Climate 411

EDF’s Vice President Marcia Aronoff just got back from Troy, New York, where she got to show off the latest addition to www.LessCarbonMoreJobs.org to two Congressmen, a college president, green business entrepreneurs, and the media.

Marcia was invited to speak at Rep. Scott Murphy (D-NY-20) and Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY-21)’s news conference on clean energy. The Congressmen, both big supporters of the American Clean Energy and Security Act, were at Hudson Valley Community College to see a new solar panel installation built by students in the Green Jobs Training Program.

Marcia unveiled the brand new New York state map on www.LessCarbonMoreJobs.org. New York is our 21st state to be added to the site, and it’s one of the richest for clean energy companies. The map shows 200 businesses that are working in the energy efficiency or renewable energy markets. But, as Marcia said:

Those businesses are poised to grow under a clean energy bill, but they’re just the tip of the iceberg. A clean energy bill that puts a cap on carbon pollution will put American ingenuity to work, and will help launch businesses and create jobs here in New York. We can put our renewable energy resources to work for us and revitalize our economy.

See a short video clip of the news conference here.

Last time the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) was in the news it was for a scandal involving forged “constituent” letters urging members of Congress to vote against the clean energy bill.

Today, ACCCE got more bad news (which is good news for the rest of us): Duke Energy is dropping out. Check out some of the articles about the politics behind their decision:

• Kevin Grandia on the Huffington Post: “Duke Energy Quits Controversial Coal Lobby Front Group“
• National Journal: “Shifting Alliances Define Energy Debate“
• Think Progress: “Duke Energy Quits Scandal-Ridden American Coalition For Clean Coal Electricity“

Duke has already severed ties with another of its former coalitions — the National Association of Manufacturers.

Duke is a member of USCAP, which is fighting for passage of clean energy legislation and a cap on carbon pollution. As a fellow member of USCAP, we here at EDF are happy to see Duke chose to stick with the right side in this debate.

The Dittohead and Tea Bagger crowd are piling on in opposition to Congressional action to address global warming.

Taking cues from daily tirades from Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Michelle Malkin and the gang, the radical right has been organizing an intensive phone-banking operation targeting members of Congress.

According to Grist.org, callers are even being instructed to use phony home addresses and to call member offices multiple times to manufacture the impression that constituents are against climate action.

These underhanded efforts have skewed results so much that some offices are reporting a 100:1 ratio of calls against climate action.

Check out the Grist story.

What you can do:

First, call your real members of Congress to express support for global warming action. The Capitol Hill switchboard is (202) 224-3121.

Second, spread the word online. Email this story to your friends and family. Post this on Facebook and/or on Twitter. Let everyone know that the radical right is manufacturing false opposition to climate action and that we need to fight back.

Finally, engage in the debate online and off. When you see a story about climate action online, be sure to share your views by commenting on the story. If possible, send letters to the editor of your local paper. Help make sure your community knows that it’s critical we act. We can solve the climate crisis in a way that is affordable and that will create jobs and free America from our dependence on foreign oil.

Thanks for all you do.

The American Clean Energy and Security Act is the most important environmental and energy legislation in our nation’s history. Today’s vote is a huge achievement for the country and the climate, and we applaud Speaker Pelosi, Chairmen Waxman and Markey, and all members of the House who helped craft this landmark legislation and get it passed.

The bill that emerged from the House has the fundamental structure we need to significantly reduce carbon pollution while growing the economy. It puts a strong cap on emissions and reorients our energy market to make low-carbon power the goal. It ensures that utility rates will stay affordable and a competitive playing field for U.S. companies.

Today’s vote opens the door for President Obama to sign comprehensive climate legislation into law this year. The extensive negotiations leading up to the vote helped form extraordinarily broad support for the bill as it moves to the Senate. Chairmen Waxmen and Markey bridged the traditional sectoral and regional divides of energy politics to produce legislation that has support from labor unions and businesses across the economy, to rural interests, environmental advocates, and agriculture groups.

The bill puts the U.S. on the path to significant emissions reductions, a stronger economy, and a new position of leadership in the global effort to protect the climate. We look forward to working with the Senate leadership to meet Majority Leader Reid’s September target for finishing committee work on the bill.

Claim:

“[The American Clean Energy and Security Act] will come down hardest on the poor.”

— Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA), 6/26/09

Truth:

Actually, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office says low-income Americans will benefit the MOST from this bill. The CBO calculations show that low-income Americans will actually see a net cash gain from this bill, as the value of emission allowances is rebated back to consumers.

In contrast, it’s the cost of doing nothing that would fall most heavily on the poor: from greater health-care costs because of expanding disease vectors to the destruction of homes from catastrophic weather events , it’s the poor who will disproportionately suffer.

Instead of disingenuously trying to hide behind the least fortunate among us, Mr. Cantor should step up and support this legislation — legislation that would create job opportunities across the economic spectrum. Most importantly, jobs that would provide pathways out of poverty for Americans who need them most.