From SierraClub.org
Senate Rejects Big Oil Bailout
Now Must Act to Spur Clean Energy, End Oil Dependence

Washington, DC: The Sierra Club praised the Senate today for rejecting a resolution that would have bailed out Big Oil and blocked EPA from enforcing the Clean Air Act to reduce global warming pollution.

Statement of Michael Brune, Sierra Club Executive Director

The Senate did the right thing today. With oil still gushing into the Gulf because of a Wild West approach to environmental and safety regulations, it would have been be remarkably irresponsible to exempt polluters from even more laws. Adding insult to injury, the legislation would have stalled new fuel economy rules for cars and trucks that are on track to reduce our oil dependence and save consumers at the pump.

The resolution would have erased the finding of EPA that global warming pollution is a threat to human health and safety, and would have blocked action required by the Supreme Court. The effect would have been to weaken the Clean Air Act, leaving oil and coal companies free to keep on putting global warming pollution into the air without any safeguards or regulation.

Opponents and supporters of this resolution should agree on one thing--it is the Senate's job to put America on the path to a clean energy future. Instead of challenging the EPA's authority to keep the air clean and reduce global warming pollution, the Senate must challenge itself to take responsibility and pass strong, comprehensive climate and energy legislation this year and end our oil dependence.