Conference hydra::dejavu

1432.0. "Send a letter for the Earth" by WILLEE::FRETTS (thanks for being *you*!) Mon Mar 04 1991 19:37

	For those who would like to participate in a writing campaign
    	to have our government pass a thoughtful and progressive energy
        policy for the 1990's, please read the following cover letter
    	and send the sample letter to your representatives and President 
    	Bush.
    
    	We can make a difference!
    
    	Carole
    
    
    
    
	Dear Friends,

	During the months of February and March, the United States Congress
	will be considering important bills that will determine our national
	energy policy for the current decade.  Although there is talk of
	conservation, the main thrust is for increased oil drilling -
	including drilling in the sensitive eco-system of the arctic wilderness
	and the important fishing grounds off the continental shelf.  Congress
	needs to hear from us if it is to at least give conservation equal
	weight.

	Enclosed is a sample letter which you can copy to send to your
	Congressmen/women, Senators and the White House.  If you would like to
	join the 'Pass It On Letter Writing Campaign', please make at least
	one extra copy of this cover letter and the sample letter, and pass
	on to an environmentally conscious friend and ask them to do the same.
	If you can pass it on to three or four people, or a group you belong
	to, all the better.

	One of the most important bills is the fuel efficiency bill.  49% of
	our oil is used in automobiles and trucks.  Last year a White House
	organized filibuster killed the bill - it has been re-introduced in
	February and will require a massive letter writing campaign to 
	counteract current pressure.

	     Send in your letters and pass it on!

	Send to:

  Congressman/woman________, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington DC 20515
  Senator______________, United States Senate, Washington DC 20510
  President George Bush, The White House, Washington DC  20500



 	Dear

	At this time, when Congress is about to decide our energy policy for
	the 1990's, I would like to express my support for conservation
	measures before resorting to drilling in environmentally sensitive
	areas.  It is my understanding that there is only between two and
	three years of oil supply in all the undeveloped offshore oil fields,
	yet environmental damage could be irreparable.  I am strongly in 
	favor of *a strong fuel efficiency bill*.  49% of our oil is used
	for autos and trucks.  Automakers have the technology to produce
	energy efficient cars but do not want to risk being the only one.
	I also support the following programs:

	1.  ALTERNATE FUELS.  Domestically produced alternative fuels are
	    available now and cars that can run on them will be produced by
	    major automakers for sale in California.  These alternative fuel
	    cars not only save oil but cut down on the emission of greenhouse
	    gases.

 	2.  INCREASED ELECTRIC CONSERVATION.  If current lighting was 
	    converted to the best available lighting technology - there
            would be savings of $30 billion, a 25% decrease in electricity
	    use.  Japan has shown that conservation can be put into effect
	    without harming the economy.  According to Greenpeace the number
            of barrels saved per day, if the U.S. used oil as efficiently
	    as Japan, is seven million.

	3.  INCREASE IN THE BUDGET OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY FOR RENEWABLE
            ENERGY RESEARCH AND IMPLEMENTATION.  Between 1981 and 1989 this
	    section of the budget was reduced by 90%.  This is unconscionable
            in a world in which most of our oil comes from an area that is
            very unstable politically.  In the early days of oil exploration
	    the industry was able to be price competitive with government 
            price supports and tax breaks.  Why is this not being done for
            the renewable energy industry?  Certainly this could be good for
            the economy and create jobs.

  	I ask you to support the fuel efficiency bill, conservation measures,
	and the development of renewable energy sources.

					        Sincerely,

    Sure will, Carole.
    
    mary