Republican Sen. Bob Corker for the Environment?
June 11, 2008 · Print This Article
A lot of people, including us, have been talking about the Lieberman-Warner bill that passed through the Senate last week. The bill aimed to cap greenhouse emissions starting in 2012, requiring electric utilities, refineries, industrial and transportation sectors to make some big changes in how they operate. As expected, the bill didn’t make it through – but what really has people scratching their heads is that it featured some surprising amendments tacked on by Republican Senator Bob Corker (Tenn.).
One would boost the percentage of permits auctioned and return all revenue to citizens; the other would eliminate international offsets as a means of compliance.
Some people think that this was a sign that the issue of global warming is finally starting to transcend partisan boundaries; others are highly skeptical that Corker’s motivations are sincere. Some called the amendments ‘poison pills’, intentional attempts to derail the bill to prevent it from passing, and Sen. Corker all but confirmed that last week when he stated,
“This bill is not going to become law,” Mr. Corker said. “It has no chance, none.”
Sen. Corker’s and other Republican lawmakers’ issues with the bill are explained by The New York Times:
One of the major points of contention arises from the bill’s treatment of goods from developing countries that are among the world’s biggest carbon emitters, including China, India, Brazil and Mexico.
The measure directs the president to negotiate agreements with those countries to ensure they are imposing binding limits on carbon emissions on their own industries. If they fail to do so, the United States will impose unspecified tariffs on carbon-intensive products like steel, paper, concrete and glass from those countries. The provision was included at the behest of labor unions and American companies in those industries who would not support the bill without such a cost equalizer.
Senator Corker’s amendments, though intentionally added to prevent the bill from passing, seem to come from a sincere place. Corker strongly supports biofuel and other alternatives to reduce our dependence on oil. But, he also voted ‘no’ on factoring global warming into federal project planning. What sets Corker apart from other Republicans, however, is the fact that he’s willing to learn about the issue of climate change and figure out how Republicans can ‘balance’ related legislation to make it more palatable for their side of the political spectrum.
The Chattanooga Times reports,
Energy issues have been one of Sen. Corker’s top priorities since the beginning of his tenure, landing him a seat on the Senate Energy Committee. From that pulpit, he has emerged as a leading Republican ally in the fight against global warming.
In meetings with his Republican colleagues, he has urged even those most resistant to the idea that global warming is influenced by human activity that legislative action ought to be pursued to combat its acceleration.
“There’s becoming a consensus that there’s no reason to debate the science,” Sen. Corker said. “The place to be in this debate is in discussing the policies and how it affects the world.”
Sen. Corker said his stances reflect a delicate dance between wanting to combat global warming and maintaining ample energy supplies to keep the economy robust in the long-term.
“We’re trying to create a balance between protecting the environment and our country being energy secure,” he said.
We’d love to see more Republican lawmakers unite with Democrats on the environment, and hope that in the future, if Sen. Corker is truly an ally on the issue of global warming, that he’ll stop partaking in such tactics to derail climate change legislation. The times are definitely a-changin’, and we’re optimistic enough to hope that Republicans and Democrats will be able to work together to help save the planet. But that will only happen if Republicans stop pushing their free trade agenda that resists environmental standards and thus prevents real change from taking place.
Link [Grist] + [New York Times] + [Chattanooga Times]
Photo credit: corker.senate.gov
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The industry is not a Detroit issue; it is not a Michigan or mid-west issue. It is an American issue. There are automotive research centers, plants, suppliers, and dealers in every state. The collapse of just one of the Detroit 3 would have a domino effect — causing supplier bankruptcies that will lead back up the chain to the failure of the other automotive companies. Dealerships will close, plants will close. Raw material suppliers and trucking/transportation businesses will close. These closures will lead to businesses in the plants’ communities to close – retail stores and restaurants, and even schools and doctor’s offices, as displaced workers move their families to try to find new jobs.
The Center for Automotive Research has recently published a report estimating the job losses to be in excess of 3 million across the United States within one years time. This would lead to a first year loss in government income through income taxes and social security taxes of more than $60 billion the first year alone, close to $200 billion in three years. This could lead to the collapse of social security for all Americans.
This catastrophe would far exceed the Great Depression and the recovery would be nearly impossible. This is why all Americans must understand why the industry assistance is required – not to save the automotive industry, but to save the United States of America. I humbly ask your support in the following areas:
However, the consequences of a portion of the domestic auto industry collapsing extend far beyond GM’s ability to continue its transformation. One in 10 American jobs depends on our industry, as well as the health of communities, dealers and suppliers in all 50 states. As you know, nearly 3 million employees, retirees, and their families also depend on us for their pensions and health care. Because of our economic contribution, the cost of allowing this industry to fail would be catastrophic:
• 3 million jobs lost within the first year
• U.S. personal income reduced by $150.7 billion
• Government tax loss over three years of more than $156 billion
This level of economic devastation far exceeds the $25 billion of government support that our industry needs to bridge this current period.
• Do you realize that one out of every ten jobs in America is automotive-related?
• That two in ten in the retail segment are automotive?
• That we collectively spend $156 billion per year in all 50 states for goods and services?
• That GM alone supports 775,000 retirees and dependents?
• That we support the cost of health care for 2.2 million people?
• That we spent $12 billion in R & D last year, second only to the semiconductor industry?
• That motor vehicles, parts, and accessories are by far the largest exports of our country?
• That we have closed the quality and productivity gaps to the foreign automakers?
• That, by 2010, our labor agreements will put our labor costs on an even plane with the foreign automakers here in the US?
• That we currently have six hybrids on the road, and will increase that total to nine by mid-2009?
• That we are the only automaker with a viable, marketable electric vehicle in production design-intent, which will be in dealer showrooms in the fall of 2010?
• That we spot Toyota 2 million vehicles each year because the government of Japan has put up such barriers to entry that we can barely do business in that country?
Nothing needs to be said… Ford, Chrysler and GM’s contributions after 9/11
An interesting commentary…You might find this of interest:
‘CNN Headline News did a short news listing regarding Ford and GM’s contributions to the relief and recovery efforts in New York and Washington.
The findings are as follows…..
1. Ford- $10 million to American Red Cross matching employee contributions of the same number plus 10 Excursions to NY Fire Dept. The company also offered ER response team services and office space to displaced government employees.
2. GM- $10 million to American Red Cross matching employee contributions of the same number and a fleet of vans, suv’s, and trucks.
3. Daimler Chrysler- $10 million to support of the children and victims of the Sept. 11 attack.
4. Harley Davidson motorcycles- $1 million and 30 new motorcycles to the New York Police Dept.
5. Volkswagen-Employees and management created a Sept 11 Foundation,
funded initial with $2 million, for the assistance of the children and victims of the WTC.
6. Hyundai- $300,000 to the American Red Cross.
7. Audi-Nothing.
8. BMW-Nothing.
9. Daewoo- Nothing.
10. Fiat-Nothing.
11. Honda- Nothing despite boasting of second best sales month ever in August 2001
12. Isuzu- Nothing.
13. Mitsubishi-Nothing.
14. Nissan-Nothing.
15. Porsche-Nothing. Press release with condolences via the Porsche website.
16. Subaru- Nothing.
17. Suzuki- Nothing.
18. Toyota-Nothing despite claims of high sales in July and August 2001. Condolences posted on the website