Windy City Zephyr

Climate Action Update from Jeff at Riley Public Affairs

Climate legislation is moving and the post-healthcare momentum shift has created a real window of opportunity. Senators Kerry, Graham and Lieberman are expected to release language in early May. In short, their bill is will be very different from Waxman-Markey by exploring different solutions for different sectors of the economy. This could mean starting with a cap in the electric utility sector, creating something entirely new and different for the transportation fuel sector (like a carbon tax), bringing manufacturing facilities into a program over the coming years, and adding provisions for domestic energy production. It’s looking to be a wise and pragmatic approach that still could achieve our main goal – putting a cap on carbon to spur growth, innovation, and jobs.

Jeff was recently working on a clean energy site visit with Senator Durbin. After a thorough and frustrating effort however, he was told by Durbin’s office that his schedule wasn’t going permit it. Despite that, he has been working on a number of other opportunities and needs our help. They are:

1. A Media Tour of Clean Energy Jobs

Plans are being made to team up with the Chicago office of the Union of Concerned Scientists to take some local media on a tour of clean energy companies the first week of May. This will coincide with the release of the new language. Unlike the Durbin site visit, Jeff is now looking for manufacturing or assembly sites of clean energy technology. Please let us know if you know of a company that has a manufacturing facility or if you have any ideas about a potential stop for the reporters We will forward the info to Jeff.

2. Social Networking effort – Losing the clean energy race to China

If you have a Facebook, Twitter, or other social media account, we strongly encourage you to distribute this recent report and/or article about China taking the lead in clean energy.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/environment/2010-03-25-china-clean-energy-investing_N.htm

“Countries around the globe are jockeying for leadership in clean-energy production, and according to a report released today by the Pew Charitable Trusts, China is poised to win”.

3. Grassroots Media Push

Please help Jeff identify any local cable or internet shows that we can pitch to talk about the new legislation coming out of the Senate. This is also the time to start drafting a letter-to-the editor from companies asking for leadership on climate and energy in D.C.

Please let us know what you need to facilitate any of these efforts (such as draft letters or pitches to the media). We will be happy to get the info from Jeff for you.

On a final note, Jeff would appreciate it if you could please take a minute to explore a new website from EDAF called Less Carbon, More JobsBusiness Leaders: www.LCMJBizLeaders.org. The site, an extension of the Less Carbon, More Jobs effort, and is intended to be a go-to resource for a national network of supportive small and medium-sized businesses in the renewable and efficiency sectors. It provides information on why a cap is good for business and highlights business support (through op-eds, ads, lobby days, etc.) for climate legislation. Businesses can also sign up to “join the network” which means they’ll get periodic legislative updates and notices of opportunities on White House events, opportunities for funding, etc.