Researcher: Nancy Shedrack Anwary
Faculty evaluator: Julie Andrzejewski, St. Cloud State University
The chamber, by far the largest lobbying force on Capitol Hill – having spent more than $65 million in 2009 – is actively campaigning against meaningful climate change legislation. It is also taking a lead role in challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) attempts to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. More fundamentally, it continues to cast doubt on climate change science and sow fears through exaggerated claims about the economic consequences of greenhouse gas regulation. It is clear that the US Chamber of Commerce does not represent all the businesses of America, only the large Corporations. Other businesses are challenging this stance. Mohawk Fine Paper is the latest company to abandon the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over climate change policies; In a statement, the Cohoes, N.Y.-based paper company wrote, “We believe that our continued membership in an organization that vigorously opposes sensible climate change policies is detrimental to our position as a business leader with a strong record in the areas of environmental innovation and climate protection.” Even some local Chambers are distancing themselves from the US Chamber of Commerce.
Title: The US Chamber of Commerce: A Record of Obstruction on Climate Action.
News Sources: Yale Environment 360, February 26, 2010
URL: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/02/26-2
Author: Shaun Goho
Researcher: Nancy Shedrack Anwary
Faculty evaluator: Julie Andrzejewski
St. Cloud State University