Tag: U.S. House

  • National Environmental Groups Endorse Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s Re-Election to Congress

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Contact: 
    Allie Rosenbluth, allie@priceofoil.org
    Sam Bernhardt, sbernhardt@fwwatch.org
    Brett Hartl, bretthartl@centeractionfund.org

    National Environmental Groups Endorse Jamaal Bowman’s Re-Election to Congress

    Rep. Bowman has championed climate justice initiatives throughout his time in Congress

    WASHINGTON — A group of national environmental advocacy organizations is endorsing Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s reelection campaign. Oil Change U.S., Center for Biological Diversity Action, Food & Water Action, and Zero Hour spoke out in support of Rep. Bowman ahead of a potential primary.

    Since his election in 2020, Rep. Bowman has been among the strongest voices in Congress for climate action, working to expand the power and breadth of the climate movement with proposals like his Green New Deal for Public Schools. Bowman’s advocacy helped pave the way for the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest clean energy legislation ever passed by Congress. Bowman has also lent his voice to state efforts, for instance calling on state elected officials to pass the Build Public Renewables Act in 2022 (the bill was passed in 2023). 

    Westchester County Executive George Latimer is weighing a primary challenge to Bowman, likely with the expectation that if he were to run, he can count on millions in SuperPAC spending to attack Bowman.

    Allie Rosenbluth, Political Director at Oil Change U.S., said: 
    “Oil Change U.S. strongly endorses Jamaal Bowman’s campaign for reelection. Representative Bowman has been one of the strongest advocates for climate justice in Congress, while prioritizing working with communities most impacted by the issue. His leadership on climate is a clear demonstration of how Congress should be taking on this crisis.” 

    Brett Hartl, Chief Political Strategist at Center for Biological Diversity Action, said: 
    “Representative Bowman has been one of the strongest voices pushing for this country to take stronger actions to address the climate crisis and environmental justice. We need more members like him willing to stand up to powerful polluters and the worst elements of the MAGA Republicans, and we strongly support his reelection to Congress.”

    Sam Bernhardt, Political Director at Food & Water Action, said: 
    “With our planet on the brink of ever-deepening climate chaos, we must be laser-focused on supporting Congress members like Jamaal Bowman — a through-and-through fossil fuel fighter and a champion of clean, renewable energy for all.”

    Zanagee Artis, Executive Director at Zero Hour, said: 
    “Representative Jamaal Bowman continues to be a champion for environmental justice and young people in Congress, and Zero Hour is proud to endorse his candidacy again. Representative Bowman demonstrates what it really means to represent young people and care about the issues that impact us.”

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    Oil Change U.S. is a national organization focused on exposing the true costs of fossil fuels, supporting real climate leadership, and building a just, equitable, and renewable energy future in the United States. Oil Change U.S. is one of several organizations that coordinates the national No Fossil Fuel Money pledge and the national Green New Deal Champions campaign. For more information, please visit OilChangeUS.org.

  • Release: Coalition of progressive groups call on Democrats in new Congress to reject fossil fuel money, push bold and aggressive climate policies

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    November 27, 2018

    CONTACT:
    David Turnbull, Oil Change USA, david [at] priceofoil.org
    Erin Jensen, Friends of the Earth U.S., ejensen [at] foe.org
    Stephen O’Hanlon, Sunrise Movement, stephen [at] sunrisemovement.org
    Thanu Yakupitiyage, 350.org, thanu [at] 350.org

    Coalition of progressive groups call on Democrats in new Congress to reject fossil fuel money, push bold and aggressive climate policies

    WASHINGTON — As Democrats vie for leadership positions in the new Congress, 47 progressive groups released a letter today demanding that candidates for House leadership posts pledge to reject fossil fuel money. The letter calls for a Green New Deal that will move America to a 100 percent renewable energy society, center communities on the frontlines of climate impacts, and invest in renewable energy while embarking on a managed decline of fossil fuel production and ending subsidies to the fossil fuel industry. In order to effectively lead on a Green New Deal and make a just transition away from fossil fuels, the letter calls for prospective leaders of the new House to declare themselves fossil fuel money-free.

    “Climate change is the greatest threat we’re facing,” said Lukas Ross, Senior Policy Analyst with Friends of the Earth. “We cannot tackle this crisis if our politicians are still accepting money from the corporate polluters who are intent on destroying communities and our environment for a profit. It is time for all Democrats to sign the no fossil fuel money pledge, and fully commit themselves to a 100% renewable energy future that protects all people and the planet.”

    “With over 1000 politicians rejecting fossil fuel money, real climate leadership definitively means no fossil fuel ties,” said May Boeve, Executive Director of 350.org. “For any shot at averting further climate catastrophe, all elected officials must say no to fossil fuels and fight for a Green New Deal that puts people and planet first. It’s not enough to acknowledge the reality of climate change – we need  officials who walk the talk and support equitable solutions to this global crisis.”

    “To preserve human civilization as we know it, top UN scientists say we need to transform our economy and society in the next 12 years,” said Varshini Prakash, Sunrise Movement Co-Founder and Communications Director. “Yet, politicians of both parties are putting the bottom-lines of their campaign donors above my generation’s future. Young people need bold leaders who will reject fossil fuel money and back a Green New Deal – and we’re ready to challenge politicians of both parties who refuse to stand with us.”

    “Our climate crisis requires leaders who are willing to stand up to an industry that has spent decades and millions of dollars lying to the public, distorting our democracy, and delaying climate action,” said David Turnbull, Strategic Communications Director at Oil Change USA. “We have no more time for delay or half-measures, or for politicians who are in the pocket of an out-of-control industry. We need true leaders who will stand up for our communities, ramp down our fossil fuel production, and fight for real climate solutions.”

    Read the full letter here.

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    Friends of the Earth fights to create a more healthy and just world. Our current campaigns focus on promoting clean energy and solutions to climate change, ensuring the food we eat and products we use are safe and sustainable, and protecting marine ecosystems and the people who live and work near them.

    Oil Change USA is dedicated to supporting real climate leadership, exposing the true costs of fossil fuels, and building a just, equitable, and renewable energy future in the United States. More at oilchangeusa.org.

    Sunrise is a movement to stop climate change and create millions of good jobs in the process. We are building an army of young people to make climate change an urgent political priority, end the corrupting influence of fossil fuel executives on our politics, and elect leaders who will stand up for the health and well-being of all people. Learn more at: sunrisemovement.org

    350.org uses online campaigns, grassroots organizing, and mass public actions to oppose new coal, oil and gas projects, take money out of the companies that are heating up the planet, and build 100% clean energy solutions that work for all. 350’s network extends to 188 countries.