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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Expert contact: Lukas Ross, (202) 222-0724, lross@foe.org

Communications contact: Kaela Bamberger, 202-222-0703, kbamberger@foe.org

White House Memo Signals Climate Retreat

Fossil fuel subsidies out, rebranded CES in.

WASHINGTON

A just-released memo from the White House stakes out a series of climate negotiating positions in a pending reconciliation package. It makes no mention of repealing fossil fuel subsidies which was a key provision of the American Jobs Plan. The memo also includes an Energy Efficiency and Clean Electricity Standard (EECES), a rebranded Clean Energy Standard apparently based on similar principles of technology neutrality.

Just yesterday, a coalition of over 500 groups sent a letter to Congress demanding the repeal of fossil fuel subsidies. Previously, a coalition of over 700 groups sent a letter demanding a Renewable Energy Standard that rejects natural gas and false solutions.

Friends of the Earth Program Manager Lukas Ross issued the following statement in response:

Democrats are once again throwing the climate justice movement under the bus. Congressional Democrats have yet to write a single Clean Energy Standard that excludes fracked gas and other false solutions. Climate activists aren't fooled by technology neutral gimmicks. Biden should not encourage proposals that peddle false solutions or that bargain away fossil fuel subsidy repeal.

Friends of the Earth fights for a more healthy and just world. Together we speak truth to power and expose those who endanger the health of people and the planet for corporate profit. We organize to build long-term political power and campaign to change the rules of our economic and political systems that create injustice and destroy nature.

(202) 783-7400