DC Hill update 8/25: Second week of recess

This week, the pro-climate grassroots began to step up to the challenge of scaled up Astroturfing campaigns. Though big industry and right wing think tanks are continuing to whip up a fake opposition to climate action outside of town hall meetings and at their own rallies, several environmental organizations have launched their own campaigns to stand up for clean energy and climate action at these important events. With half of the recess still ahead of us, we will need to continue to mobilize the majority of Americans that do want climate action and drown out the anti-climate hysteria.

1. Timeline

As soon as the Senate returns from recess on September 7, we can expect quick turnaround on the release of a Boxer-Kerry Discussion Draft (Republican co-sponsor TBD). In the weeks following the discussion draft, pieces from the Agriculture, Finance, Foreign Relations, and Commerce Committees will be marked up, and all committee chairs have promised to meet the September 28 deadline that Senate Majority Leader Reid (D-NV) has set. Following the end-of-September Deadline for committee action, Sen. Reid will then assemble the committee reports into a manager's amendment ready for consideration on the floor in the next couple of months.

After the Senate climate bill is marked up in committee(s), we won't see any floor action on it until after health care has been voted on by the Senate. Much uncertainty remains as to when this shift will occur, but it's been made relatively clear that climate and energy are next in line for the Senate and Administration, with the goal but no guarantee of passage before Copenhagen this December.

Here' the calendar for the next few weeks:

• 8/8 - 9/7: Senate August Recess (4 weeks)
• 9/8 - Boxer-Kerry Discussion Draft to be released, Republican co-sponsor TBD (will include many placeholders to be filled in, including likely blanks on how allocations are handled)
• 9/21-9/25- Tentative EPW markup
• 9/8 - 9/25 - Other climate committee markups held (Finance, and perhaps others)
• 9/28 - Mark-up deadline for all senate committees with climate jurisdiction
• After 9/28 - Majority Leader Reid will then assemble committee reports into one Senate bill, ready for floor consideration.

2. Astroturfing Ramps Up:

Though health care dominated the town hall scene again this week, the Astroturfers have remained vigilant in their quest to destroy climate and energy legislation. Several new groups have come onto the scene, backed as always by big industry and right wing think tanks. It goes without saying that grassroots efforts will need to emerge in full force in the remaining two weeks to encourage support for joint climate and energy legislation in preparation for fall Senate action. Here are two summaries of the entire astroturf landscape.

It's becoming increasingly hard to tell the difference between the real grassroots and Astroturfers (even if they're both opposition movements). Astroturfing has played a role in the past, but some say this summer has set a new precedent. The American Petroleum Institute's "Energy Citizens" continued their efforts this week, and have another 20 rallies planned for the last two weeks of recess. Public Citizens Texas infiltrated a rally and gained some valuable insight, witnessing real grassroots anti-climate activists being turned away, and not being allowed to bring American flags into the event. A memo from API that encouraged oil companies to recruit employees and retirees to bulk up rally attendance was also leaked this week -- and they've launched a new website for the Energy Citizens.

FACES of Coal

The coal industry launched another campaign in West Virginia this week. The Federation for American Coal, Energy and Security, or the FACES of Coal, join the Friends of Coal, Citizens for Coal, and various other fake coal movements.

Meanwhile, American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity is continuing to fund "America's Power Army", despite the ongoing investigation into the fake letters they sent to Congress during the House vote on climate (here's new video about the fraud). The investigation uncovered another 5 fake letters this week, bringing the total to 13. Follow America's Power Army on Twitter to see where they're headed next.

3. Green Grassroots Fight Back:

Several pro-climate campaigns were also launched this week, in a genuine effort to educate Americans about the benefits of climate legislation and a clean energy economy, and debunk the myth that the majority is in opposition to a climate bill. Still, local, regional and national groups will need to work harder than ever to ensure that the pro-climate voice is heard above the hysteria. Some Astroturf rally locations have been identified, and organizations should try whenever possible to attend the events and defend climate legislation.

Standing Up for Clean Energy at Rallies and Town Halls

The Blue Green Alliance and Repower America launched a "Made in America" jobs tour this week, aiming to host 50 pro-climate events in 22 states. See an event list here.

Chesapeake Climate Action Network's Ted Glick encouraged Americans and local organizations to attend rallies and town halls and stand up for clean energy reform. Some Energy Citizen's rally locations have been identified in advance and local activists should plan to attend if possible:

• 8/18, Houston, Texas, Verizon Wireless Center, 11:30 am
• 8/20, Roswell, NM, Eastern New Mexico Fairgrounds, Arts and Crafts Building, 11:30 am
• 8/20, Greensboro, NC, Greensboro Coliseum, 5:30 pm
• 8/21, Lima, Oh, Veterans' Memorial and Civic Center, 11:30 am
• 8/21, Farmington, NM, Convention Center at McGee Park, 11:30 am
• 8/22, Atlanta, Ga., Marriott Century Center, 11:30 am
• 8/25, Elkhart, In., RV Hall of Fame, 11:00 am
• 8/25, Greeley, Co., Island Grove Regional Park, TBD
• 8/25, Nashville, Tn., Wild Horse Saloon, 11:30 am
• 8/27, Bismarck, ND, National Center of Energy Excellence at Bismarck State College, TBD
• 8/27, Tampa, Fl., Tampa Convention Center, 5 pm
• 8/27, St. Louis, Mo., Hilton at the Ballpark, 11:30 am
• 8/31, Greenville, SC, Carolina First Center, 5 pm
• 8/31, Minneapolis/St. Paul, South St. Paul Hotel and Convention Center, PM TBD
• 8/31, Anchorage, Ak., Anchorage Convention Center, TBD
• 9/1, Springfield, Il., TBD
• 9/3, Richmond, Va., Burton Manor Banquet and Conference Center, TBD
• 9/3, Philadelphia, Pa., TBD, 4:30 pm
• 9/5, Lincoln, Nb., Embassy Suites Lincoln, 2:30 pm
• 9/7, Huron, SD, Freedom Stage, South Dakota State Fair, 1:15 pm

New Ad Campaigns:

The Alliance for Climate Protection launched a new commercial series outlining the benefits of climate action for the average American family, while the NRDC ran new ads this week condemning House members who voted against ACES, and hailing those who voted for it.

4. Priorities for the Fall

Though the spotlight has been on health care for the past two weeks, climate and energy legislation is moving in Washington as staffers draft pieces of the bill and leadership works quietly to swing key members. While drowning out the Astroturfers is a definite priority, we will have to have the foresight to keep our eyes on strengthening priorities and getting the votes for fall legislation:

Beating a filibuster:

Rep. Jay Inslee (WA01) spoke on the dangers of a filibuster this week, and Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) joined Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in committing to vote against a filibuster. As Senators from heavy coal and industrial states (and sign-ons to the letter to President Obama demanding trade provisions to protect industry) the commitment to cloture (the 60 votes necessary to beat a filibuster) is a good sign from these two members. Several other swing-state Senators will need to make identical commitments if we are to get to 60.

Though intended to protect a Democratic vote for health care reform, Senator Ed Kennedy's (D-MA) request that the Governor of Massachusetts immediately appoint an interim replacement should he relinquish his Senatorial seat could also protect a climate vote.

Closing the Coal Loophole

The exemptions for existing coal plants in the bill are continuing to receive mainstream media attention, and bringing these plants under EPA authority will need to be a priority in the fall.

Former Senator Tim Wirth (D-CO) said this week that he thought the climate bill was "out of control," largely due to the coal loophole.

Despite receiving constant criticism over their growing coal fleet, it is worth nothing that the Chinese have prioritized efficiency in coal generation, and are weeding out those grandfather plants that in America would survive under ACES.

Strong RES

• Australia passed a 20% by 2020 RES this week:

Strong Agricultural Component (offset integrity, etc.)

From the WonkRoom: The need to avoid "filibustering our farmer's futures."

5. International Activity

• Despite protests, the State Department issued a permit this week for a pipeline to bring in 450,000 barrels of oil from the Canadian Tar Sands daily.
• Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Yvo de Boer said this week that $300 billion is needed annually to fight climate change. A substantial portion of the funding will no doubt be intended for adaptation purposes, which has been found recently to reap more significant economic benefits than previously thought.
• The Avaaz Action Factory protested on behalf of future climate refugees earlier this week, to both raise awareness and increase international funding for adaptation.
• China is continuing to send signals that climate action is a priority for them, but still hinges upon commitment from the developed world.

Questions? Contact me at jason@1sky.org.