It is essential that the United States make progress on climate and energy legislation this year in anticipation of the global agreement that needs to be negotiated this December in Copenhagen, Denmark.
One Congressman is now blocking the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES).
Agriculture Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN)is holding the bill hostage, trying to get more handouts to his Big Agricultural contributors. Chris Bowers at Open Left has this to say:
For a few weeks now, House Agriculture Committee Chair Collin Peterson (Dfl-Minnesota) has been holding up the American Clean Energy and Security ACT (ACES). At first, he was only demanding a few billion dollars in handouts to agribusiness. However, his demands are now escalating, as he is building a broad coalition to weaken the bill as much as possible.
BOTTOM LINE: If this obstructionist was unseated in 2010, it is doubtful that any Republican could do more damage on the climate than Peterson.
"Blue Dog" Peterson is holding a 'gun' to Rep. Henry Waxman's head, by wtihholding his Committee's assistance, and by directing Blue Dog Dems to vote against the bill, unless his demands for a substantial weakening of the bill are met:
1) Unlimited offsets for the US Ag sector regulated by the Dept of Agriculture. This is guaranteed to become another subsidy for this sector, with great harm to the climate because every tonne that the USDOA deems "offset" on a farm means that one additional tonne can be emitted from a coal plant.
2)Treat ethanol from corn as a carbon benefit. The problem is that this is scientifically inaccurate. And very dangerous. There are many direct and indirect carbon impacts (such as replacement food) that Peterson wants to ORDER THE EPA TO IGNORE THE SCIENCE!.
Waxman is trying to negotiate with Peterson. But Peterson does not listen well.
As Joe Romm has written, "The difference between an offset and a mortgage-backed security is lipstick."
It's true, but it may be a Democrat that destroys opportunity for global progress on the climate in 2009 - all to get SOME MORE OF THAT OFFSET PAYOLA.
Please call the US Capitol Switchboard at (202-224-3121) and ask your Representative to support ACES (HR 2454). But insist that your Representative and Senators STRENGTHEN ACES AND REMOVE THE OFFSET PROVISIONS.
......AND LET'S FIND A NEW 2010 CANDIDATE FOR THE MN SEVENTH!!!!!