500 Maine Businesses Urge Snowe, Collins to Help Pass Federal Climate and Clean Energy Legislation

Today, business leaders gathered at the State House to release a letter written to Maine Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, urging strong and effective action to help address the threat of climate change. The letter was signed by more than 500 Maine businesses, including Hannaford Bros. Co., Lee Auto Malls, Oakhurst Dairy, Reed & Reed, Mattson Development, the Harraseeket Inn, and hundreds more from throughout Maine.

The letter, delivered to the two senators’ Maine offices today, says, in part: “We urge you to do all you can to ensure that the United States acts swiftly and effectively in 2010 to address the threat of global warming. Now is the time for leadership.  Maine people are counting on you to help”

Maine Senators Snowe and Collins could play a vital role in advancing bi-partisan, comprehensive legislation on climate and clean energy. Sen. Collins currently is the cosponsor of a major climate bill, and both senators have provided leadership on these issues in the past. The business letter is being released as momentum is building for congressional action on these issues.  

Two weeks ago, on March 9, Senator Collins and a bipartisan group of 14 senators met with President Barack Obama and several cabinet members at the White House to discuss proposals for climate and clean energy legislation. Meanwhile Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), and John Kerry (D-MA) have been developing a climate and clean energy bill, which may be announced publicly in the next two to three weeks.

These developments, and a growing sense that Maine’s economy can benefit from clean energy development, make today’s press announcement particularly timely.

Maine Business Representatives Speak Out

“As a manager at two energy-related companies, I understand how important energy issues are to Maine businesses,” says Heather Blease, Savi Systems, Thayer Corporation in Auburn. “We’re working every day to help companies reduce energy costs and improve productivity with energy efficiency and alternative energy systems. While Maine is a leader, we can’t achieve everything on our own. It’s time for Congress to pass comprehensive legislation that will create jobs in the clean energy economy here in Maine and across the country.”

“We need to take decisive action to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and increase our energy security,” says Milton McBreairty of Larkin Enterprises in Lincoln. “As the price of oil increases in the future – as we know it will – Maine will remain highly vulnerable to energy price shocks. That’s why we need to shift toward clean, renewable energy and increased energy efficiency. Passage of federal climate and clean energy legislation would provide the road map we need toward a clean energy future, not just for Maine, but also for the nation as a whole.”   

“We see ourselves as in the ‘energy’ business, not just the ‘oil’ business and believe it is past time for other fuel dealers and heating technicians to do the same,” says George Haselton, co-owner of Harvest Energy and Rockport Mechanical. “Over time, fuel oil will go the way of the buggy whip, and along with others in the oil business we will have to grow and change to succeed…and I say ‘the sooner the better!’ That’s one reason I want Maine’s Senators Snowe and Collins to be working hard for strong federal legislation that will deliver a clean energy future and help stop climate change.”

“The Clean Energy and Climate Change legislation that is being discussed will provide long-term stability that we have not had in the past,” says Kate Burgess Rush, co-owner of Elovo Home Center in Newport. “As a small business owner in Maine, this type of stability is critical as we expand our renewable energy business and create new jobs.”

“Climate change poses a serious threat to our tourism and hospitality industry,” says Scott Cowger, co-owner of Maple Hill Farm Bed & Breakfast Inn and Conference Center in Hallowell. “We are in business because people want to have their conferences, weddings, and vacations where there are colorful maple trees, snowy trails, clear lakes and streams, and cool, dry summer nights. But, with climate change we will see increased precipitation like we had last summer, less snow cover like we had this winter, and declining colorful fall foliage. Together, they will significantly impact the revenues and taxes generated by Maine’s largest economic sector.” 

Global Businesses Calling for Climate Action

Today’s announcement by Maine businesses comes at a time when a broad range of global companies also have announced support for federal climate and clean energy legislation. Here are excerpts from other letters, and some of the businesses signed onto these statements:

“Legislation is needed to secure our country’s energy supply while capping and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through robust, market-based approach. Climate change is real and the longer we delay taking prudent action, the higher the cost for future generations.  Legislation is our best opportunity to get a low-cost, effective national response this year.”

Signers include:  Dow, Exelon, United Technologies, Boston Scientific, Duke Energy, General Electric, National Grid, PG&E Corporation, Weyerhauser, Constellation Energy, Interface, RioTinto, and others.

“With this joint letter [to the U.S. Senate], we wish to make clear to the American public and their elected officials that leading voices in the business community believe it is in our interest for the U.S. to act swiftly to address climate change. Passing legislation to cap greenhouse gas emissions will send a strong signal to the private sector, unleashing new business opportunities, leveling the playing field for all U.S. businesses and ensuring that the U.S. economy can compete in growing global markets for clean energy.  America can and must prosper in the face of growing climate change… For the sake of our economy, our national security and our children’s future, we urge you to act without delay.” 

Signers include:   Dupont, Hewlett Packard, FPL Group, Johnson & Johnson, Dell, Google, Pacific Gas & Electric, Levi Strauss, and others.

“There are clear indications of an ongoing global climate change. The root cause seems to be the emission of greenhouse gases due to human activity. A change in the climate could potentially alter the conditions that govern human life and lead to major costs. Therefore, we believe that the global community should aim at reducing the emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to acceptable levels as rapidly as possible.”

Signers include:  General Electric, AIG, Citigroup, BP, Siemens, Hitachi, Reuters, Duke Energy, China Oil & Offshore Company, Volvo, and Hewlett-Packard.