Hybrid Evolution Tour includes Joplin stop
June 14, 2004
Bush Administration ignores clean energy solutions

The Hybrid Evolution Tour, which made a stop in Joplin last week as part of a local Sierra Club rally, is spotlighting the Bush administration's failure to promote existing clean energy solutions, and its efforts to weaken existing environmental protections. Instead of moving America forward with 21st century technology and solutions, the Bush administration has dismantled air pollution standards for coal-fired power plants, advocated an energy policy that would deepen the country's dependence on polluting fossil fuels, and has pulled the United States out of the international global warming treaties.

"Evolution means getting better," said Jill Miller, a conservation organizer for the Sierra Club. "We have the technology today to clean up our air and curb global warming. However, the Bush administration has fought efforts to use these solutions, and has instead pushed policies that only increase America's dependence on polluting sources of energy."

The Hybrid Evolution tour is traveling along historic Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles as just one of three hybrid road tours taking place this summer. The Sierra Club launched its Hybrid Evolution campaign on Memorial Day, and has developed a series of print ads that will run in Rolling Stone and other national publications. Additionally, Sierra Club has created a new website to provide Americans with more information on clean energy solutions.

"We're showing people that we can evolve," said Miller. "Go out and test-drive a hybrid and ask yourself - is the Bush administration for evolution or against it?"

The technology exists today to make all cars, trucks, and SUVs average 40 miles per gallon within ten years. This is the biggest single step we can take to curbing global warming, cutting America's oil dependence and saving consumers money at the gas pump. Hybrid vehicles, like those being displayed at the event, epitomize the advanced fuel-saving technology that is available today. Clean, renewable energy, like wind and solar power can also take the country forward by cleaning up the air and creating jobs.

The Department of Energy has stated that we can produce 20 percent of our electricity with renewable energy sources by 2020 without significantly raising costs for consumers. Increasing renewable energy will cut smog, soot, and global warming pollution from power plants. We can also curb our energy use by investing in energy efficiency. Stronger efficiency standards for air conditioners would save as much energy as is produced by over 200 power plants.

According to the Apollo Alliance, an alliance of labor and environmental groups, a clean energy economy that supports more fuel efficient cars, increased renewable energy production, and better energy efficiency would create over 3 million new jobs, slash energy bills, and protect the

environment. These are evolved solutions that make sense.

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