s tax breaks, direct spending, and authorizations, it would provide more than $22 billion to the oil, gas, and other energy industries. That is money out of your pockets and into the coffers of an already highly-profitable industry.
The national average price for gasoline remains at record-high levels averaging $2.24 a gallon – more than 50 percent higher than average gas prices in 2002. And yet, according to the Bush Administration’s own Energy Department, this bill will actually increase gas prices at the pump and will have almost no effect on production, consumption, or energy prices in general. (Energy Information Administration, 2/04)
Hundreds of communities nationwide have Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) contaminated groundwater, including communities in Illinois. MTBE is a carcinogenic additive found in gasoline and other fuels. The energy bill shields MTBE producers from lawsuits, shifting the clean-up burden to communities and the taxpayers. It gives them ten years to remove MTBE from their products, even though we know it is toxic. Finally, the bill also gives industry another $2 billion as an incentive to produce other fuel additives.
The GOP energy bill also includes provisions that would open up, for the first time, the pristine coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to oil and gas drilling. A majority of Americans believe that we should not sacrifice one of our most precious natural treasures for the sake of no more than six months’ supply of oil, which will take ten years and billions of dollars to extract. Opening the Arctic Refuge would not reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
► Read More: National Resources Defense Council’s Arctic Refuge 101: Fact Sheets
When I observe Earth Day, I often think of Lake Michigan and all of the Great Lakes. They are the most precious natural resources in our region and are critical to the well-being, health and security of our entire nation. The Great Lakes contain 20% of the world’s free-flowing fresh water and 95% of U.S. surface water. Our country literally cannot survive without the Great Lakes. Yet, this bill, in defiance of all logic, does nothing to prohibit oil and gas drilling in the Great Lakes, something that could lead to catastrophic consequences.
The late Senator Paul Simon wrote a book, Tapped Out, in which he explains that, “over the last 50 years we have seen nations go to war over oil. The next generation will be fighting wars over water.”
We need to do all we can to protect our fresh water resources.
I was a cosponsor of an amendment which would have placed a permanent prohibition on oil and gas drilling in or under the Great Lakes. Unfortunately, the Majority did not even allow the House of Representatives to debate that amendment. With record numbers of beach closings, mercury and other pollution threatening public health and Great Lakes habitats, the last thing the Lakes need is the threat of an oil rig accident in our water supply. I will continue to fight to permanently ban oil and gas drilling in the Great Lakes.
I hope that my colleagues will realize one day that investing in sensible, renewable, and clean alternative energy solutions for the 21st Century, instead of giving away more taxpayer dollars to Big Oil and nuclear energy giants, is safe and sound public policy.
Today, Illinois relies on 99% of its electricity from fossil fuels and nuclear energy and less than one percent from renewable energy. That can and must change.
I have joined Illinois PIRG in calling on the U.S. to generate 20 percent of its electricity from clean energy by the year 2020. This is a standard that would result in cleaner air, less pollution from power plants, a safer environment and lower energy bills for consumers. I voted for the Markey/Bishop amendment to the Energy Bill which would have achieved this goal. Unfortunately, that amendment was defeated.
The United States should lead the world in investing in sensible, responsible, and renewable energy. I will continue to do all that I can toward that end.
Sincerely, Jan
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