www.senate.gov
There is an URGENT need to contact your U.S. Senators regarding your 
position on the house energy policy that has just been added as a rider to 
an unrelated railroad retirement Bill. Senate leaders had not planned to 
debate on the energy plan until January. However, it's likely that a vote 
on the railroad retirement bill, which includes the energy policy plan, 
will be voted on TODAY, Monday, December 3 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time!

We want to tell you about an environmental issue within the energy plan 
that is also very important to the national security of the Untied States 
and our industrialized partners around the world. The issue is our 
continued dependence on oil from foreign countries and how that affects our 
country's security and our future.

It may be difficult to understand how our country's proposed energy policy 
affects both our national security and our environment. We want to share 
what we know, have you do additional research on your own and then 
encourage you to contact your U.S. Senators today (by phone or email) to 
let them know what you think about the issue.

Right now, oil fields in the United States produce about 3% of the world's 
oil. But, we in the U.S. consume 25% of all the oil produced worldwide. 
This means that we are completely dependent on importing oil from around 
the world to run our cars and heat our homes. This dependence makes our 
country and our economy vulnerable to price and supply fluctuations in the 
oil market. When organizations like OPEC decide to severely cut back on oil 
production, it leaves us scrambling to provide enough oil and gas to keep 
our cars going and our homes warm and it sends prices through the roof 
(remember $2.50/gallon gas prices!) It also hurts our country's safety and 
security because it gives nations that may not be our friends the ability 
to directly impact our daily lives and our long-term stability.

Each year, we import more and more oil from outside the United States. And 
almost all of our government leaders agree that we need to find ways to cut 
back on the amount of oil we have to bring into the country to keep us 
running. Now, more than ever, we must protect our national security and 
find quick, permanent solutions to our increasing dependence on foreign oil.

Today, the U.S. Senate will vote on whether to accept the House of 
Representatives version of the energy legislation that allows drilling for 
oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. There are two hot issues in the 
energy plan that have been discussed so far. If the Bill is not passed 
today, these issues could be debated further in January.

1) Open More Federal Lands to Oil Drilling (Would occur if the Bill passes 
today)
This would permit new sources of oil to be drilled in the Arctic National 
Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), national forests and areas near some national parks.

· In the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), where one of our largest 
oil reserves is thought to be, it would take approximately 7-10 years to 
begin extracting oil.
· Studies by the United States Geological Survey, a government agency, show 
that there is roughly 3.2 billion barrels of oil that could be economically 
recovered from ANWR.
· It will take approximately 50 years to extract the available oil, which 
will provide approximately 2 percent of our projected oil needs during that 
time period.

2) Pass Laws to Increase Fuel Efficiency Standards for Cars, Light Trucks 
and SUVs (Would be debated further if the Bill does not pass today)

· Increase the gas efficiency of cars by 3 miles per gallon to save 
approximately 3 billion barrels of oil, or about the same amount as would 
be drilled from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).
· Provide tax incentives to help people purchase fuel-efficient hybrid cars 
(cars powered by gas and electric motors that do not have to be plugged in 
like electric cars).

Right now, the U.S. Senate is trying to figure out the best way to address 
this energy policy. And since the Senate is elected to represent all of us 
in the U.S., they are looking to you to let them know how you feel about 
our dependence on imported oil and what you think the best solutions to the 
problem might be.

We wanted to give you some background on the issue and then urge you to 
call or email your Senators today and let them know how you feel about some 
of the proposed solutions being debated in Washington, D.C. Your voice will 
effect how this country faces its energy needs, protects itself from 
foreign oil dependence and treats its lands for years to come.

Be sure to call or email your Senators immediately instead of writing a 
letter. Letters will not reach your Senators in time for the vote at 5 p.m. 
Eastern Time. Remember, each state has 2 Senators. To find the phone number 
and email address for your Senators, go to www.senate.gov or call the 
Capitol Hill Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your 
Senators' offices.

Please pass this email on to others who might also like to call their 
Senators. Thanks!

Kevin and Kristin Richardson