Jay Rockefeller has been a fantastic advocate for real health reform. However on the defining issue of our time, climate change, Rockefeller is standing with polluters and the party of no instead of with American innovation.
First a little context: today John Kerry, Barbara Boxer and others introduced the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act. It's a good bill, it will cut pollution 20 percent by 2020 and create 1.9 million jobs. And how does it do it? Unleash American innovation and ingenuity to make science based cuts in emissions. When we put our mind to it our country has been able to do amazing things is short periods of time.
But Jay Rockefeller doesn't believe in that can do spirit. In response to the introduction of this pollution reduction and green jobs bill he issued this statement:
The climate legislation proposed today by Senators Boxer and Kerry is a disappointing step in the wrong direction and I am against it.
Requiring 20 percent emission reductions by 2020 is unrealistic and harmful – it is simply not enough time to deploy the carbon capture and storage (CCS) and energy efficiency technologies we need. Period.
Our nation cannot survive without energy from coal and any viable climate policy must solidify our future by focusing on technology to make coal cleaner faster.
I will continue studying the bill and all of its implications for our state and the coal industry. This is by no means the defining word on climate legislation in the Senate.
I remain adamant in my conviction not to support any bill that might threaten the economy, workers or families across West Virginia.
We should take the time to approach these issues with absolute care and diligence – they require nothing less.
It makes me wonder. Does Senator Rockefeller really not believe that America can produce the technology needed to prevent the extreme effects posed by climate change? Is he really that pessimistic about America?
With all due respect Senator, we can survive without polluting sources of energy. If you simply think we should permanently stay on this destructive source then say that, don't hide behind your supposed disbelief in American innovation.
Any viable climate policy must solidify our future by reducing emissions to levels consistent with what scientists tell us. A 20 percent cut is on the bottom side of what we need and yet Senator Rockefeller still thinks we must weaken it to protect the profits of coal companies.
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Rockefeller is a perfect example of the giant mountain we have to climb to get a climate bill passed the Senate and signed into law, particularly if we want the climate bill to be a good one. Let's be real, there will be compromises to get this bill passed the Senate. But how much those compromises are depends on us. Bill Scher had a must read article today for all progressives
Regardless of your support for the House bill, it is indisputable it would have been a better bill if the progressive grassroots were engaged earlier and focused on a clear target.
Now, the process starts anew in the Senate with the Boxer-Kerry bill.
Fortunately, Sens. Barbara Boxer and John Kerry did the right thing to spark grassroots energy. They introduced a stronger bill than the House version, in defiance of the conventional wisdom than any Senate bill would have to weaker than the House.
Despite the nonsensical whining and ingratitude from coal-state Dem senators, who pretended that Rep. Waxman didn't spend months crafting difficult compromises with fossil fuel interests specifically to make them happy, Sens. Boxer and Kerry embraced a more aggressive short-term target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions -- 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2020, versus 17 percent in the House bill -- and restored EPA authority to regulate emissions.
So we are not just playing defense in the Senate. We can get back on offense.
You should read it all. Bill is exactly right, we've been handed a opportunity to go on the offense and get a good bill that invests in a new green economy that averts the worst effects of climate change while protecting consumers and our national security. Will we take that opportunity? We face a very important choice, will we seize the opportunity as a progressive movement and push hard for this bill or will we stay on the sidelines as a movement and say we can't walk and chew gum and the same time?
If we want to seize the opportunity we have to get active and get active NOW.
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But how do we get active and make a impact on the debate? You have lots of options, but here's three things to get started with right away that will make a huge difference.
Adopt a Senator:
A great Kossack organized project to track Senators stances on climate legislation is going on called Adopt a Senator. I'll let the project's super organizer RLMiller explain
On DailyKos, we’re affecting the climate change debate, strengthening ACES, and helping to pass it in the Senate, by adopting Senators. You’ve seen my sig line and you’ve seen diaries on particular Senators’ positions, most recently on Jim Webb (D-VA). You may have seen Meteor Blades' story. The Adopt A Senator For ACES program is a whip tool to track and influence votes.
We target, or adopt, particular Senators. We evaluate their voting records, see what influence if any they have on committees relevant to ACES, who they receive contributions from, public statements about climate change and climate legislation they have made, whether they have aides on their staff with background relevant to the legislation, and any other pertinent points. We want to understand each targeted Senator’s point of view, including reasons to vote for the bill. For example, one Senator might seek to hold down costs, another might want jobs for a home state, and a third might wish to burnish a legacy. When the time comes, we will praise them when they speak in favor of the bill, and we will call them out when their stance wavers.
Diaries on important issues on DailyKos and Congress Matters are seen by Senate staffers to gauge grassroots support on important issues. Our work here matters.
So far, over 20 Senators have been adopted by a great group of volunteers, but your help is needed to adopt more Senators.
Read her whole diary if you want to learn more or send her a e-mail at azureblueskies AT sbcglobal DOT net. I'm proud to be a part of it (Covering my Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken) and you can be a part of it too! We still have some swing Senate votes who need to be adopted. They are
Begich (AK): Alaska has the most to win, and the state with the most to lose, by climate change legislation.
Conrad (ND): On record in favor of gutting the climate change provisions entirely and watering ACES down to renewable energy.
Graham (R-SC): One of a group of pro-nuclear Republicans who may be persuaded by enough nuclear provisions...or not.
Gregg (R-NH): Mixed record on prior climate change legislation.
Lincoln (AR): New chair of Agricultural Committee professes to be concerned about costs, believes that a bill can wait.
Pryor (AR): Likewise concerned about costs.
Rockefeller (WV): Still believes in "clean coal."
Tester (MT): Has been quiet on issue; may follow Baucus' lead.
Think you could adopt one of them? Jay Rockefeller? A different one on that list? Let RLMiller know! azureblueskies AT sbcglobal DOT net
Call your Senator:
One of the best organizations in the climate movement is 1Sky. They've got a tool that makes calling your Senator easy. Use it.
A call is worth a thousand emails. It is extremely important no matter which state you are in. Make your voice heard, tell your story, get active. Personal stories can swing votes. Be authentic and tell the Senate office why this matters to you or even just leave a short message asking them to support the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act if that's what your comfortable with.
Whatever you do make sure you call.
Write a Letter to the Editor:
Organizing for America has set up a tool that makes it easy to be heard. Writing a letter to the editor is a very effective way of doing this. If you get published with a good persuasive LTE you'll be read by thousands of people in your area.
Make your voice heard. Write a Letter to the Editor.
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There you go, three ways to get involved. The stakes could not be higher and we've got just a few months to make a impact. This is our defining moment. How will we respond? Will will let polluting industries and their friends block progress or will we speak up and demand they pass strong green jobs legislation.
The choice is ours, what will you do?
