Call-in Day for the Gulf

Background
The Deepwater Horizon well was finally capped this summer, but the environmental and economic damage from the spilling of nearly 5 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico remains. Joblessness, mental and physical health threats, and food insecurity continue to plague individuals and communities across the Gulf Coast, and the oil industry continues to operate under an outdated and inadequate system of regulation and oversight.

This summer, the House passed the Consolidated Land, Energy and Aquatic Resources Act (H.R. 3534), which aims to improve regulation and oversight in the oil and natural resources industries, but the Senate has yet to act. With Congress back in Washington, D.C. for the Lame Duck session, we have one final chance to act this year on the unfinished business of restoring the environment and empowering the citizens of the Gulf Coast, and taking important steps to prevent future oil disasters.

Though broader legislation is still needed to respond to the disaster and reform the fossil fuel industry, this short Congressional session is a key time to push for simple, concrete measures to begin the process of restoration and renewal for America’s Gulf Coast: improved oversight of the oil industry, ensuring that citizens have a voice in the recovery and renewal of their Gulf Coast, and beginning the environmental restoration process.

Jewish Values
As Jews we are called from the earliest verses of torah to be good stewards of our resources, including water and energy, and to take care not to spoil our natural world. In the Book of Deuteronomy we learn that “If there is a needy person among you…do note harden your heart and shut your hand against your kin. Rather, you must open your hand and lend whatever is sufficient.” The crisis in the Gulf is an illustration of our failure to live up to these mandates, but we can take action to ensure that such a disaster does not happen again.

Take Action
On Tuesday, December 7, join allies and advocates from the Gulf Coast and across the country in calling on Congress to respond to the worst environmental disaster in our nation’s history and give the people of the Gulf a voice in the restoration process. The Capitol Switchboard can be reached at 202.224.3121. Our nation, and our leaders in Congress, cannot and must not abandon the Gulf Coast to undertake an unaided recovery. For more information, contact Sustainability Program Coordinator Rachel Cohen at 202.387.2800.

Made the call? Let us know how it went.

Talking Points
When you reach the Senate office, ask to speak to the Legislative Assistant covering energy and environmental issues and, if they are not available, just leave a message using the talking points below.

* Hello! My name is ________________, and I'm calling to urge (Senator) to make a commitment to the communities and environment of the Gulf Coast as they continue to cope with the impacts of the BP oil spill disaster.

* As a Reform Jew and an American concerned for both energy security and an environmentally sustainable future, I urge you to advocate for a response to the oil spill that protects the people and environment of the Gulf Coast and reforms the oil industry to prevent future disasters.

* The BP drilling disaster dumped millions of gallons of oil and toxic dispersants into the Gulf of Mexico, and much of the mess remains on the beaches and ocean floor. The oil spill is still severely impacting the jobs, lives, and futures of millions of Gulf Coast residents, and the long-term environmental and economic impacts of the disaster are just beginning to be felt.

* The oil and gas industry have been free to act without adequate oversight or regulation for too long, and the future of the Gulf and our entire country is endangered by reckless production and consumption of fossil fuels. The Senate can help prevent future disasters and improve environmental and human safety through oversight and regulation of the oil industry, and enacting measures to guarantee a more rapid and adequate response to future disasters.

*Any legislative response must empower the people of the Gulf Coast by creating a local Citizen's Advisory Council that will give Gulf citizens a voice in making sure the oil industry does not repeat the mistakes that led to BP's Drilling Disaster.

*It is inexcusable that the Senate has failed to act in response to this environmental and economic justice tragedy, and I urge you to call for a response during the Lame Duck session that will begin the process of restoration and renewal for the Gulf Coast.

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Please consider opportunities to support these and other critical issues.