Call for Beauprez to apologize for NREL layoffs in his district
ProgressNowAction called on Congressman Bob Beauprez to apologize to his constituents being laid-off this week by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Beauprez voted for $28 million in cuts to NREL. NREL is located in his district. In addition, he refused to sign a letter requesting that President Bush restore the funding to NREL.
"I have been working on energy issues for 25 years, and with this week's cuts at NREL I am now unemployed," stated Carol Tombari a resident of Morrison and a mother of three who was laid-off Tuesday by NREL.
On July 28, 2005, Beauprez voted to cut renewable energy funding to NREL by $28 million. As a result, Tombari was among the first of the renewable energy workers who is being laid-off. More lay-offs are expected.
"More than any other member of Congress, Beauprez failed on two fronts: investing in renewable energy efforts and preserving jobs for his district," stated Michael Huttner, Executive Director of ProgressNowAction.
In addition, on November 8, 2005, a
bipartisan letter from 100 members of Congress was sent to President Bush urging him to "fully fund" renewable energy programs as authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Beauprez refused to sign that letter.
"Beauprez talks about helping his district, but when it comes to backing the renewable energy efforts, Beauprez decided to tow the party line and not push President Bush rather than helping his constituents," stated Huttner.
As Beauprez will not stand up to President Bush for his district, ProgressNowAction
launched a petition today urging the White House to restore the renewable energy investments to NREL.
"This is classic Both Ways Bob: Who does Beauprez represent, the renewable energy efforts in his district or the oil industry with ties to him and the White House?" Huttner asked.
In 2004, Beauprez was among the largest recipients of the $25 million the oil and gas industry gave to candidates for federal office according to the Center for Responsive Politics.