News: Media Center

WASHINGTON (July 11, 2001) - Congress took two major steps today to turn back the tide of the Bush administration's relentless assault on common sense in addressing national energy needs. First, the Senate passed an amendment to the Interior appropriations bill to protect national monuments from destructive oil and gas development. Second, the House struck a provision in the Agriculture appropriations bill that has hampered government agencies from addressing climate change before the Senate ratifies the Kyoto Protocol.

These votes emphasize the fact that the Bush administration is woefully out of step with the America people on environmental issues. Congress is beginning to understand that protecting our environment is more critical than accommodating the administration's energy plan, which is based on false premises and phony solutions. We can meet our energy needs without rolling back environmental protections.

The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, non-profit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has more than 500,000 members nationwide, served from offices in New York, Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Related NRDC Pages
Slower, Costlier and Dirtier: A Critique of the Bush Energy Plan
A Responsible Energy Policy for the 21st Century