Chu revels in Chamber climate change row

The White House waded into the row over the US Chamber of Commerce yesterday when energy secretary Steven Chu heaped praise on the firms that have quit the group in recent weeks over its opposition to the proposed US climate bill.

Chu told reporters at a solar energy event in Washington that the decision by Apple, Pacific Gas & Electric, Exelon and PNM Resources to quit the Chamber of Commerce was "wonderful".

He added that it was heartening to see businesses protesting at the "foot dragging" and "denial" that has characterised the Chamber's approach to climate change.

Chu also urged the Chamber to reconsider its opposition to proposed carbon legislation, arguing that growing number of firms realise that the transition to a low-carbon economy presents huge commercial opportunities.

"I would encourage the Chamber of Commerce to realise the economic opportunity that the US can lead in a new industrial revolution," he said.

Chu's comments came as Chamber president Tom Donohue defended the group's position and accused environmental groups of orchestrating a campaign against the organisation after one of its senior executives said that it was seeking public hearings on the science of climate change similar to the 1920s Scopes Trial on evolution.

"It's pretty clear because we've heard it from our own companies that a number of environmental groups are trying to apply some pressure on Chamber companies to apply pressure on us to change our views," Donohue said at a press conference specially convened to outline the Chamber's position on climate change legislation.

He added that the group would not be pushing for public hearings on climate change and would like to see climate legislation passed, but would continue to oppose the two US climate bills currently being proposed, arguing they would damage economic growth.

He also insisted that the group would not be changing its position, playing down the significance of four companies leaving the 300,000-strong organisation. "If people want to attack us, bring em on… we are not changing where we are," he said. "We've thought long and hard about what is important here and we are not going anywhere."

However, Nike, which has quit its position on the Chamber's board but remains in the group in order to lobby in a change in its climate change policy, raised questions over how the Chamber's position on the climate bill had been reached. The company said climate change was not discussed at any of the board meetings it attended.