VoteVets Runs Ad Urging Congressman Charlie Gonzalez to Support Clean Energy

by: Phillip Martin, Progress Texas

Tue May 05, 2009 at 11:33 AM CDT

A couple of weeks ago, Sarah from Public Citizen blogged about how San Antonio Democratic Congressman Charlie Gonzalez wanted to give away pollution credits for free. As Sarah wrote:

Charlie Gonzalez just doesn't have his facts straight on this one.  If you're really concerned about consumers, giving away pollution credits for free is about the worst way you can write this bill.  Giving away allowances would force customers to pay for industry and utilities' right to pollute without even cutting carbon emissions.  There is a right and a very wrong way to write a good climate change bill, and Charlie is supporting the wrong way.

EPA's most recent analysis say that giving away pollution credits is "highly regressive", meaning it hurts low-income families the most.  At best, this is a bailout and a free ride for the polluters.  At worst it will create windfall profits for huge energy companies at the expense of every lower and middle income family in Texas.

Others have taken notice. VoteVets.org have produced a television ad urging Congressman Charlie Gonzalez to support clean energy initiatives. According to their release, the ad will run in the San Antonio cable market over 600 times. (A similar ad is running in Congressman Gen Green's district). Take a look at this excellent ad: 

The speaker is Patrick Bellon, an Iraq War Veteran from Texas. In the press release announcing the ad, Bellon remarked:

“Getting America less dependent on foreign oil and towards clean energy is a national security matter,” said Bellon, who also is a member of VoteVets.org.  “Congressman Gonzalez has a chance to vote for a comprehensive clean energy jobs bill that would lessen those Middle East oil profits that help fund terrorism, and would create jobs right here.  As someone who’s fought against insurgents in Iraq, this bill is a no brainer, and we’re hoping the Congressman feels the same way.”

The full script is below the fold.

Six Texas Congressional Democrats Warn Against Obama's Energy Plan

by: David Mauro

Wed Mar 25, 2009 at 10:55 AM CDT

Yes, you read that headline correctly.

Although U.S. Reps. Gene Green, Sheila Jackson Lee, Charlie Gonzales, Al Green, Ciro Rodriguez and Henry Cuellar, all Democrats from Texas, stressed that they "support President Obama's goals to end our addiction to foreign oil, invest in clean, renewable energy and transition to a low-carbon economy," the five congressman warned that the President's proposals could curb domestic energy production.

The group, who were joined by six other House Democratic colleagues, sent a letter yesterday to U.S. Rep. John Spratt, chairman of the House Budget Committee. The committee is expected to begin considering President Obama's budget today.

Personally I was inclined to agree with President Obama's proposals. This is what the Democrats who disagree are worried about, from the San Antonio Express-News article "Texas Dems say energy is at risk":

Obama’s budget would bar deductions for intangible drilling costs, block oil and natural gas companies from claiming domestic manufacturing deductions and repeal the percentage depletion for wells. It also would impose new use-it-or-lose-it style fees on inactive drilling leases on public lands.

Administration officials have argued that the incentives encourage reliance on polluting fossil fuels while draining federal coffers.

... they told Spratt [that] the U.S. needs an all-inclusive energy policy that recognizes the role of natural gas and oil. And they are concerned that some of the proposed tax increases could hurt “domestic energy production and job growth,” while disproportionately affecting small and independent producers.

Do you think these six congressman are right or should they have stood with President Obama on his energy proposals?