Editorial: Rep. Matheson "failed Utah and the country"

The Salt Lake Tribune published an editorial yesterday critical of Rep. Matheson's vote against the American Clean Energy & Security. The paper said that Rep. Matheson "squandered this opportunity" to join members of Congress in working to promote clean energy and limit global warming pollution. More from the editorial:

This legislation represents a policy shift from fossil fuel development to renewable energy. Utahns who care about air quality, the looming crisis of global warming, energy independence and Utah's long-term economic health would like to know we have one congressman who shares these concerns. But Matheson chose instead to place coal, oil and gas interests ahead of his constituents' and fear of change ahead of faith in American ingenuity.

Click here to read the entire editorial.

Rep. Matheson opposes clean energy bill

Unfortunately, Rep. Matheson voted AGAINST the American Clean Energy & Security Act in the House Energy & Commerce Committee.

Call Rep. Matheson at (202) 225-3011 and tell him America deserves better.

Final vote expected today

As the Salt Lake Tribune reports today, Rep. Matheson’s position on the House Energy & Commerce Committee puts him squarely in the middle of the debate over the American Clean Energy & Security Act:

The fate of President Barack Obama's landmark climate change proposal rests largely in the hands of moderate Democrats, including Utah Rep. Jim Matheson.

And that has not gone unnoticed by miners, oil companies, environmentalists and an assortment of political operatives.

Matheson, a former energy consultant, has been the target of a big money media campaign including online, newspaper, radio and TV ads pushing him to either support or reject the president's plan to set a limit on pollution and spur the development of renewable energy.

The committee is expected to vote on final passage this evening.

Take action. Call Rep. Matheson at (202) 225-3011. Tell him to support the American Clean Energy & Security Act (H.R. 2454).

Tracking Rep. Matheson's committee votes

Before the House Energy & Commerce Committee's final vote on the American Clean Energy & Security Act later this week, Rep. Matheson and his colleagues will cast many key committee votes.

To keep track of how Rep. Matheson votes on key amendments to the bill, visit LCV's special online committee edition of its nationally respected Environmental Scorecard at www.lcv.org/aces. The site includes detailed descriptions of amendments and each committee members' vote on those amendments.

Check back throughout the day and the week for the latest updates.

Clean energy jobs for America

Rep. Matheson key committee vote on energy bill

Rep. Matheson is one of the key undecided votes on the American Clean Energy and Security Act, according to the Hill, a Capitol Hill newspaper. The final committee vote, which is expected to be later this week, is likely to be close and Rep. Matheson’s vote critical.

Click here to e-mail Rep. Matheson. Tell him that delay is not an option. Tell him it is time for Congress to pass a comprehensive clean energy bill.

Doing nothing is not an option

This week, the Energy & Commerce Committee begins work on the American Clean Energy & Security Act (H.R. 2454). This comprehensive clean energy plan will create the industries of tomorrow and millions of new American jobs.

At a time when America has lost millions of jobs, it’s clear that we need to start moving in a new direction. Saying “no” or supporting the status quo is not an option.

But without a clear signal from the federal government about the direction of our energy future, investors and entrepreneurs won’t make any new investments. This means that new construction, new opportunities and new jobs won’t happen until Congress acts. In other words, we need Congress to send a clear signal that clean, low-carbon energy sources will power this country in the 21st century.

The American Clean Energy & Security Act is a strong start. It’s exactly the kind forward looking policy that will make the U.S. a leader in the clean energy technologies of the future.

Call Rep. Matheson at (202) 225-3011. Tell him to support the American Clean Energy & Security Act.

President discusses energy bill in weekly address

What are the tools that build a stronger future?

Click here for more from America's Building Trades Unions.

Big Oil's got the fattest wallet in the world

Big Oil is attempting to mislead the public and scare members of Congress into voting against comprehensive clean energy legislation. Check out the below radio ad, which highlights the profit-driven motivations behind the oil industry’s staunch opposition to energy reform and calls on Americans to ignore the lies coming from the richest, dirtiest, most insidious industry in America.



Click here for more information on the oil industry front group that recently launched a series of false and misleading radio ads.

Robert Redford: That is what we need to do right now

Robert Redford published an editorial in today's Salt Lake Tribune discussing the enornous potential of clean energy and urging Rep. Matheson to lead. An excerpt:

So how can we jump start a home-grown clean-energy economy?

Right now Congress is working on a landmark clean-energy jobs plan that would boost the amount of wind, solar and other clean energy our country produces. The American Clean Energy and Security Act will also make our vehicles, appliances and buildings more efficient, and update our antiquated electricity grid.

Our investments in clean energy and efficiency today will pay dividends for generations. They will create good, family-sustaining jobs that can't be shipped overseas, and they will lower energy prices in the long run. They will reduce energy dependence and global-warming pollution, and make our economy more competitive.

It's true that the economic and environmental challenges we confront are serious. But Americans have never encountered a challenge of any kind that we couldn't overcome by working together and applying our ingenuity.

That is what we need to do right now.

Click here to read the entire editorial.

And click here to e-mail Rep. Matheson and ask him to support the American Clean Energy & Security Act.