And God knows, we can all use some:
Since its release in June, the REMI study has been a game-changer in conversations with congressional offices, especially Republicans. The study found that CCL’s proposal – a carbon fee rising $10 per ton of CO2 each year with revenue returned equally to all households – will cut CO2 emissions in half within 20 years while adding 2.8 million jobs to the economy.
Our thinking was pretty simple: As more and more people on Capitol Hill learn about the study and its findings, we’ll get closer to getting a bipartisan bill introduced. I call it the Three R strategy – Ride REMI to the Rose Garden.
With the wheels in motion for a targeted lobbying day, it made sense to follow up with briefings for Senate and House staff. With the help of Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Rep. John Larson (D-CT), we were able to get rooms where Scott Nystrom, author of the REMI study, led briefings to standing-room-only crowds in both the Senate and House.
It helped immensely that CCL staff and volunteers visited more than 100 offices on the Hill Tuesday, making one final push to bring staff to the briefings.
The House briefing on Thursday was as packed to capacity as the Senate briefing, and at a certain point we had to stop letting people in and start a list of aides who would be interested in a future briefing.
“This was huge, the briefings exceeded all reasonable expectations,” said Danny Richter, CCL’s Legislative Director. “Packing the room both times showed staffers that there is widespread interest in our proposal. Planning the lobby day right after the election was risky. The reward, though, is that ours is the last voice they hear before the end of the session, just as they’re setting the agenda for next year.”
Thanks to Price Benowitz LLP, Virginia Car Accident Lawyers.
McConnell and the coal state barons will fight this and any other proposal to faze out coal tooth and nail. That includes the labor unions. Gored ox’s always scream loudest just before their deaths.