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Pombo and Bush: "addicted to oil [money]"

Does anyone else find it ironic for Pombo and Bush to be talking about a renewable energy program?

After 9/11, the country and the world were united in an unprecedented way. A leader could have immediately urged for a massive renewable energy program. A leader could have brought business people, environmentalists, and technologists from around the country/world and made this a reality.

Instead, 4 years later, we have Bush orating about "renewable energy research" while his actions tell a different story.

Bush proposed a 22 percent increase in renewable energy research from the Department of Energy. He proposed increases in clean-coal technology along with wind, solar and nuclear power to supply energy to U.S. homes.

“What he didn’t say is that he’s reduced it … drastically over the last five years, far more than 22 percent,” said Jerry McNerney, a wind energy expert who also is running for the Democratic nomination. “So that’s a disconnect from reality.”

Instead, 4 years later, we have Pombo trying to drill a Wildlife Refuge which could yield America six months worth of oil.

“The president has been supportive in the past and continues to be supportive,” Pombo said, referring to his proposal to allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Instead, 4 years later, the oil industry is bursting at the seams in profits and paying the people who made it all happen.

According to information compiled by PoliticalMoneyLine, which tracks campaign donations, the political action committees for the top 10 oil and gas companies have doled out more than $712,000 in campaign contributions so far this cycle.

Around 85 percent of that money has been given to Republicans, a traditional ally.

[...]

Oil Money

Who got it
Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) $31,500
Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont) $23,500
Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) $22,500
Rep. Richard Pombo (Calif.) $21,000

[...]

Instead, 4 years later...

Exxon. Just. Made. More. Profits. Than. Any. Other. Company. In. History.

posted by brian @ 3:34 PM