Yes, we can lead.
BetterWorld was fortunate this past week to be invited and, attend for the second time in the past six months, the Business Advocacy Day for Jobs, Climate & New Energy Leadership. The advocacy day was hosted by a number of organizations including our partner and customer, the Clean Economy Network (CEN).
In total, the two day event was a huge success and brought together 220+ businesspeople representing 197 unique businesses who participated in 79 legislative meetings on Capitol Hill. This was no small feat, and the media took note.
As part of the Virginia delegation, we met with Senator Jim Webb, with CoS Paul Reagan and energy staffer Ali Nouri – the meetings were both hopeful and informative as there is clearly a desire in the Senate to get climate legislation passed in 2010.
We heard from many leaders such as DOE Secretary Chu (pictured to the right), and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) who used his address to the group to communicate a forceful message. His quote, “If the approach is to try to pass some half-assed energy bill… forget it with me,” continues to make headlines. It is a testament to the audience that he chose to deliver such an important and timely message to our group.
Enacting legislation this year will provide the certainty and leadership that will unlock private sector investments and drive consumer demand for a wide range of clean energy solutions that will benefit all business in the U.S. It is for this reason and the bigger picture of climate change that BetterWorld stands firmly behind passage of climate legislation this year.
Hopeful and in service,
Ali
