Congressional Watch, August 2009 Edition
HOW THEY VOTED
More money for alternative energy projects in Montana passes Senate
The full Senate approved the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations bill that includes funding for several Montana energy projects. Senator Tester, who sits on the influential Appropriations Committee and secured the funding for Montana, and Senator Baucus requested the funds for two projects at MSU ($1 million for the Montana Wind Turbine Development project to research and develop wind turbine technology for electricity production, and $500,000 for the Montana Algal BioDiesel Initiative to develop technology to turn algae into biodiesel), as well $2.25 million for the Bio-Energy Center for Excellence at MSU-Northern to support bio-energy research and education. Senator Baucus also included $1.25 million in the bill for the Crow Tribe's Coal to Liquid Demonstration project. The bill now goes to a conference committee to work out differences between the House and Senate bills. Senator Tester is expected to be a member of that conference committee.
Earlier, Rep. Rehberg joined the vast majority of representatives in supporting the House version of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2010 (H.R. 3183). The vote was 320 in support, with 97 against.
TAKE ACTION
We have an historic opportunity to build a new clean energy economy to save us money, create good paying jobs, and start getting a handle on climate-changing carbon pollution. We have never before had this opportunity. The U. S. House already passed climate change legislation. Now our Senators are working on clean energy legislation and they need to hear from us.
The large, international oil and coal corporations have spent millions lobbying to weaken and stop any clean energy bill in Congress. This spending will only increase as we get closer to votes in the Senate. Here are actions you can take to help get a strong clean energy bill through Congress:
- Call Senator Baucus' and Senator Tester's offices TODAY and urge them to support a strong clean energy bill.
They're hearing plenty from the other side - they need to hear from you. - Talk to our Congressional delegation! Our Congressional delegation is home for the August recess, when they will be meeting with Montanans across the state. This is a great opportunity to talk to our Senators at public meetings and events to support strong and meaningful clean energy legislation.
- Write a letter to the editor - and copy it to Senators Baucus and Tester!
Talking points for letters:
a. The benefits of moving to a clean energy economy are huge. Montana households would benefit from investments in clean energy with expanded job opportunities, rising wages, and reduced home heating and utility costs. The jobs are diverse and many have historically been well-paying, allowing more Montanans to support themselves and their families. Clean energy investments create three times the jobs as the same level of investment in fossil fuels.
b. Fuel savings over time allow investments in renewable energy to pay for themselves. Renewable energy can save scarce water resources, compared to fossil fuel-generated electricity. Planning as to facility location, improved forecasting, provision of backup and reserve capacities and appropriate extension of transmission and distribution grids, along with improved efficiency and capacity, help make renewable energy a reliable energy source.
c. Carbon pollution has led to impacts to human health, communities and natural resources. Doing nothing will cost more in damage from droughts, spread of insect-borne diseases, more intense weather events like fires, hurricanes and storms, and increasing insurance rates.
d. Delay is not an option. America's reliance on foreign oil threatens our national security. We must invest a modest amount now to get cleaner air, greater energy security, and new energy jobs. America must become a global leader in clean energy for the 21st century.
- Sign MCV's Clean Energy Jobs Petition.
ACTIONS AND OPINIONS
Senate Finance Committee hold fourth climate change hearing
On August 4, the Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Sen. Baucus held its fourth climate change hearing since April. The topic for this latest meeting was to discuss how to distribute carbon emission allowances; earlier hearings focused on international trade considerations, tax considerations, and auctioning under cap and trade. Sen. Baucus offered opening remarks regarding allowance and revenue distribution under climate change legislation, noting that the House-passed bill (American Clean Energy and Security Act) provided solid relief to low‐income Americans to mitigate the cost of climate change legislation through several means and saying the Senate should "match it, or build on it."
Tester introduces wilderness bill
On July 20, Sen. Tester introduced S. 1470, the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act of 2009. The bill directs certain timber harvest, recreation, wilderness and restoration activities in areas of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, the Three Rivers District of the Kootenai National Forest, and the Seeley Lake District of the Lolo National Forest. It was referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Read Sen. Tester's comments on the bill, including his description of the activities that will occur in each of the areas addressed by the bill.
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