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WRITE TO CONGRESS

Write to your local member of Congress today asking them to support the fight against corruption. Simply input your information on the right and submit the letter provided, or compose your own letter in the box, and click submit. Make your voice heard!

February 09, 2010

Subject:

Dear Member of Congress,

As a concerned constituent, I am writing to you to ask that you support the Energy Security through Transparency (ESTT) Act in the Senate and Extractive Industries Transparency Disclosure (EITD) Act in the House of Representatives when they are introduced in 2009. These critical bills are a low-cost way to create a more stable international business environment in the oil, gas and mining sectors.  The public disclosure of payments to foreign governments by extractive industries companies discourages corruption, improves the international investment climate, allows citizens to hold their governments accountable, and helps stabilize energy supplies.  This, in turn, will improve long-term U.S. energy security and keep prices down.
 
A lack of transparency in the oil, gas and mining sectors, and the resulting corruption, have many negative impacts:

* U.S. energy security is undermined by our reliance on corrupt, impoverished regimes. Six of the top ten oil-exporting countries to the U.S. rank at the bottom third of the world's list of most corrupt countries, according to Transparency International.
    * Billions of dollars a year are lost to corruption in oil and mineral rich developing countries. For example, in Angola from 1997-2001, over $4 billion dollars went missing, more than all foreign aid to the country during that period.
    * The "resource-curse" is a well-documented phenomenon in oil-rich countries. Despite huge oil windfalls, 25 of the word's 33 oil rich countries have "low" or "medium" UNDP human development ratings. Natural resource revenues could be a tremendous engine for economic growth and poverty alleviation if revenues are accounted for and spent in a transparent manner.
    * Opaque money transfers pave the way for corrupt leaders to funnel revenues into arms and dishonest practices that contribute to conflict, social unrest and divisiveness. This can tarnish corporate reputations and lead to unstable operating environments for companies.
    * Increased corruption and conflict over the spoils of natural resource booms contribute to humanitarian situations that U.S. taxpayers end up paying for through foreign assistance programs.

I urge you to join with other Members of Congress standing as global leaders to promote sound energy policy and corporate responsibility in the fight against corruption and poverty. Please support mandatory reporting requirements for oil, gas and mining payments by supporting the ESTT/EITD Acts.
 
Sincerely,

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