FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 5, 2011

Contact: Maggie Kao, 202-675-2384

Shill, Baby, Shill: U.S. House Blocks Attempts to End Oil Subsidies and Rewards Big Oil with More Drilling

Washington, D.C. – Today the U.S. House of Representatives rewards Big Oil with more access to drill in our waters and less oversight and accountability.  House Leadership also sweetened the deal for Big Oil, blocking a vote to end billions of dollars in government tax breaks for the industry.

In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune issued the following statement:

“The House vote today to again shill for Big Oil is a stunning demonstration of oil industry campaign contributors’ grip on our political system.  That this vote took place just a year after the largest environmental catastrophe in our nation’s history – while working families and businesses in the Gulf Coast continue to struggle with the aftermath of the BP Oil disaster – is shameful.

“It's no secret that Americans are feeling a lot of pain at the gas pump right now, and are bracing for worse in the coming weeks.  The vote today to give Big Oil more freedom to drill, pollute and destruct does nothing to alleviate that pain, and only helps the oil industry rake in even more profits.

 “We cannot afford the status quo.  America’s leaders need to act immediately to break our nation’s dangerous dependence on oil - not by drilling more or giving out tax breaks to Big Oil - but through smart transportation choices, better, more fuel efficient vehicles and real solutions to move us Beyond Oil. “

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