Wow. Really? An entire destructive operation dubbed “American Energy Solutions Group” to take down a bill no one has seen? What kind of “solution” is that?
On April 26, a bipartisan group of forward-leaning Senators – John Kerry, D-Mass., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Joe Lieberman, I-Ct., – will roll out comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation. The bill is still under wraps, but done right, a climate and energy bill can put Americans back to work, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and create a healthier future for us all. The three Senators deserve enormous credit for their work to craft a bill, but instead the far right is trying to kill their work before it even sees the light of day.
We need a bill that will create two million good-paying jobs for American workers, and position American businesses for decades of success in the growing global clean energy marketplace. A successful bill would cut our oil imports in half and strike a blow against climate change, the most pressing environmental challenge of our time. We will see if this bill gets there on Monday. Those gearing up to bring it down should read it along with the rest of us.
I went to elementary school in Kentucky. Like children from across the country, I learned a lot about the history there. One thing that has stuck with me is their state motto, “United We Stand, Divided We Fall.”
The state of American politics seems to be in a bit of a free fall and this latest move by extremests – or as the kids these days like to say “haters” – before even seeing a bill just underscores what a ridiculous free fall we are in. When will political points lose out to meaningful policy that addresses a real need?
Even if you don’t believe in climate change, there are a million reasons to put our country on a clean energy path.
You would think that a crowd called the “American Energy Solutions Group” would get that. The only “solution” they seem to be looking for is gridlock. I hope that they realize the damage that their selfish and short-sighted propaganda is doing to our country.
United we stand, divided we fall.
Heather Taylor-Miesle is the director of the NRDC Action Fund. Become a fan on Facebook or Twitter.
