# PG&E Leaves the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over Climate

*Published:* 2009-09-22
*Author:* Sharyn Stein

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has been one of the loudest opponents of the American Clean Energy and Security Act — in spite of the objections of some of its members. Now one of those members has decided the rift is too big to ignore. PG&E just announced that it has dropped out of the Chamber because of “fundamental differences” over climate change.

According to [a PG&E blog](http://www.next100.com/2009/09/irreconcilable-differences.php):

- In a letter, PG&E Chairman and CEO Peter Darbee criticized the Chamber for taking an extreme position on climate change, which Darbee said does not represent the range of views among Chamber members.
- Darbee took the Chamber to task for its recent demand that there be a “[Scopes monkey trial of the 21st century](http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-climate-trial25-2009aug25,0,901567.story "LA Times story")” to challenge the science on climate change.
- Darbee said, “We find it dismaying that the Chamber neglects the indisputable fact that a decisive majority of experts have said the data on global warming are compelling and point to a threat that cannot be ignored.”

Other companies, including Nike and Johnson & Johnson, have also [criticized the Chamber for its reactionary stance](http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22101.html "Politico article") on climate change.

PG&E, like EDF, is a member of [USCAP](http://us-cap.org) — a group of corporations and environmental advocacy groups that are supporting a cap on carbon pollution.