FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Will they stand up to the fossil fuel lobby and deliver real solutions?
May 12, 2010
Seattle and statewide: After months of tough deliberations, today Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) released a discussion draft of their major climate and clean-energy legislation. Along with the CLEAR Act introduced by Senators Cantwell (D-WA) and Collins (R-ME), this proposal sets the stage for comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation this year.
The oil catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico highlights the unbearably high costs of fossil fuel dependence. Even after the gusher is capped, the environmental, economic, and security disaster of oil and coal addiction will worsen until Congress stands up and delivers a serious national commitment to a clean energy revolution.
Today, Washington State leaders urge Congress and the President to move swiftly and decisively to enact comprehensive national climate and energy policy. A good policy will drive our transition to a clean energy economy — creating millions of new jobs, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and restoring American leadership in the global economy.
Below, Climate Solutions has brought together comments on the Senate’s imperative from regional leaders representing a diverse range of constituencies.
First, Climate Solutions’ Policy Director KC Golden:
After the Gulf oil disaster, there’s no place to hide, and there can be no further excuses for delay. And with comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation now before Congress, America finally has a serious chance to take control of our energy future. To get it done, the Senate will need to strengthen these proposals and resist the powerful interests favoring fossil-fuel-dependence-as usual.
The cures for this dependence – clean energy, transportation choices, and greater efficiency – are gaining economic traction. America needs jobs, and the clean energy future is hiring.
Our economy is losing over $1 billion per day just to import oil. The strongest possible driver for good new American jobs is to take these energy dollars back and reinvest them in our communities. It’s not just about creating a thriving new green sector; it’s about reclaiming a giant, perpetual dividend for the whole economy – every home, business, and factory that uses energy.
Chronic addiction to fossil fuels is the driver behind both the Gulf oil disaster and the rapid disruption of the climate. Despite a relentless campaign of deception, the actual data – temperatures, emissions, impacts – show unequivocally that climate disruption is here, harder and hotter than scientists projected. Only a full-bore clean energy revolution can stop it short of epic catastrophe.
This is a generational call – the test of our determination to leave our kids a healthy future. We need to ace it.
KC Golden is Policy Director for Climate Solutions, pioneering practical solutions to global warming in the Pacific Northwest.
206-963-1953; kcgolden@climatesolutions.org; www.climatesolutions.org
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“As we recover from this global recession we cannot afford to be behind other nations in renewable energy. We have the potential to become clean energy exporters and manufacturers of renewable energy equipment such as wind and tidal turbines, solar cells, and biomass. We can be the leaders in a new industry that could rival auto or aerospace manufacturing, thus keeping our place as a global economic power. Today’s announcement is an imperative first step.”
Senator Steve Hobbs, 44th Legislative District (Snohomish County) served in the U.S. Army from 1987 to 2005 and is a current member of the Army National Guard.
(425) 334-2092 steve@electhobbs.com
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“As a retired member of the U.S. Navy and a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I’ve served in the line of duty in a conflict that was — in large part — about oil. While I feel honored to have served my country, it is my sincere hope that we do all we can to keep from sending more of our young men and women into harm’s way. America can do this by making the shift away from fossil fuels and to clean, renewable energy and significantly reducing the pollution that causes global warming. I urge our Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell to honor our veterans by leading the way.”
Rick Hegdahl of Bellevue is a small business owner, the father of a 15-year-old daughter, and a retired member of the U.S. Navy who served 24 years, including two tours for Operation Iraqi Freedom in Kuwait in 2002-03 and 2005-06. He serves as a senior adviser and Washington state team captain for Votevets.org.
(206) 227-6280 votevetswa@gmail.com
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“Achieving a clean energy economy could do as much for equity as it would for the planet. This bill is a start toward economic opportunity, ensuring that the green jobs of the future are done by those who have traditionally been left out in the cold.”
Aiko Schaefer is the Founding Director of the Statewide Poverty Action Network.
(206) 941-4817; aikoschaefer@gmail.com
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“Our generation will bear the brunt and the worst impacts of the climate crisis. We also have the most to gain by transitioning to a clean energy economy that provides our generation with family-supporting jobs. We refuse to let our decade be defined by political impotence. As citizens, we are ensuring that our government remains accountable to the people and today’s bill is the first step in this direction. We Can and We Must!“
Emilia Ptak holds the position of Media Coordinator for the Washington chapter of Show Me Democracy, is a former U.S. Youth Delegate to the Copenhagen Climate Conference 2009, and is an undergraduate studying Political Science at the University of Washington.
206) 331-2602 ptake@u.washington.edu
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“I have four young grandchildren. When they are old enough to understand I hope I can tell them how our generation overcame the biggest challenge mankind has ever faced. I want to tell them how we finally figured it out and decided, during a watershed moment in 2010, to put a cap on greenhouse gasses, begin the official phase out of fossil fuels and transform our society to one based on clean, renewable energy.”
Mark Quinn, President, Washington Wildlife Federation
(360) 791 5235 midequinn@comcast.net
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“The moral responsibility as people of God requires us to behave in ways that protect His Creation. I call on all our Senators to work hard to pass a strong climate and energy bill this year. America can lead the world in setting limits on greenhouse gases that harm our atmosphere and climate while directing our future economic growth toward healthy and clean energy.”
Bishop Chris Boerger is the Bishop of the Northwest Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
NW Synod office: (206)783-9292; office@lutheransnw.org
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“People of faith of every denomination and religious tradition believe that it is our responsibility to care for creation. We know that our task is to preserve the gifts that God has given us by protecting Earth’s air, water, and climate. Faith communities across the country are stepping up to address climate change by saving energy and reducing our carbon footprints. It is time for the U.S. Senate to take its turn at leadership and pass a strong climate and energy policy. This bill is a good first start to protecting God’s creation for generations to come.”
LeeAnne Beres, Executive Director, Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power & Light
(206) 632-2426 leeanne@earthministry.org
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“Distinguished military leaders have clearly articulated the threats of unchecked climate change. America ’s dependence on oil hurts our economy, helps our enemies, and puts our security at risk. Today’s discussion draft starts turning this around by putting a price on carbon pollution.”
Jim DiPeso, Policy Director, Republicans for Environmental Protection
253-740-2066 jdipeso@rep.org
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“We’re sending truckloads of money out of the country every hour to buy oil. We need an energy-independent economy. This discussion draft moves us toward that independence.”
Representative Larry Seaquist, 26th Legislative District
(253) 858-1013 via Legislative Assistant: Futrell.Oriana@leg.wa.gov
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“As a mother of a four-year-old daughter, I care deeply about the world we leave her. Climate change is happening far more quickly than originally predicted. We must take action now. Americans must lead the way in green jobs, green technology, and green conservation. We must increase our use of renewable energies while reducing our need for oil. This bill is about creating a strong economy, good American jobs, and maintaining a healthy planet for our children. I am urging our leaders to do what is right. Our children are counting on us to do for them what they cannot yet do for themselves.”
Terri Glaberson is the Executive Director of CoolMom, a grassroots organization uniting moms and dads to affect climate change. The most important issue of our time.
(206) 280-2828 terri@coolmom.org.
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“Passage of energy legislation this year, if done wisely, would significantly accelerate the pace of investment in alternative energy innovation and in energy efficiency which, in turn, would help stimulate the economy.”
Maud Daudon is the President and CEO of Seattle-Northwest Securities, a regionally-focused banking and investment firm that works with public and private clients.
(206) 628-2872 mdaudon@snwsc.com
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“We’re delighted that the long-anticipated draft bill is being introduced and we look forward to its speedy passage to take necessary action on greenhouse gas emissions and to move forward creating jobs in the Northwest’s growing clean economy. We applaud the Senate’s momentum and encourage them to pass it soon.”
Stan Gent is the President and CEO of Seattle Steam, a 115-year old company providing some 200 downtown-Seattle buildings with reliable and sustainable heat, now serving much of the load with locally sourced wood waste.
(206) 658-2024 sgent@seattlesteam.com