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From: Allison.Forbes@sierraclub.org [mailto:Allison.Forbes@sierraclub.org] Sent: Friday, November 09, 2007 2:41 PM To: Allison.Forbes@sierraclub.org Subject: [energy activists] LTEs needed; energy bill update
It's becoming clear that that getting a strong energy bill will be as much about content as about timing. Congress will be down to the wire this month and next trying to work through a queue of important bills. We need to make it clear that passing a clean energy bill is our priority. This will require, more than anything, that we work the media (LTEs, guest editorials, ed-board meetings and public events). Please visit www.sierraclub.org/flip/do for sample Letters to the Editor (LTEs) and guest editorials. Contact national staff if you are interested in setting up an ed-board meeting with your state or local newspaper or engaging media with a public event. Please find resources at bottom of email.
Regarding rumors of a broken energy bill There have been rumors that the renewable electricity standard (RES) and the tax bill passed in the House will be dropped from the final energy bill. This is not entirely true but it is ENTIRELY off-message. While we continue to encourage Congress to bring one energy package to the floor with both CAFE and RES, there is the potential for House and Senate to attempt to pass the RES separately in order to win on both issues (fuel economy and RES) since getting 60 votes in the Senate on both in the same bill continues to be a challenging equation. There has not been a final decision on whether to move an RES separately and we should continue to call for a final energy bill that raises fuel economy standards and establishes a national RES. We must raise expectations for Congress to get the job done, so please KEEP THE MESSAGE POSITIVE!
Waste-to-energy should not be included in the RES If you are meeting with your member of Congress or have a relationship with a staff person, please let your representatives know that we oppose burning garbage for energy. Some members of Congress are pushing to add waste-to-energy to the list of qualifying renewables in a renewable electricity standard (RES). Factsheets on waste-to-energy are attached.
Engage your mayor: Ask him/her to weigh in on the energy bill Mayors have been leaders in making our cities more energy efficient and in cutting global warming. Now we need their help to pressure Congress to pass a final clean energy bill. Reach out to your mayor. http://action.sierraclub.org/site/Ecard?ecard_id=1661 Is your mayor in this news story? U.S. Mayors Seek Federal Help to Protect Climate www.ens-newswire.com/ens/nov2007/2007-11-05-01.asp
Community press release opposing loan guarantee provision in the Farm Bill The same loan guarantee provisions that are causing trouble in the energy bill have found their way into the Farm Bill, thanks to New Mexico Senator Domenici. For more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/pressroom/releases/pr2007-11-08.asp
PLACE AN LTE TODAY! Letters to the Editor are extremely useful tools for catching the eye of the media, the public and your Representative's office all in one hit. They should be 200 words, in reaction to recent news, and should at some point say "Rep _____ [or Senator _____] has an opportunity to help pass a final energy bill to raise vehicle mileage standards and increase our use of renewable energy. This bill would benefit the citizens of __STATE/TOWN__ by creating thousands of new green-collar jobs, saving consumers money on their energy bills and curbing global warming pollution. Congress should not wait to jumpstart a cleaner economy."
Place an LTE in response to recent news Have these stories below or similar stories appeared in your local and state newspapers? Respond with an LTE calling on Congress to act! Find sample LTEs attached here and at www.sierraclub.org/flip/do
NYTimes: Rising demand for oil provokes new energy crisis (11/9) www.nytimes.com/2007/11/09/business/worldbusiness/09oil.html?em&ex=11947 57200&en=18b3c3e975748d65&ei=5087%0A NYTimes: Oil Spill Fouls Shores in San Francisco Area (11/9) www.nytimes.com/2007/11/09/us/09spill.html?ref=science Time: Oil Prices -- It Gets Worse (11/7) www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1681362,00.html Message: Raise fuel economy standards to reduce our oil dependence -- Diversify our energy portfolio with clean renewable energy.
Check out Chicago energy activist Cynthia Linton's blog and our own Clean Energy Watch blog for new LTE material. www.earthlingangst.blogspot.com http://sierraclub.typepad.com/cleanenergywatch/
Grist: California Rep. Jane Harman gives a shout out to Cool Cities and clean car standards (11/8) http://gristmill.grist.org/print/2007/11/8/12954/3340?show_comments=no Message: States and cities are leading the way to curb global warming. Congress must act now!
Baltimore Sun OpEd by Bonnie Raitt and Harvey Wasserman: No government subsidies for new nuclear plants (11/7) www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.nonukes07nov07,0,1391528.s tory Message: We need to pass a strong clean energy bill with no more taxpayer-funded loan guarantees to the over-subsidized nuclear industry.
Christian Science Monitor: In big U.S. energy bill, who will pay? (11/7) www.csmonitor.com/2007/1107/p01s01-wogi.html
Great editorializing in Texas Dallas Morning News: Bill benefiting texas wind farms generates opposition (11/8) http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/industries/energy/storie s/110707dnbuswindpower.3339828.html# Ft. Worth Star-Telegram: If Detroit wants to prosper, it should CAFE-inate itself (11/6) http://www.star-telegram.com/245/story/290659.html
Denver Post: Gov. Ritter touts plan to battle global warming www.denverpost.com/ci_7380011
Detroit News/Detroit Free Press: Clinton energy plan Clinton's energy platform includes raising fuel economy standards to 40 mpg and other great energy initiatives. Detroit News www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071106/AUTO01/711060323/114 8 http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071106/AUTO01/71106 0323/1148 Detroit Free Press www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071105/BUSINESS01/71105041/10 65/SPORTS17 http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071105/BUSINESS01/711 05041/1065/SPORTS17
Next energy activist meeting on Tuesday at 8:30pm Eastern Energy activist calls occur weekly. Call-in number: 1-866-501-6174 Code: 2239223#
Allison Forbes National Conservation Organizer Sierra Club Global Warming and Energy Program (202) 548-6583