Will we get the change we need on energy?

[irishbobcat]

Will we get the change we need on energy?
On August 24, Environment Ohio's Program Director Amy Gomberg was invited to the White House for a series of meetings on our national energy policy. Commerce Department Secretary Gary Locke and other top officials addressed around 100 environmental, labor, clean energy business and faith leaders, encouraging our support for their historic clean energy and climate policy.

As the U.S. Senate considers the legislation, we're building support to ensure it passes—and that it remains strong enough to help us avert a climate catastrophe. The U.S. House of Representatives' approval of the American Clean Energy and Security Act this summer marked a clear break from the inaction that characterized the federal government's response to global warming during the past eight years. If the Senate follows suit this fall, we'll see billions of dollars invested in energy efficiency and renewable power, and significant, mandatory reductions in carbon pollution.

It's not perfect
Still, the energy bill passed by the House doesn't do all that's necessary. In order to win enough votes for passage, the bill's sponsors agreed to compromises that benefit oil and coal companies, agribusiness and other interests at the expense of taxpayers and the environment. But we can't wait any longer to get started fighting global warming. And this bill has the potential to transform our energy systems. That's why we decided to support and work extremely hard for passage of the bill. 

Building support for change
Environment Ohio staff focused much of our energy on building support from the constituencies that could influence key votes. We released our research on global warming and agriculture at events around the state. Our research showed that lower corn crop yields resulting from climate change could cost Ohio an average of $50 million each year. Working with state leaders such as Rep. Ted Celeste (Grandview Heights), we organized town hall meetings, and with Green Energy Ohio we helped plan and speak at a series of clean energy jobs events at community colleges across the state. Many of these events were attended by key members of Congress including Reps. Mary Jo Kilroy (Columbus) and Steve Driehaus (Cincinnati), and Senator Sherrod Brown.

But we didn't stop there. We had one-on-one conversations with nearly 20,000 Ohioans.  Through this outreach we collected more than 4,000 postcards and 200 "photo petitions," and generated more than 400 phone calls in support of the bill to congressional offices.
Looking ahead
Our work paid off in the House, but our opposition is ramping up its efforts. Coal interests are spending millions on TV and radio ads across Ohio. We'll need the   continued support of our members and volunteers to guide the bill that holds our clean energy future through the Senate.  Stay tuned for ways to take action at www.EnvironmentOhio.org.
Dennis Spisak
Mahoning Valley Green Party
Ohio Green Party
www.ohiogreens.org
www.votespisak.org/thinkgreen/