The Minnesota Budget Project has been closely following legislation to address climate change. Low-income populations will be disproportionately impacted if nothing is done about climate change, but these same households will also be impacted harder by price increases resulting from efforts to stop climate change. It is important, therefore, that any climate change legislation protect low-income households from price increases and make sure that they have access to green jobs, home weatherization and other opportunities.
Since the U.S. House passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act in June of 2009, we have all been waiting to see what action the Senate would take. There have been a variety of proposals floated, including cap-and-trade, cap-and-dividend and other ideas somewhere in between. Our allies in Washington D.C. have indicated that the Senate is working to put a bi-partisan proposal in motion within the next few weeks, so the time to influence that bill is now.
Please join the Minnesota Budget Project – and other organizations from across the country – in letting the Senate know that there is broad nationwide support for strong and fair climate change legislation.
Call your Senators during the “72 Hours for Clean American Power” campaign running now through Thursday, March 4th. This is our opportunity to remind our Minnesota Senators that there is a diverse community supporting their efforts to pass comprehensive climate change. However, to make that legislation fair, the bill must provide low-income consumer relief and access to economic opportunities like energy efficiency improvements and green jobs.
Call Senator Klobuchar (202-224-3244) and Senator Franken (202-224-5641) on Wednesday or Thursday to be a part of the “72 Hours for Clean American Power.” If you miss that window, your call is still important. For more information, including phone numbers and sample call language, visit the Minnesota Budget Project climate change resource page.
-Leah Gardner
