Senate nears vote on energy, Arctic Refuge 2002-04-10, 3:10 p.m. The Senate is currently working on a comprehensive energy bill that could set the stage for the country's energy security for decades to come. Among other things, senators are now debating whether to bow to pressure to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling (they've already squandered an opportunity to increase fuel economy standards for cars and trucks). These will be the some of the most important environmental votes senators cast this year. By now you're probably familiar with this issue and why it's so critical: ** Drilling in the Arctic Refuge will *not* help our nation break its dependence on foreign oil. ** The United States can never drill its way to oil independence. ** Drilling the Arctic Refuge today would not produce oil for 10 years, and even then, would yield only a six-month supply. ** Fuel efficiency is cheaper, cleaner, and saves barrels of oil much faster than drilling for oil in the Arctic Refuge. ** Raising vehicle fuel economy standards to 40 mpg over the next decade would save 10 times the oil in the Arctic Refuge, eliminate millions of tons of air pollution, and encourage automakers to use existing technology for the national good. Take Action! You can also sign the Declaration of Energy Independence. previous entries: Anyone? - 2008-01-24 Saturday Film Series at The Free Speech Zone - 2005-12-30 SLC? - 2005-12-21 Please Post - 2005-07-24 From ImpeachBush.org - 2005-06-20 New: Fill out the survey!

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