US businesses, unions urge Senate to pass energy bill
Date: 02-Nov-01
Country: USA
"Lack of foresight on energy has made (the United States) vulnerable economically and weakened our national security," said Bruce Josten, executive vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and chief spokesperson for the coalition.
Republican lawmakers are pushing for a Senate vote before Congress adjourn this year on a comprehensive energy bill that opens the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil firms.
The House of Representatives passed in August an energy bill that allows drilling in the refuge.
Republicans say they have more than majority of senators in favor of a similar bill, but Senate Majority leader Tom Daschle said they must get the 60 votes needed to end a threatened filibuster from Democratic lawmakers who are opposed to drilling in the refuge.
"We're very, very close to that magic number of 60," said Jerry Hood, the Teamsters Union's energy adviser. Hood declined to elaborate on how many pro-drilling votes were still needed.
The Teamsters have been lobbying senators hard to vote in favor of an energy bill that opens the refuge. Labor groups argue that drilling in the refuge would create much-needed jobs for a slowing U.S. economy.
"At a time when the economy is faltering, working men and women all over the country would benefit from a much-needed investment in energy development," said Terry Turner, political and legislative director for the Seafarer's International Union.
In addition to creating jobs, supporters of giving energy firms access to the refuge said the extra oil that would be found there would help make the United States less reliant on foreign crude imports, especially from the Middle East.
The government estimates that up to 16 billion barrels may be recovered from the refuge, enough to replace the amount of oil the United States imports from Iraq for 70 years.
"It would be irresponsible for Congress to keep this tremendous source of energy trapped underground," said Bob Powers, who is with the ALF-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department.
Environmentalists claim the amount of oil in the refuge is much smaller and it would take ten years to begin production. They also argue that drilling would threaten the caribou, polar bears and other wildlife that migrate through the area.
Environmental groups also cautioned against using the escalating conflict in Afghanistan to justify opening the refuge.
"Words cannot describe the horror and sorrow we feel over the attacks at the World Trade Center...and at the Pentagon," said William Weber with the Wildlife Conservation Society. "However, in turbulent political times such as these, it is important to make rational decisions for the long-term."
