2007-11-14 10:53
KERCH STRAIT OIL SPILL IS ANOTHER REMINDER THAT...

KERCH STRAIT OIL SPILL IS ANOTHER REMINDER THAT UKRAINE MUST CHANGE ITS ENERGY POLICY

(a statement by the Ukrainian-American Environmental Association)

For Immediate Release: Tuesday – November 13, 2007

Contact:
Taras Lychuk: +38 068 569-5137
Ken Bossong: +1 (301) 588-4741

RIVNE, UKRAINE/WASHINGTON, DC—The disastrous oil spill between the Azov and Black Seas on Sunday should serve as yet another reminder that Ukraine must move aggressively to lessen its reliance on oil and other energy imports.

Beyond the tragic loss of life, the oil spill poses a serious threat to the region’s plant, fish, and animal life as well as to public health and the quality of the area’s sea coast. The clean-up cost is still uncertain but likely to be high and long-term.

The only certain way to avoid similar catastrophes in the future is to greatly reduce reliance on oil, natural gas, and other energy imports through an aggressive domestic program of improved energy efficiency, greatly expanded use of Ukraine’s plentiful renewable energy resources, and environmentally responsible development of Ukraine’s domestic fossil fuel supplies.