With war in the Middle East, volatile oil and gas prices, and growing concern about global warming, this year we need leaders who support moving America beyond oil. The Missouri Public Interest Group (MOPIRG) applauds Congressman Russ Carnahan and all the businesses and organizations across the “Show-Me” state, who have signed on to MOPIRG’s platform and shown their support for building a cleaner more secure energy future in the 110th Congress.
MoPIRG was joined by 383 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 a four-point platform that would put our nation on the road to energy dependence.
We need to cut America’s oil consumption by one-third of current use. Among the steps we can take to achieve this goal are increasing fuel economy standards, setting goals for plant-based fuels, and improved public transit services.
More than 184 candidates in 39 states endorsed the NEF platform. In 50 of the nation’s tightest congressional races, 37 major party candidates endorsed the platform, with at least 19 and as many as 22 candidates winning.
Winning candidates endorsing the platform came from across the political spectrum, including progressive Democrats like California’s Lynn Woolsey and Maryland’s Ben Cardin, Republican conservatives like Illinois’ Peter Roskam, and moderates of both parties like Georgia’s Sanford Bishop and Connecticut’s Chris Shays.
We are looking forward to working with a new legislature including Senator Elect Claire McCaskill to make MOPIRG’s goals a reality.
Maya Buelow, MOPIRG field organizer
Saunders Schultz, sculptor
St. Louis