February 7, 2006

INHOFE SAYS TOP EVANGELICALS ARE NOT ADVOCATING CONTROLS TO ADDRESS GLOBAL WARMING

“…NAE’s latest communication shows that there is, in fact, no movement in that direction”

WASHINGTON, DC – Sen. James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.), Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, today released a “Dear Colleague” letter sent to all Senators calling their attention to a recent press report of the National Association of Evangelicals’ (NAE) decision to retreat from a previously planned policy position advocating emissions controls to address global warming. The Rev. Ted Haggard, president of the NAE, recently responded to an appeal from the nation’s top evangelical leaders affiliated with the Interfaith Stewardship Alliance (ISA), including Dr. James Dobson, Charles Colson, Dr. James Kennedy and Dr. Richard Land, stating that the NAE is “not considering a position on global warming. We are not advocating for specific legislation or government mandates.”

“Contrary to previous assertions of a growing movement among evangelicals toward embracing a policy position on global warming, the NAE’s latest communication shows that there is, in fact, no movement in that direction,” Senator Inhofe wrote in the February 7 “Dear Colleague.” “ISA spokesman Dr. Kenneth Chilton states that ‘the degree to which global warming is caused by man and the extent of its impacts on mankind and the environment are far from “settled”.’ I urge you to keep this fact in mind should the Senate again devote attention to legislative proposals requiring mandatory reductions of carbon dioxide emissions – proposals that would inflict considerable damage to our nation’s economy while providing no measurable environmental benefits.

“In the months ahead, we should focus our efforts on legislation that will ensure significant reductions of real air pollution while keeping America’s economy strong, thus ensuring that the health and well-being of our constituents remain a top priority.”