This is outrageous. In the wake of President Obama’s woefully inadequate and largely Orwellian remarks on climate legislation in last night’s State of the Union address, several prominent environmental organizations released statements deliberately misleading their members.

Exhibit A: Repower America
Repower America sent an email to its list this afternoon that said the following (emphasis in original):

“And as our video shows, we have a President who understands that a clean energy revolution can create millions of American jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and help keep our planet healthy for future generations.

Now it’s the Senate’s turn. Opposition from the fossil fuel industry is fierce, but we have a campaign plan to win. Together, we can make 2010 the year we begin to Repower America — and the first step is to help spread the word about Obama’s commitment to comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation”

The video included in the email omited the part of Obama’s speech in which he explained what he thinks needs to be done to create clean energy jobs.

Beginning at 1:17, the video includes Obama saying:

But to create more of these clean energy jobs, we need more production, more efficiency, more incentives. [footage missing here] And yes, it means passing a comprehensive energy and climate bill with incentives that will finally make clean energy the profitable kind of energy in America.

Here is the part that was omitted:

That means building a new generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants in this country. It means making tough decisions about opening new offshore areas for oil and gas development. It means continued investment in advanced biofuels and clean coal technologies.

These are quite plainly not the words of “a President who understands that a clean energy revolution can create millions of American jobs… and help keep our planet healthy for future generations.”

Exhibit B: Natural Resources Defense Council
Before the speech even ended, NRDC released a statement that included the following:

“President Obama issued a clear and unmistakable call to action tonight, charging the Senate to pass the comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation we need…”

“Obama made an urgent case for clean energy legislation that promotes conservation as well as wind, solar and other sources of renewable power.”

“The president is right on the money.”

Does NRDC really consider referring to increased oil and gas drilling, clean coal investments and a new generation of nuclear plants as ‘clean energy’ to be a ‘clear and unmistakable call to action?

Does NRDC really think Obama made an ‘urgent case’ for ‘wind, solar and other sources of renewable power?’

Do they really think Obama’s promotion of dirty energy sources were ‘right on the money?’

NRDC’s statement goes beyond wishful thinking. Like the Repower America email above, it is deliberately misleading.

Exhibit C: National Wildlife Federation
Also prior to the end of the speech, the National Wildlife Federation issued a statement that included the following:

“His call for action tonight was clear. He is ready to help the Senate take on Big Oil and move a bipartisan clean energy and climate bill that creates jobs, limits pollution from energy companies, and reduces our dependency on oil from hostile nations.”

How can the president simultaneously advocate for ‘opening new offshore areas for oil and gas development’ and ‘help the Senate take on Big Oil?’ The two are mutually exclusive.

And can a bill that includes ‘increased oil and gas drilling, clean coal investments and a new generation of nuclear plants’ be considered a ‘clean energy and climate bill?’ I don’t think so. Does NWF?

All three of these organizations failed to push back on President Obama’s Orwellian characterization of oil, gas, nuclear and coal as ‘clean energy.’ If environmental organizations aren’t willing or able to tell the truth when the President promotes polluting industries as clean, who will? Fortunately, members of these three environmental groups aren’t likely to be fooled by their ridiculously optimistic interpretations of Obama’s remarks on ‘clean energy’ last night. If they are anything like Move On’s members, they like ‘clean energy innovation’, they don’t like ‘nukes and oil drilling,’ and they can tell the difference:

In addition to deliberately misleading their members and taking the risk of damaging their credibility, these organizations are enabling President Obama to greenwash polluting industries. Brad Johnson at Think Progress explains:

President Barack Obama’s discussion of energy policy in his first State of the Union address pandered to corporate interests while demoralizing his progressive supporters. Though Obama made a strong case that real investments in clean energy such as solar technology, advanced batteries, high-speed rail and efficiency are critical to job creation and international competitiveness, he also offered sops to established corporate polluters. Republicans, who spent much of the address refusing to applaud Obama’s call for economic reforms, ecstatically applauded his praise of polluting industry. Embracing the language of the John McCain campaign, Obama described nuclear power, offshore oil and gas drilling, and coal as “clean energy jobs.”

A few environmental organizations told the truth about President Obama’s speech last night.

Center for Biological Diversity:

“President Obama is correct that we need energy innovation and clean-energy jobs to solve the climate crisis and invigorate our economy. But a clean-energy economy does not include continued reliance on dirty coal and further risky drilling for oil in fragile offshore areas. We cannot solve the problem with business as usual, but instead need the change that Candidate Obama promised.”

Friends of the Earth:

“While we welcome President Obama’s call for comprehensive climate and energy reform — as well as his focus on job-creating high-speed rail and solar power — it was alarming to hear him refer last night to a variety of dirty energy sources, including nuclear, coal, offshore oil drilling and biofuels, as clean.

President Obama’s support for all these dirty energy sources was a big win for corporate polluters and their Washington lobbyists, but it was a kick in the gut to environmentalists across the country. The President was essentially telling these Americans that their voices don’t matter.”

Greenpeace:

In last night’s State of the Union address, President Obama said that “(t)o create more of these clean energy jobs, we need more production, more efficiency, more incentives. And that means building a new generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants in this country.” Despite his statement, the President knows better.

Nuclear power is neither safe nor clean. There is no such thing as a “safe” dose of radiation and just because nuclear pollution is invisible doesn’t mean it’s “clean.”

While I appreciate the candor displayed by these three groups, I am truly perplexed as to why Repower America, NRDC and NWF think misleading their members and enabling Obama’s greenwashing could possibly lead to anything good.

All three are invited to respond on this blog in order to clarify their positions.

Here is the press release from the National Wildlife Federation Action Fund:

WASHINGTON, DC (January 19. 2010) – The National Wildlife Federation
Action Fund unveiled a new television ad today criticizing Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s attacks on the Clean Air Act. As soon as Wednesday, Sen.
Murkowski may unveil an amendment to strip the Environmental Protection Agency of its authority to regulate carbon pollution from the largest polluters such as coal-fired power plants. According to reports in the Washington Post, polluter lobbyists have played roles in planning the strategy.

“Given the threats Alaska faces due to global warming, it’s mystifying that Sen. Murkowski would be fighting to open a new carbon pollution loophole in the Clean Air Act while working closely with lobbyists from outside Alaska,” said Sue Brown, executive director of the National Wildlife Federation Action Fund. “Sen. Murkowski has taken a wrong turn with this amendment that leads to a dead end on clean energy jobs and creates uncertainty about Congress’ commitment to new direction on energy. She should put Alaska first and drop this misguided attack on the Clean Air Act.”

The National Wildlife Federation Action Fund is the 501(c)4 grassroots lobbying and accountability arm of the National Wildlife Federation, America’s largest conservation organization. The NWF Action Fund advocates for the conservation interests of hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts from all walks of life and political stripes.

Alaska’s average winter temperatures have already risen 5 to 7 degrees Fahrenheit in just the last 60 years. Temperatures could rise another 5 to 9 degrees if carbon pollution continues unchecked, according to the Arctic Climate Impacts Assessment. Melting permafrost, more intense forest fires, and pest infestations are among the consequences. Loss of wildlife and habitat could mean a loss of tourism dollars. In 2006, more than 691,000 people spent nearly $1.4 billion on hunting, fishing and wildlife watching in Alaska, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

The ad will run in Alaska and Washington, DC with the total buy topping $125,000.

Wildlife Promise:

But a new poll released by the National Wildlife Federation is revealing that Swifthack has failed to move the needle with voters…

… Among those who said they had read or seen something about the stolen emails, 53% said it did not affect their view at all. The remainder was largely split — 26% said it made them less likely to support the U.S. taking action to reduce global warming while 20% said it made them more likely to support action.

Even a harshly framed attack about the emails failed to influence voters in any significant way … 63% still say they believe global warming is happening.

Here are the full results of the poll:

122109PollMemo –

Statement from the National Wildlife Federation.

Today the Environmental Protection Agency made final its determination that global warming pollution constitutes a public danger and is virtually certain to act boldly under its authority under the Clean Air Act. The news comes just as international climate talks begin in Copenhagen.

Joe Mendelson, Global Warming Policy Director for National Wildlife Federation served as co-counsel throughout the landmark case (Mass. v EPA) that resulted in this decision. Mendelson hailed the decision, saying:

“This action clears the way for serious measures to reduce the pollution that is accelerating global warming, and the timing couldn’t be better. The Obama administration’s action today enforces the Clean Air Act and strengthens the President’s hand for the upcoming talks to forge a global deal to fight climate change.

“The announcement follows the recent diplomatic breakthrough with China and India, who both announced their willingness to take action to control pollution if the world acts. For the first time ever, the leaders of the world will gather with offers to act from China and the United States, the world’s two biggest emitters. I am optimistic that the talks will yield a workable plan to protect our children’s future.”

Jeremy Symons, senior vice president of the National Wildlife Federation, said today:

“The bill’s success in committee today, combined with yesterday’s announcement by Senators Graham, Kerry and Lieberman of plans for a bipartisan bill, add up to a big boost for action in the Senate. A month ahead of the global climate talks in Copenhagen next month, Senators have sent a signal to the President and the nations of the world that Congress is getting closer to the finish line.

“The National Wildlife Federation thanks Sen. Boxer for her unwavering leadership and the bill’s supporters for their commitment to clean energy jobs, energy security, and protecting America’s natural resources for our children and grandchildren. It’s unfortunate Senator Inhofe kept his team on the bench for today’s markup, proving once again he’s the oil industry’s biggest ally in Congress. But the focus now shifts to Senators Graham, Kerry and Lieberman as they work to deliver bipartisan clean energy and climate solutions.”

Wildlife Promise:

Did you know the American Petroleum Institute puts out a legislative scorecard and voter guide? I didn’t … until it was uncovered by National Wildlife Federation researchers. Turns out Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) got a perfect score.

That goes a long way towards explaining why Sen. Inhofe is organizing a rare boycott today as the top Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee. Sen. Inhofe must be concerned that Republicans outside of his committee may be willing to craft a bipartisan compromise on energy legislation. Basically, Sen. Inhofe has decided his committee members will take their ball and go home, organizing the Republican members of his committee to skip out on this week’s markup of the Clean Energy Jobs & American Power Act and obstruct the overall legislative process.

Since Inhofe is such an All-Star, the National Wildlife Federation made him a baseball card:

USA Today:

The nation is headed for strong heat waves in coming decades that will hit cities and farmers and threaten wildlife with extinction, a new global warming report warns.

The report, “More Extreme Heat Waves: Global Warming’s Wake Up Call,” sponsored by medical, environmental and civil rights organizations, comes as a legislative fight over a climate change bill gets ready to resume next month in Congress. Its remedies are based on recent findings of global warming effects by the U.S. Global Change Research Program, which coordinates climate research across federal agencies.

More Extreme Heat Waves: Global Warming’s Wake Up Call –

NWF provided a video as well:

Dr. Amanda Staudt, National Wildlife Federation’s Climate Scientist previews her new report that connects the dots between Global Warming and extreme weather patterns.