What does MoveOn.Org have against Senator Claire McCaskill?

This week, MoveOn.Org launched a full-scale assault on Senator Claire McCaskill for suggesting that she could vote for a climate bill in the Senate only if changes were made to a bill that would ensure that Missouri consumers would be guaranteed protection from higher energy costs under a resulting climate policy.

Given MoveOn.Org’s attack on the senator, I thought it would be good to see where she stands on energy and environmental topics. On her Senate Web site, Senator McCaskill says “Congress needs to enact policies that protect consumers and move America away from its dependence on foreign energy sources and its dependence on oil.”

Does MoveOn.Org disagree with that statement?

Her site also says: "Encouraging utilities to purchase an increased portion of their electricity from renewable energy sources would be a positive step toward energy independence. But Congress must pass a law that takes into account the unique energy capabilities of each region in the U.S. For example, while Nevada can benefit significantly from wind and solar power to supply their energy needs, states like Missouri can implement a combination of biomass co-firing, wind and energy efficiency standards to supply ours.”

That seems to make great sense given that different states have different abilities to add renewable and non-traditional energy resources. Does MoveOn.Org disagree with that statement?

Here’s what Senator McCaskill understands: Missouri gets 82.4% of its electricity from low-cost coal, and as a result enjoys the 10th-lowest electricity costs in the nation.

Does MoveOn.Org think Senator McCaskill should support legislation to raise the cost of energy in the state?

Do they think that Missouri businesses will be better able to compete in this already challenging economy and create jobs if they are also paying higher energy costs?

Does MoveOn.Orgthink Missouri families (who are already struggling in this economy) are having too easy of a time making ends meet?

We think Senator McCaskill is headed in exactly the right direction. This week,  Senator McCaskill said, "I'm going to be one of those trying to craft it [a climate bill] … that is not going to hurt a state like Missouri that is so coal dependent."

Some people want to pass a climate bill so badly, they are willing to accept a bill that could be bad for our economy. Thank goodness Senator McCaskill and others in the Senate recognize the difference.

Any bill that the Senate passes needs to ensure access to affordable, reliable energy, promote greater energy independence, protect existing jobs (as well as look to create new jobs), and bring new technologies to the marketplace that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions that can be used here at home as well as around the globe. That is the type of bill we have said we’ll support and work toward seeing adopted in the Senate and signed into law.