New Orleans residents ask Congressman Cao to strengthen proposed climate legislation

June 19 – Today dozens of concerned New Orleans residents held a rally outside Congressman Cao's office on Carrollton Avenue to demand improvements to proposed federal climate legislation.  The rally was sponsored by 1sky, Gulf Restoration Network, the Alliance for Affordable Energy, the Louisiana Sierra Club, and the Louisiana Bucket Brigade.  

The rally ended with a conversation with one of Congressman Cao's aides, where representatives from the sponsoring organizations asked that Congressman Cao push for stronger provisions in the proposed Waxman-Markey cap and trade bill.  Many present noted Cao's poor record on energy, environment and green jobs bills, including his voting against President Obama's stimulus package and the Omnibus Public Lands Act of 2009, and asked for the congressman to make a break with the Republican Party on climate legislation.

Similar actions were held at congressional offices around the country as part of a push to strengthen Waxman-Markey, which will go the the floor of the U.S. Congress next week.

For more information on the Alliance's stand on existing climate legislation, please see this article.

the rally outside Cao's office

Alliance Climate and Clean Energy Director John Atkeison addresses the rally

Signing in at Cao's office

Alliance Climate and Clean Energy Director John Atkeison speaks with one of Congressman Cao's aides

Alliance Fee for Service Coordinator Hope Broecker and Sustainable Rebuild Coordinator Eileen Hays outside Congressman Cao's office