Senate Obstruction of Climate Bill Sends Jobs to China, Dollars to Enemies, Increases Pollution...

[ProSense]

CEOs: Senate Obstruction of Climate Bill Sends Jobs to China, Dollars to Enemies, Increases Pollution At Home

Now is the Time for Comprehensive Approach to Energy and Climate Challenges, Groups Release Statement from 350+ Organizations Supporting Action

WASHINGTON - July 27 - Top leaders from several national organizations today said that the U.S. Senate's inaction on climate and energy legislation will send more American jobs to China, send more American dollars to hostile oil regimes, and leave America with more pollution and no economic benefit from a new clean energy economy. These leaders released a statement from more than 200 national and local organizations calling on action from the Senate on a comprehensive clean energy and climate bill.

The call for action from the Senate came during a national telephone news conference with reporters to discuss the urgent need for the Senate and the Obama Administration to use every opportunity available to address clean energy and climate reform. These leaders, among others, voiced growing frustration over the actions of some Senators who are in the pocket of America's largest polluters - the oil and coal industries. To listen to a recording of today's telepresser, click the following link: here.

For months, a broad and diverse coalition of Americans has echoed the need for immediate action on a clean energy and climate bill. More than three months into the worst industry-caused environmental catastrophe in our history, after the deadliest coal mining disaster in 40 years, and while sweating through the hottest first six months of any year on record, there's never been a clearer or more obvious case for the Senate to move forward with a comprehensive clean energy and climate bill.

"Kicking the can down the road is irresponsible when the harsh impacts of climate change are so clear," said Kevin Knobloch, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists. "The heat waves that are occurring around the country -- and have killed people -- are likely to become more severe if we allow global warming emissions to continue unabated."

"Big Oil, Big Coal and their army of lobbyists and partners in Congress have blocked the Senate from taking action on this vital issue," said Peter Lehner, Executive Director of the National Resources Defense Council. "At every turn, a minority in the Senate chose obstruction over working with their colleagues to find solutions to America's energy and national security needs. Their behavior will only maintain the status quo and cost our nation dearly."

"It is wrong that America's biggest polluters prevented the Senate from enacting common-sense policies to reduce carbon pollution, invest in clean energy, and ultimately create good-paying clean energy jobs to put Americans back to work," said Maggie L. Fox, President and CEO of The Alliance for Climate Protection. "We need courage and greater leadership from the U.S. Congress and President Obama to ensure that future environmental disasters, health hazards, and missed opportunities to create clean energy jobs will not occur."

"It's deeply disappointing that Big Oil, Dirty Coal and their allies in Congress have blocked the Senate for now from creating a clean energy economy that creates jobs, makes America more energy independent and protects the planet," said LCV President Gene Karpinski. "The twin challenges of building a clean energy economy and addressing global warming are too important to fail. Now is the time for real leadership from our elected officials to ensure the fight continues to transition our nation to a cleaner, more secure energy future."

[ProSense]

1. No comment? n/t

[Jakes Progress]

2. The senate is a waste of 100 leather chairs.

[ProSense]

3. That's the spirit. n/t

[catgirl]

4. It's sick that it is a fight to transition our nation...

to a cleaner, more secure energy future. We have the great opportunity to lead the world in this direction.
We need to push this!