Big Oil, King Coal won’t take recess!
August could prove to be a pivotal moment for energy and climate legislation as members return to their districts and listen to constituents about the fall agenda.
In June the House of Representatives voted for the first time to limit the release of global warming pollution into the atmosphere, and boost clean energy alternatives to compete with the incumbent and powerful fossil fuel industries. So now the “Just Say No” Caucus, made up of an amalgam of climate deniers, Big Oil and King Coal lobbyists, and people whose primary definition of success is to see President Obama fail, are energized and active and determined to kill climate action in the Senate.
Have you been listening to these guys? One opponent of the climate bill sees the death of health care reform as the key, saying that if he can “stop Obama on this, it will be his Waterloo. It will break him.”
Better to have a broken president than a better climate?
Conservative columnist Bill Kristol wrote “This is no time to pull punches. Go for the kill.”
These guys aren’t just fired up and ready to go — they’re desperately seeking a full stop to everything the last election meant.
Clean energy jobs? No.
A sustainable climate? No.
A rational health care system? No.
Reasonable regulation of Wall Street speculation? No.
Are they winning?
Well, I wish the answer were “ No,” but let’s be realistic. Right now — August 2009 — our victory on a clean energy and climate bill in the House is not moving in the Senate. Members are looking at the August recess as a time to take soundings back home, to hear what people think, to test their assumptions about the public mood against reality. And we know that those who wish to “kill” the president’s agenda and “break him” politically are vocal, vociferous, voluble and vehement.
We can’t outspend them. Exxon Mobil Corp., the biggest U.S. oil producer, reportedly spent more on Washington lobbying during the first half of the year than all clean-energy companies combined.
One utility in Alabama, which generates much of its electricity from coal, has hired over 60 lobbyists to make sure that its voice is heard by members of Congress.
And now we have learned that a coal association hired a consultant firm that sent fake letters to members of Congress opposing the Waxman-Markey bill in the House — literally stealing the letterheads of local organizations and urging a no vote on energy and climate.
But we outnumber them. The majority of Americans understand that the status quo isn’t working and we need to get smart about energy policy, climate policy and our future. Most would rather see our country moving forward, creating a clean energy future, new jobs, and a sustainable climate for our children. But are we motivated enough at what is being said and done to throttle clean energy to speak up?
We should be, because as I have said before, our chance to move this legislation through the Senate is not likely to come around again for a decade or more. Right now, President Obama is with us, and the House is with us. We have 60 Democrats in the Senate and a small core of caring Republicans as well. We don’t have millions to spend on misleading — or fraudulent — activities. We simply have our eye on the future — a future which we have an obligation to preserve for our children and their children. So let’s spend a little time in August countering all the noise, static, and lies from the opposition.
Write a letter. Attend a forum. Call your Senators — both of them. Tweet your friends and friend your fellow activists. Let’s make August as hot for our opponents as they are trying to make it for our supporters.
Wilderness Experts View All >
Sam Goldman
Sam has been with The Wilderness Society since Fall 2007. He came most recently from M+R Strategic Services in Washington, DC where he worked with national environmental groups to improve their online campaign work and field organizing capacity. Before that, Sam was the Assistant National Field Director for U.S. PIRG where he covered a variety of issues including the fight to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
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Comments
Billions
I think the problem comes in when people see the billions that are being made by these groups and people such as Al Gore when nothing is really happening. We all want to do what we need to for the environment but there has to be a way to prove that it is good for all and that all can afford it. We just had someone come to our home to give us a quote for solar heating and at $35,000 for only 20% energy it just simply isn't worth it. The electric company would still be provide 80% of our electricity. Not only that, there is no way we can afford it. We need to find something that works and is affordable without making a "select few" rich. Then and only then will you get the support you are looking for. online casino
clean energy legislation
It seems that the battle for clean energy legislation should come down to a "don't tell me, show me" resolution. We need to look at a few other nations, particularly the Scandinavian nations and Germany. Their technology regarding clean energy has the U.S. beat ten ways. Their education in technology makes us look as though we are still in the stone age. That may be an exaggeration, however their advances in solar and wind energy is something we must learn from now. If some kind of exchange program could be set up between our nations, it could certainly put big coal and petroleum gradually behind us, as indeed it must be.
The theft of letterheads and other underhanded activities as well as the millions poured into lobbying efforts is not born of common sense and the common good, but rather a diabolical vindictiveness--not only towards the Democratic party, but towards anyone who dares oppose the oil and coal bosses.