Intel's Hypocrisy Exposed....Again

A few weeks ago, Intel's Government Affairs Manager assured me that Intel "remains committed to the principle that Oregon continues to lead on the critical issues of carbon reduction and climate change." He also said, "I hope and believe there will be legislation this year that delivers on that goal." This was after members of the Cascade Climate Network, myself included, had invited Intel to lobby in support of Oregon's Senate Bill 80 - a cap on greenhouse emissions in our state. Intel's reply, in essence, can be summed up like this: We can't lobby for SB 80 right now, but don't worry; we're confident Oregon will pass plenty of great global warming laws this year.

Well, a few weeks after Intel tried to reassure us that there was no need for them to lobby on behalf of SB 80, the bill is in tatters. SB 80 is no longer even a cap on greenhouse emissions - it simply instructs Oregon agencies to find ways of reducing emissions, and gives them a lot of discretion in the process. Hmm....looks like Intel was a little over-confident about the prospects for prospects on "the critical issues of carbon reduction and climate change" moving forward without their help. Of course, while refusing to step up in defense of SB 80, Intel was still lending its membership to the alliance of corporate interests bent on destroying climate policy in this state....

Intel helped kill SB 80. It's time to hold them accountable.

-Nick Engelfried

Ask Intel to Lobby for Clean Energy with the Cascade Climate Network!

With the latest online action tool from Uncover Intel Secrets, you can ask Intel lobbyist Jonathan Williams to join the student-run Cascade Climate Network in pushing for clean energy and solutions to global warming. The Cascade Climate Network will be holding a lobby day in Salem sometime this February (official date to be announced) - and we want Intel to be there lobbying with us! By coming to the CCN lobby day, Intel can show it is serious about its green claims, and make good on its promise to push for clean energy in 2009. Please ask Jonathan Williams to attend the CCN lobby day at http://citizenspeak.org/node/1396

Nick