FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 1, 2008
CONTACT: Josh Dorner, 202.675.2384

Sierra Club Launches Radio Ad Campaign in 6 States
Ads Thank Senators for Votes on Key Energy Bills,
Urge Others to Step Up and Do What’s Right

Washington, D.C.—In an effort to break the deadlock on two pieces of key energy legislation currently stalled in the Senate, the Sierra Club today launched a sizable radio advertising campaign in six key states.  The ads focus on two pieces of legislation, the Consumer-First Energy Act (S.3044) and the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act (H.R.6049).

“It is essential that Congress pass these important pieces of legislation immediately,” said Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director.  “These bills offer Senators a clear choice—they can choose to protect Big Oil while it rakes in record profits or they can vote for real relief at the pump and more clean, renewable energy.”

The first ad, “Redeemer,” calls on Senators McConnell (Ky.), Inhofe (Okla.), Sununu (N.H), and Gregg (N.H.)—all of whom have consistently voted against both pieces of legislation—to drop their opposition and vote yes on the bills in order to offer their constituents real relief at the pump and create thousands of new green jobs by extending soon-to-expire incentives for clean, renewable energy.  The ads will be running through Sunday in the Manchester, New Hampshire; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Louisville, Kentucky media markets. 

Another ad, “Good Guy,” thanks Senators Salazar (Colo.) and Brown (Ohio) for their strong leadership and positive votes on these important pieces of energy legislation.  The ads will be running through Sunday in the Canton, Cleveland, Toledo and Youngstown media markets in Ohio and the Colorado Springs and Fort Collins media markets in Colorado.

A third ad thanks Senator Corker (Tenn.) for his votes in support of the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act and calls on him to step up and also support the Consumer-First Energy Act.  The ad will run through Sunday in the Nashville and Memphis media markets. 

Sample Scripts:

“Redeemer”-New Hampshire (60 seconds):
Announcer:
Energy and gas prices are off the charts.
And hardworking American families are taking the hit...while the oil companies rake in record profits and Wall Street speculators game the system and run up gas prices.

Some in Congress are proposing gimmicks and schemes that keep us at the mercy of the big oil companies and foreign regimes.

But we have a chance to fix the problem and pass bills that:
-Stop the billions in give-aways to Big Oil
-Rein-in speculators responsible for skyrocketing prices and 
-Invest in clean energy, energy independence and create thousands of new jobs.

Senators John Sununu and Judd Gregg recently voted wrong, but can still do what's right.
Call 202-224-3121 and ask them to support the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act
and the Consumer-First Energy Bill to end subsidies to oil companies, crackdown on speculators and boost renewable energy.

“Good Guy”-Ohio (60 seconds):
Announcer:
Energy and gas prices are off the charts.
And hardworking American families are taking the hit...while the oil companies rake in record profits and Wall Street speculators game the system and run up gas prices.

Some in Congress are proposing gimmicks and schemes that keep us at the mercy of the big oil companies and foreign regimes.

But we have a chance to fix the problem and pass bills that:
-Stop the billions in give-aways to Big Oil
-Rein-in speculators responsible for skyrocketing prices and 
-Invest in clean energy, energy independence and create thousands of new jobs.

Senator Sherrod Brown has been a champion in this fight.
Call 216-522-7272 to thank him and ask him to continue his support for the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act and the Consumer-First Energy Bill to end subsidies to oil companies, crackdown on speculators and boost renewable energy.

Paid for by the Sierra Club.

Full audio of the ads can be found at:
Ohio-Senator Sherrod Brown                    
Colorado-Senator Ken Salazar              
Kentucky-Senator Mitch McConnell             
New Hampshire-Senators Gregg and Sununu   
Oklahoma-Senator James Inhofe            
Tennessee-Senator Bob Corker          

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