Democrats have decided to lean-in, not back-away, from so-called clean energy. Despite the embarrassing history of government-funded green-energy failures, "wealthy environmentalists are pushing Democrats to take bolder positions on climate change"-and global warming, as an issue, provides the impetus for more green-energy spending.
The Boston Globe reported on a recent "summit between Washington's liberal elite and San Francisco's climate intelligentsia" that included "Senate majority leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, six other senators, and... Al Gore." The Globe points to new efforts by Democrats to "make global warming a central issue during the midterms."
Reid has, according to the Globe, "pledged to allot time to anyone who wants to discuss climate change at party lunches or on the Senate floor." He needs to keep the ruse alive because he is connected to more than $3 billion in Energy Department green-energy deals that helped him get reelected in 2010-behavior that has earned him the moniker: "one of America's most corrupt politicians."
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), along with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), has planned an all-night talkathon on the subject that will take place on Monday, March 10-about which Boxer said: "So many Senators coming together for an all-night session shows our commitment to wake up Congress to the dangers of climate change." According to a press release from the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, 28 Senators will be participating-slightly more than one quarter of the Senate.
Farallon owns nearly $14 million worth of shares of Westport Innovations, the self-described"global leader in natural gas engines."The Westport Carbon Project (WCP), according to its website,"was established to monetize the carbon emission reductions associated with the Westport HD engine, the Cummins Westport ISL G and other natural gas engines developed with our OEM partners. The WCP enables customers to earn annual carbon rebate cheques for the natural gas vehicles in their fleet as of January 1, 2010."Farallon also owns more than $8 million worth of shares of Fuel Systems Solutions, which according to its website "designs, manufactures and supplies proven, cost-effective alternative fuel components and systems for transportation and industrial applications. Its gaseous fuel technology for propane (LPG) and natural gas (CNG) generates savings, reduces emissions, and promotes energy independence."
While a 2011 Forbes profile on Steyer quotes him as saying: "I am a true believer that we have to change the way we generate and consume energy in the United States," it would also be easy to view his combined investment and politicking efforts as "self-interested," as he does stand to profit from the polices he's promoting.
Senator David Vitter (R-LA), in the Fox News story accuses Steyer of having financial interest in the death of a pipeline he opposes on environmental grounds.Vitter says: "I think it's hypocrisy, quite frankly. Who knows when he's going to divest of these investments ... maybe in a few months when his helping kill Keystone will boost them up to top value. ... Who knows?"
According to Steyer spokesman Chris LeHane, "This divestment has been taking place consistent with the applicable legal requirements."
Steyer calling traditional energy companies "self-interested" is like the presumed morally superior pot calling the proven economically superior kettle black. Perhaps he really is a "true believer." If so, he should remove himself from any form of financial gain he can reap from his political activism and donations. But maybe, like I do, those self-interested oil companies truly believe that developing our own resources to provide all Americans with energy that is efficient, effective and economical is in America's best interest.
The 2014 elections give Americans the opportunity to decide whether they side with the 28 Democrat Senators at Monday night's sleepover who are dancing at the behest of the organ grinders-or if we want to learn from the mistakes of their failed green-energy projects only profiting the wealthy while robbing taxpayers, raising electricity rates and hurting the poor.
Do we lean-in or back-away?
The author of “Energy Freedom”, Marita Noon serves as the executive director for Energy Makes America Great Inc. and the companion educational organization, the Citizens’ Alliance for Responsible Energy (CARE). Together they work to educate the public and influence policy makers regarding energy, its role in freedom, and the American way of life. Combining energy, news, politics, and, the environment through public events, speaking engagements, and media, the organizations’ combined efforts serve as America’s voice for energy.