# Apple Joins List of Former U.S. Chamber Members

*Published:* 2009-10-06
*Author:* Sharyn Stein

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce continues to make a monkey of itself over its [“Scopes trial” comment](https://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2009/09/29/u-s-chamber-of-commerce-loses-another-member/), as well as its general policy on climate change.

The latest chapter in the ongoing saga comes from high-tech powerhouse Apple, which [announced that it is resigning from the Chamber](http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/05/apple-resignes-from-chamber-over-climate) effective immediately. Apple says it objects to “the chamber’s recent comments opposing the E.P.A.’s effort to limit greenhouse gases.” Those comments include threatening litigation.

In a letter to chamber president Thomas Donahue, Apple wrote:

> Apple supports regulating greenhouse gas emissions, and it is frustrating to find the chamber at odds with us in this effort.

You can read [Apple’s entire letter \[PDF\]](http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/business/apple-chamber.pdf) here.

But the bad news for the Chamber doesn’t end there. One of its chapters is now distancing itself from the national organization. That item comes from the *San Jose Mercury News* editorial “[U.S. chamber is a dinosaur on climate change](http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_13474082)“.

The paper says the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce has “had discussions with the U.S. Chamber and the California Chamber as well as PG&E and several other members.”

The president of the San Jose Silicon Valley chapter solidly opposed her national counterpart’s comments, saying:

> There isn’t anyone who doesn’t realize that climate change is a man-made phenomenon and something we need to address and address quickly.

PG& E, of course, has already resigned from the chamber because of its climate policy — as have PNM Resources and Excelon (and now Apple).

[Nike withdrew from the Chamber’s board of directors](https://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2009/10/01/nike-leaves-board-of-u-s-chamber-but-keeps-membership/), but hasn’t given up its membership altogether.