Environmental Defense Unendorses Warner-Lieberman

by: Matt Stoller

Mon Oct 22, 2007 at 17:34


Nice catch from Glenn Hurowitz.

I'm excited that Environmental Defense is now saying publicly, in response to criticism from Matt Stoller and me, that it "has not endorsed" the Lieberman-Warner bill and that it "will work to strengthen the bill, particularly to achieve the deeper long-term emissions reductions scientists tell us we need to avoid a climate catastrophe."

That's great, but I must note it's a sentiment that was distinctly lacking from the statement ED put out in response to the bill, which mainly offered a passionate defense, or the fund-raising letter it sent out to activists (thanks Roger Smith for posting this). True, it did include one line that said, "This bill is a good start in that direction [of 80 percent emissions deductions], and we will continue to work in that direction." But the clear implication was that they would push for those commitments through some future legislative mechanism.

Environmental Defense continues to attack and undermine the excellent Energy Bill, which Bush has threatened to veto.

Meanwhile, Step It Up gets closer every day.  Sign up for something in your area.

Matt Stoller :: Environmental Defense Unendorses Warner-Lieberman

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Lieberman Warner (0.00 / 0)
This is excellent news.  At best, the Lieberman approach would reward the dirtiest of utilities and give cover to Republicans who want to say they did something on global warming.  That said, it is a very nice thing that the current version includes allocating at least some proceeds of auctioning off carbon permits for public purposes.  That would not have been on the table a year ago. Now we need to take it to 100%.

yeah (0.00 / 0)
It's likely ED got caught in a bit of inconsistent positioning, saying one thing to their activists and another to the green blogs.  They don't like being pinned down, but they have to be clear in their list fundraising.

It's a helpful and clarifying process.


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