JUNE 1, 2006: Starting today, every drop of oil used comes from overseas (IA)

Des Moines, IA - From January first until now, all the oil used in America was what we produced in the U.S. From now until the end of the year, it's all coming from a foreign source. Bill Fink, energy program director with the Iowa Environmental Council, says there is a way to push back our energy Dependence Day.

Suggested script: WEDNESDAY (MAY 31ST) WAS OUR ENERGY DEPENDENCE DAY - A WAY TO VISUALIZE HOW MUCH FOREIGN OIL WE USE. BILL FINK, ENERGY PROGRAM DIRECTOR WITH THE IOWA ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL, SAYS AS OF TODAY (Thursday) ... IT'S ALL FOREIGN OIL.

Actuality Cut #58%%ID%% (TRT :12) "May 31st is the day where we are now no longer using any form of domestic oil production. For the rest of the year, from June on, you are actually pumping oil from a foreign source."

FINK SAYS WE CAN MOVE BACK OUR ENERGY DEPENDENCE DAY BY USING SIMPLE CONSERVATION MEASURES SUCH AS TAKING SHORTER TRIPS, USING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND MAKING SURE YOUR NEXT VEHICLE GETS BETTER MILEAGE.

Actuality Cut #59%%ID%% (TRT :14) "When you consider buying a new car, one should make it a high priority to look at the miles per gallon that that car gets. If you buy efficient cars, the nation could save millions of gallons of gas per year."

Suggested tag: FINK SAYS CONSERVATION HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT, BECAUSE OIL CONSUMPTION IS NOW A MATTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY. HE SAYS CLEAN AND EFFICIENT ENERGY IS ALSO A PRIORITY FOR THE FIGHT AGAINST GLOBAL WARMING.

SOURCE: IOWA NEWS SERVICE