***Update***

On Friday, June 26, 2009, the House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act. Another version of the bill will now make its way through the Senate. The legislation will establish a new U.S. energy policy that reduces dependence on foreign oil and builds a new, domestic clean technology manufacturing base to supply wind, solar, and other renewable energy. The bill also takes significant steps toward solving the global warming crisis by limiting carbon pollution.

We feel that this is an historic opportunity for the nation to finally come to terms with our contribution to global warming. Everything we do at the state level, here in Illinois, will depend on our ability as a nation to make cleaner energy. This is the most important piece of legislation in this generation.

Prairie Rivers Network urges you to find out how your Representative voted. Thank those who voted in favor. Ask for an explanation from those who voted against it.

You can look up the votes by representative name:    http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll477.xml

Or try the Sierra Club’s tool that uses your home ZIP code:    http://action.sierraclub.org/site/VoteCenter?page=voteInfor&voteId=9605

***

ACTION ALERT

Maggie Bruns, Long time supporter of PRN

An improtant message from former PRN volunteer, Maggie Bruns, now working for The League of Conservation Voters.

HEY FOLKS! I need your help on some important legislation!!!! THIS IS HUGE!

You all know I care deeply about protecting this great earth, and as I sit here in DC, we are on the verge of a historic environmental vote on Friday 6/26. My boss has been working on this for over 30 years, and as I hear him say every day “we have never been this close to passing serious climate legislation”. I really need you to tell Representative Tim Johnson [or your Representative] to vote for the HR 2454, the American Clean Energy and Securities Act. It will take you about 5 seconds, as I have included the phone numbers, text and email link below.

When it comes down to it, Representative Johnson votes pro environment over 60% of the time. This is a very high score for a Republican, but it is still unclear how he will vote on this piece of legislation. So please, please give his office a call and make your friends/family do the same!

Overall, this bill will create new jobs in America, break our dependence on foreign oil and cut global warming pollutants.

I wrote up a little script for you to say over the phone or via email. Please feel free to edit or add your own little factoids. Phone calls are ideal, but emails will work too. The main point is to ask Representative Johnson [or your Representative] to VOTE YES on HR 2454. I hope you will consider emailing a note to all your friends living in his district and any list serves urging folks to support ACES.

Let me know if you have any questions. I have lots of materials on this stuff.

Maggie Bruns
Legal and Operations Associate
League of Conservation Voters
maggie.bruns@gmail.com

PHONE
Representative Johnson’s DC Office Phone: 202-225-2371
Champaign Office Phone: 217-403-4690

EMAIL
If you would like to send an email please click on this link and cut/paste text below selecting energy as subject:

http://timjohnson.house.gov/?sectionid=56&sectiontree=3,56

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Representative Tim Johnson, IL-15
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Re: Vote Yes on H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act

I am writing to urge Representative Johnson to vote for HR 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

ACES will create clean energy jobs in IL and revitalize the US economy by opening the doors to millions of manufacturing and construction jobs. For instance, just one American-built wind turbine requires 8000 parts made by American steelworkers. These are good paying jobs and most importantly they are American jobs. The global economy will require this switch in order to stay competitive, and America should take the lead in this global effort.

ACES will invest in research and ingenuity in clean energy technology and carbon sequestration methods. This increase in funding will jump start universities across the country including the University of Illinois, Eastern Illinois University and Illinois State University.

With a vote for ACES, our country will be closer to achieving energy independence by increasing the production of domestic clean energy. This bill will increase our national security, by increasing domestic production of clean energy sources and decreasing our dependence other country’s dirty energy resources.

Finally, carbon pollution threatens the livelihoods of our communities, including that of Illinois’ farmers. Increasing carbon pollution emissions will create more floods, increase incidence of crop pests, and heighten the likelihood of extreme weather. Please vote yes on HR 2454 to support IL agriculture for future generations.

Please vote YES on the American Clean Energy and Securities Act.

Thank you,

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