EDFAction Ad Campaign: Sen. Johnson Votes for Unlimited Carbon Pollution

(Washington, D.C. – September 16, 2015) EDFAction today announced a television ad campaign highlighting Sen. Ron Johnson’s votes to allow unlimited carbon pollution from its largest source.

The ads urge Wisconsin families to contact Senator Johnson and press him to reconsider his efforts to block the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan, which would put first-ever national limits on carbon pollution from power plants and move the country toward clean energy. 

“Senator Johnson voted to deny the science of climate change – science that’s backed by NASA and all major American scientific organizations. And he voted against limits on the largest source of carbon emissions, the pollution that causes climate change. That would mean more asthma attacks for the thousands of people in Wisconsin who suffer from asthma. He chose big utilities over a common-sense plan that would protect the health of Wisconsin families and promote cleaner energy,” said EDFAction President Elizabeth Thompson. “Senator Johnson needs to reconsider his opposition to EPA’s Clean Power Plan – a moderate, flexible effort to limit climate pollution. Our kids’ future is at stake.”

Congressional leaders have indicated they will launch additional attacks on the Clean Power Plan, including amendments to must-pass funding measures and likely use of the Congressional Review Act. EDFAction strongly urges Senator Johnson to reverse course and support reasonable limits on carbon pollution from power plants.

The ad begins running statewide this week. It can be viewed here.

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EDFAction (http://www.edfaction.org/) is at the forefront of educating legislators about developing new solutions that protect the natural world while growing the economy. Through grassroots and direct lobbying, EDFAction amplifies Environmental Defense Fund’s ability to champion laws that are based on science, economic incentives, and, above all, the protection of our environment

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Senator Ron Johnson. Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin opposed the Clean Power Plan, stating that the regulations were “unnecessary.” In April 2015, Johnson introduced the “Regulation Moratorium and Job Preservation Act” to prevent any new regulations. Johnson voted in favor of a McConnell amendment to prevent states that refused to submit state implementation plans under the Clean Power Plan from losing Federal highway funds, and voted in 2011 to prohibit the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases to address climate change. Johnson denied the science behind climate change saying, “It’s not proven by any stretch of the imagination. It’s far more likely that it’s sunspot activity or just something in the geologic eons of time.” In 2015, Johnson voted against an amendment that stated, “Climate change is real and significantly caused by humans.” In 2014, Johnson received $218,728 in contributions from dirty energy. 

Opposed Clean Power Plan

Johnson: EPA Clean Power Plan ‘Unnecessary.” According to Senator Ron Johnson, “Take just one of those regulations heading our way. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to lower still further the amounts of sulfur dioxide and mercury that power plants can emit…It is all unnecessary. The EPA’s current tight limits, for instance, mean that three-fourths of the sulfur dioxide that was in our air in 1980 is gone.” [Senator Ron Johnson, Issues, accessed 4/27/15]

• Johnson Proposed Legislation To Halt All New Regulations Until Unemployment Levels Dropped Below 7.7%. According to Senator Ron Johnson, “I’ve proposed the Regulation Moratorium and Job Preservation Act, which puts a hold on new regulations until unemployment falls below the level it was when the administration took office, to 7.7%. At least until the crisis passes, we need to stop shifting the earth under the feet of the nation’s employers. Many regulations have been helpful. No one wants to get rid of all regulations. But with an economy stuck in neutral, it’s time to give job creators a chance to catch up with the myriad regulations we already have.” [Senator Ron Johnson, Issues, accessed 4/27/15]

Johnson Signed Letter That Asked President To Withdraw Clean Power Plan Rules. Senator Johnson signed a letter that asked the president to withdraw the Clean Power Plan. According to a press release, “U.S. Senators…signed a letter…calling on President Obama to withdraw the recently announced Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rule to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants…The letter also questions the President’s authority to force states to reduce emissions, stating, ‘In your haste to drive coal and eventually natural gas from the generation portfolio, your Administration has disregarded whether EPA even has the legal authority under the Clean Air Act to move forward with this proposal, the dubious benefit of prematurely forcing the closure of even more base load power generation from America’s electric generating fleet, and the obvious signal this past winter’s cold snap sent regarding our continued need for reliable, affordable coalfired generation.’” [Senator Roger Wicker, Press Release, 6/4/14]

Voted Against Clean Power Plan and Clean Air Regulations

2015: Senator Johnson Voted In Favor Of McConnell Amendment To Prevent Loss Of Highway Funds For States Refusing To Submit A Plan To Comply With The Clean Power Plan. On March 26, 2015, the United States Senate voted on S. Amdt. 836 to S. Con. Res. 11 to allow “To establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to the regulation by the Environmental Protection Agency of greenhouse gas emissions, which may include a prohibition on withholding highway funds from States that refuse to submit State Implementation Plans required under the Clean Power Plan of the Agency.” According to The Hill, “The Senate passed an amendment Thursday night that makes it harder for the White House to enforce environmental regulations.” The amendment was sponsored by Senator McConnell and was agreed to 57-43. Senator Johnson voted in favor of the amendment. [United States Senate Roll Call 116, 3/26/15; The Hill, 3/26/15]

2011: Senator John Voted In Favor Of McConnell Amendment To Prohibit EPA From Regulating Greenhouse Gas To Address Climate Change. On April 6, 2011 the United States Senate voted on S.Amdt. 183 to S. 493, “To prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from promulgating any regulation concerning, taking action relating to, or taking into consideration the emission of a greenhouse gas to address climate change.” Senator Johnson voted in favor of the amendment, which failed by a 50-50 vote. [United States Senate, Roll Call 54, 4/6/11]

Denied Climate Science

Johnson: “Absolutely Do Not Believe In The Science Of Man-Caused Climate Change.” According to ThinkProgress Senator Ron Johnson said, “I absolutely do not believe in the science of man-caused climate change … It’s not proven by any stretch of the imagination. It’s far more likely that it’s sunspot activity or just something in the geologic eons of time.” [ThinkProgress, 1/8/15; Journal Sentinel, 8/19/10]

• “It’s Far More Likely That It’s Sunspot Activity Or Just Something In The Geologic Eons Of Time.” According to ThinkProgress Senator Ron Johnson said, “I absolutely do not believe in the science of man-caused climate change … It’s not proven by any stretch of the imagination. It’s far more likely that it’s sunspot activity or just something in the geologic eons of time.” [ThinkProgress, 1/8/15; Journal Sentinel, 8/19/10]

Senator Johnson Voted Against Schatz Amendment That Declared Climate Change Was Real And Significantly Caused By Humans. On January 21, 2015 the Senate voted on S.Amdt. 58 to S.Amdt. 2 to S. 1 (Keystone XL Pipeline Act). The measure failed 50-49-1, needing 60 votes to pass. Senator Ron Johnson voted against the measure. According to The Hill, “says climate change is real and significantly caused by humans.” [United States Senate, Roll Call 12, 1/21/15; The Hill, 1/20/15] 

Received More Than $218,000 From Dirty Energy

2014: Johnson Received $218,728 From Dirty Energy. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Senator Ron Johnson received $132,600 from oil and gas; $63,428 from mining; and $22,700 from electric utilities. [Center for Responsive Politics, Industries contributing to Campaign Committee, 2014]