Grassroots Group Works to Repower Missouri
COLUMBIA – A group of enviornmentally conscious residents gathered today to support congressional action for clean energy.
Repower Missouri is a grassroots group dedicated to the future of clean energy in Missouri and around the nation. Residents gathered outside Senator Claire McCaskill’s office to support the American Power Act, a new proposal by Senators John Kerry and Joe Lieberman to support clean energy in the United States.
“We’ve been working the past few months, really trying to push Senator McCaskill to be a leader on clean energy,” said Gretchen Wieland, the Communications Director for Repower Missouri.
Wieland also acknowkleged that it’s going to be a tough road to garner support for the bill.
“We know that it’s going to be a tough issue to get through, especially in the next months when so many other issues are really weighing on peoples minds. But especially in light of the oil spill in the gulf, we think this is something that really needs to happen.”
In a confrence call with reporters Wednesday, Senator McCaskill said her support depends on how the bill would affect Missourians.
“I am not someone who has indicated support for cap and trade, because I want to make sure it’s not going to hurt working families and businesses in Missouri before I agree to seriously consider voting for it,” McCaskill said.
Republicans are even more skeptical of the bill. GOP Senator Lindsey Graham planned to co-sponser the bill, but dropped his support at the last minute.
-Maurice Scarborough
