Maria's Monday Memo

Maria's Monday Memo

Senator Maria Cantwell's Weekly Update for Washington State

Washington airspace deserves permanent protection from terrorist threats

Washington state would largely benefit from the list of recommended military base closures and realignments released by the Pentagon last month. While some states will see multiple base closures and thousands of lost jobs, we may actually see a net gain of almost 800 civilian and military personnel.

However, the Pentagon's list also contained a questionable plan that would move all fifteen F-15 fighters of the Portland-based 142 nd Air National Guard fighter wing to New Jersey and Louisiana . These are the same jets that patrolled the North west skies for three days after the September 11 th terrorist attacks. It's my fear that moving the F-15s from Portland will result in slower response times to the North west.

In the midst of another attack on our homeland, fighters would have to quickly scramble from distant bases to North west skies, possibly compromising the security of densely-populated areas and other high value targets along America 's west coast. The closest permanent fighter wing capable of responding to airborne security threats would be based almost 800 miles away, in Fresno , California .

The Pentagon's plan overlooks the critical role these jets play in ensuring the security of the Pacific North west and our nation. Last week, along with the entire Washington state congressional delegation, I sent a letter urging the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission, which is currently reviewing the Pentagon's proposals, to reconsider the recommendation to move the F-15s.

I followed up on that letter this past Saturday by touring the Portland Air National Guard base with the Commander of the Washington Air National Guard, Major General Frank Scoggins.

We should not let our guard down when it comes to defending our citizens against terrorist attacks. As the BRAC process moves forward, I will continue to work with local leaders and the rest of the Washington congressional delegation to make sure our communities have the protection they need.

Fighting for energy security

This week, the Senate continues consideration of comprehensive energy legislation. This bill contains some important measures that will help Washington state, including consumer protection against the greed of companies like Enron, and expanded federal support of biofuels so our farmers can produce a clean and affordable alternative to foreign oil.

Unfortunately, an amendment I introduced last week to increase America 's energy security was narrowly defeated in the Senate. Facing staunch opposition from President Bush and the Republican Senate leadership, we fell 4 votes short.

In order to prevent the United States from becoming any more dependent on foreign oil imports, my amendment would have set a national, 20-year goal to import 1.5 million barrels oil per day less in 2025 than we import today. Analyses by multiple national security organizations and others have found it is possible to achieve this goal, combining greater production of home-grown biofuels to displace petroleum, growth in the market for next-generation technologies such as hybrid vehicles, and greater efficiencies in all sectors of our economy.

During the Arab oil embargo of 1973, the U.S. was importing just 28 percent of our oil, but today we are importing 58 percent. That figure is projected to grow to 68 percent in the next 20 years, unless we take steps to tackle the problem head-on. Unfortunately, as our dependence on foreign oil grows, so does its stranglehold on the American economy. And in the coming decades, the U.S. is projected to compete with emerging economies in China and India for the same oil supplies, driving prices even higher than record-setting levels today.

If the last generation of Americans was brave enough and accountable enough to put a man on the moon, this generation of Americans ought to bet on the ingenuity of American brain power to curb our growing dependence on foreign oil - which has cost the American economy some $3.6 trillion since 1970. I believe this is an issue of economic and national security. And while the Senate failed America by not raising the bar on energy independence last week, I will continue to fight for a common-sense energy policy to meet the needs of a 21 st Century economy.

Fighting to save emergency oil spill cleanup funds

Last October, when a mystery oil spill spoiled Puget Sound 's Dalco Passage, and the responsible party could not be immediately identified, the cleanup was completed with emergency funds from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. As it was, the spill affected hundreds of miles of sensitive shoreline in the Puget Sound , but had emergency cleanup funds not been available, the damage would have been much worse.

We need to make sure that the same resources are there if, regrettably, there are additional spills in our state's beloved coastal waters. Unfortunately, the Coast Guard predicts that the Trust Fund will run out of money in 2009, unless action is taken.

That's why I joined the leaders of the Senate's Commerce Committee to introduce legislation that will permanently ensure the availability of these funds and prevent future oil spills from ruining the economies and environments of our coastal communities.

The oil spill fund is like an insurance policy for the Puget Sound . Without it, we have no safety net for our waters and surrounding wildlife. I'll keep you updated as my legislation is considered by the Senate.

http://cantwell.senate.gov/updates/weekly_update.html