White House gloats at chamber of commerce exodus over climate bill

[cal04]

• PG&E, Exelon and Apple break with chamber
• Climate change bill now before the Senate
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/oct/08/barack-obama-climate-change

The Obama administration took a deliberate step into the row that has engulfed the business world today, gloating at a mini-exodus from the US chamber of commerce because of its climate change policy.

In the administration's first comments on the row, the energy secretary, Steven Chu, did not conceal his delight that high-profile companies like California's PG&E, Exelon and Apple had broken with the chamber because of its opposition to a climate change bill now before the Senate and moves to regulate greenhouse gas emissions by the Environmental Protection Agency.

"I think it's wonderful," Chu said.

"I think companies like that - Exelon and others - are saying we have recognised the reality," he said. "They are saying we can't be a party to this denial and foot-dragging."

[phantom power]

1. Although I love this...

I'm left wondering: are these companies now free to do anything about climate change that they weren't free to do before?

To wit: now what?

[babylonsister]

2. Seems to me these companies are just recognizing reality, unlike the CoC,

and making their opinions known in a very public way.

[OKIsItJustMe]

3. The cynic would say

they are now free to state, “We’re not a member of the US Chamber of Commerce” (which they could not before.)

But, seriously, the Chamber of Commerce has gone on record, saying it represents its members.
http://www.uschamber.com/press/releases/2009/september/090929climate.htm

…

We http://www.uschamber.com/issues/letters/2009/090624_cleanenergy.htm">oppose the Waxman-Markey bill because it is neither comprehensive nor international, and it falls short on moving renewable and alternative technologies into the marketplace and enabling our transition to a lower carbon future. It would also impose carbon tariffs on goods imported into the United States, a move that would almost certainly spur retaliation from global trading partners.

…

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

These companies are (in essence) saying, “You don't represent us!”

FWIW: The letter opposing the Waxman-Markey bill is here:
http://www.uschamber.com/NR/rdonlyres/etw532ei7gyhupclcrgo4vew6lxudwxd3thr7bkpescpf3a6twxhfiimlng5rjc56pdcnppyeam7rfnxu52tgrez6ch/090624_hr2454_cleanenergy.pdf