On Monday President Obama will head across Lafayette Park to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to extend an olive branch to the organization that has been at odds with his administration the past two years.
I commend the president for attempting the thaw the relationship with this important business lobbying group.
As much as those of us who care about climate change and clean energy cringe at the thought of the president reaching out to the Chamber of Commerce, any attempt to bring this organization to the center is a good thing for keeping America competitive in the 21st century global marketplace.
While it is outrageous the Chamber of Commerce is opposed to regulating greenhouse gas emissions, questions the science behind global warming, defends the fossil fuel industry and the worst polluters, and puts its money behind right-wing Republicans, this is still an important business lobbying group that wields enormous influence. We simply have no choice but to deal with it, and Obama understands that.
While some companies such as Apple and Nike have left the Chamber of Commerce over its climate positions, others such as General Electric have made public their dissatisfaction with the Chamber regarding its opposition to climate legislation. In fact, the Chamber would be wise to listen to members like GE, because they are leading the way in creating clean energy jobs here in America. The company is currently undergoing a green renaissance with what it calls "ecomagination." I saw it firsthand at the D.C. Auto Show when I witnessed a GE charging station next to the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle display.
This is the sort of American innovation that the Chamber of Commerce has dismissed for far too long. Hopefully Obama and the Chamber can reach some common ground and instead of being an obstacle, the Chamber will be an important part of America moving forward to a clean energy future.
Check out GE's Electric Cow Biogas Technology Super Bowl Commercial:
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