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Solar power is just one of the many energy sources available right now to reduce our dependence on oil and gas.
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In the November elections, candidates who endorsed Environment Connecticut’s New Energy Future platform were victorious in congressional races. In races nationwide more than 185 candidates, including John Larson, Chris Shays, Rosa DeLauro, Joe Lieberman, Rob Simmons and Joe Courtney, endorsed the New Energy Future platform.
Environment Connecticut was joined by organizations across the country in calling on all congressional candidates in the 2006 elections to deliver on the promise of a New Energy Future by committing to:
• Reduce U.S. dependence on oil by saving one-third of the oil we use today by 2025;
• Harness clean, renewable, homegrown energy sources for at least one quarter of all energy needs by 2025;
• Save energy with high-performance homes, buildings and appliances so that by 2025 we use 10 percent less energy than we do today; and
• Invest in a New Energy Future by tripling research and development funding for the energy-saving and renewable technologies we need to achieve these goals.
Campaign for a New Energy Future
Environment Connecticut’s organizers and volunteer activists worked to raise the profile of energy issues in districts throughout Connecticut during the campaign, asking the candidates where they stood on energy issues at campaign events, debates and by collecting petition signatures.
Connecticut’s candidates joined winning candidates from across the nation in endorsing the New Energy Future platform. All told, 57 members of the new Congress endorsed the New Energy Future platform during their 2006 campaigns.
Candidates promise new policies
“Voters in Connecticut and across America want leaders who will work to solve our energy problems,” said Chris Phelps, Environment Connecticut advocate. “Now attention turns to the 110th Congress, where five of Connecticut’s newly elected members endorsed the New Energy Future platform. “We will look to them to make that promise a reality,” said Phelps.
In several races multiple candidates endorsed the platform, including: Connecticut District 2: Rob Simmons and Joe Courtney, Connecticut District 4: Chris Shays and Diane Farrell, and Connecticut Senate: Joe Lieberman and Alan Schlesinger.
Environment Connecticut will work with Congress to move America in a new direction that puts our national security, our environment, the global climate and our children’s futures above Big Oil and other powerful interests. |
