UDPC responds to Cannon and Bennett ANWR vote

[helderheid]

Progressives Speak Out
Against Senators Hatch & Bennett
Support for Drilling in ANWR

March 16, 2005

The Utah Democratic Progressive Caucus (UDPC) is disappointed by Senators Hatch and Bennett’s vote today in favor of opening the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to oil exploration. The Senate approved a measure that would open the door to potential oil exploration on a 51-49 vote.

The United States currently consumes nearly 21 million barrels of oil a day, 58% of that coming from overseas. Assuming ANWR’s oil reserves end up meeting the most optimistic projections, this would amount to no more than roughly 1.4 million additional barrels of oil per day for the United States. The reality could well fall far short of that amount.

“If the current administration and Republicans in Congress were serious about reducing our reliance on foreign oil, they would aggressively pursue improvements to automobile fuel efficiency” states Craig Axford, co-chair of the UDPC and candidate for Utah Democratic Party Chair. “Only someone with little to no faith in American know how and creativity would argue our nation cannot improve fuel efficiency in our automobile fleet by 10% or more over the next decade.”

Laura Bonham, co-chair of the UDPC and candidate for vice-chair of the Utah Democratic Party agrees. “Our nation put a man on the moon in less than 10 years. Why does this administration and Utah’s Senators ignore threats to national security and the environment, block research and development that would truly reduce our reliance on Middle Eastern oil, and continue to insist we can drill our way out of our growing oil crisis?”

The UDPC believes America can lead the world in the development of energy efficient technology and alternative energy development. However, we need leadership willing to stand up to big oil and other special interests that put the dollar ahead of national security or stewardship of the environment. For more information regarding the UDPC’s position on this issue, please call [phone] or [phone].

[catgirl]

1. Thank-you. Fight on.