Repower America just sent me some good news:

Dear Repower America Member, The House of Representatives has just passed a landmark bill that will propel our nation toward a clean energy future. The vote was close. Know that all of your efforts — whether a signed petition, a donation, or a call — made a difference in the outcome. Together, we are truly showing the power of government by the people and for the people. It’s not over though. The debate moves on to the Senate where our opponents will redouble their efforts. There will be more distortions and foot dragging, but the momentum is on our side. Today, we have something to celebrate. For the first time in decades, we have taken bold action to help solve the climate crisis. I look forward to working with you in the days ahead. Thanks for all that you do, Steve Bouchard Campaign Manager www.RepowerAmerica.org P.S. Please support our efforts to make this year the one our nation actually gets serious about our climate and energy future. Click here.

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Paid for by the Climate Protection Action Fund

Update 1: Read more at the nytimes: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/27/us/politics/27climate.html

Hot off the RISCC press.

Hey Everyone,

I received an email from Congressman Kucinich’s legislative director.  He explains a list of several amendments that Mr. Kucinich and DeFazio introduced to the Rules Committee.  What does everyone think?

Mr. Kucinich submitted the following amendments to the Rules Committee

this morning.  He would appreciate the endorsement of your organization

for any of them.

1. Sets the quantity of offsets available at a percentage of the cap,

instead of a constant 2 billion tons, which will overwhelm CO2

allowances. The amendment also requires that international offsets come

entirely from sectoral credits after 2017.

2. Improves offset quality by ensuring they do not cause or contribute

to significant adverse effects on human health, the environment, or the

sustainable livelihoods of local communities.

3. Bans all international offsets

4. Encourages the efficient use of allowances and reduces opportunities

for speculation by reducing the emission value of an allowance by a

third each year.

5. Raises the existing federal renewable electricity purchase

requirement from 7.5% by 2013 to 20% by 2013; 30% by 2020, 50% by 2030;

and 100% by 2050.

6. Provides for the installation of solar panels on all federal

government buildings and parking lots that can accommodate 500 kW or

more of solar photovoltaic panels

7. Provides for federal procurement of government electric and plug in

hybrid vehicles.  By 2016 nearly all federal government cars would be

electric

8. Removes trash incinerators from the definition of renewable energy

In addition, he is cosponsor of two DeFazio amendments that would

restore EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and one to

control financial speculation.

Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions.

____________________________

Vic Edgerton, MPH, MEM

Legislative Director

Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich

(202) 225-5871

Dear Repower America Member,

Call Your Representative: 877-9-REPOWER (877-9-737-6937) Say “Vote ‘yes’ on American Clean Energy and Security Act.” Then report your call here.

This is an extraordinary moment.

There are mere days before the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on the most unprecedented clean energy and climate legislation in our nation’s history. But, our opponents have stepped up a blatant distortion campaign on TV and behind closed doors to scare Congress from taking action.

They know this vote will be close. But, what the special interests have in money and rhetoric, we have in facts and supporters like you.

Let your Representative know that you want a cleaner and stronger economy today. Urge them to support the American Clean Energy and Security Act now.

Call your Representative: 877-9-REPOWER (877-9-737-6937)

When you call, you will be given talking points and simple instructions to be connected to your Representative. Afterwards, help us coordinate our campaign by reporting your call here.

Just a few days ago, Members of Congress who oppose clean energy paraded around a map that distorts the truth about curbing carbon pollution. Not only was the analysis misleading, the computer file still listed the original author — the coal lobby.

And another group, funded by the fossil-fuel industry, released targeted TV ads designed to drum up fear ahead of the vote.

We can’t let the corporate interests fighting to keep the status quo scare us into sticking to rising fuel costs, more job losses and a continued dependence on foreign oil.

Congress has debated clean energy and the climate crisis for decades. Now is the time to act. Let’s make sure the House passes this historic legislation.

Please call your Representative: 877-9-REPOWER (877-9-737-6937)

Thanks for all that you do,

Steve Bouchard
Campaign Manager

Hey emPOWER,

It may be summer, but that won’t stop us; we’ve been waiting years for this moment — the U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote Friday on clean energy and climate change legislation, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009!

Supported by a wide range of environmental groups and businesses, ACES will invest heavily in clean energy and energy efficiency and reduce U.S. carbon emissions in the 80% by 2050.

This might be the most important piece of legislation in your lifetime. Nancy Pelosi says she has 170 supporters, but she needs 218, and even many Democrats are still on the fence. So we need EVERYONE on this listserv – even if you’ve never been to an emPOWER meeting — to call your home U.S. representative NOW in support of this bill!

It’s really easy to call your member of Congress, so don’t worry if you’ve never done it before. First, if you know your representative’s name, you can call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to their office. Or you can look up your representative’s phone number here:
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt

A member of the staff will pick up. If you want, you can ask to speak to a Legislative Assistant in charge of energy issues. Then say something along the following lines. (More or less than this is fine as long as you keep the main point.)

“Hi, I’m a constituent from (your town or community). I want to urge Representative (name) to strengthen and vote for House Resolution 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act. Strong energy and climate legislation is crucial for improving our economy and preserving our environment. I urge Representative (name) to oppose any amendments weakening this bill and to actively support amendments strengthening it, such as increasing investment in green jobs and improving the renewable energy standard.”

We really need you to do this. And if you put it off until Friday or later, it might be too late. Call TODAY or TOMORROW.

If you need any more motivation, the federal government just released a major report on climate change impacts in the U.S. It’s really scary — it’s real, it’s already happening, and it’s going to get a lot worse. Even if you know a lot about the science of climate change, go here and at least read the 2-page Regional Factsheet for your area.
http://www.globalchange.gov/publications/reports/scientific-assessments/us-impacts/usimpacts-brochures

Go emPOWER!

Nick Hagerty ‘10

For more details:
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090331/acesa_summary.pdf
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/06/23/23greenwire-lobbying-frenzy-begins-as-house-climate-bill-he-7715.html