Standing up to Global Warming Deniers

by: PaulHodes

Wed Sep 29, 2010 at 11:34:32 AM EDT

It's puzzling. Why would someone who doesn't think global warming exists think that we need to enact a proposal aimed at reducing carbon emissions? Why would someone who supports things like drilling off the coast of New Hampshire all of a sudden try to convince us she'd be supportive of renewable energy efforts in the US Senate?

In her competitive primary, we watched Ms. Ayotte move to the far-right wing of her party. Now, with the general election less than a month away, she's trying to have it both ways. She's hoping New Hampshire won't notice that big oil and coal companies continue to fill her campaign coffers as she talks about drilling off the coast of New Hampshire.

The bottom line is that Kelly Ayotte has as many doubts about global warming as I have about her ability to stand up to her special interest donors in the oil and coal industry.

Charlie Bass & Big Oil: from the Salon to the Hill

by: Dean Barker

Thu Sep 23, 2010 at 05:00:00 AM EDT

Check out this video from May 11, 2006, taken of the Republican controlled, Joe "I apologize" Barton chaired, House Energy and Commerce Committee's second day of hearings on gas prices.  At the time the country was reeling from three dollar plus gas in many places, and it was negatively affecting Bush's approval ratings. And as CNN noted, "members of Congress are worried about how the issue will affect them in November's mid-term elections." Clearly, the GOPer Congresscritters needed to look like they were doing something about it. So, we got a "hearing."

Now, this clip and the people in it brought back a memory I had about Bass' ties to DC life and Big Oil from four years ago.  Sure enough, I had come across Red Cavaney, then President and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, before:

The picture above depicts Charlie Bass and Red Cavaney at one of ACCF's Economic Policy Evenings. Joe Lieberman (in ACCF's July-August 2004 newsletter) referred to these get togethers as "Washington's last salon."  

But here's the kicker.  The date of that photo of Bass and Cavaney?  May 09, 2006.

Dining with a Big Oil chief in a DC salon one evening, and then a couple days later tossing softball questions to him on the Hill.

This the kind of independent-minded, New Hampshire leadership we can expect from Charlie Bass if he returns to Washington.

A Simple Question About Joe Barton and Charlie Bass

by: Dean Barker

Sat Jun 26, 2010 at 09:07:37 AM EDT

* Charlie Bass has said that "GOP leaders have promised him his seniority and his old seat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee if he makes it back to Washington."

* Joe Barton is the ranking member of the House Energy Committee.  He will be the chairman of that committee if the Republicans retake control of the House.

* GOP House Minority Leaders John Boehner made it clear that, despite his infamous public apology to BP, and despite calls from fellow GOP congressmen for him to lose his rank, Joe Barton will retain his position on the Energy committee.  Which means the bullet point above remains true.

* Charlie Bass has not called on Joe Barton to lose his ranking position on the House Energy Committee.

* Joe Barton's PAC has contributed a significant amount of money to Charlie Bass over the years, including $2000 for this election cycle so far.

* Joe Barton recently came to New Hampshire to speak to NH Republican candidates, but especially singled out Charlie Bass for praise, and offered a full endorsement (Bass' has a 3-way contested GOP primary in the second district).

Was either Joe Barton or John Boehner one of the "GOP leaders" who promised Charlie Bass his old position on the House Energy Committee?

43 Days

by: PaulHodes

Tue Jun 01, 2010 at 14:02:20 PM EDT

Now, with the recent failure of the "top kill" strategy, there is no end in sight to the amount of oil that is spilling into the Gulf. This spill is poisoning our waters, suffocating our plants and wildlife, and jeopardizing the health of our citizens - threatening jobs, businesses and communities along the Gulf Coast.

My thoughts and prayers are with the people and communities down on the Gulf, who are dealing day and night with the devastating aftermath of the spill.

This disaster was a warning sign. When government puts the profits of Big Oil first, when politicians listen to special interests instead of the people they are supposed to represent - then we put the safety of our workers, communities and economy at risk.  

John Sununu: Too close to Big Oil

by: happyplanet

Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 19:01:15 PM EDT

Here

Time and again, Sen. John Sununu has sided with Big Oil against the interests of New Hampshire residents. Sen. Sununu:

Voted to protect $13 billion in subsidies for Big Oil.  That's $123 for each family in New Hampshire at a time when those same families are paying $1,480 more a year for gasoline, compared to 2001.

Voted against clean energy policies that could reduce our dependence on oil and cut into the profits of Big Oil. In 2007, the top five oil companies earned twice as much in profits as all New Hampshire families earn in a year.

Took $84,400 in campaign contributions from the oil industry during the 2007 to 2008 Congress.

See the full report Here

Environment New Hampshire is a citizen based environmental advocacy organization.

Sununu Blocks Clean Energy Incentives

by: NH Sierra Club

Wed Jul 30, 2008 at 15:42:53 PM EDT

Concord, NH: Both yesterday and today, Senator John E. Sununu again voted against measures to provide job-creating economic stimulus through incentives for renewable energy like wind and solar power.  

When votes came up once again to extend tax incentives for clean energy ,which are currently in danger of expiring at the end of 2008, Senator Sununu instead chose to side with Republican Senate Leadership which is holding up legislation to force a vote on more oil drilling.

"We need action on energy now.  Why is Senator Sununu holding up a win-win solution that everyone agrees on?" said Jerry Curran, NH Sierra Club Chapter Chair.  "Extending these incentives will save jobs in the clean energy industry, help us end our dependence on fossil fuels, and help lower energy costs.  Senator Sununu shouldn't be blocking solutions that will benefit Americans in favor of gimmicks that only help the oil industry."

Failing to extend these incentives only dims a bright clean energy future, it would snuff out one of the few bright spots in these grim economic times. Projects are already in danger of being canceled and over 100,000 hardworking Americans in the wind and solar industries alone could be thrown out of work if Congress doesn't act soon.

Making a serious commitment to clean, renewable energy could fuel tens of billions of dollars in economic growth and create over 820,000 new manufacturing jobs across the country.  Achieving these goals will be impossible unless Congress extends the current incentives without delay in order to avoid turning today's green energy boom into tomorrow's clean energy bust, as has happened each and every time Congress has let these tax incentives expire in years past.  

"Unfortunately it is increasingly clear that it is Senator Sununu who is out of touch with the people of New Hampshire and much more in tune with corporate polluters like Big Oil.  Senator Sununu can debate about drilling, but why slow down progress in the meantime?"

Sierra Club Radio Ads Urge Action on Gas Prices

by: NH Sierra Club

Mon Jul 28, 2008 at 16:29:56 PM EDT

Manchester, N.H.-The Sierra Club today launched a major radio ad campaign urging Congress to take action to address our growing energy and economic crises.  The new 60-second ad, "Rolling In It," urges Rep. Carol Shea-Porter and other Members of Congress to keep standing strong against Big Oil and calls on Congress to break Big Oil's stranglehold on America by cracking down on price-gouging, ending the billions in giveaways to the oil industry, investing in renewable energy to give consumers more clean energy options, and by offering consumers real relief at the pump.

"All this week we will be hearing the second quarter profit reports from the Big Oil companies, how they are rolling in it while hardworking Americans suffer, our economy crumbles, and a 100 mile oil slick stretches across the mouth of the Mississippi," said Jerry Curran, NH Sierra Club Chapter Chair.  "President Bush, Big Oil's backers in Congress, and shadowy outside groups are doing everything they can to push an agenda that will help pad Big Oil's bottom line while denying consumers any real relief from pain at the pump.  We are urging the public to tell Carol Shea-Porter to stand strong and move the kind of legislation we need to end Big Oil's chokehold on America's economy, energy policy and politics once and for all."    

The ads come as gas prices hover near all-time record highs and the oil companies report yet another quarter of record profits.  Last week ConocoPhillips announced a record-breaking $5.4 billion in profits-equal to more than one-third of the amount it earned during all of last year, which was itself a record.  What's more, the skyrocketing price of oil allowed ConocoPhillips to take in some $71 billion in revenue last quarter-approximately $24 billion more than the same period last year, even as it sold 200,000 fewer barrels of oil each day.  BP will announce its profits tomorrow, ExxonMobil and Royal Dutch Shell will both follow suit on Thursday, with Chevron making its announcement on Friday.  Profits at each company are expected to surge past all previous records.  

The ads target the following Members of Congress and will be running in the markets indicated below today through Friday, August 1:
• Rep. Heath Shuler (NC-11)-Asheville
• Rep. Jerry McNerney (CA-11)-San Francisco and Stockton
• Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (AZ-8)-Tucson
• Rep. Chris Carney (PA-10)-Wilkes-Barre
• Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (NH-1)-Manchester
• Sen. Herb Kohl (WI)-Green Bay

Script:

Sierra Club
Radio :60
"Rolling In It"
July 23, 2008

All this week, you'll be hearing about the billions of dollars in record high profits the Big Oil companies are making.

They're raking it in while we're feeling the pain of four dollar a gallon gas.

Let's face it -- big oil has our economy, our energy policies and our politics in a strangle-hold.

But Congress still has a chance to break that hold, to pass legislation that provides price relief and helps hard working families instead of the oil industry.

Call Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter at 641-9536.  That's 641-9536. Ask her to say no to more money for Big Oil and yes to a break for us.  Ask Congresswoman Shea-Porter to end the billions in government giveaways to Big Oil, to crack down on the price gouging that's keeping gas prices so high, and to invest in renewable energy and give consumers more, cleaner energy choices.

Paid for by the Sierra Club

-------
Audio files of the ads are available at http://www.sierraclub.org/pres...

Drill? Let Our Children Decide

by: Chaz Proulx

Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 19:55:24 PM EDT

Today every newborn American child assumes $30,000 of our national debt. That number continues to grow. Nearly every cent of this money is attributable to the Republican supply--siders from Reagan to Bush. We owe more to China alone than my generation can possibly pay. And don't forget that the trillions of dollars that Iraq will cost us aren't even on the books. Our debt grows every day and we are leaving the whole mess to our children.

Now the crooks that sold us out are now trying to grab everything they can while Bush is still in office. It doesn't occur to them to leave what's left of our natural resources to our children and grandchildren. It doesn't occur to them that our children will face monumental environmental issues. Nope, George Bush, the oilman and President, (in that order) is selling the idea that America's pain at the gas pumps can be solved by drilling immediately.

Does anybody still trust this guy and his parrots from D.C. to New Hampshire? The whole bunch including the Union Leader, Fergus Cullen and a slew of Republican candidates are braying in lock step on this one.

Enough!

Here's a novel idea: Let's let the next generation of Americans decide what to do with our untapped oil reserves.

Under Republican policies we've squandered eight precious years. For eight years Republicans favored big oil over working Americans. For eight years Republicans ignored the environment. For eight years Republicans ignored green business opportunities and alternative energy development. For eight years Republicans gave mileage breaks to SUV's and ignored the need for efficient automobiles. That was great for Detroit, but as usual when crunch time comes, it's the Japanese and Europeans who are ready.

So why, why, why, can't Republicans at least leave something for future Americans?

Why can't Republicans see where this self-defeating greed is leading us?

I expect my "markets-are-always-right" friends to claim that I don't understand the realities of business cycles and investment in exploration and technology blah blah blah.

Baloney to that!

It's time for big oil and the party of big oil to adjust to the realities of American life not the other way around. Let the companies keep their profits. They've stuffed their pockets. Good for them, may they enjoy it.

But, would it be too much to expect our oil industry and the Republican Party to think about America's future instead of exploiting American's pain at the pumps?

Nah! Not this crowd.

They don't have it in them.  

Drilling Down: John E. Hits Stage 3 of GOP Talking Points

by: Dean Barker

Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 20:54:31 PM EDT

Stage 1  was: gas is cheap, so stop complaining about climate change.  Stage 2 ?  Uh-oh, gas is rising. Let's put on our kabuki costumes.

But now? Screw the environment, people are freaking out over gas prices, and I'm going to get hammered come election time for it. Drill! DRILL!!!!

"China is drilling 60 miles off the coast of Florida, and the extreme, left-wing environmental groups will not allow us to do the same," Sununu said.

Of course, there isn't a stage in the GOP playbook that will allow them to disrespect their Big Oil corporate taskmasters, so it was pretty telling that despite the deep electoral trouble he is in, John E. joined in on the filibuster of a bill that would have taxed windfall profits from Big Oil.

That's really not gonna look good when we're paying $4.50 a gallon in early November.

Morning Update: Priceless. JimC does some drilling himself, and discovers that the extreme left-wing environmentalists are preventing Sununu and us from making deals with Fidel Castro.  Why do left-wing extremists hate Cuba America?

Sununu Backs Corporate Welfare for Big Oil

by: Dean Barker

Sat Apr 05, 2008 at 06:17:54 AM EDT

So every time I read an absurd, silly season wood pellet headline like this one from yesterday...

Sununu backs tax credits for renewable-energy use

Does the coalition for Sununu '08 really think that we're that stupid?  That we can't remember the news from just two months ago?

Even tax credits for wood-burning stoves couldn't make New Hampshire's senators warm up to a $22 billion energy tax package.

The last-minute "no" votes of Republicans John E. Sununu and Judd Gregg killed the tax provisions Thursday, as proponents fell one vote short of extending tax breaks for renewable energy sources, offset in part by stripping about $13 billion in tax breaks from the oil and gas industry.

Because Big Oil is really suffering right now.

Sununu gets some reading assistance

by: Bill Lofy

Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 13:36:36 PM EST

To help Sununu review this and other bills that come before the Senate, the Stop Sununu campaign today mailed Senator Sununu a copy of Speed Reading the Easy Way, which we hope will help the senator hone his bill reviewing skills. The book promises readers to present "a self-teaching course that truly makes speed reading easy to master."

"Since Senator Sununu isn't going to come out and tell New Hampshire voters that he is not willing to roll back billions of dollars in tax giveaways to oil companies, he had to have some excuse for voting against the energy bill," said Stop Sununu campaign director Bill Lofy. "But you would think he could think of something better than he didn't have time to read it. Hopefully the senator's new copy of Speed Reading the Easy Way will help him digest the legislation New Hampshire voters elected him to read and understand."

"Then again," Lofy continued, "Sununu already had his marching orders from the White House and the oil industry, who vigorously opposed the bill, which would have rolled back billions of dollars in tax breaks to oil companies. Sununu could have all the time in the world to study the bill and he probably still would have voted against it. That's what happens when the oil and gas companies bankroll your campaign to the tune of $210,000."

Sununu Chooses Big Oil over New Hampshire

by: Steve Marchand

Thu Jun 21, 2007 at 17:50:37 PM EDT

Today, Sununu prevented an amendment to a current Senate energy bill from ever coming to a vote.  He helped block over $32 billion in tax incentives for renewable energy research and development.

Why would anyone stop a proposal that would reduce our dependence on foreign oil, help keep New Hampshire's lakes and streams mercury free, and develop economic resources--such as cellulosic ethanol and wood-fired power plants--that support New Hampshire's economy?

Because John Sununu is in the pocket of Big Oil.