Peter Roskam Attempting to Prevent Regulation of Dangerous Coal Waste

On 02.08.10, In Coal Industry, Energy, Environment, Peter Roskam, Utilities Industry, By RSR

According to the Chicago Tribune, Republican Congressman Peter Roskam is working to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from adopting regulations concerning the handling of contaminated coal waste. Roskam, along with several other members of the Illinois Congressional delegation, told the Office of Management and Budget in a letter that “regulating coal ash as hazardous material would impost “steep costs” on Illinois energy consumers, who draw much of their power from coal”.

But Roskam, who draws significant campaign contributions from the electric utilities standing to benefit if regulations are blocked, is disregarding the public health risks associated with contaminated coal waste, which, according to a McClatchy report, is presently subjected to less regulation than ordinary household trash. Coal-fired power plants each year generate millions of tons of ash contaminated with heavy metals and store it in liquid form in storage ponds or in landfills. When impounded in liquid form, there is a risk of catastrophic spills, like the one that occurred in the TVA plant at Harriman, TN in 2008. In either case, the waste poses a threat to the safety of drinking water. In 2007, an EPA report identified 24 sites in 13 states where there has already been surface and/or ground water contamination. 26 sites have been identified nationwide by the EPA as having a high hazard rating. Two of those sites are in Illinois: the facilities operated by Dynegy Midwest Generation Inc at Alton and Havana.

Further compounding the risk are the 70 new conventional coal-fired plants that are currently proposed. 3 of those are in Illinois and they are expected to produce and addition 632,521 tons of waste containing 8 tons of toxic metals annually.

Peter Roskam complains about the additional costs of energy production that may come with EPA regulation of coal waste, but those cost will come whether we regulate or not. If we don’t protect groundwater from contamination we will face cleanup costs and unnecessary healthcare costs later. The costs associated with preventing pollution should be paid by the energy companies now rather than the taxpayers later. Linking those costs to the production of electricity from coal will provide incentive for development of new, clean energy technologies and new green jobs.

Please contact Peter Roskam to urge him to stop interfering with EPA efforts to protect our drinking water. You can reach him at (630) 893-9670 in Bloomingdale or at (202) 225-4561 in Washington.

It will also be helpful if you send your comments to EPA administrator Lisa Jackson at jackson.lisap@epa.gov .

Please consider getting to know Peter Roskam’s 2010 opponent, Ben Lowe. Ben is an environmentalist who will work to protect our natural resources rather than to protect the big energy companies.

Here are some videos that give some more background on the Harriman, TN spill and the dangers of coal waste:

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Peter Roskam Breaks Campaign Promise to Invest in Renewable Energy

On 10.26.09, In Energy, Global Warming, Peter Roskam, By RSR

“I’m for expanding domestic energy production now and investing in renewables like wind and solar.”

That’s what Peter Roskam had to say in his first campaign ad of 2008.  And Roskam had this to say in July 2008:

“Soaring energy prices place an enormous financial weight on our family’s budget today, far greater than any time in this nation’s history,” said Roskam. “Energy costs now consume nearly one-fifth of the after-tax incomes of low and middle-class families – double that of just 10 years ago. It has come time for a national energy policy that places us on a path to independence. This is a common goal to all Americans – Republican and Democrat. For our economic security, our national security and environmental security we must be energy independent within the next 15 years.”

And this:

Your friends and neighbors, constituents of our 6th Congressional District, are common sense folks that understand the dire situation we face, and our great need to transform into a new energy economy. They also recognize that we can’t completely drill ourselves out of our energy woes, and instead move toward our energy future with an “all of the above” approach, leaving nothing on the table.

And this:

I understand that advancing America’s energy security, and working to bring down gas prices, will require a comprehensive approach that promotes responsible domestic energy production, increased conservation and efficiency standards, and robust research and development to expand the use and application of alternative energy sources.

Roskam was given a chance to stand behind his statements and keep his promise last Thursday when the House voted on H.R.3585 – Solar Technology Roadmap Act. Roskam voted no. He broke his promise.

H.R. 3585 seeks to develop a coherent solar energy development strategy through public private partnership and to provide focused public investments that are guided by that strategy or roadmap – the goal being to develop the U.S. solar energy industry and make it more competitive globally producing green jobs here at home and ultimately increasing our energy independence while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Speaker Pelosi supplies more detail on the bill:

  • Roadmap for Solar Research and Development: H.R. 3585 establishes a comprehensive roadmapping process for solar technology research, development, and demonstration activities conducted by the federal government in partnership with the private sector. The Secretary of Energy is also directed to award grants to carry out these programs on a merit-reviewed basis, and specifically to provide awards to industry-led consortia for RD&D in solar manufacturing. The roadmap provision is modeled on the successful National (now International) Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors, which has been instrumental in helping semiconductor technology advance rapidly over the past two decades.
  • Roadmap Committee Make Up: The Secretary must appoint a Solar Technology Roadmap Committee, comprised of at least 11 members, within four months of enactment of the Act. At least one-third but not more than half of the members of the Committee must come from the solar industry. The Secretary must also appoint a Committee chair, who shall not be a federal employee.
  • Timeline and Mandate of Committee: H.R. 3585 requires that the Committee create a Solar Technology Roadmap within eighteen months of enactment of the Act. The Roadmap will present the best current estimate of the near-term (up to two years), mid-term (up to seven years), and long-term (up to 15 years) RD&D needs in solar technology. It must also provide direct guidance for solar technology RD&D activities supported by the federal government. The bill requires that 30% of DOE solar RD&D funding in 2012 is pursuant to the recommendations of the Roadmap, ramping up to 75% in 2015. The Committee must update the Roadmap annually as needed, and comprehensively review and revise it every three years.
  • Photovoltaic Provisions: The Solar Technology Roadmap Act authorizes DOE to conduct at least 10 photovoltaic demonstration projects ranging from one-to-three megawatts in size and three-to-five solar projects greater than 30 megawatts in size. DOE is also required to study the performance of photovoltaic installations and identify opportunities to improve the energy productivity of these systems. In addition, DOE must establish a program of RD&D related to the reuse, recycling, and safe disposal of photovoltaic devices.
  • Dedicated Funding for Solar Research and Development: The bill authorizes $350 million for DOE to carry out these activities in FY 2011, rising to $550 million in FY 2015.

H.R. 3585 passed by a a vote of 310-106 with 63 Republican members joining 247 Democrats to make it a truly bipartisan bill. Republican Representative Michael McCaul of Texas had this to say in celebrating the bill’s passage:

The Solar Technology Roadmap Act has potential to be landmark legislation. It doubles the available research and development funding currently available. Further, it provides the collaboration that the professors at Stanford, the University of Texas and other leading institutions need to further their research so they can effectively harness the sun’s energy. The challenges they must overcome include storage, transportation and transmission of solar energy. I am hopeful this is the step that allows us to vastly expand America’s investment in research and development and commercialization of our solar industry.

Long-term, it will give us the ability to more efficiently heat and cool our homes and offices and operate equipment. Energy will cost less and the air we breathe will be cleaner.

Companies in high-tech centers such as Austin and Silicon Valley are in position to compete globally to produce this technology, creating jobs in the United States rather than export them.

Sadly, our own Republican Representative, Peter Roskam, thought it was more important to continue his political game of obstructing the Democratic legislative agenda than it was to support his promise to invest in alternative energy sources and help put our nation on the path to energy independence.

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Peter Roskam Sides with Polluters Over Planet – On the Wrong Side of History

On 06.30.09, In Energy, Environment, Global Warming, Peter Roskam, Peter Roskam's Corporate Agenda, By RSR

On Friday, June 26, the House of Representatives passed the historic Waxman-Markley comprehensive energy bill by a vote of 219 to 212. H.R. 2454, formally titled the American Clean energy and Security Act of 2009 includes a market-based cap & trade global warming reduction plan designed to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions 17% by the year 2020. This is not where we need to be. It is thought that we will have to reduce emissions 80% by 2050 in order to stabilize the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere at a level that prevent the worst consequences of global warming. Still the bill is a start and it has won praise from environmental groups like the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC):

“The House of Representatives has made a dramatic breakthrough for America’s future by choosing to create jobs, move to clean energy, and reduce global warming pollution. The passage of this legislation, which was almost unimaginable six months ago, will help set our country in a new direction by shifting to a clean energy economy and reducing the carbon pollution that causes global warming.

“While passing the bill through the House took hard work and compromises on many sides, this is strong and vital legislation that Congress needs to deliver to the President’s desk this year. This bill will help create new jobs in manufacturing and clean technology. It will increase energy efficiency, help consumers save on energy bills, and protect lower-income families. And it will finally put our country on a course to limit the carbon pollution that causes global warming.

Sadly our own Congressman, Republican Peter Roskam, was not a party to that “hard work and compromise”. Roskam voted against the bill, choosing to support the narrow interests of his big campaign donors from the energy sector, who opposed the bill, rather than act to save the planet from an impending catastrophe that threatens the  welfare of our children and of generations to come.

OpenSecrets.org, a project of the Center for Responsive Politics, today released data demonstrating how the industries that have worked to oppose climate change legislation gave, on average, twice the amount of campaign contributions to legislators, Democrat and Republican alike, who, like Roskam, opposed the legislation, as they did to those voting in favor. The table below compares contributions received by industry for the average “yes” voter on H.R. 2454, the average, “no” voter, and for Peter Roskam. Bear in mind that while contributions are totaled back to 1989, Roskam has only been running since 2006.

Industry Yes Voters Avg No Voters Avg Roskam
Energy Sector $124,181 $274,021 $240,765
Oil & Gas $31,663 $120,566 $138,815
Electric utilities $67,013 $102,370 $73,800
Coal Mining $2,279 $12,004 $1,000
Construction $138,569 $241,079 $297,517
Automakers $10,603 $11,982 $0
Business PACs $1,380,210 $1,901,371 $,1529,147
Environmentalists $21,198 $3,088 $0
Alternative Energy $1,250 $869 $0

You can draw your own conclusions but in my estimation this speaks volumes about why Roskam votes as he does.

The climate bill will now have to be taken up by the Senate where the fight is likely to be even tougher than it was in the House. I predict that 6th District residents will be hearing a lot more lobbying against the bill by our Congressman.

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Peter Roskam’s 8 Part Plan to Halt Global Climate Change

On 05.21.09, In Energy, Environment, Global Warming, Peter Roskam, By RSR

roskam_plan

Peter Roskam has been conducting more of those taxpayer-funded dinnertime robo-calls, this time to roll out his new plan to address the threat of catastrophic global climate change.  You can expect to see a lot of Roskam around the district during the labor day recess, talking up his plan. RSR has a sneak preview for you.  The 8 part Roskam plan is staggeringly simple:

  1. Ignore it. Pretend global climate change does not present any threat.
  2. Burn more fossil fuels faster. Try not to be outpaced by China and India.
  3. Cut taxes on big business.
  4. Say no to anything President Obama or any Democrat in Congress proposes.
  5. Get reelected.
  6. Continue blind obedience to masters at U.S. Chamber and National Association of Manufacturers.
  7. Cut taxes on big business.
  8. Call Nancy Pelosi a threat to national security.

Jumping creepers, Peter, why didn’t we think of this.

Seriously Peter, saying no to anything anybody propses to address the problem of global climate change is not a plan.  If we listen to you, we’re all screwed.  You who would put the narrow  interests  of your corporate campaign contributors ahead of saving the planet – for your children.

Cap & trade may not be perfect and it isn’t going to solve all of our problems, but it is a start, a step in the right direction.  It may very well be expensive for us all. But nobody said saving the planet was going to be cheap. Its just something we have to do.

If you don’t want to do cap & trade, then you tell us how you’re going to save the planet, not just how you are going to save your donors on their taxes.  Put up or shut up.

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Roskam Sides with Big Oil, Chamber of Commerce to Block Price Gouging Prevention Act

On 07.22.08, In Energy, Gas Prices, Peter Roskam, Peter Roskam's Corporate Agenda, By RSR

Have been busy with business and vacation travel over the past month and I missed this one at the time it came up but I think it is important as it is another example of Peter Roskam’s utter lack of sincerity when he purports to be concerned about the high gasoline prices his constituents are being forced to contend with.

Back on June 24, Democrats in Congress brought to a vote H.R. 6346: Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, who in his role on that committee has been working for a long time to bring real relief to consumers, unlike Roskam who has merely trotted out his energy independence dog and pony show in a desperate attempt to win votes this fall. You can see Stupak going head-to-head on price gouging last year with Fox News’ Neil Cavuto who must be getting large checks from Exxon-Mobil to argue so strenuously on the oil companies behalf. (The gas prices on the sign behind Stupak at the beginning of the clip made me weep with nostalgia).

Stupak’s bill would have allowed the President to issue renewable declarations of energy emergency of up to 30 days duration, either generally or for specific geographic areas. During these periods, those who engage in price gouging could be subject to criminal penalties. The FTC and the state attorneys general are empowered to enforce with civil and or criminal actions. Fines and penalties recovered would be required to be put in trust to provide assistance to low-income individuals and families with energy costs under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) Program.

Seems pretty straight forward. Price gouging in periods of emergency is wrong. This bill makes it illegal and those most vulnerable to high energy costs reap the rewards of its enforcement.

Sadly, the Roskam and his Republican colleagues in Congress blocked the measure, as they have done with virtually everything else the Democrats have attempted to cope with the energy crisis and promote energy independence. The day of the vote, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce sent out instructions to its minions on the Republican side of the House to defeat the measure and they blindly obeyed. Roskam consistently votes in accordance with the Chamber’s wishes, regardless of the impact on his constituents. The over $100,000 in campaign contributions he has received from the oil and gas industry probably helped also to ensure his “nay” vote on the bill.

If only we had a Congressman with the integrity and concern for consumers that Rep. Stupak has demonstrated. Perhaps we will yet. I remain optimistic about Jill Morgenthaler’s chances this fall. Roskam has blatantly voted against the best interests of his constituency at almost every opportunity and I think people are beginning to wake up to that fact.

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Roskam Vote on DRILL Act Proves His Energy Posture a Farce

On 07.21.08, In Energy, Environment, Friends of Peter Roskam, Gas Prices, Peter Roskam, Peter Roskam's Corporate Agenda, Presidential Race 2008, By RSR

Peter Roskam has spent a great deal of time touting his Energy VISION Act around the district lately. The act is supposed to be a plan to eliminate U.S. dependence on foreign oil imports in response to the crisis of high energy costs that has been caused by the last 8 years of war and mismanagement by George Bush enabled by Roskam and his Republican colleagues in Congress.

Roskam, who has attempted to block House Democrats at every turn in their efforts to develop a sound energy policy based in heavy emphasis on alternative, renewable sources of energy and increase energy efficiencies, now wants to implement a plan that he says will end our dependence on foreign oil in 15 years. Roskam’s plan emphasizes drilling in the environmentally sensitive Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and in currently protected areas of the outer continental shelf (OCS), which he says will ultimately yield a combined total of 3.9 million barrels per day.

This past Thursday Democrats gave Roskam a chance to put his money where his mouth is by bringing H.R. 6515: Drill Responsibly in Leased Lands Act of 2008 to the House for a vote. Instead, Roskam and his Republican colleagues blocked the measure.

Rep Steny Hoyer (D-MD) made the following statement about the legislation defeated by Roskam and his colleagues:

Drill Responsibly in Leased Lands. With Americans being pummeled by $4 a gallon gas, it is high time America did just that,” stated Rep. Hoyer. “However, after months of suggesting that the only answer to bring down gas prices is more drilling, House Republicans today showed their true colors by blocking the DRILL Act – a bill which would have decisively and responsibly increased domestic oil production.”

Specifically, the DRILL Act would speed up the leasing process of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A), an area of land west of the federally-protected Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) that contains an estimated 10.6 billion barrels of oil to ANWR’s 10.4 billion. The bill also incorporates the ‘Use It or Lose It’ legislation, which simply requires oil producers to drill on the leases they already have or relinquish them so that another company can produce the oil there. Finally, it would call on the President to use the powers of his office to facilitate the completion of Alaskan oil and gas pipelines, so products will get to market sooner, and it ensures that Alaskan oil will fill American gas tanks, not be exported to other countries.

“In addition to promoting responsible drilling, this bill tells the oil companies to drill on the leases they have, or let somebody else do it – but don’t just sit on them while Americans are paying $4 a gallon,” stated Hoyer. “I see no reason to give even more handouts of public land to companies enjoying record profits and billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies. Let them start on the land they already have, which will bring oil to the market more quickly.”

Oil and gas companies currently hold leases to 68 million acres of federal land and the Outer Continental Shelf on which they are not producing oil and gas. Eighty-one percent of estimated oil and gas resources on federal lands and waters are already available for development – 311 million acres. These reserves are equal to 107 billion barrels of oil and 658 trillion cubic feet of natural gas – more than 14 years of current U.S. oil consumption (7.5 billion barrels per year).

Roskam instead proposes a plan that:

  • Allows oil companies to sit indefinitely on their existing leases without drilling while prices climb even higher allowing them to increase their future profits
  • Puts highly sensitive ecosystems at risk of irreversible damage
  • Makes no assurance that oil ultimately produced will make it into gas tanks in this country
  • Relies on questionable math in its calculations regarding future energy independence

It is clear that there will be real action taken regarding the nation’s energy crisis until we elect a Democratic president this fall and increase the Democratic majority in Congress. Roskam and the Republicans are in Big Oil’s pocket and can be counted on to do absolutely nothing to help Americans who are suffering through this crisis.

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