Let me make this clear.
There are some great folks that belong to the Charlotte Chamber.
AND, the Chamber does some great work for our community.
BUT, when an organization takes a position that calls for their members to oppose environmental standards that would preserve and protect our air quality, that would oppose steps needed to address the Climate Crisis, and would help protect the health and well being of families, children, and others, we need to speak out.
Since a friend of mine sent out the action alert email to some friends, two Charlotte business owners have said that they are leaving the Chamber! Local business owners should know that their dues are working against preserving and protecting the environment and opposing a number of social justice issues.
Please pass this along and let people know so that they can decide if the Chamber really represents all their values.
For more information see:
Chamber Of Commerce Continues Decades-Long Assault Against Clean Economy
The US Chamber Doesn’t Speak for Me by 350.org
Anti-regulation U.S. Chamber of Commerce pouring record sums into lobbying
From the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Update of September 5, 2012
Action alert: urge EPA to maintain current air quality standards
On June 29, 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new Clean Air Act standards for particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5). The proposal would lower the PM2.5 standards to levels that can result in many localities becoming non-attainment areas. Non-attainment areas are prone to consequences that can have a lasting economic impact such as severe restrictions on economic activity and federal funding for transportation development. Click here to urge the EPA to maintain the current standards and to give a clear explanation of the economic consequences of setting more stringent standards.
So what have national businesses done?
Source: Public Citizen’s Climate Change webpage
“After the Environmental Protection Agency finally moved to begin regulating carbon emissions, the U.S. Chamber announced a major legal campaign to reverse the decision. It continues to spearhead opposition to a comprehensive legislative approach to climate change. “No organization in the country has done more to undermine such legislation,” the New York Times editorialized.”
So what have other cites done?
Source: Public Citizen Local Chambers vs. U.S. Chamber
Since 2009, nearly 60 local Chambers of Commerce have publicly denounced or canceled their membership to the U.S. Chamber, citing the national organization’s extreme positions. For a printable list of these organizations and their statements CLICK HERE.
Local Chambers That Have Denounced Or Withdrawn From The U.S. Chamber:
- Homer Chamber of Commerce, AK
- Kodiak Chabmer of Commerce, AK
- Seward Chamber of Commerce, AK
- Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, PA
- Greater New York Chamber of Commerce, NY
- Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, WA
- San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, CA
- Maryland Chamber of Commerce, MD
- Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, MO & KS
- Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, CA
- Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, VA
- Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, NC
- Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, CT
- Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, CT
- Greater Hudson Chamber of Commerce, NH
- Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce, NH
- Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce, NH
- Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, NH
- Merrimack Area Chamber of Commerce, NH
- Asheville Chamber of Commerce, NC
- Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, NC
- Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce, MA
- Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce, ME
- Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, ME
- Belfast Chamber of Commerce, ME
- Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, WI
- New Canaan Chamber of Commerce, CT
- Brattleboro Chamber of Commerce, VT
- Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, CT
- South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce, SC
- Butler County Chamber of Commerce, PA
- Mountain View Chamber of Commerce, CA
- Walton Area Chamber of Commerce, FL
- Aspen Chamber Resort Association, CO
- Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, PA
- Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce, PA
- Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, PA
- York Chamber of Commerce, PA
- Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce, NY
- New Paltz Chamber of Commerce, NY
- Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County, PA
- Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, IA
- Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, IA
- Greater Cedar Valley Alliance and Chamber, IA
- Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce, CO
- New Britain Chamber of Commerce, CT
- Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, CT
- Largo/Mid Pinellas Chamber of Commerce, FL
- Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce, KY
- Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, MA
- Central Mass South Chamber of Commerce, MA
- Lexington Chamber of Commerce, MA
- North Shore Chamber of Commerce, MA
- Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, NY
- Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County, PA
- Draper Chamber of Commerce, UT
- Salt Lake Chamber, UT
