here's something on the Rahall Energy bill, which the Club is supporting. best, paul

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Athan Manuel Athan.Manuel@sierraclub.org Date: Jul 18, 2007 10:56 AM Subject: [WPST-WILD] Rahall energy bill To: CONS-WPST-WILD-FORUM@lists.sierraclub.org

Folks - I want to give you a quick update on the Rahall energy, which will probably come up for a vote on the House floor next week. This is the bill that we discussed on Wildlands (and other calls) last month regarding making sure the wind energy folks comply with existing laws such as the ESA, Migratory Bird Treaty and other conservation laws. Anyway, as you know we settled that and like the bill, which has some very good language on western lands oil drilling and protecting species and habitat.

As part of our effort to pass the Rahall bill we have signed on to the attached community letter. And we are also organizing a community lobby day on Thursday - targeting Blue Dogs and moderate Rs - to protected the western lands drilling language. Apparently the Blue Dogs don't like the language Rahall has in the bill, and may offer an amendment to strip that part out. We're fairly confident that Rahall will hold the caucus together, but as usual we are not taking anything for granted.

I'll let you know how the lobby day goes, but if you're from a Blue Dog district call your member of Congress and urge them to support the Rahall bill and oppose any weakening amendments.

If you have any questions, etc. please contact me or Myke Bybee. Thanks. - Athan

********************************************************* Athan Manuel Director of Lands Protection Sierra Club 408 C St. NE Washington, DC 20002 202-548-4580 / fax 547-6009 cell: 202-716-0006 athan.manuel@sierraclub.org