A natural gas drilling rig. (Photo: Max Pixel, Creative Commons)
Apr 05, 2019
A little-noticed bill that sailed through the House last week ensures America's energy future will continue to be dependent on fossil fuels, Paste Magazine's Walker Bragman reported Thursday.
H.R. 1616, which was passed out of the House on March 25, "would allocate roughly $580 million in federal funding over two years to public and private energy development projects in Europe and Eurasia, including natural gas infrastructure," explained Bragman. The bill was proposed by Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ala.) and netted nine cosponsors, including four Democrats.
"This bill is yet another example of the denial of the realities of our climate crisis in practice," David Turnbull, strategic communications director for Oil Change U.S., told Common Dreams.
"While climate impacts challenge us with increasing regularity, and scientists implore us to turn our energy policy away from all fossil fuels," added Turnbull, "our elected leaders are continuing with status quo energy and foreign policies that lock in the very fuels that are driving international conflict via climate disasters every day."
\u201cLast Wednesday, @AOC's takedown of Senate Republicans over climate change went viral. But everyone missed the vote she and her Democratic colleagues cast 2 days before. Framed as a way to hurt Russia, H.R. 1616 was a handout to the fossil fuel industry. https://t.co/X8vVoV0SIg\u201d— Walker Bragman (@Walker Bragman) 1554405774
By calling for an increase in exports, the legislation is ensuring the continuation of the fossil fuel industry, warned Texas climate activist Sharon Wilson.
"If you're trying to get back at Russia, help the whole world move forward with renewable energy," Wilson told Paste. "That's what people want."
The bill "clears a path for completing a transition to natural gas," said journalist Amy Westervelt.
The legislation sneaked past most observers and had no Democratic opposition--a troubling move from the party that's been largely defined in recent months by the popular Green New Deal--though 10 House members did abstain from the vote. The bill passed by a vote of 391 to 24, with 16 not voting.
By voting en masse for the bill, Democrats are "encouraging a kind of climate denialism," filmmaker Josh Fox told Paste.
"If Democrats are supporting bills that say fracked gas and fracked gas infrastructure should be developed in Europe then they are flying in the face of their own climate policy," said Fox.
The bill now goes to the Senate, where a version is being prepared by three Republicans and two Democrats. The bills will likely have to be reconciled, giving Democrats in the House the opportunity, perhaps, to vote the legislation down when it comes back to the lower chamber.
"Let's get it right," said Fox in a tweet Thursday.
\u201cIncluding #fracked gas in the Green New Deal would be a huge mistake. Let\u2019s get it right. #banfracking in the US and in Europe!! I\u2019m quoted extensively here: House Democrats Voted for a Natural Gas Future, and Nobody Noticed https://t.co/V6cAOfEQsJ via @pastemagazine\u201d— Josh Fox \ud83d\udc00\u2721\ufe0f (@Josh Fox \ud83d\udc00\u2721\ufe0f) 1554407426
Legislation like H.R. 1616 shouldn't slip by activists and left-leaning politicians again, said Turnbull.
"This bill is a reminder that all climate leaders need to stay vigilant against industry advances, keep our climate crisis in mind in all of our governing, and be bold in standing up to the status quo that is sending us off the climate cliff," Turnbull said.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
A little-noticed bill that sailed through the House last week ensures America's energy future will continue to be dependent on fossil fuels, Paste Magazine's Walker Bragman reported Thursday.
H.R. 1616, which was passed out of the House on March 25, "would allocate roughly $580 million in federal funding over two years to public and private energy development projects in Europe and Eurasia, including natural gas infrastructure," explained Bragman. The bill was proposed by Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ala.) and netted nine cosponsors, including four Democrats.
"This bill is yet another example of the denial of the realities of our climate crisis in practice," David Turnbull, strategic communications director for Oil Change U.S., told Common Dreams.
"While climate impacts challenge us with increasing regularity, and scientists implore us to turn our energy policy away from all fossil fuels," added Turnbull, "our elected leaders are continuing with status quo energy and foreign policies that lock in the very fuels that are driving international conflict via climate disasters every day."
\u201cLast Wednesday, @AOC's takedown of Senate Republicans over climate change went viral. But everyone missed the vote she and her Democratic colleagues cast 2 days before. Framed as a way to hurt Russia, H.R. 1616 was a handout to the fossil fuel industry. https://t.co/X8vVoV0SIg\u201d— Walker Bragman (@Walker Bragman) 1554405774
By calling for an increase in exports, the legislation is ensuring the continuation of the fossil fuel industry, warned Texas climate activist Sharon Wilson.
"If you're trying to get back at Russia, help the whole world move forward with renewable energy," Wilson told Paste. "That's what people want."
The bill "clears a path for completing a transition to natural gas," said journalist Amy Westervelt.
The legislation sneaked past most observers and had no Democratic opposition--a troubling move from the party that's been largely defined in recent months by the popular Green New Deal--though 10 House members did abstain from the vote. The bill passed by a vote of 391 to 24, with 16 not voting.
By voting en masse for the bill, Democrats are "encouraging a kind of climate denialism," filmmaker Josh Fox told Paste.
"If Democrats are supporting bills that say fracked gas and fracked gas infrastructure should be developed in Europe then they are flying in the face of their own climate policy," said Fox.
The bill now goes to the Senate, where a version is being prepared by three Republicans and two Democrats. The bills will likely have to be reconciled, giving Democrats in the House the opportunity, perhaps, to vote the legislation down when it comes back to the lower chamber.
"Let's get it right," said Fox in a tweet Thursday.
\u201cIncluding #fracked gas in the Green New Deal would be a huge mistake. Let\u2019s get it right. #banfracking in the US and in Europe!! I\u2019m quoted extensively here: House Democrats Voted for a Natural Gas Future, and Nobody Noticed https://t.co/V6cAOfEQsJ via @pastemagazine\u201d— Josh Fox \ud83d\udc00\u2721\ufe0f (@Josh Fox \ud83d\udc00\u2721\ufe0f) 1554407426
Legislation like H.R. 1616 shouldn't slip by activists and left-leaning politicians again, said Turnbull.
"This bill is a reminder that all climate leaders need to stay vigilant against industry advances, keep our climate crisis in mind in all of our governing, and be bold in standing up to the status quo that is sending us off the climate cliff," Turnbull said.
A little-noticed bill that sailed through the House last week ensures America's energy future will continue to be dependent on fossil fuels, Paste Magazine's Walker Bragman reported Thursday.
H.R. 1616, which was passed out of the House on March 25, "would allocate roughly $580 million in federal funding over two years to public and private energy development projects in Europe and Eurasia, including natural gas infrastructure," explained Bragman. The bill was proposed by Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ala.) and netted nine cosponsors, including four Democrats.
"This bill is yet another example of the denial of the realities of our climate crisis in practice," David Turnbull, strategic communications director for Oil Change U.S., told Common Dreams.
"While climate impacts challenge us with increasing regularity, and scientists implore us to turn our energy policy away from all fossil fuels," added Turnbull, "our elected leaders are continuing with status quo energy and foreign policies that lock in the very fuels that are driving international conflict via climate disasters every day."
\u201cLast Wednesday, @AOC's takedown of Senate Republicans over climate change went viral. But everyone missed the vote she and her Democratic colleagues cast 2 days before. Framed as a way to hurt Russia, H.R. 1616 was a handout to the fossil fuel industry. https://t.co/X8vVoV0SIg\u201d— Walker Bragman (@Walker Bragman) 1554405774
By calling for an increase in exports, the legislation is ensuring the continuation of the fossil fuel industry, warned Texas climate activist Sharon Wilson.
"If you're trying to get back at Russia, help the whole world move forward with renewable energy," Wilson told Paste. "That's what people want."
The bill "clears a path for completing a transition to natural gas," said journalist Amy Westervelt.
The legislation sneaked past most observers and had no Democratic opposition--a troubling move from the party that's been largely defined in recent months by the popular Green New Deal--though 10 House members did abstain from the vote. The bill passed by a vote of 391 to 24, with 16 not voting.
By voting en masse for the bill, Democrats are "encouraging a kind of climate denialism," filmmaker Josh Fox told Paste.
"If Democrats are supporting bills that say fracked gas and fracked gas infrastructure should be developed in Europe then they are flying in the face of their own climate policy," said Fox.
The bill now goes to the Senate, where a version is being prepared by three Republicans and two Democrats. The bills will likely have to be reconciled, giving Democrats in the House the opportunity, perhaps, to vote the legislation down when it comes back to the lower chamber.
"Let's get it right," said Fox in a tweet Thursday.
\u201cIncluding #fracked gas in the Green New Deal would be a huge mistake. Let\u2019s get it right. #banfracking in the US and in Europe!! I\u2019m quoted extensively here: House Democrats Voted for a Natural Gas Future, and Nobody Noticed https://t.co/V6cAOfEQsJ via @pastemagazine\u201d— Josh Fox \ud83d\udc00\u2721\ufe0f (@Josh Fox \ud83d\udc00\u2721\ufe0f) 1554407426
Legislation like H.R. 1616 shouldn't slip by activists and left-leaning politicians again, said Turnbull.
"This bill is a reminder that all climate leaders need to stay vigilant against industry advances, keep our climate crisis in mind in all of our governing, and be bold in standing up to the status quo that is sending us off the climate cliff," Turnbull said.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.