Congress' adoption of the 2006 budget conference report opens the door to oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a distraction that fails to solve the critical energy problems facing America, said REP America, the national grassroots organization of Republicans for environmental protection.

"The central energy problem facing our nation is overdependence on oil, an increasingly dangerous habit that exposes America to serious economic, environmental, and security risks," said Jim DiPeso, REP America policy director.

"Between now and 2025, American oil demand will rise by a projected 8 million barrels per day. There is no prospect whatsoever that drilling the Arctic Refuge would close the gap. If we do nothing to curb demand, imports will fill the gap – which means more dependence on OPEC, more exposure to price shock, and more potential for international conflict," DiPeso said.

"As long as we're dependent on oil, we'll be dependent on foreign oil," DiPeso said. "The longer we wait to reduce oil dependence, the worse the problem is going to get."

"The single most important step we must take now is lowering oil consumption by strengthening motor vehicle fuel efficiency standards. Independent studies have shown that technology is available right now to produce safe, desirable, and highly fuel-efficient cars. Unfortunately, Congress has let special interest politics trump the greater good and refuses to consider strengthening a common-sense policy that has served America well for 30 years," DiPeso said.

"Our heavy oil dependence also will make global warming worse. Improving fuel efficiency would buy the time we need to aggressively develop transportation and fuel technologies that will lower greenhouse gas emissions and get us off the oil treadmill for good," DiPeso said.

"We are thankful for the Republicans in the House and Senate who voted against the budget conference report. Unfortunately, they couldn't overcome the faulty thinking on Capitol Hill that yesterday's ideas are the solution to today's energy problems," DiPeso said.

House Republicans who voted against the budget conference report included: Charles Bass (NH), Sherwood Boehlert (NY), Michael Castle (DE), Virgil Goode (VA), Mark Green (WI), Gil Gutknecht (MN), Nancy Johnson (CT), Timothy Johnson (IL), Walter Jones (NC), Jim Leach (IA), Frank LoBiondo (NJ), Jim Ramstad (MN), Jim Saxton (NJ), Christopher Shays (CT), and Rob Simmons (CT).

Senate Republicans who voted against the budget conference report included: Lincoln Chafee (RI), Mike DeWine (OH), and George Voinovich (OH).

Contact: Jim DiPeso, (253) 740-2066 or dipeso@repamerica.org

photo: wilderness.org