The Heat Is On

With President Obama and our delegates to the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen back home, it is imperative that we put the pressure on our leaders to vote in support of comprehensive climate change legislation. Specifically, passage of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act—which has been stalled in the Senate—will build a new, clean energy economy. It will create millions of jobs, reduce our dangerous dependence on oil, and mitigate the threat of climate change.

Introduced in September, the Senate bill has not been taken up due to overwhelming national focus on the health care debate. But on a positive note, the delay has allowed Michigan LCV Education Fund and our allies to build more public and business support for the bill.

This fall we joined forces with American Veterans and VoteVets to raise public awareness about the relationship between national security and strong energy policy. We also remain an active participant in the Clean Energy Works campaign, which has been increasing outreach efforts this winter to small business owners. By educating business owners on the importance of clean energy legislation, illustrating how it will bring green jobs to Michigan and eventually benefit their businesses through increased demand for goods and services by those employed in green jobs, we are successfully gaining more support. So far we have recruited 113 businesses throughout the state to participate in the “business canvass” campaign led by American Businesses for Clean Energy (www.americanbusinessesforcleanenergy.org). Business owners simply sign an online petition asking our Senators to support clean energy legislation, and download a poster to display in their shop window.

Michigan LCV Education Fund’s work with diverse allies will continue over the next few months, and our focus remains clear and simple: encourage Senators Levin and Stabenow to support the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act. You can join us in encouraging our Senators to do the right thing; whether you are a business owner, a community or religious leader, or just a concerned citizen, we need your help.

Please tell your Senators to strengthen and pass comprehensive energy reform to stimulate our economy, protect our environment, and guarantee a stable energy future.
 

Photo by Doug Glancy