Find the secret donors and win a prize
Last week the Commonwealth Foundation for Policy Alternatives published a so-called "Policy Brief" that accused PennFuture of "hypocritical, unethical and possibly illegal" lobbying. The Foundation alleged that we do "secret lobbying." (So secret, in fact, that you may have participated in one of our lobby days.)
Of course, this is totally false, and our attorney has written a letter to Matt Brouillette, head of the Commonwealth Foundation, and Paul Chesser, author of the policy brief, asking that false allegations be corrected.
Chesser's exhaustive research included finding our financial information right on our website, as we post our full IRS tax returns which proudly list our major donors as well as our audited financial statements. We have also consistently and correctly filed quarterly lobbying reports, which are freely available from the Pennsylvania Department of State.
But speaking of hypocrisy, the Commonwealth Foundation refuses to reveal its donors. When challenged about this, Nathan Benefield, the Foundation's Director of Policy Research, labeled our transparency as "foolish," and says that the reason his organization does not reveal its donors is "we don't want unions goons (or the KKK) showing up at our donors homes and bashing their skulls with baseball bats."
So here's a great opportunity for intrepid Session Daze readers. Identify one (or more) of the secret Commonwealth Foundation donors and get a great package of PennFuture swag (umbrella, gym bag, lapel pin, as well as a "Breathe Easy Stay Healthy" flexible flyer, and an energy saving kit from "The Black and Gold City Goes Green"), personally delivered by PennFuture President and CEO Jan Jarrett.
Send your entries to secrets@pennfuture.org, and make sure to include your sources and all your contact information.
There's more to legislation than the budget
The General Assembly will have a full plate of environment and clean energy bills when it returns in September. Last week we listed some of the pressing business such as the severance tax that awaits legislators, and here are some other important bills on the docket:
Hottest ever global temps
If you felt like these high school students during June, you had plenty of global solidarity. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported yesterday that last month was the warmest June on record since data collection began in 1880. The combined global land and ocean surface temperature for June was 1.22 degrees Fahrenheit above the 20th Century average, and the global land surface temperature was 1.93 degrees above the 20th Century average.
NOAA reports that global temperatures between April and June were the highest ever for this three month period, and that 2010 so far is the second warmest year on record behind 2007.
Range Resources to show what's behind the curtain
Gas driller Range Resources announced this week that it will disclose the exact chemical mixture and the amounts used in fracking operations at each of its wells. This is welcome transparency and will really help emergency responders and give community members the information they deserve to know about operations near their homes.
We hope other drilling companies will follow suit. And if they don't, the state should require it.
Meet Green Power Heroes in Philly, the ‘burgh
Each fall, PennFuture recognizes the state's green power heroes – the individuals and organizations creating our clean energy economy. And this year, we're having two celebrations – one in the City of Brotherly (and Sisterly) Love and the other in the City of Bridges.
You can also help nominate someone for the Peoples' Choice Award. But whether you help a friend get an award, or just want to meet these heroes yourself, join us in Philadelphia on Thursday, September 16, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Hilton Inn at Penn, or in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, October 5, from noon to 2 p.m. at The Fairmont Pittsburgh.
Space is limited, so buy your tickets today.
Join the merry band of PennFuture staff
Do you have a passion for clean energy and green jobs issues? Do you enjoy working with the public and being part of a team? If so, PennFuture may have a place for you. We are seeking an Outreach Coordinator for our Center for Energy, Enterprise and the Environment based in our West Chester office.
Visit our web site for details on the position and instructions on how to apply.
Something concrete to help wildlife in the Gulf
As we prepare to hit send, the deluge of oil in the Gulf has been stopped, at least temporarily. But the damage to the environment hasn't stopped.
Our friends at National Wildlife Federation are working hard to protect and rehabilitate wildlife suffering from the BP oil deluge in the Gulf of Mexico. You can help. Text "WILDLIFE" to 20222 to donation $10, or go to www.nwf.org/oilspill to do more. PennFuture is NWF's statewide Pennsylvania affiliate.
Podcast of the Week: MIA
With those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer upon us, the podcast is MIA. But here's one of our favorites from the past for your viewing pleasure – Exelon Chair and CEO John Rowe, speaking at PennFuture's Global Warming Conference last October. Rowe is currently one of the people at the table to develop strong federal legislation to stop global warming pollution.
PennFuture works every day to make a difference for Pennsylvania's environment and economy. Isn't it time to join us and make a difference yourself? Go to our secure website to join PennFuture, and make sure you sign up for our publications. And remember, you won't miss any podcasts if you subscribe to them through iTunes.
Won't you be our friend? See us at www.facebook.com/PennFuture. Or at least tweet along with us – our Twitter handle is @PennFuture.
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