NEWS: PRESS RELEASE ARCHIVE

Jewish Coalition Calls for Action on Energy Security - November 8, 2001

SUPPORTS ENERGY CONSERVATION
AND OPPOSES DRILLING IN THE ARCTIC REFUGE

NEW YORK, November 8, 2001 – Calling for action by Congress, industry, and American citizens to take action to reduce US dependence on foreign oil, the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL) issued a statement advocating a wide range of energy conservation measures. The group - a coalition of 29 national Jewish organizations with 13 regional affiliates - recognizes that US dependence on oil both contributes to anti-American sentiment in the Middle East and reduces US options in the fight against terrorism.

 The statement urges that "energy conservation and the development of new fuels and technologies must now rise to the highest level of priority for the US Congress and Administration and the American people." Responding to the focus among some members of Congress on opening up pristine lands to oil development, COEJL rejects drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and other environmentally sensitive lands as a means to increase US energy independence.

"Drilling in the Arctic Refuge has become a dangerous distraction," said Mark X. Jacobs COEJL's executive director. "We need a serious and comprehensive approach to energy security, and that requires increasing fuel economy standards, bringing new technologies to market, and other steps which will lead to dramatic reductions in our use of oil."

The Jewish community has been advocating energy conservation and alternative energy development for more than 25 years - ever since the first Arab oil embargo in 1973. Since 1997, COEJL and many of its member organizations have increased Jewish awareness and action on energy issues, citing environmental protection, global climate change, and public health alongside energy independence as reasons to reduce US reliance on oil and other fossil fuels. More information on COEJL's positions - including the recently released "Energy Security: A Call to Action" - can be found at www.coejl.org.

 The full text of the statement follows.

ENERGY SECURITY

Eliminating American dependence upon Middle Eastern oil is a necessary and urgent strategy in the War on Terrorism. Furthermore, energy conservation is vital to the fulfillment of our moral obligations to protect the environment and public health and to provide for future generations.

There are two ways to reduce oil dependence: increase domestic supply, and decrease demand. Because of very limited domestic reserves - the US has only 3% of proven world oil reserves - our only effective option is to reduce demand and therefore dependence on oil from all sources.

Therefore, energy conservation and the development of new fuels and technologies must now rise to the highest level of priority for the US Congress and Administration and the American people. Both the government and every citizen can and should take action to help conserve energy and reduce our reliance on oil.

Energy policy has far-reaching impacts. Therefore, it must be developed through a deliberative process and not as a rushed reaction to the events of September 11. We call on Congress to adopt an energy security plan with the following core elements:

• a significant increase in vehicle fuel economy standards for all vehicles

• an expansion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to two billion barrels

• increasing funding for inter-city rail and metropolitan mass transit

• aggressive support for the development and production of alternative fuel vehicles, including hybrid-electric and fuel cell vehicles

• aggressive support for the development and incentives for the use of non-nuclear, clean, and decentralized sources of electricity

A plan should not include opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge or other environmentally sensitive areas to oil or gas exploration or drilling. Such drilling will not provide oil for at least seven years, and even then would provide a tiny fraction of the oil that could be saved through conservation.

Industry has a vital role to play as well. We call on the automobile industry to work to bring super-efficient and alternative fuel vehicles to market as quickly as possible, and actively promote such vehicles for purchase by the American public. Given our national security needs, the automobile and petroleum industries should work with Congress to develop policies that will lead to a rapid and successful transition to more fuel efficient vehicles.

Finally, we call on each and every person and institution to help by: taking and promoting mass transit and carpooling; keeping the tires of all vehicles fully inflated; driving the speed limit; buying the most fuel efficient vehicles that meet their needs; and conserving electricity.

Together, we the American people can wean ourselves of dependence on Middle Eastern oil - and dramatically reduce our use of oil in general - through practical actions by industry, individuals, and institutions. We call on the leadership of our nation to move thoughtfully and swiftly to develop and implement an effective and environmentally sustainable energy security policy.

 # # #