wfn.org | ELCA Presiding Bishop Calls for Conservation in Energy Plan

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

March 4, 2002

ELCA PRESIDING BISHOP CALLS FOR CONSERVATION IN ENERGY PLAN
02-041-JB

     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