Forged Letters to Block Clean Energy?

For Immediate Release: July 31, 2009

Contact: Catherine Corkery, 603-224-8222
Catherine.corkery@sierraclub.org

Concord, NH: An investigation by Daily Progress in Charlottesville, VA has exposed alleged efforts by lobbyists to misrepresent community organizations’ positions on the American Clean Energy and Security Act. According to the article, Congressman Perriello (D-5th/VA) received multiple letters purported to be from the NAACP and Creciendo Juntos, a local Hispanic Community network, voicing opposition to the bill. Neither organization actually opposes the legislation. As more facts come to light on this story, NH Sierra Club issued the following statement.

Statement of Catherine Corkery, NH Sierra Club Chapter Director
“Obviously many more facts need to come out before we know the whole story, but the alleged forgery of letters from organizations dedicated to protecting their communities forces one to question who is really behind the efforts to block America’s progress towards a clean energy economy. According to Greenwire/New York Times, in the lead up and aftermath of the House’s historic vote on the American Clean Energy and Security Act, special interests like Coal Utilties and Oil have poured tens of millions into lobbying to keep America stuck in the past.”

“These are incredible examples of the great lengths that special interests will go to undermine clean energy legislation in our country. True grassroots supporters in New Hampshire and across the country have made it clear that it’s time for America’s progress towards a clean energy economy. NH Sierra Club will be checking with Congressional offices here to ensure that this same underhanded behavior is not playing out in our state. New Hampshire has seen a recent influx of Astroturf campaigns in opposition to the American Clean Energy and Security Act. Groups like Americans for Prosperity, a front group for Koch Industries and brothers Charles and David Koch who run the country’s largest privately held energy company, have tried to give a false impression of grassroots opposition to clean energy.”

“Our country needs a clean energy jobs bill that will boost our economy and fight global warming. Experts say over 9,000 of jobs could be created in New Hampshire if only the U.S. were to invest wisely in clean energy. The comprehensive energy and climate bill being discussed in the U.S. Senate right now should do more to build our clean energy economy and not let polluters get away with their same old dirty business-as-usual ways. Millions of Americans already hold the most commonly needed job skills for global warming solutions. Strong, comprehensive energy and climate legislation will put them back to work, retaining and creating millions of good, clean energy jobs in both the revitalized manufacturing and construction sector and the new clean energy industries of tomorrow.”

“As the country’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental group, N.H. Sierra Club takes authentic grassroots organizing seriously and takes offense at industry-funded astro-turf campaigns that undermine true community voices.”

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