Solar Action Alert

["Tom Gray" <tomgray@igc.org>]

-----Original Message-----
From: American Solar Energy Society [mailto:members@ases.org]
Sent: Friday, May 18, 2001 7:27 PM
Subject: Solar Action Alert



American Solar Energy Society
Solar Action Alert
Friday, May 18, 2001

SOLAR ACTION ALERT

ASES has been asked to help Senators Jeffords and Bingaman in their effort
to develop a 'Dear Colleague' letter about the unfortunately low renewable
energy budget recommendations of the Bush Administration. As is customary
for such a letter, it is first being circulated for signature by other
members of the Senate. Senator Jeffords was hoping for 60 total signatures -
well over a majority of the Senate and close to the number (66) needed to
override a Presidential veto. Although the letter has no legal standing, it
does indicate to opponents of federal sustainable energy programs that a
significant number of Senators are committed so seeing budget levels
restored. An early show of bi-partisan support can easily tilt the debate in
our direction. To date the following 34 Senators have joined Senators
Jeffords and Bingaman on the 'Dear Colleague' letter:

Senator Jeffords
Senator Bingaman
Senator Collins
Senator Harkin
Senator Snowe
Senator Dorgan
Senator Lugar
Senator Kerry
Senator Allard
Senator Lieberman
Senator Bayh
Senator Leahy
Senator Dayton
Senator Schumer
Senator Biden
Senator Edwards
Senator Kennedy
Senator Lincoln
Senator Murray
Senator Conrad
Senator Durbin
Senator Wellstone
Senator Stabenow
Senator Reed
Senator Ben Nelson
Senator Gordon Smith
Senator Spector
Senator Kohl
Senator Dodd
Senator Johnson
Senator Akaka
Senator Wyden
Senator Grassley
Senator Carnahan
Senator Baucus
Senator Clinton

Senator Jeffords has asked the renewables community to contact their
Senators who are not on the list of signatories and to encourage them to
sign on to the letter.  If your Senator's name does not appear on the list
please write, call or email him/her and urge them to sign onto the
Jeffords/Bingaman letter on restoring the cuts in the renewable energy
programs in the President's FY 2002 budget. To become a signatory and for
detailed information they can call Senator Jefford's office directly.   We
are working against a deadline of the next few days.

Please don't delay - an early sign of support from 60 Senators will have a
powerful and positive impact upon FY 2002 budgets down the road.

To phone your Senator through the Capitol Switchboard, dial 202.224.3121.
Mailing addresses can be found at the Web site www.congress.org.

The Solar Action Network is a service of
American Solar Energy Society
2400 Central Avenue, Suite G-1
Boulder, CO 80301
303-443-3130, F: 303-443-3212
e-mail: ases@ases.org
web site: www.ases.org