Mohawk Fine Paper Joins U.S. Chamber Exodus

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climatechange4Citing its disapproval with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's position on climate change, another company has left the fold.

Mohawk Fine Paper believes that to belong to an organization that fights action on climate change hurts its credibility as an advocate for environmental protection, said George Milner, Mohawk's Vice President for Environmental Affairs, reports AP.

The news comes as it has been revealed that the chamber spent a record $34.7 million in lobbying in the third quarter, much of it directed to fighting the Obama administration's effort to overhaul energy and climate policy, as well as health care reform and financial regulation, according to the article.

To date, Apple has been the highest profile defection from the chamber. Also in recent weeks, PG&E, PMN and Exelon, three utilities, announced their intention not to renew their chamber memberships.

Also, an investors group sent letters to 14 major U.S. corporations, asking them to publicly distance themselves from the chamber’s positions. The investors group, in the letters, asked the companies to address their disagreement with the chamber and NAM by any of three methods:

  • withdraw membership
  • publicly disclose their disagreement with the chamber and NAM’s positions
  • ask the chamber and NAM to refund the portion of dues used to lobby against climate change action.

Companies targeted included GM, Boeing, Deere, Xerox and others.

Environment + Energy Leader