Sierra Club’s Mike Brune:

There are two reasons why I haven’t had much sleep the past few nights. The first is about three-and-a-half feet tall, wears diapers, has long eyelashes and a dangerously cute smile. It’s our little boy Sebastian. He’s 18 months old and the poor guy is getting three of his molars at the same time. During the daylight hours, all is good. But when the sun goes down and the moon comes up, the howling begins, and his mom can only nurse for so long. A few back-arching, full-throated roars would jolt anyone awake, but lately I’ve found it particularly difficult to get back to sleep. I’m starting a new job. The mind races. I left my post recently as executive director of Rainforest Action Network to become the next executive director of the Sierra Club. I’ll be the sixth director of the Club in its 118-year history, and I’ll be following people like Carl Pope, Mike McCloskey, David Brower, and Club founder John Muir. Gotta be on my game!

Read more here.

Senator Murkowski:

“To secure my vote on a climate bill, we have to develop a good policy. In my mind that good policy would include ANWR as part of a domestic production title.”

Sierra Club spokesman Josh Dorner, via email:

“Drilling in the Arctic Refuge is, has been, and always will be a non-starter. Drilling for more oil at one of the places most impacted by global warming is perhaps the furthest thing from a solution that I can imagine.”

Update — Adam Kolton, the National Wildlife Federation’s senior director for Congressional & federal affairs, weighs in with another strong statement:

“Just as there are bridges to nowhere, there is legislation to nowhere. Senator Murkowski’s demand that the price for her vote on a climate bill is drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a non-starter and she knows it. It was rejected when the Republicans controlled the House, Senate and White House and it would obviously be rejected with the Democrats in charge. For someone like Senator Murkowski, who says she wants to pass a climate change bill, to make such a demand calls into question her sincerity and must be a huge disappointment to those in Alaska who believe the state is on the front lines of the climate crisis and that we urgently need to reduce
emissions. The National Wildlife Federation has always worked to block any legislation that would give Big Oil drilling rights in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and we’ll continue to do so moving forward.”

On the heels of aggressive action from the League of Conservation Voters, Credo and FOE and Move On, the Sierra Club is now targeting Senator Lincoln with a radio ad:

The Sierra Club has launched a new radio ad campaign calling out Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) for her decision to co-sponsor legislation that would undermine the Clean Air Act’s protections for public health and welfare and bailout big polluters at the expense of job-creating clean energy and cleaner burning natural gas. The 60-second radio spots, which began running yesterday, will run for two weeks in the Little Rock and Fort Smith media markets.

“Not only has Senator Lincoln helped stall comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation, now she wants to take us backwards and gut the Clean Air Act too,” said Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director. “Senator Lincoln’s actions could prevent President Obama from protecting the well-documented threats to public health and welfare presented by global warming pollution. The legislation she supports would bail out Big Oil by halting the president’s plans to save 1.8 billion barrels of oil by increasing fuel economy standards and would also prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from cleaning up dirty coal plants and other big polluters like oil refineries. Senator Lincoln’s constituents ought to ask her why she wants to help Big Oil and out-of-state coal companies to the detriment of the clean energy businesses and natural gas industry that are actually creating jobs in her home state.”

Click here to listen to the add, or read the transcript below.

“Record job losses… foreclosures… rising costs… Arkansas is hurting.

“In these tough times, we need strong leaders to stand up to special interests, and help get our economy back on track.

“But NOW, instead of standing up for Arkansas’ future, Senator Blanche Lincoln is co-sponsoring legislation to roll back the Clean Air Act laws that protect us from polluters putting poison into the air we breathe.

“Health experts say that Lincoln’s action will undermine one of our country’s greatest health and environmental laws.

“They’re urging Senators to oppose it.

“And if this wasn’t bad enough, a major national newspaper reports that the legislation Lincoln supports was done at the behest of lobbyists.

“Senator Lincoln, it’s time to choose sides.

“Lobbyists and Washington insiders—or the health and welfare of Arkansas families?

“Call Senator Lincoln at 501-375-2993.

“Tell her Arkansas needs more jobs and clean air. NOT more favors for special interest lobbyists.

“Paid for by Sierra Club of Arkansas”

Huffington Post:

Several environmental groups are threatening to sue coal producer Massey Energy Co. for what they claim are more than 12,000 violations of pollution laws.

The Sierra Club and several West Virginia groups said Monday they’ve given Massey a notice that gives the company 60 days to reach a settlement or face a lawsuit.

The groups claim Massey has continued with the same pattern of violations covered by a $20 million settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency two years ago.

Here is the Notice of Intent to Sue:

60-day_NOI_to_Massey_signed –

Press release via Sierra Club.

President Obama Leads World to Historic, If Incomplete Climate Deal
Progress Made Sets Stage for Fair, Ambitious, and Binding Deal in 2010

Copenhagen, Denmark–After two weeks of fraught, stalled negotiations, President Obama arrived in Copenhagen, built on the progress made yesterday by Secretary of State Clinton, personally negotiated with world leaders for hours, and tonight announced the elements of an international climate accord. The Sierra Club offered the following comments in response.

Statement of Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director
“The world’s nations have come together and concluded a historic–if incomplete–agreement to begin tackling global warming. Tonight’s announcement is but a first step and much work remains to be done in the days and months ahead in order to seal a final international climate deal that is fair, binding, and ambitious. It is imperative that negotiations resume as soon as possible.

“President Obama and the rest of the world paid a steep price here in Copenhagen because of obstructionism in the United States Senate. That a deal was reached at all is testament to President Obama’s leadership–all the more remarkable because of the very weak hand he was dealt because of the Senate’s failure to pass domestic clean energy and climate legislation. Now that the rest of the world–including countries like China and India–has made clear that it is willing to take action, the Senate must pass domestic legislation as soon as possible. America and the world can no longer be held hostage to petty politics and obstructionism.

“What was clear over the past two weeks is that there is no argument over the science of global warming or the urgency with which we must act. A parade of developed and developing counties alike made crystal clear that they would implement their national plans to tackle global warming and build the clean energy economy not because they were required to do so, but because it was simply in their own national interest to do so.

“The agreement reached here has all the ingredients necessary to construct a final treaty–a mitigation target of 2 degrees Celsius, nationally appropriate action plans, a mechanism for international climate finance, and transparency with regard to national commitments. President Obama has made much progress in past 11 months and it now appears that the U.S.–and the world–is ready to do the hard work necessary to finish what was started here in Copenhagen.

“A chilly two weeks in Copenhagen has given humanity its best chance of preventing the ravages of a warming world. Today’s deal is neither perfect nor complete, but we must not this chance slip away.”

Sierra Club:

“The Sierra Club is pleased that Chairwoman Boxer and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee reported out the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act today. This is an important step toward a clean energy economy that works for everyone. It makes America more energy independent creating new jobs with safer, cleaner energy sources that are made in America and work for America.”

“We are distressed that the Republican Senators on the committee were unwilling to even sit down and discuss this important plan for less pollution, more jobs and greater security.Polluters like Oil and Coal are spending tens of millions of dollars to stand in the way of progress. It appears that the Senators who boycotted these meetings have sided with those special interests.”

“Fortunately a bipartisan group of Senators led by John Kerry and Lyndsay Graham are working together to find constructive ways to keep this effort moving forward. We look forward to working with that group to finish a bill that will build our clean energy economy, and not let polluters get away with their dirty business-as-usual ways.”

Sierra Club:

“We are disappointed that Chairman Markey’s hearing on this scandal will have to wait, but we applaud his efforts to bring this important story to light. Today’s press reports confirm the close associations between ACCCE and the contractors they hired and the fact that ACCCE knew about the letters forged on their behalf well before Congress was alerted.

“This is another reminder of how far these polluting special interests are willing to go to keep the public in the dark and dependent on their dirty sources of energy. Big Oil, Big Coal and other special interests have already spent more than $100 million trying to defeat clean energy legislation, and in doing so have managed to mar the tradition of true public participation that has made our country great.

“We cannot let polluters get away with their dirty, business-as-usual tactics. Right now the Senate is working on a clean energy jobs bill that will ensure we have less pollution, more jobs and greater security. It will help America take charge and build a clean energy economy that works for everyone.

“But Big Coal and Oil are fighting against this progress, spending tens of millions of dollars in an attempt to drown out the calls for a clean energy economy that are coming from across the country. These polluters are fighting hard for billions in giveaways that would encourage the construction of more dirty coal-fired power plants and to weaken the authority of the Clean Air Act.

“The Senate must fight back against the old polluting industries and pass as strong clean energy jobs bill that will create jobs, boost the economy, switch to renewable sources like wind and solar, make America more secure, and fight global warming.

“We look forward to when the witnesses on both sides of this issue are able to publicly tell their stories.”

Press release from Sierra Club below the fold.

Read the rest of this entry »

Statement of Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director:

The Sierra Club applauds the introduction of the Clean Energy Jobs & American Power Act by Senators Kerry and Boxer today. It is time for American to again take charge and make sure that we have less pollution, more jobs and greater security.

This bill is an important step forward to the clean energy economy that works for everyone. It makes America more energy independent creating new jobs with safer, cleaner energy sources that are made in America and work for America. We are pleased that the Senate bill sets a strong short term target for carbon pollution reductions and retains EPA’s authority to regulate global warming emissions.

For far too long, Big Oil and Big Coal have been receiving billions in giveaways while fighting pollution regulations.  The Sierra Club will work tirelessly to ensure that these polluters and their astroturfing front groups are held accountable for their pollution as well as for their sneaky attempts to question settled science and lobby for more of the same old deals.

Millions of jobs could be created here if only the U.S. were to invest wisely in clean energy, innovation and efficiency. This bill can build our clean energy economy — and not let polluters get away with their dirty business-as-usual ways.

Global warming is a very real threat to our national security. As catastrophic weather events increase over time, our world will see more climate refugees masses of people forced to move, causing clashes over borders and dwindling resources like food, fuel and water. A strong clean energy bill is essential to protecting our security.

We look forward to engaging our activists and working with the Senate on this historic effort.

Blue Green Alliance:

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 30, 2009) With today’s introduction of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, the Blue Green Alliance released the following statement:

David Foster, Executive Director of the Blue Green Alliance:

“The Blue Green Alliance commends Senators Boxer and Kerry for introducing comprehensive climate change and clean energy legislation. To truly achieve our goals of a cleaner environment and a prosperous and fair clean energy economy, we must pass comprehensive legislation that protects workers and ignites our clean energy economy. The Copenhagen negotiations are just around the corner, and it is critical that the U.S. Senate move on this legislation to send a strong message to the world.”

Leo W. Gerard, International President, United Steelworkers:

“We are in the midst of a long, tough process, which will require significant leadership from the administration, Congress and the many affected parties. I look forward to working with Senators Boxer and Kerry, and the rest of the U.S. Senate, to craft and pass clean energy legislation.

“To get this right, it is critical that this bill not only tackle the challenges we face in addressing climate change, but also come to the aid of workers across the U.S. by creating and maintaining jobs that strengthen America’s manufacturing base, and prevent the leakage of jobs to nations who fail to take action on climate change.”

Carl Pope, Executive Director, Sierra Club:

“The Sierra Club applauds the introduction of this bill because it’s time for America to again take charge and make sure that we have more jobs, less pollution and greater security.”

Terence O’Sullivan, General President, Laborers’ International Union of North America:

“The half-million men and women of LIUNA – who work every day to build America – are pleased with the bill’s family-supporting Davis-Bacon provisions, which will help ensure that new jobs are good jobs with fair pay. The bill’s green construction careers provision invests in both workers and jobs of the future and will strengthen communities. As we move forward, LIUNA looks forward to working with the Senate to ensure that sufficient investment is also made in building weatherization, which can create good jobs, save families money and help free us from foreign oil.”

Frances Beinecke, President, Natural Resources Defense Council:

“This bill will help curb climate change, strengthen our economy and make our country more secure. It will help generate jobs, reduce our reliance on foreign oil and create a healthier future for all of us. And it will put Americans back to work, making our country the world leader in the clean energy technologies that are driving growth in the global marketplace.”

Larry Cohen, President, Communications Workers of America:

“Taking action on the issues of climate change and energy policy is critical for our country. Our goal must be to build a new energy workforce and workplace for the future, one that combines quality jobs with securing America’s place as a leader in energy innovation and manufacturing.  I look forward to working with Senators Boxer and Kerry as we move forward on an energy policy that will also create quality jobs for American workers.”

Andy Stern, President, Service Employees International Union:

“Senators Boxer and Kerry have put forth a bill that not only brings America closer to establishing itself as a leader in the clean energy economy, but ensures that American workers are an integral part of the solution.  I look forward to working with Senators Boxer and Kerry to ensure that sufficient investments are made in job training and creation as we work through this process.”

Mike Langford, National President, Utility Workers Union of America:

“Those working to supply Americans with their electricity have so much to gain from clean energy legislation, and so much to lose from inaction. Working with Senators Boxer and Kerry, we can ensure that comprehensive clean energy legislation transitions our economy to provide the investments needed to grow a long-lasting clean energy sector that will provide high-quality jobs for years to come.”

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The Blue Green Alliance is a national partnership of labor unions and environmental organizations dedicated to expanding the number and quality of jobs in the clean energy economy. The Blue Green Alliance unites more than eight million people in pursuit of good jobs, a clean environment and a green economy.