Dear Fellow American,

Both in real life and in my role as President on the TV program "The West Wing," I try to promote causes that I believe help to make America the greatest country in the world. Among these are important environmental causes, for I believe that one of our major responsibilities is to protect America's environmental values for future generations.

The challenges to our environment are never ending, and so we must remain vigilant. Right now, for example, the U.S. Senate is preparing to vote on major legislation that will determine our energy future. We all must hope that the plan will be one that calls for a sane, balanced energy policy that reduces our country's dependence on oil and other fossil fuels in favor of alternative and renewable energy sources and improved energy efficiency. We do not need to immediately stop drilling for oil, and no one is calling for that. But we do need to begin seriously reducing our dependence upon it, something that makes us vulnerable to foreign oil-producing countries and has a devastating effect on our environment by fouling our air, land and water and worsening global warming.

Perhaps worst of all, when senators vote on this energy bill, they will be confronted with an amendment by some who want to give permission to Big Oil to drill in our finest remaining wildlife sanctuary, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. For 21 years, the conservation community has fought successfully to fend off one attempt after another to drill in this place so often called "America's Serengetti." To this point we've won every fight. But environmentalists MUST win every fight, for the opposition only has to win ONCE and we could forever lose this incomparable ecosystem that is home to hundreds of bird species, polar bears, muskoxen, grizzlies, wolves, caribou, and more. Sadly, drilling proponents believe this upcoming Senate vote will be that one time.

The reason is that oil drilling supporters are using the current national fight against terrorism to justify violating the pristine Arctic refuge. But this is foolish. Of course we need to enhance our energy security, and of course we should include in our plan a rational continued use of oil and other fossil fuels. But a BALANCED energy plan would recognize that true energy security can only come from significantly reducing our dependence upon fossil fuels, and thus would use oil, natural gas and coal to purposefully help us bridge to greater use of renewable and alternative energy sources, while providing incentives to improve overall energy efficiency. Drilling for oil in the refuge, when it can't reach market for probably 10 years, is definitely not a plan to help us promote energy security. It is a plan whose overriding purpose is not to help this country but rather to maximize industry profits.

Our move in a more sane energy direction is possible right now with existing technology that can improve energy efficiency (e.g. by raising fuel economy standards in our cars and SUVs), tap into neglected reserves of oil and natural gas in areas that are not vulnerable to serious environmental degradation, and expand our use of solar and wind power and other energy sources. This kind of rational plan can save consumers money, protect our environment and reduce our vulnerability to foreign manipulation of oil supply and prices.

Poll after poll shows that this is what the majority of Americans want. Only the strong political voices of the fossil fuel industry and its allies stop us from moving in that direction.

We can overcome those voices with our own voices if we choose to speak as one and to do so right now. In my TV role, I am frequently inspired by the small yet profound contributions our citizens make in building our great country. Now, in the real world, I want to urge my fellow citizens to help shape our energy future in a manner that both ensures a vital and secure economy and protects our proud environmental heritage.

The key to passing a good energy bill in the U.S. Senate is to defeat Big Oil's amendment that would approve drilling in the Arctic refuge. This is not just because the refuge by itself is so important, but because that is the place where our supporters in the Senate have drawn a line in the sand. If we win that key vote, the chances are the balance of the bill will go our way too. But if we lose...

Groups like Defenders of Wildlife, which has fought so long and hard to protect the refuge, need our help now more than ever. And you can help. It's easy. All you need to do is to send a message to your two senators stating that you want an energy plan that both provides enhanced energy security and protects the environment for our children and their children. Just click here to send a message and let your voice be heard, and then forward this message to those you know who should also help at this critical time.

The voices of the special interests are loud and omnipresent. But ours is a strong political democracy where the will of the majority still is the most important factor in determining U.S. policy. You can help make democracy work and at the same time contribute to protecting America's environmental values for future generations. Please take a moment right now to participate in this important democratic process. Thank you.

Martin Sheen

ON THIN ICE: New report chronicles shoddy oil safety record in Alaska
A new report by the state of Alaska concluded that safety valves at drilling pads on Alaska's North Slope are failing at rates higher than those considered acceptable even by the oil industry. Chuck Hamel, a former oilman who represents a group of BP workers, told the Wall Street Journal: "The industry is isolated and virtually unregulated up there." And Big Oil's latest maneuver to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge flopped in the Senate, losing on a 94-1 vote on a procedural question involving whether to attach national energy policy onto a railroad retirement bill. The House already has passed legislation that allows drilling. An up-or-down vote could come by late January in the Senate, where the outcome is too close to call. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle has introduced legislation emphasizing efficiency over drilling. "Instead of throwing the doors to the Arctic refuge wide open to Big Oil, Senator Daschle's approach says it's not worth it to pillage one of our last, best wild places for maybe six months' worth of oil that we wouldn't begin to see for a decade," Defenders of Wildlife President Rodger Schlickeisen said.

How big is Big Oil's footprint in the Arctic? Click here to see the DENlines cartoon by Bruce Plante:
http://www.defenders.org/newsroom/images/arcticed.jpg

WHAT YOU CAN DO: To urge your senators to preserve America's greatest wildlife sanctuary, go to http://www.Savearcticrefuge.org
Help spread the word by forwarding this edition of DENlines to friends and stay current on the latest developments by visiting our Web site daily.

House of Representatives Approves Drilling in the Arctic Refuge and Passes Flawed Energy Bill
Late Wednesday, the House ignored the will of the American public and passed an energy bill (by a vote of 240-189) that lays out the red carpet in our cherished public lands to the oil and gas industry.
The ultimate injury is that the bill authorizes drilling in our greatest wildlife sanctuary, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Despite the tremendous efforts of Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) and Nancy Johnson (R-CT), an amendment offered by these two Arctic Refuge champions that would have prevented drilling in the refuge, failed by a vote of 222 to 206. Now, it is important that those 206 representatives who voted in favor of protecting the refuge be thanked by their constituents.