The
Bush Administration has failed to kick the habit of oil drilling off
America’s coast. We cannot drill our way out of our energy crisis. If
we want real energy solutions, we must act as if conservation is not a
four-letter word and push for improved fuel efficiency standards for
our cars.
We
all know that the Shore is a precious resource that we should not put
at risk, even with off-shore drilling off another state. Oil drilling
is a dirty business, and oil spills are part of the business. We don’t
want this business anywhere close to the Shore.
At
the same time that the Bush Administration is pushing off-shore
drilling and continuing its stealth campaign to drill in the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge, they are ignoring real-world solutions to our
energy crisis. New Jersey and 9 other states have passed clean car
standards that will reduce gasoline consumption by as much as 7.2
billion gallons per year in 2020 – and right now, the auto industry is
lobbying Congress to pre-empt New Jersey’s program.
The
auto industry has also vigorously opposed fuel efficiency standards
which have stagnated since the mid-1980s. If the Bush Administration
was serious about ending our oil addiction, there is no better way than
raising our fuel efficiency standards. Using current technology
approved by the National Academy of Science, we can raise our fuel
efficiency to 40 miles per gallon --- and save consumers nearly $80
billion a year when phased in.
We
thank Senator Menendez for championing protecting our Shore from
off-shore drilling in his first month as New Jersey’s Senator. The
Senator had an excellent environmental record in the House of
Representatives, and we look forward to working with to protect the
Shore and promote common-sense energy conservation measures in the
Senate.
