The Reform movement expressed its “deep disappointment” with President Obama’s decision to open U.S. coastal areas to oil exploration.
While welcoming the administration’s announcement of improved fuel efficiency standards for cars, the movement’s Washington arm, the Religious Action Center, said the call for increased oil drilling would have few long-term benefits while increasing the risk to marine ecosystems.
“At a time when we need clean energy alternatives to keep both our environment and our economy secure, we again call for an end to—not an expansion of—drilling in ecologically sensitive areas,” said the center’s director, Rabbi David Saperstein.
Disappointment with the measure, which was widespread in liberal circles, was also expressed by the Jewish Renewal leader Rabbi Arthur Waskow.
“What is wrong with this off-shore drilling?” Waskow said. “First, it will do far less, at far greater cost, to make the U.S. less dependent on ‘foreign oil’ than would a sweeping, energetic presidential campaign for energy efficiency and conservation at every level of American life.”
On Wednesday, the administration announced four new measures as part of its energy strategy. In addition to expanding coast oil and gas exploration, the plan includes stricter fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks, expansion of the “green fleet” of federal vehicles, and reducing the military’s dependence on fossil fuels.
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