On Dec. 13, 2007, the U.S. Senate passed an energy bill that helps reduce America's dependence on oil. Unfortunately, the bill does not close $13 billion worth of tax loopholes and subsidies for the oil industry. Additionally, the provisions passed by the House back in June that would have enacted a number of common sense and reasonable reforms to oil and gas development failed to pass. These important reforms included:

• Including hunters, anglers and other recreationists in important public lands management decisions
• Requiring the oil and gas industry to pay its fair share of the cost for permitting
• Ensuring that oil and gas companies will clean up their mess after they are done drilling on our public lands
• Requiring the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to follow basic environmental review rules
• Requiring the BLM to update its Best Management Practices to protect wildlife
• Ensuring oil and gas operators on public lands replace water supplies that are lost or damaged as a result of drilling operations

Although these important reforms didn't have the support to pass through both the House and Senate, it was a major step forward in having people discuss these important issues. With a strong base of support, it is likely that these provisions will come up in future legislation. When they do, we'll have to make an even larger effort to let our legislators know that we support them!