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?
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=1194757200&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
www.earthlingangst.blogspot.com
http://sierraclub.typepad.com/cleanenergywatch/
Grist:
California Rep. Jane Harman gives
a shout out to
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.story
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
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/stories/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/AUTO01/711060323/1148
Detroit
Free Press www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071105/BUSINESS01/71105041/1065/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