3 November '09
6:27 AM EST
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Policy

Repower America Releases ‘The Wall’

Al Gore’s Repower America has released a sleek new ad, a mixture of social media/Web 2.0 and traditional grass root advocacy, that urges for decisive action on climate change. The release comes as the Senate is poised to debate the Kerry – Boxer climate change bill.

Last summer, ahead of the House vote on Waxman – Markey, Repower America released this ad. It featured a character that can best be called, “farmer with a green cap,” who in his heavy western twang, wondered why the U.S. wasn’t using its own clean energy, “instead of sending billions overseas?”

This latest round includes a hodgepodge of testimonials of famous (Ted Turner, Sheryl Crow) and not so famous advocates (JoJo Farrell, a teacher), all urging for a comprehensive climate change law.

Over time Repower is urging people to add their own testimonial on the Wall, which you can access here. Farmer with a green cap’s testimonial is not there; at least we haven’t found it yet.

The Wall, watch the video here.

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25 June '09
5:30 PM EDT
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Policy

Can Dems pass Waxman – Markey? President Obama urges House to pass historic bill

It’s been all hands on deck for supporters of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES).  A  vote on the climate change and energy legislation by the full House is scheduled for tomorrow amidst  growing concern from the White House that momentum for the bill is slipping away.

At last count, even with the deal brokered on Tuesday evening with Agriculture Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.),  the bill’s sponsors –Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Edward Markey (D-Mass.)  –  were still short 35 votes — out of the 218 needed — to pass the climate legislation.

In a press conference, his second this week, President Obama pressed for passage of ACES, saying it was not just a climate change and energy bill but also a “a jobs bill”  that could help create millions of green collar jobs.

The night before, former Vice President Al Gore also pitched in, speaking at a conference call — (he also posted a video message on YouTube ) — organized by his Repower America organization, he told participants that the vote on Friday would  be “very tight.” He said passing ACES would boost chances that the Senate will approve a parallel energy bill:

“This is the moment! If we can pass this legislation in the House of Representatives this week, then we will go to the Senate with a broad coalition and a far greater chance  [for climate change legislation to be signed into law] than anyone ever would have thought was possible just a few short months ago.”

Gore said the bill was not perfect and that “more needed to be done,” but it was a “historic first step.”

The blogosphere/ Twittersphere (Twitter search: #ACES) is also ablaze, with voices both for and against ACES.  Those against, also see here,  say the legislation is too expensive and a “terrible deal for tax payers.” Supporters say the bill — however watered down — secures significant carbon cuts below 1990 levels by 2020.

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