Call on the Senate to move forward on Clean Energy!

On April 24, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) announced a delay in introducing a bipartisan bill draft of comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation which had been expected to be released on Monday, April 26 (see MCVEF’s April Congressional Watch).  One of the trio of senators drafting the bill, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), said he would withdraw from the effort if the Senate made immigration reform a priority over climate legislation.  See Politico: Graham out, climate bill delayed (April 24, 2010).  Across the country, calls are mounting for the Senate to move forward on climate change legislation and there are signs that will happen.

League of Conservation Voters: Support for Climate Bill Continues to Mount (April 27, 2010)

The Hill: Reid: Despite activist uproar, climate comes before immigration reform (April 28, 2010)

Letter from 31 national conservation groups, including League of Conservation Voters, the Union of Concerned Scientists, Pew Environment Group and others urging the Senate to take up comprehensive energy and climate legislation in June. (April 27, 2010)

“…Without a bipartisan, comprehensive national clean energy and climate policy, America’s businesses are hamstrung and cannot make the investments that will create millions of jobs in the new clean energy sector. Without a comprehensive policy, we cannot achieve the reductions in carbon pollution that are necessary to protect the planet. Without a comprehensive policy, we cannot end the practice of exporting $1 billion a day for foreign oil and will remain at the whim of hostile regimes….”

Washington Post: Climate change bill shouldn't fall victim to immigration reform (April 26, 2010)

“…Politics aside, it's past time that Congress dealt with climate change. Businesses face stifling uncertainty about the shape of inevitable climate legislation. World leaders wonder when America will finally lead on global warming. And every year Congress waits to legislate, adequately curbing emissions will get harder and more expensive. Any comprehensive climate bill will require the support of at least a few Republicans to pass. We hope Mr. Graham and his Democratic partners find a way not to miss this opportunity.”

Union of Concerned Scientists, Kevin Knobloch, President: A murmur, not a heart attack (April 26, 2010)

“We’ve come too far to give up on a clean energy future.

We can’t afford to let climate change proceed unchecked. We can’t allow China and India to beat us in the race for clean energy development. We need to tap into our country’s vast renewable energy potential and create new American jobs. And we must do more to curb our addiction to oil…”

VIDEOS

VOTEVETS: VoteVets National Ad on Clean Energy

“The fight to get off Middle East oil - permanently - is one that is very important to us.  Every day, we send American dollars overseas to countries with ties to terrorism.  In the past, hundreds of millions - if not billions - of oil profits have made their way to the same terrorists we're fighting against.” 

 The Senate Waits. Iran Celebrates! SenateWaitsIranCeleb's Channel (April 26, 2010)

“Every day the Senate waits to pass clean energy climate legislation, Iran makes an extra $100,000,000 in oil profits. No wonder they're partying.”