Michigan LCV Goes to Washington

I write this as I fly back to Michigan from Washington, D.C., leaving behind a 36-hour, non-stop trip of speaking to our federal elected officials about the future of climate change in the U.S. House and Senate (You just can’t beat in-flight wireless internet).

I was able to join a diverse group of powerful environmental organizations from across the country as Michigan LCV lent our voice to advocate for another attempt at comprehensive climate legislation and to oppose the handcuffing of the Clean Air Act in the Senate. To provide a little background as to what led to the necessity of this trip, here is where the situation currently stands:

In this legislative session, the U.S. House passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), the goal of which was to provide the framework for greenhouse gas reductions, free the nation from a reliance on foreign oil, and give a massive boost to green job creation. Unfortunately, the Senate was unable to pass a similar bill and the goal of a healthy and sustainable economy based on thoughtful legislation was lost.

Now, the best means to ensure that major polluters are still held accountable is by allowing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to exercise its authority to regulate greenhouse gases. The first major threat to the EPA’s ability to do so was called the Murkowski Amendment, which ultimately failed. A milder, yet still dangerous, amendment by Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) is sitting in the Senate right now and would handcuff the EPA’s greenhouse gas authority for two full years. Preventing that amendment from passing was the goal that I was in D.C. to communicate to our elected officials in Washington.

Our large group had the opportunity to meet with senior administration officials and to express our mutual concerns on the Rockefeller Amendment and ambitions for a clean energy economy. The following day, our Michigan contingent --- which also included the Michigan Environmental Council, Michigan Clean Water Action and Interfaith Power and Light --- spoke with the offices of both our senators and those of Congressman Conyers, Ehlers, and Dingell.

As these important questions continue to take on greater and greater urgency, Michigan LCV will continue to give voice to the needs of Michigan citizens for the improvements in health, and the economy, that come with a more secure energy future.

For now, though, I’m going to finish up this bag of pretzels and will look forward to being back in Michigan.

- Ryan Werder, Michigan LCV Political Director

photo credit: Wikimedia Commons