WASHINGTON (December 18, 2007) - “Today’s vote on an energy bill that raises the fuel efficiency of cars and trucks to 35 miles per gallon and increases the use of renewable fuels by 36 billion gallons with environmental protections marks a landmark shift in our nation’s energy policy. We commend Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) for their tireless work in passing this significant bill. We hope the President will quickly sign it into law.

“Despite the significance of this bill, we are disappointed it excludes the moderate reforms advocated by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick Rahall (D-WV) that would help safeguard our ecologically sensitive western public lands from irresponsible oil and gas development. We had also hoped final legislation would include a 15% renewable electricity standard and tax reforms that assure the oil and gas industry pays their fair share of taxes. We will continue to work with our congressional allies to protect western lands from the rush to open them to oil and gas development without proper environmental review and safeguards.”