1975 Scorecard Vote
Energy Research Authorization (H.R. 3474). The vote is on the Hechler amendment to delete language authorizing the Energy Research and Development Administration to select a tract of public land to conduct an oil shale demonstration program in cooperative with a private company. As Rep. Jim Johnson stated, this provision was Òessentially a private bill for Occidental PetroleumÓ the large oil company which Òhas for years advocated the in situ process.Ó While the in situ process is probably less devastating than certain other forms of extracting oil from shale, environmentalists oppose all forms of oil shale production because it uses tremendous amounts of water and energy, and would require filling valleys with wastes from the rock not used. The President took no official position on this amendment. Adopted 282-117. December 11, 1975. ÒYESÓ is the correct vote.
pro-environment position