The New York Times reports today that, “(A) House (of Representatives) bill seeks to reduce greenhouse gases in the United States by 83 percent by 2050 through a mechanism known as cap and trade, which would create carbon permits that could be bought and sold. …The Senate is expected to consider its own version of the bill at the end of September.”
“While polls show that a majority of Americans support efforts to tackle climate change, opposition to the climate bill from energy-intensive industries has become more vigorous in recent weeks.”
“The oil industry plans to raise the pressure (against the bills) in coming weeks through its public rallies so that it can negotiate more favorable terms in the Senate than it got in the House. The strategy was outlined by the American Petroleum Institute in a memorandum sent to its members, which include Exxon Mobil, Chevron and ConocoPhillips. The memorandum, not meant for the public, was obtained by the environmental group Greenpeace last week.”
“(A rally in Houston) on Tuesday was organized by a group called Energy Citizens, which is backed by the American Petroleum Institute, the oil industry’s main trade group. Many of the people attending the demonstration were employees of oil companies who work in Houston and were bused from their workplaces. This was the first of a series of about 20 rallies planned for Southern and oil-producing states…”
Also, “a public relations company hired by a pro-coal industry group, the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, recently sent at least 58 fake letters opposing new climate laws to members of Congress. The letters, forged by the public relations company Bonner & Associates, purported to be from groups like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and Hispanic organizations. Bonner & Associates has acknowledged the forgeries, blaming them on a temporary employee who was subsequently fired.”
The full article is at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/19/business/energy-environment/19climate.html?scp=1&sq=Oil%20Companies%20Back%20Public%20Protests%20of%20Greenhouse%20Gas%20Bill&st=cse.
