Jewish Coalition Urges Action on a Comprehensive Energy Security Policy

Calls on Congress to Set Aside Debate over Drilling in the Arctic and Focus on Conservation and Technological Innovation

WASHINGTON, DC (April 9, 2002) - Calling Iraq's curtailment of oil exports "a warning whistle from a rogue state," the chair of the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL) today urged Congress to "stop squabbling over drilling in the Arctic and provide the leadership to get down to the real business of making America energy independent - conservation and innovation."

"The road to energy independence doesn't go through the Arctic wilderness; it goes through America's industrial heartlands where we can invent and build a 21st century energy system that is secure, efficient, and clean," said Ms. Bloome. "It is time to draw on the deep well of American entrepreneurial talent and spirit to create an independent, sustainable energy system for our country."

COEJL, a coalition of 29 national Jewish organizations across the spectrum of Jewish life, has long advocated a comprehensive national energy policy that would result in renewable, clean, and safe energy and transportation systems for the U.S. through conservation and technological innovation.

The full text of Ms. Bloome's statement follows:

"Iraq's announcement that it will cut its oil exports for thirty days is a warning whistle from a rogue state regarding national energy policy. We need bold and visionary leadership to effectively address our dependence on foreign oil for the long term.

"It is time for Congress to stop squabbling over drilling in the Arctic and provide the leadership get down to the real business of making America energy independent - conservation and innovation.

"There are only two ways to reduce our reliance on foreign oil. America can either increase domestic supply, or reduce demand. According the Department of Energy, the U.S. has less than three percent of proven world oil reserves. That represents less than 12 years of supply at current rates of consumption. America must clearly understand that domestic production simply cannot replace our oil imports. The clear moral choice for our children and our freedom is to reduce demand through conservation and the development of both more efficient technologies and renewable domestic energy sources.

"Concerned about the implications of our dependence on Middle Eastern oil for Israel's security, the American Jewish community has consistently called for energy conservation as a central strategy in reducing American reliance on imported oil since the 1970s. We also recognize that conservation and clean energy and technology development are necessary to protect the environment and public health.

"Our nation recognized the effectiveness of conservation back in the 1970s, when we undertook an ambitious effort to reduce our use of oil, chiefly by increasing our fuel economy standards. Yet, as oil prices fell in the 1980s we lost our resolve to maintain this progress. The result is that average vehicle fuel economy is now at its lowest level since 1980. Given our urgent national need to reduce our reliance on oil, how are we to understand Congress' recent failure to increase fuel economy standards?

"We cannot allow the contentious and divisive debate over whether or not to drill in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge to derail the urgent need to develop a comprehensive approach to energy security. Oil from the Refuge would not be available for more than five years and even then would provide only a fraction of the oil that could be saved through conservation. Claims that drilling the Arctic will substantially address our dependence on foreign oil are false and misleading.

"It is for these reasons that the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, comprised of 29 national Jewish organizations, has called for a comprehensive, conservation-based energy policy. Our member agencies overwhelmingly support increasing fuel economy standards and other conservation measures and oppose drilling in the Arctic. We also support tax incentives for the development and purchase of clean energy supplies and highly efficient consumer products, funding for mass transit, and a substantial expansion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

"The road to energy independence doesn't go through the Arctic wilderness; it goes through America's industrial heartlands where we can invent and build a 21st century energy system that is secure, efficient, and clean. It is time to draw on the deep well of American entrepreneurial talent and spirit to create an independent, sustainable energy system for our country.

"We now look to Congress and the Administration to provide the leadership needed to get America working on energy conservation and new, clean technologies - for our freedom and for our children."