Exelon Ditches U.S. Chamber Of Commerce Over Climate Denial
Exelon Ditches U.S. Chamber Of Commerce Over Climate Denial
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the largest lobbying force in the nation, promoting a right-wing agenda as the “voice of business.” The Chamber claims that federal regulations to limit global warming pollution would “strangle the economy” and has even called for a “Scopes monkey trial” on the science of global warming.
Today, Exelon CEO John Rowe announced that his company — the largest electric utility company in the United States — would not renew its membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce because of its opposition to global warming action. In his keynote address to the annual conference of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), the nation’s largest association of energy efficiency experts, Rowe said that the Chamber’s multi-million-dollar campaign against clean energy legislation is incompatible with Exelon’s commitment to climate change leadership. As Rowe said when he accepted a leadership award from the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce in 2008:
Exelon has staked out an industry-leading position on the issue of climate change and, in the spirit of Daniel Burnham, we have launched our own “not so little plan” to eliminate the equivalent of our entire carbon footprint by the year 2020. I do not know if it will stir men’s souls, but I hope it will stir policymakers and others in our industry to action.
Confirming Exelon’s decision to ThinkProgress, a spokesperson explained that “Exelon is a big supporter of climate legislation.” Exelon is the third energy company to sever ties with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in the past week, joining Pacific Gas & Electric and PNM Resources.
Cross-posted at ThinkProgress.
“The carbon-based free lunch is over. But while we can’t fix our climate problems for free, the price signal sent through a cap-and-trade system will drive low-carbon investments in the most inexpensive and efficient way possible,” said Rowe. “Putting a price on carbon is essential, because it will force us to do the cheapest things, like energy efficiency, first.”“Inaction on climate is not an option,” said Rowe. “If Congress does not act, the EPA will, and the result will be more arbitrary, more expensive, and more uncertain for investors and the industry than a reasonable, market-based legislative solution.”
5 Responses to “Exelon Ditches U.S. Chamber Of Commerce Over Climate Denial”
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Can someone comment on the degree to which the US Chamber of Commerce and local Chambers are linked, in terms of financial support of national by local and in terms of policy agendas?
that is, is it worth lobbying and calling and making noise to my local Chamber about US Chamber idiocies?
September 28th, 2009 at 12:52 pmPeter: It’s definitely worth calling your local Chamber. If you can get them to publicly break with or disown the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that’s a real story.
September 28th, 2009 at 9:41 pmIt is well known that The Chamber of Commerce is run by the republican party. It should be obvious by now that what you are hearing is the republican talking points. It would be a great if the chamber was apolitical and worked only to help businesses sell their products; but, it’s doesn’t.
September 28th, 2009 at 9:45 pmi feel this guy is a liar republican are massive liar and deciever…
http://www.gousedclothes.com
September 29th, 2009 at 12:23 pmtheres plenty of scientist that arent absolutely certain of the “immediate crisis” of global warming…i think they at least deserve an oppurtunity to state their cases. they have good arguments and data to prove them. cap n trade is a huge issue that shouldnt be bulldozed through congress…or by the EPA.
DVDs:
1.GLOBAL WARMING;THE EMERGING SCIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING
2.THE GLOBAL WARMING SWINDLE
Books:
1.UNSTOPPABLE GLOBAL WARMING (EVERY 1500 YEARS)by S. Fred Singer and Dennis T. Avery
2.THE POLITICALLY INCORRECT GUIDE TO GLOBAL WARMING AND ENVIRONMENTALISM (cant recall author…)
September 29th, 2009 at 6:49 pm