Copyright 2001 Journal Sentinel Inc.  
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Wisconsin)
July 27, 2001 Friday FINAL EDITION
SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 14A

LENGTH: 192 words

HEADLINE: ENERGY POLICY;
House should reject terrible measure

BODY:
Next week, Rep. Thomas M. Barrett (D-Wis.) and others in the House will consider the Cheney energy plan. Although deceptively billed as a balanced package, the measure is in fact full of giveaways to big energy companies; it lacks meaningful advances in energy efficiency and renewables.

Its provisions include: Oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; a car and SUV fuel efficiency increase of less than 1%, which is smaller than the standard automakers are already voluntarily using; $13 billion in subsidies for coal, one of the biggest air polluters; a $23 billion windfall for the oil industry, despite record profits; $2.7 billion in nuclear industry subsidies; restrictions on federal ability to protect public lands; a dangerous nuclear technology that risks weapons proliferation; no significant efficiency standard boost for appliances such as air conditioners; a fossil fuel emphasis that raises the threat of global warming; and no guaranteed, significant increase in clean, renewable energy use.

Let's hope Barrett will see through the greenwash and oppose this terrible bill.

P.J. DeMarco

Wauwatosa

LOAD-DATE: July 27, 2001