Two corporate groups are turning up the heat on the government, calling for clear action on climate legislation. One group has sent a letter to Congress and President Obama, the other has taken out an ad in a leading newspaper.
A group of companies took out a full page ad in the Wall Street Journal Jan. 21, calling for Congress to take quick action on climate legislation.
As well as companies such as Alcoa, BASF, BP, Campbell's, Daimler, Du Pont, PepsiCo, Toyota and Whirlpool, the group includes environmental NGOs, labor groups and faith-based organizations.
The ad was organized by Outreach Strategies, but the 80-some companies and organizations who signed on are not linked by association in any sort of climate-related group, said a spokesman for Outreach Strategies.
Alstom Power, which was part of the ad, said that uncertainty about the bill is holding back business deals.
"Our customers tell us that uncertainty about the legal and regulatory framework around carbon dioxide emissions is holding back needed investments in the Power Sector. Investment to replace and retrofit ageing power plants and infrastructure are essential for security of supply as well as to tackle climate change," said Alstom Power President Philippe Joubert, in a press release.
In a separate campaign, the We Can Lead group, which is comprised of 150 companies and organizations, sent a letter (PDF) to the President and Congress.
"This legislation will spur a new energy economy and with it create 1.7 million new American jobs, many in struggling communities across the country. At the same time, it will enhance our national security by making America more energy independent while also cutting carbon emissions," the letter states.
Signatories to the letter included A123 Systems, Timberland, Dow Corning, Exelon, Gap, Nike, The North Face and PG&E.
While there is some overlap between signatories to the letter and sponsors of the ad, the two efforts do not appear to have been coordinated jointly.
