A Little Light for Climate Legislation

A Little Light for Climate Legislation

April was an important month for energy legislation. Two senators, Democrat Jeanne Shaheen (NH) and Republican Rob Portman (OH) introduced the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013 (S. 761). Similar in many ways to a bill introduced last Congress (S. 1000), this bipartisan bill is a significant step forward in the ongoing effort to pass energy legislation that might reduce greenhouse gas emissions through Congress. Read more about Shaheen-Portman and how your lobbying made it happen. Then ask your senators to support the legislation.

What's up with the carbon tax?

FCNL continues to push for a carbon tax. Presently, we pay tremendous social, ecological, and health costs as a result of the pollution caused by carbon emissions, but we do not pay in economic terms. This is what economists call a “market failure.” A carbon tax would correct this market failure by placing a tax on carbon dioxide pollution resulting from fossil fuel production and use. FCNL continues to publicly support the carbon tax. Despite present insufficient political support for such a tax, we believe it is important to advocate for a policy that would realign fundamental economic principles and the regulations that govern our economy. Read more about our efforts to pass a carbon tax and tell your senators that a carbon tax is an important framework for action on climate change.

Spring Lobby Weekend Round-Up

In March, over 100 students and committed environmental activists joined us here in Washington for our annual Spring Lobby Weekend. Congress told us that we’re doing exactly what’s necessary but that we can’t -- and shouldn’t -- let up now. Please consider joining us and the incredible citizen lobbyists to make a difference on climate change. Further, in the time since Spring Lobby Weekend, one of the bills we lobbied on has been introduced! Read all about S. 761, the Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill, or relive the awesome movements from Spring Lobby Weekend!

National Partnership on Climate Solutions and Climate Summit

FCNL continues to work with the National Partnership on Climate Solutions, asking President Obama to host a summit on climate solutions. The Partnership has a broad representation from many sectors, including faith, labor, military and business. We continue to urge the White House to hold a summit because it would offer the President the opportunity to set the tone for the nation and for Congress on climate change. Read more about the climate summit movement.

This Month on Capitol Hill and at FCNL:

• FCNL provided comments to the House Ways and Means Committee during their tax reform process and provided guidance to the Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change.
• Senator Whitehouse (RI) mentioned and quoted FCNL on the Senate floor. Watch his speech.
• FCNL's Director of Foreign Policy Michael Shank and I penned an op-ed supporting a carbon tax.
• Tough times are ahead on Keystone XL.
• Earth Day was in April! Do you know about the history of Earth Day?

Even More!

• We're having a telephone party! We invite you to join a conference call to hear about and discuss the recent work of the Sustainable Energy and Environment program on Thursday, May 18, from 8:00 to 9:00 pm EDT. Please contact Hannah if you’d like to participate.
• Couldn't make it to Spring Lobby Weekend? You can watch Monday's diversity briefing.
• Want to read more about the history of Earth Day and the present predicament of the environmental movement? The New Yorker has you covered.