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Say Hasta La Vista to Another Bad Energy Idea

July 12, 2006

The Terminator is mad. You could sense it in a letter that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sent to all 100 U.S. senators on July 12.

He's mad at the U.S. House, for passing an almost-anything-goes bill to open America’s coasts to offshore oil and gas drilling.

“I am writing each member of the United States Senate to express my extreme disappointment about the recent action taken by the House of Representatives to approve the Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act (DOER).

“I have repeatedly expressed my opposition to any measure that would weaken the national oil and gas leasing moratorium that has been protecting the California coast for the last 25 years.”

At attempts to coax him into a deal trading California’s spectacular coast for Washington's promises.

“I have been asked to consider new amendments to the bill, but I can tell you that certain things are not negotiable. Our coast is not for sale and no amount of promises of money or other 'incentives' will alter my position on that.”

At the federal government in general, for refusing to refocus the energy debate on lasting solutions instead of illusory fixes.

“Let us change this debate and start talking about a comprehensive energy policy that incorporates the full range of energy efficiency measures and alternative energy sources that can keep this nation running strong now and for generations to come.”

It's time to say hasta la vista, baby, to another bad energy idea from a city that produces way too many of them.

“I urge you to oppose the Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act and to also oppose any amendments intended to make this bill appear acceptable to the American people. Absent an amendment that would uphold the current (drilling) moratorium in perpetuity this bill is an unacceptable approach and no amount of tinkering will fix it.”