Flooding the zone for a strong clean energy bill

During the last two weeks, members of the Energy and Commerce Committee have been focused on the American Clean Energy and Security Act. Perhaps the word “focused” does not accurately describe the level of intensity over the past week. By ‘focused” I mean working hard drafting, debating and analyzing this important piece of legislation. But they aren’t the only ones working hard.

We asked people in key districts to make their voices heard, to make sure that their representatives know that we demand the strongest clean energy bill possible. More than 100 people in key swing districts have committed to calling their representative’s office everyday! A couple folks are even going to "phone petition" or stand in a public place and have people passing by make the call right then and there. It is time to create chaos, to “flood the zone” and make our voices and our position heard.

Already we have heard some inspiring stories of folks stepping up. In Utah, Cori Redstone and her team have organized a phone tree structure to get in as many calls to Jim Matheson’s office as possible. Her buddy Ashley Anderson even gave a speech about the progress of the bill in front of the Salt Lake City library square yesterday. Wow.

In Arkansas, Matt Petty is keeping the heat on Mike Ross by through social networks and calls. We discovered this constituent support is having an impact -- check out the right side of Mike Ross’s homepage where a poll indicates huge support for strong climate action -- 91% vs. 9% at last count! Meanwhile, Pat Seibert is going strong with a town hall to move North Carolina’s G. K. Butterfield on clean energy over the Memorial Day recess.

We’re going fast and furious here in rapid response mode as we await a mark-up in the subcommittee next week!