Another oil disaster? Not if we can help it.

From Defenders of Wildlife

Please write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper and urge your senators to pass the Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Accountability Act (S. 3663).

***Please note that letters must be original in order to be considered for publishing.

The death toll from the Gulf oil disaster is staggering: more than 5,300 birds, 550 threatened and endangered sea turtles, 80 dolphins and other marine mammals.

¹ Hundreds of miles of coastline fouled with oil, including several National Wildlife Refuges — havens for our most precious wildlife.

But the long-term effects — on our wildlife, our fisheries and our coastal economies — won’t be known for years.

As they prepare to return to Washington, DC this month, our wildlife needs the U.S. Senate to pass legislation to help wildlife affected by the Gulf oil disaster — and prevent the next devastating catastrophe.

Wildlife Supporter, as key votes in the Senate, your senators could make the difference for real action to prevent future oil disasters and protecting our wildlife and wild places.

The U.S. House of Representatives has already passed a strong bill responding to the worst oil spill in U.S. history. But the Senate is dragging its collective feet — and may not even pass their version of the bill at all this year. This is unacceptable.

Even after nearly 5 million barrels of crude oil gushed into Gulf waters, followed by millions of gallons of chemical dispersants², oil companies are taking even bigger risks by drilling further out and deeper down into the Gulf.³ The question isn’t if the next oil catastrophe will happen, but when — and will we be prepared?

The Senate must follow the House’s lead by passing legislation that will reform offshore drilling and safeguard our wildlife and wild places.  Let your senators know that after the worst oil disaster in U.S. history, inaction is not an option.

wildlife is of what our
planet is made
the soul of our creator
and must be saved
petrodollars
and fuels of fossil
not the worth
the cost and
the downside
colossal

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

Please write a letter to the editor today and urge your senators to pass this important legislation. Their votes are key and your voice is needed.