Clean Energy Supporters Deliver “Obama, This Is Your Crude Awakening” Banner to White House

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Contact: Phil Aroneanu, 350.org, 551.486.5833 
Brianna Cayo Cotter, Rainforest Action Network, 415.305.1943

Anne Havemann, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, 202.997.2466 

Clean Energy Supporters Deliver “Obama, This Is Your Crude Awakening” Banner to White House

In wake of environmental disaster, DC and Gulf residents unite for clean, safe, energy

Washington, D.C. (5/11/10)—DC-area residents marched from the Department of Interior to the White House today to present a 50-foot-long banner with the message, "President Obama: this is your crude awakening." The banner was signed by Gulf residents on Saturday and demanded that President Obama drop his dangerous support for offshore oil and gas drilling in favor of clean, renewable energy instead.

Since the initial oil rig explosion on April 20, millions of Americans have voiced outrage at what some are calling the worst environmental catastrophe in a generation. Approximately 3.3 million gallons have spilled so far. 

"This just reminds us, in a powerful way, how dirty the energy we rely on is," said environmental writer Bill McKibben. "If anything good is going to come out of this, it'll be because it focuses our attention -- but more palpably, focuses the president's attention -- on questions of dirty energy."

Clean energy advocates also attended both Senate hearings on the oil spill Tuesday, sending a strong message to oil executives and the Senate that ‘Energy Shouldn’t Cost Lives.’

"Safe, clean, and renewable are three words Big Oil can never say,” said Rebecca Tarbotton of Rainforest Action Network. “BP’s oil spill is a crude awakening for Washington and the oil industry. Our President and Congress must stand up to Big Oil, regulate their dangerous practices, refuse their campaign contributions, and enact bold clean energy policies.”

Many rally participants traveled into D.C. from Virginia to voice their opposition to offshore drilling. Virginia is on track to become the first state on the East Coast to open its shores to offshore oil drilling now that President Obama has announced plans to lift a 20-year moratorium. 

Last Thursday the Department of the Interior postponed hearings on a proposed lease sale off Virginia’s coast. Despite the delay, Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell believes that the lease sale, planned for early 2012, will go forward as planned.  

“Virginians don’t want dangerous oil drilling off their coast to satisfy just six days’ worth of U.S. demand,” said Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “Instead of expanding offshore oil drilling, Virginia should be leading the way in developing offshore wind power. Virginia, and the nation, want windmills, not oil spills!”

Photos of the event can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/350org/sets/72157624042050818/