Bluestem Action Alert

July 11, 2007

Please call and ask your US Congressman to cosponsor

The Markey Platts Fuel economy bill (H.R. 1506)

And

The Udall-Platts Renewable Energy Standard (H.R. 969)

Make sure the US Congress passes significant energy legislation this summer.

These two bills are the most significant energy legislation being offered and have more power to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and curb greenhouse gasses than any other bills before Congress. Our energy situation is so dire that even Congressmen who usually vote against the environment are considering voting for these bills. But the industry lobbying is fierce. Even our friends need to be called.

We can pass these bills with your help! It all comes down to the next three weeks.

The number for the capitol switchboard is 202-224-3121. Ask for your Congressman by name. To find out who your US Congressman is or to find his direct line, please visit http://www.ilga.gov/ and click on “Legislator Look Up” at the lower right.

When you call, be sure to leave your name and address so that your Congressman knows you are a constituent. Remember, the “ask” is to COSPONSOR these bills.

The Markey-Platts Fuel Economy legislation (HR 1506) would be the first significant increase in the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) standard since CAFE was created in the 1975. HR 1505 eliminates the current distinction between cars and light trucks by creating a single fleet-wide fuel economy average. It then closes the “light-truck loophole” by raising the combined fleet-wide average to 27.5 miles per gallon by the model year 2012 – the current standard for passenger cars. Markey –Platts then requires a four percent increase in fuel economy every year until 2018 model year.

· The bill will not only save consumers money, it will help America curb its addiction to oil. Within 15 years, the bill will save us as much oil as we now import from the Persian Gulf. This bill would improve homeland security.

· Incredibly, Illinois tops the nation in gas prices. The bill represents a long-term effort to help Illinois' citizens and businesses.

· Each day America’s cars and light trucks consume over 8 million barrels of oil, accounting for 40 percent of oil consumption in the US. Each gallon releases 24-28 pounds of CO2, a greenhouse gas that causes global warming. This bill makes a significant reduction.

To see current cosponsors (and more details), go to http://www.thomas.gov/ and search “Legislation in Current Congress” for H.R. 1506.

The Udall-Platts Renewable Energy Standard (H.R. 969) would require most utility companies nationwide to produce 20 percent of their energy from renewable sources like wind, solar, biomass and geothermal by 2020. The legislation creates nationwide renewable energy credits which utilities can buy and sell.

• According to the Department of Energy, 20 percent renewable energy by 2020 is not only technically feasible but cost effective.

• Electricity currently creates 40 percent of US greenhouse gasses. Under Udall-Platts RES, 511 million tons of greenhouse gas would be eliminated, the equivalent of taking 89 million cars off the road. The RES would also reduce smog, soot and mercury from power plants.

• RES is good for the economy. According to a report from the Union of Concerned Scientists, 355,000 jobs would be created and businesses would save $12.6 billion in energy costs.

• RES reduces our dependence on foreign oil.

To see current cosponsors (and read entire bill if you want to) go to

http://www.thomas.gov/ and search “Legislation in Current Congress” for H.R. 969.

Thank you for all you do. We couldn’t pass these bills without people like you. Please call today.

Linda Sullivan