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Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)
Located east of Prudhoe Bay, ANWR stretches from the mountains
of the Brooks Range to the flat coastal plain. The area
within the refuge targeted by the Bush Administration for
drilling is a birthing ground for caribou, a sanctuary
for hundreds of species of birds and waterfowl, and home
to 260 Inupiat natives.
I strongly oppose opening up ANWR to drilling. I believe
that drilling in ANWR will threaten some of our nation's
most pristine wilderness and will not reduce America's
reliance on foreign oil producers. President Bush and
some Members of Congress, who support more domestic energy
production, have argued that opening up ANWR for oil
and gas drilling is necessary to reduce America's reliance
on foreign oil. However, the U.S. Geological Survey predicts
that the ANWR contains approximately 3.3 billion barrels
of oil, which is only six months' worth of fuel using
current U.S. fuel consumption rates. And most of this
oil will not be delivered to consumers for 10 years.
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Energy Policy
Here in Wisconsin, we're doing a good job of striking
the right balance between energy consumption and conservation,
but in Washington, too much interest is being paid
to consumption and far too little to increasing energy
efficiency.
Recently the House considered the latest version of
a proposed energy bill. This energy bill, originally
drafted in secret by a task force loaded with industry
lobbyists, does little to confront the serious energy
challenges we face— most importantly reducing
our dependence on foreign oil. At a time when consumers
are paying record prices at the gas pump, oil companies
are recording record profits. Yet, this bill requires
consumers and taxpayers to support the oil and gas
industry with larger subsidies and special tax breaks.
As with so many of this Administration’s initiatives,
working Americans are asked to sacrifice, so that the
wealthy can have more.
Rather than investing more in renewable energy sources,
this bill increases oil imports. Rather than insisting
on cleaner air and water, this bill gives energy producers
license, even funding, to further pollute the environment.
The drafters of this bill were intent on satisfying the
industry wishlist, rather than reducing the price of
gas, protecting consumers from market abuses, safeguarding
our air and water, or improving the infrastructure of
our energy markets.
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Fuel Efficiency Standards
I have always believed that our energy policy must
incorporate a variety of approaches to achieve energy
independence for the nation. Some of the key ways to
do this are to improve the fuel efficiency of automobiles
by raising Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards
and by providing automobile manufacturers with incentives
to make technological advances that not only improve
fuel efficiency, but that also maintain the safety
standards of the cars, trucks and SUVs we drive.
The CAFE standard of 27.5 mpg for cars has not been
increased during the last 20 years, and the light truck
standard has been increased only about 1 mpg in the
same period. Congressional action has frozen CAFE standards
since fiscal year 1996, and the fuel economy of the
combined light duty fleet has now dropped to 24 mpg
from its 1986–87 high of 25.9 mpg. Because SUVs
are held to the less stringent light truck standard,
their growing popularity has led to the decline in
average fuel economy for the entire passenger fleet.
Improving fuel economy will not only provide short-term
savings for consumers by decreasing the amount they
spend on fuel, but will also ensure an adequate energy
supply for the long-term and reduce unhealthy air-polluting
emissions, thus improving the quality of the air we
breathe.
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Global Warming
I support measures that attempt to slow the rate of
global warming and protect our environment.
As a member of the Renewable Energy Caucus, I believe
our country needs to remain in the forefront of alternative
energy development. Our environment is a precious commodity
and we must work to preserve and protect our shared natural
resources. I believe that investment in renewable energy
sources, combined with stricter emission standards, are
two key elements in reducing the harmful greenhouse gasses
that increase the earth’s temperature.
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Roadless Policy
I strongly support roadless initiatives. Shortly before
leaving office in January 2001, President Clinton issued
new regulations that would protect 60 million acres
of national forest from logging and road construction.
Damage to the forest ecosystems, especially by road
construction, affects the natural habitat of wildlife,
the earth's environmental balance, and the enjoyment
many experience from pristine wilderness areas. President
Bush has promised to allow new rules to go forward,
but instead of a blanket rule protecting the 60 million
acres, he has also promised the U.S. Forest Service
and western lawmakers more input in determining what
rules are best for protecting the roadless areas.
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Wetlands
Along with the protection of forests, I also believe
the federal government must preserve wetlands. Research
has shown that wetlands are pivotal in providing a
habitat for aquatic birds, animals, and plants, and
are needed for water storage and purification processes.
Wetland acreage continues to decline despite the fact
that total loss rates have slowed considerably over
the last decade and restoration efforts have grown.
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