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.”
