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Climate Week En Review September 28, 2018

by | Sep 28, 2018

This was a busy week in climate change/clean energy circles. Let’s keep the momentum going all year!

This week’s must read: How much is big oil working to pass a carbon tax? We checked. (E&E Daily) From the article: “Three companies — BP, Exxon and Shell — lobbied 17 times on carbon tax bills, related resolutions or carbon taxes broadly. It’s a sliver of their lobbying efforts. In most cases, it’s unclear whether they lobbied for or against legislation, including measures that opposed carbon taxes as an economy-crushing policy. None of the firms, when contacted, would answer questions about their message to lawmakers on specific provisions.”

This week’s must watch: The lonely battle: A former GOP congressman pushes his party to believe in climate change (NBC News) “Conservatives want to hear that free enterprise can answer this—and we believe very strongly that it can answer this.”

Alaska governor signs off: Alaska’s Independent Gov. Bill Walker approved the Alaska Climate Action Plan, a ten-year, wide-ranging, non-partisan effort to develop a set of recommendations for how the state can and should deal with impacts of climate change. Walker’s approval of the plan, which he called a “menu” of options, is non-binding, and the plan includes in its recommendations that the state look into the viability of a carbon tax.

Red tide at (day or) night: House Climate Solutions Caucus member and MARKET Choice Act co-sponsor Rep. Francis Rooney had these wise words at a Congressional briefing with the Florida delegation on red tides.

Rooney also introduced a resolution stating the need to prepare for sea-level rise and more destructive hurricanes, an “urgent concern” to coastal communities.

EcoRighters activate: Our friends at Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions assembled partner organizations for the second annual National Clean Energy Week, five days of stepped up activity in Washington, DC and the states to highlight innovations, progress and needs in the energy sector. Former New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte kicked off the week with her op-ed published in the Concord Monitor. “Diversified methods of electricity generation not only help to drive local job creation and economic development, they also ensure that the quality of our air and water remains pristine for future generations,” she writes.

Meanwhile, steadfast EcoRighter Rep. Elise Stefanik from New York was awarded one of the 2018 Clean Energy Awards. “”As the proud Representative of the Adirondacks, I know the importance of protecting our environmental treasures. I have been pleased to lead the way on issues ranging from addressing climate change to promoting renewable energy sources, and I will continue to work across the aisle to ensure we protect our environment for future generations to enjoy,” she said of the honor. Other honorees include: Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, Alaska’s Sen. Lisa Murkowski, South Carolina’s Sen. Tim Scott, and New York’s Rep. Tom Reed.

En addition: Two EnCourage Tour stops serendipitously coincided with National Clean Energy Week. Rep. Bob Inglis was in Western Michigan on Monday, where he keynoted an event hosted by Western Michigan University’s Institute for Environment & Sustainability and the WMU Climate Change Working Group. Then on Wednesday in Nebraska at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), Bob co-hosted an event with Sustain UNL. “Human beings need the protection of the whole tribe,” Bob said in Lincoln. “We are herd animals and we want to be with other people. We are out to prove that you are not alone if you are a conservative and believe in climate change.”

Friends old and new, met and unmet, stay committed, stay true! See you next week.