ELCA Presiding Bishop Calls for Conservation in Energy Plan

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The U.S. Congress should not adopt an energy policy based on "short-term regard for long-term solutions," said more than 1,000 religious leaders who signed a Feb. 12 statement addressed to members of Congress. Among those who signed "An Interfaith Call for Energy Conservation and Climate Justice" was the Rev. Mark. S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
The statement emphasizes energy conservation measures and opposes policies that allow drilling or mining on dwindling land reserves. It was prepared by the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Office of Environmental Justice and Economic Justice. It was signed by representatives of a variety of churches and religious organizations, as Congress prepares to formulate energy policy.
An Interfaith Call builds on a statement issued in May 2001 that emphasized stewardship of resources and conservation.
"Recent events remind us of the intimate link between the safety of people and the reliability of our energy system," the statement said. "Efforts to preserve the environment are ever more clearly necessary in order to protect human life. Security and sustainability are inextricably linked."
The religious leaders said they agreed with President Bush when he said less dependence on foreign sources of crude oil means greater security for the United States. However, there aren't enough domestic reserves to replace foreign oil supplies, the leaders' statement said.
"Conservation and reducing our dependence on oil and other fossil fuels is critical to achieving energy independence and can be accomplished in economically responsible and economically beneficial ways," the statement said. Technologies that emphasize clean environments are also important, the leaders' statement said.
The religious leaders named specific energy policy initiatives they support:
+ Raising vehicle fuel economy in the shortest feasible time frame and requiring sport utility vehicles to meet the same standards as passenger cars
+ Developing strategies to encourage the auto industry to produce vehicles using hybrid-electric, fuel cell and "other promising clean technologies" and provide incentives for their use
+ Increasing funding for mass transit systems
+ Filling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
In addition to opposing drilling or mining on reserve lands and places important to the traditional culture of indigenous peoples, the religious leaders said they "specifically oppose drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge."
Conservation policies the religious leaders said they support include:
+ Investing more resources in renewable energy research and development with a focus on wind, geothermal, solar and biomass technologies
+ Including carbon dioxide as a regulated pollutant from power plants
+ Applying strict feasible energy standards to consumer products, including air conditioner
+ Increasing funds to alleviate economic hardship on low-income people caused by high energy prices
"Now is the time to embrace energy conservation and efficiency and alternative energy development as the central strategies of our nation's energy policy," the statement said. "The energy policies we adopt in the coming debate must reflect our resolve as a nation to be faithful to our values and to fulfill our obligations at a time of national crisis."
"The same energy policies that will help achieve peace for humankind by reducing our dependence on oil will create greater harmony within creation by protecting the environment," the statement concluded.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html