Kerry Plan Would Save Bristol Bay from Oil Drilling

John Kerry introduced the Bristol Bay Protection Act on Monday, which will permanently prohibit oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s Bristol Bay. Bristol Bay is north of the Alaskan peninsula.

The North Aleutian Basin Planning Area in Bristol Bay has been banned from drilling under the Congressional Moratorium, but last week, the Bush Administration announced plans to lift the ban and begin drilling there starting in July. Kerry’s bill would ban all drilling in Bristol Bay.

“We can’t depend on drilling just because some refuse to take on our energy challenge in a meaningful way,” Senator Kerry said. “Bristol Bay contains some of our nation’s best remaining fish and wildlife habitat. This legislation will permanently prohibit drilling in Bristol Bay and uphold an important mandate that protects our coastlines from drilling.”

Kerry’s legislation is the Senate companion to H.R. 1957, introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Inslee (D-Wash.), Rep Gilchrest (R – Md.), and Rep. Hinchey (D – N.Y.) Kerry’s legislation would take effect immediately after passage.

“As gas prices soar and the threat of global warming looms, we need bold new ideas to become energy independent,” Kerry added. “This administration looks at every unspoiled landscape in America and wonders how much oil is buried beneath it. We can’t sell off Alaska’s coastline to the big oil companies. I will work with my colleagues in the House and here in the Senate and fight this dangerous proposal.”

Ed Schultz mentioned this on his show today, noting that Kerry is a guy who is "way ahead of the curve" when it comes to the issue of becoming energy independent. With gas prices soaring under the Bush Administration it's time to make a change and break from from Bush's dangerous addiction to oil.

The oil industry is none too happy about Kerry's plan.

Cross posted on The Democratic Daily.

Kerry in Florida... 'We Can Stop a Catastrophe'

John Kerry was in Coral Gables, Florida on Sunday afternoon to promote his book about the environment -- "This Moment on Earth."



Kerry co-wrote "This Moment On Earth," with his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry.

It talks about the environmental movement and the need for solutions to pressing environmental problems.

"It's about how we can deal with environmental issues effectively, make money, create new jobs, be more secure and ultimately make America stronger," Kerry said.

The Kerry's also had an OP/ED published on the environment, in the Miami Herald on Monday. Read it here: Read more »

John Kerry and what he did for me

I got to thinking, and wondered about how I got to where I am now. I have quite a few people to thank for it, but among them, is Senator John F. Kerry. Many have taken Kerry for granted, but I never lost sight of how he was part of me turning into what I am now. I was not, and am still not used to eating your own. I could never understand it! When I first showed up at The Democratic Daily, it was not a very nice scene I started with. I came out with much hatred and spew. Pamela talked to me via email, and stated the purpose of the blog. I responded, and it started there. I was a confessed republican, and they took me in after Katrina. They let me post, knowing I was a republican! They did not turn me away, because of that, but let me have a voice for that reason. Now I'm not going to say that the transformation was right away, not by a long shot! For less than a month, I posted there and got to knowing the people, and got to knowing who JK really was. I really got impressed when I found out the truth about him. The more I learned, the more I liked.

During all this, Rita came along, and the last of the blinders came off. I rebuked the Party, and declared myself to be done with them. The name Katrinacrat came to be in one of the comments, and just stuck after. I became a part of the Kerry community after that. Senator John Kerry was a part of making a former Marine and a republican, a new member of the democratic fold. I will be forever in the debt of Senator Kerry and The Democratic Daily.

In honor of the Senator, I would like to introduce you to the man I have come to know and trust. I give you Senator John F. Kerry, the man that Went Upriver! Please watch the whole thing, and you will know why I admire this man.