Movement to fight the Chamber of Commerce comes to NC

The US Chamber of Commerce has launched an all out public campaign and lobbying effort to stop federal climate and clean energy legislation from passing Congress.

But there's a growing backlash from companies large and small who are making sure that legislators and the public know that the Chamber does not speak for all businesses.

North Carolina business owners announced their support today for a clean energy jobs bill and joined the growing number of businesses in America criticizing the United States Chamber of Commerce on the issue.

“While Argand Energy Solutions supports our local chamber, the position of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has given us pause as we consider whether or not to renew our membership,” stated Erik Lensch, President of Argand Energy Solutions in Charlotte. “At this time we are unlikely to renew our membership with our local chamber based on the position of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. We will be watching closely in the coming months as Congress continues to work to develop comprehensive energy legislation.”

That sentiment was echoed by Eric Henry, President of T.S. Designs in Burlington, “We have been a member of our local chamber for many years and will continue to support them, but we do not support the U.S. Chamber of Commerce decision to oppose this energy bill.”

Local business owners are part of a growing list of American businesses that have either officially resigned from the United States Chamber of Commerce or publicly distanced themselves from the Chamber’s oppositional policies towards climate change and clean energy legislation.

“There are many businesses that are not members of the Chamber and disagree with their position on energy reform that addresses climate change,” stated Yola Carlough, Director of Sustainability at Burt's Bees in Durham, NC. “We left the Chamber of Commerce last year and we are much less likely to return to the Chamber as long as it continues to fight common sense progress for our national energy policy.”

The list of major American businesses that have either withdrawn or publicly distanced themselves from the U.S. Chamber specifically because of their opposition to comprehensive federal energy reform includes:

- Apple, Inc. – Resigned
- Exelon – Resigned
- PNM Resources (NM) – Resigned
- Pacific Gas and Electric Co (CA) – Resigned
- PSE&G – Resigned
- Levi Strauss & Co - Resigned
- Nike – Resigned from board, will quit Chamber next year
- Johnson&Johnson, General Electric, San Jose Chamber of Commerce, Alcoa, Duke Energy, Entergy, Microsoft (have all stated that the U.S. Chamber does not represent their views on climate change and clean energy legislation)

When Apple, Inc. resigned from the U.S. Chamber on Oct. 5, the company put out a statement noting that “(w)e would prefer that the Chamber take a more progressive stance on this critical issue and play a constructive role in addressing the climate crisis. However, because the Chamber's position differs so sharply with Apple's, we have decided to resign our membership effective immediately."