In recent years, oil companies have pressured government agencies to open up 1.9 million acres in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming to develop oil shale. Development of oil shale requires huge amounts of energy and water resources, a process that produces global warming emissions that far surpass those of conventional fossil fuels. Additionally, the viability of oil shale as an energy source and its further environmental impacts are uncertain.

In 2007, Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) and Representatives John Salazar (D-CO) and Mark Udall (D-CO) worked to institute a 12-month moratorium on leasing lands for oil-shale development, a provision that passed both chambers of Congress and was eventually signed into law. Unfortunately, facing strong opposition to clean energy solutions, this year Congress passed a continuing budget resolution that let the oil shale moratorium expire.

To address the growing economic crisis, Senators Harry Reid (D-NV) and Robert Byrd (D-WV) introduced S. 3604, an economic stimulus package. The bill included a provision to extend the moratorium on oil shale development for a second period of 12 months. In addition, the bill provided funding for energy and environment programs, including investments in public transportation, clean energy and energy efficiency, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and home weatherization. On September 26, the Senate rejected the motion to proceed by a 52-42 vote (Senate roll call vote 206). YES IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE.