NRDC Action Fund: New ad campaign demands action by Senators Feingold and Kohl in response to Gulf Coast disaster

Contact: Michael Oko, (202) 904-5245, moko@nrdc.org

Calls on U.S. to Break Oil Addiction; Pass Clean Energy and Climate Legislation

WISCONSIN – A new ad campaign running in Wisconsin this week turns up the heat on Senators Feingold (D-WI) and Kohl (D-WI) to help reduce America’s dependence on oil and move our country to cleaner, safer power sources. The ad, paid for by Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund, is running this week in eight states, including: Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Vermont and Wisconsin.

“We need Senators Feingold and Kohl and leaders in Washington to break our country’s addiction to oil and put America back in control of its energy future,” said Heather Taylor, NRDC Action Fund Director. “Americans want cleaner, safer energy sources that will create millions of American jobs, jumpstart our economy, and protect our communities and our environment.”

As oil from the Gulf Coast continues to wash up on America’s shores, the ads call on Senators Feingold and Kohl to help break our addiction on oil and support clean energy and climate legislation that will move America to safer sources of energy that are made in America. For too long, Big Oil and its dirty energy allies have held America hostage by blocking Congressional action on clean energy in order to protect their profits and bottom line.

America’s dependence on oil is also a national security threat that helps unstable and dangerous regimes. For example, each day the Senate delays in enacting clean energy and climate legislation, Iran gets an additional $100 million in oil revenue.

As recent polls show, Americans want their elected leaders to take action that would be put our country in control of its energy future – by enacting legislation that would shift to clean energy and climate protection. Last year, the House passed the historic clean energy and climate bill. A broad coalition is calling on President Obama, Senate Majority Leader Reid, and U.S. Senate to take bold action for America’s clean energy future.

To view the state ads and learn more, go to http://www.nrdcactionfund.org and here.

Script of “Change” Ads: “Change shouldn’t be this hard. Twenty-nine lost in a West Virginia coal mine. An economy in peril along our Gulf Coast. Mad men using oil profits to threaten the world. Deadly symptoms of a deadly addiction. And still, Congress won’t pass a clean energy climate plan, to cut our addiction to dirty fuels. Because Congress is still addicted to Big Oil influence. It’s time for politicians to break their addiction so we can break ours. Senator Feingold: We need a strong clean energy climate bill. Now.”

“Change shouldn’t be this hard. Twenty-nine lost in a West Virginia coal mine. An economy in peril along our Gulf Coast. Mad men using oil profits to threaten the world. Deadly symptoms of a deadly addiction. And still, Congress won’t pass a clean energy climate plan, to cut our addiction to dirty fuels. Because Congress is still addicted to Big Oil influence. It’s time for politicians to break their addiction so we can break ours. Senator Kohl: We need a strong clean energy climate bill. Now.”

The NRDC Action Fund’s mission is to achieve the passage of legislation that jump-starts the clean energy economy, reduces pollution, and sustains vibrant communities for all Americans. Now is the time for leadership and action from our elected officials — our current goal is a comprehensive clean energy policy that will repower our economy and fuel our future.