So what’s the deal with Obama’s budget? Why does everyone seem to care about it so much? Well, besides that whole part where the whole world is worried about money, Obama’s budget includes some pretty awesome provisions that we want to make sure stay in there. The key one: $646 billion in revenue from 100% allowance auctionsin a cap and trade system (i.e. making polluters pay for carbon emissions). Even if the targets in there aren’t as strong as we might hope, including the revenue will be a great leverage point for passing a strong carbon cap in 2009.
It should come as no surprise to any regular on the climate blogosphere that special interests (King Coal, to name just one) are not at all happy about this, and are lobbying to get this provision out.
To build the buzz around the budget, please take a minute to call your Senator. This is especially important for all you folks in MD and VA, as Senator Ben Cardin (MD) and Senator Mark Warner (VA) are both on the Senate Budget Committee, and are probably anxiously waiting by their phones just waiting for a constituent like you to call and tell them to do the right thing.
Call now!
Warner’s Office: 202-224-2023
Cardin’s Office: 202-224-4524
The message is simple: Tell your Senator to pass Obama’s budget without stripping the crucial provisions that make sure polluters and other special interests pay their fair share.
If you want to get into more detail, here’s a sample script you can use:
-Hi, I’m calling to talk about President Obama’s budget.
– We were thrilled that the President made stopping global warming and transitioning to a clean energy economy core to his budget, but we’re concerned that Congress may not follow his lead. I’m calling to see if Senator _____ can help.
– In his budget, President Obama demonstrated his commitment to action on these issues by assuming $646 billion in revenue over 10 years from reducing global warming pollution and requiring polluters to pay for 100% of the allowances to pollute.
– I strongly support passing the President’s budget as a step towards solving global warming and building the resources to invest in the transition to a clean energy economy and am concerned that the Budget Committee may include something vague rather than the President’s proposal.
– Will Senator ____ urge Budget Committee Chairman Conrad to include at least $646 billion in revenue from reducing global warming in the Budget Resolution?
If you make a phone call, please email Holly and let her know!
