Home > News > Earth Day: Fighting For Energy Independence and To Protect Clean Air and Clean Water
Earth Day:
Fighting For Energy Independence and To Protect Clean Air and Clean Water
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Contact: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider, 202-226-7616
On Saturday, April 22, the country is celebrating the 36th Earth Day. On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day, 25 million people joined around the country to demand a safer, cleaner and healthier world. The impact of that first Earth Day was astonishing. In rapid succession, and with large, bipartisan majorities, Congress passed the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Superfund Act.
Now, these landmark statutes appear under attack. On this Earth Day, Democrats rededicate ourselves to the fight to protect Clean Air, protect Clean Water, and protect our precious public lands for our children and grandchildren. We are also fighting to achieve energy independence by 2020 - which will help us achieve a clean environment.
2006 Earth Day Report
Fighting for Energy Independence
Proposing Energy Independence by 2020. Over the last five years, at the behest of big oil and gas companies, the Bush Administration and the Rubberstamp Congress have pursued a 19th century energy policy - focusing on fossil fuels. Meanwhile, oil has soared past $70 a barrel, and American consumers are paying record prices at the pump. We need an energy policy for all of us, not for the oil and gas industry. Democrats believe energy policy is a matter of national security. That's why, as a part of our "Real Security" Agenda, we call for energy independence by 2020.
Fighting for Clean Air
Fighting Efforts to Weaken Regulations on Air Pollution from Old, Dirty Power Plants. At the behest of polluting industries with close ties to the Bush-Cheney Administration and other Republicans (including numerous cronies placed in high-ranking regulatory positions), the Bush Administration has pushed through regulations that weaken anti-pollution requirements for old, dirty power plants. Yet hundreds of thousands suffer each year from asthma attacks, cardiac problems, and respiratory problems from power plant pollution. Democrats seek to block these regulations.
Fighting for Clean Water
Fighting Cuts in Clean Water Funding. Once again, the Bush Administration is seeking to slash funding for the key Clean Water program – the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The President’s budget proposes slashing Clean Water funding by 22 percent in FY 2007. Democrats believe that our water must be clean and safe and are fighting to defeat this Clean Water cut.
Fighting GOP Efforts to Delay Controls on Toxic Mercury Emissions. Airborne mercury is contaminating our lakes. Yet, at the bidding of polluting industries, the Administration (which once again has placed cronies in high-ranking positions) issued new rules that postpone any real reductions in mercury. Democrats are fighting these regulations, which are now subject to a legal challenge.
Fighting to Protect Our Public Lands
Fighting to Protect the Arctic Wildlife Refuge. Once again, this year, at the bidding of big oil and gas companies, the Bush Administration has proposed opening the Arctic Wildlife Refuge, one of the last unspoiled, pristine wildlife refuges in the country, to oil and gas drilling. Democrats are fighting to preserve this unique refuge for our children and grandchildren.
Preventing Sell-offs of Our Public Lands. At the urging of mining, timber, and oil companies, the Bush budget calls for a $1 billion sell-off of 800,000 acres of National Forest and Bureau of Land Management lands over the next five years. Democrats are working to block this proposal.
Fighting for U.S. Leadership on Global Warming Issues
Fighting for Providing American Leadership in the International Effort to Reduce Global Warming. With each passing month, there is growing scientific evidence on global warming and the effects of greenhouse gases. And yet the Bush White House continues to discount global warming. Democrats are calling for American leadership in the international effort to reduce global warming.
