Congressional Watch, July 2009 Edition
HOW THEY VOTED
ACES PASSES U.S. HOUSE!
House Passes Most Important Environmental Bill In History
WASHINGTON (June 26, 2009) - Today, the House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act by a vote of 219 to 212. The act represents America's first comprehensive attempt to build a new, clean energy economy. It will create millions of jobs, reduce our dangerous dependence on oil, and mitigate the threat of global warming. The League of Conservation Voters considers today's vote the most important environmental vote ever taken by the House of Representatives. More...
REHBERG VOTES NO, CONTINUES TO EXAGGERATE THE COST OF CAP AND TRADE TENFOLD
Congressman Rehberg joined 211 other members on the losing side of the House vote. In his response last week to Montanans who asked him to vote FOR the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), Rehberg continued to grossly misstate findings by a Massachusetts Institute of Technology researcher regarding the cost of the proposal to cap carbon pollution. Rehberg exaggerates the cost by nearly ten times the actual estimate, according to the author of the study who wrote to House Republicans way back on April 1 to challenge the misrepresentation of the cost in press releases distributed by the National Republican Congressional Committee. The MIT researcher explained that the research actually showed a potential average annual cost per family of four at $340, only part of which would be actual energy bill increases, and some of which could be offset by reductions in energy use. In what can only be explained as a blatant attempt to panic Montanans, 
Rehberg's letter of June 26 clings to the disproved Republican exaggeration that MIT's cap and trade research anticipates annual increases of $3,128 for the average American family. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the current cap-and-trade proposal in Congress would result in an average cost of less than 50 cents a day per household in 2020, and the least well-off households would see a net benefit. The Environmental Protection Agency's estimate is even lower, at $80-110 per household per year. Montanans deserve better than this from their elected representatives.
TAKE ACTION
The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) now moves to the Senate.
- Urge Senators Baucus and Tester to strengthen and support ACES (HR 2454). Ask them to support stronger renewable energy standards, increased investments in energy efficiency, and more clean energy jobs.
Sen. Max Baucus: max@baucus.senate.gov or call: (202) 224-2651
Sen. Jon Tester: jon@tester.senate.gov or call: (202) 224-2644
Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper urging Senator Baucus and Senator Tester to support the American Clean Energy and Security Act. Remind Montanans that although Rep. Rehberg voted against clean energy jobs for Montanans, senators Baucus and Tester have an opportunity to lead Montana and America to energy independence and new jobs. Click HERE!
ACTIONS AND OPINIONS
A Climate Change Disconnect?
Drought is regularly noted as one of the significant impacts of changes to our climate driven by carbon pollution. But not by Rep. Rehberg, who earlier in June complained to a joint hearing by two House subcommittees about the growing pine beetle infestation in Montana, as well as the rising costs of forest fire suppression. He noted the impacts of drought, but his solution is ... cut the trees and "stay out of the way" - a reference to "burdensome litigation" - with nary an acknowledgement of the need to stem the pollution that is leading to increased drought, longer fire seasons, more severe wildfires and a host of other growing resource problems in Montana. National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Subcommittee Chairman Raul Grijalva, however, pointedly stated that finding common support for a solution to address the problem of beetle infestations will "NOT be easy to come by if cutting corners in the NEPA process is the cornerstone of our plan." Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, Chair of the Water and Power Subcommittee, was similarly direct, noting that the increasing tree mortality "has been linked to higher temperatures and scarce water, both of which are the result of climate change."
Renewable Energy Pilot Project Office for Montana Proposed
Great Falls Tribune: Tester: Montana to have renewable energy office
A U.S. Senate committee has approved a plan by Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., that would establish a new office in the state designed to cut red tape on renewable energy projects. If signed into law, Tester's plan would create a Renewable Energy Pilot Project Office in Montana and several other western states to help energy developers get federal permits for renewable energy projects and transmission lines. More...
Click here for press release from Senator Tester.
Wilderness for Montana?
NewWest.Net reported on June 22 that Sen. Tester is working with Montanans on a potential wilderness bill for areas of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in southwestern Montana, the Seeley Lake area and in the Yaak area in far northwestern Montana.
Funding for Wildlife Habitat and Glacier Hotel
Senators Tester and Baucus announced $28 million for Montana projects that include conservation easements along the Rocky Mountain Front, funds for the purchase of abandoned mine sites near Cooke City and Yellowstone National Park, renovations at a hotel in Glacier National Park, and wildlife habitat along the Blackfoot River, near the Meeteetse Spires, and near the Red Rock Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The legislation also provides for reimbursements to ranchers for livestock killed by wolves. The funding measures were included in the Interior Appropriations bill, one of 12 bills to be considered by Congress to fund the federal government for the next fiscal year. The bill must go to the full Senate and the U. S. House for approval. Details...
Hunting Heritage Protection Act
Montanasnewsstation.com: MT lawmakers back bill promoting hunting on federal land
Montana lawmakers are getting behind a bill that would promote and enhance hunting opportunities on federal lands.
Montana's U.S. Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester, both members of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, joined 10 other senators in introducing the Hunting Heritage Protection Act Thursday. That same day, Congressman Denny Rehberg introduced the Hunting Heritage Protection Act in the House of Representatives. More...
Click here for joint press release from Senator Baucus and Senator Tester on S.1348.
Congressman Rehberg's press release regarding H.R.3046 was not available on his web site at the time of posting this newsletter.
Clean Energy Jobs: Montana Resource Guide to the Recovery Act
On May 27, Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund and the Montana Renewable Energy Association, along with others, hosted a town hall, Creating Jobs Around Montana's Clean Energy Future. The event featured a discussion about programs within the federal Recovery Act that focus on clean energy jobs with panelists from the U.S. Senate Finance Committee and Sen. Max Baucus' Washington, DC office. Copies of Sen. Baucus' Montana Resource Guide to the Recovery Act were available at the event, and are also available through his senate web site.
Baucus Staff Changes in Montana and Washington, DC
See Billings Gazette: Baucus announces staff changes for information about new Baucus staff in the positions of Montana chief of staff, deputy state director, communications director and press secretary.
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