Finding Common Ground in Landscapes of Power:

Talking Points

Conservation and Land Use:

· The Front – a 2 million acre swatch of mountains from Glacier National Park to Helena, Montana – contains the top 1% of the wildlife habitat in the U.S. Estimated recoverable gas is 14 to 106 billion cubic feet – a few day’s worth of natural gas at current consumption rates.

· As of January 2003, only 12% of natural gas resources on National Parks and managed lands are off limits to energy exploration and development. Approximately 25% of the natural gas resources on public lands available for lease through the BLM carry restrictions intended to protect wildlife and habitats. The restrictions are waived 80% of the time.

· Mark Udall (D-CO) and Tom Udall (D-NM) introduced new legislation intended to protect water supplies and landowners facing development of gas and oil in December 2003. (HR 3698)

Oil, Coal and Coal Bed Methane:

· Over 34,000 oil or gas wells were drilled in the US in 2001.

· Over 4500 existing oil and gas wells – idle or abandoned – could be returned to production.

· To optimize removal of coal bed methane, about 16,000 gallons of water must be removed from the ground a day. When left on the surface, salinized water kills forage for wildlife and livestock and pollutes waterways.

· Only 3% of the world’s oil and natural gas lies under domestic soils. In 2002, the U.S. used 25% of the global total.

· Experts estimate that the blackout that crippled the northeast in August 2003 cost $6.4 billion dollars and impacted millions of lives.

Nuclear Power:

· Exposure to uranium increases risk for lung and lymphatic cancer, kidney failure and lung disease.

· Spent fuel rods produced by a nuclear power plant are the most irradiated substances on the planet, remaining dangerous for 20,000 years.

· A proposed nuclear waste dump site at Yucca Mountain, NV will store 70,000 tons of nuclear waste for 10,000 years – the radiation equivalent of over 1 million bombs the size dropped on Hiroshima.

· Experts agree that transportation of spent nuclear wastes is dangerous –Yucca Mountain would receive 28,00 highway and 10,000 rail shipments (one shipment every hour and 45 minutes for 30 years)

Renewable Energy:

· It is estimated that by 2020, 20% of the energy needs of the U.S. can be met by renewable energy sources (wind, biomass, geothermal and solar) saving consumers a total of $ 105 billion a year.

· Reducing our use of natural gas by 31% and coal by 60% by 2020 will save more oil than ANWAR will produce in 60 years.

· In New Mexico, 150 acres of land covered with solar panels could generate enough power for 6,000 homes.

What Are We Fighting For? What Is Our Exit Strategy?

TALKING POINTS

Public Opinion:

· 7 out of 10 Americans now say the UN should take the lead in Iraq reconstruction

· 66% say the US should commit itself to a stable democracy in Iraq

· 70% say war has not reduced the threat of terrorism

· Three quarters say pursuit of Osama Bin Ladin and al Qaeda is more important that Iraq

According to a poll done by the PIPKA/Knowledge Networks “The American Public on International Issues” in November (http://www.pipa.org/OnlineReports/Iraq/press_12_03.pdf)

The Cost of War:

· Between March 19^th and April 20^th the Project on Defense Alternatives Research estimates there were between 11,000 and 15,000 Iraqis killed in major combat action. Approximately 30% of these fatalities were noncombatant civilians

· 500 coalition soldiers have been killed in Iraq – 100 in Afghanistan

· 2,300 coalition soldiers have been wounded in action in Iraq

· The United States spends US $4 billion a month in Iraq

· 63% of spending increases in 2003 have been for defense, homeland security and international affairs (including Iraq and Afghanistan)

• $65.6 billion has been requested for military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq for 2004 [Defense Monitor]
• Military spending amounts to almost half (49.5%) of all discretionary spending in the federal budget – over $400 billion. [Defense Monitor]
• The total interest on the federal debt in FY 2003 was @ $328 billion – the military related share is at least $100 billion. [Defense Monitor]

Occupation, Nation Building and Recovery:

· According to the RAND Institute study of US nation building efforts, success in nation building requires time and resources. In Kosovo (a successful endeavor), the US and allies put 25 times more money and 50 times more troops per capita into post-conflict reconstruction than Afghanistan

· Over 150,000 coalition soldiers occupy Iraq – approximately one soldier for every 1,000 Iraqis. Facing resistance, experts predict a requirement of 20 soldiers for every 1,000 Iraqis

• The UN and World Bank estimate it will take $56 billion over 5 years to rebuild Iraq; current total non-US pledges for grants are $4.4 billion; loans are $9-13 billion [Brookings Iraq index]