Toronto Star Details ALEC Efforts to Derail Climate Change Policy
this is downright scary!
http://www.prwatch.org/news/2014/08/12578/toronto-star-details-alec-efforts-derail-climate-change-policy
Posted by Rebekah Wilce on August 26, 2014
Toronto Star Details ALEC Efforts to Derail Climate Change Policy
The Toronto Star has published an in-depth report detailing the American Legislative Exchange Council's (ALEC's) "plans to undo environmental legislation," specifically how it "works with lobbyists and legislators to derail climate change policies."
The report, by the Star's environmental report Mike De Souza, refers to internal documents from ALEC's annual meeting July 30 through August 1 in Dallas that were leaked to the Center for Media and Democracy/Progressive Inc. (CMD). The documents show that, at several session of the meeting, sponsors cast doubt on the overwhelming scientific evidence of climate change. At others, attendees put forward "model" bills to allow fossil fuel companies more free rein while hampering the development of alternative forms of energy.
Documents Reveal CFACT Directing Legislators to Deny Climate Change
One workshop mentioned by the Star report "had the goal of teaching politicians 'how to think and talk about climate and energy issues' and provided them with guidance for fighting environmental policies and regulations." This workshop, sponsored and led by the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT) -- a libertarian policy and lobbying group that advocates against environmental regulation -- gave legislators detailed talking points denying climate change, supporting fracking on public lands, and pushing to end renewable energy standards, among other things.
You can see CFACT's handouts intended for state legislators, which were obtained by CMD, here and here.
Documents Reveal Heartland Discouraging Renewable Energy Development
Another ALEC session "featured several proposals to discourage development of renewable energy, to stop new American rules to reduce pollution from coal power plants, as well as a 'model resolution' in support of Keystone XL, which is seeking approval from the Obama administration," according to the Star. "According to a conference agenda, obtained by the Center for Media and Democracy, this presentation was given by Joseph Bast, president of the Heartland Institute, a Chicago-based conservative think tank.... Slides from the presentation show that it also challenged established scientific evidence on climate change, while proposing to dismantle the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency."
You can see Bast's presentation, which was obtained by CMD, here................
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