Climate SOS Meeting with Arkansas Senators’ Top Aides

Randy Massanelli, speaking for Senator Pryor, expressed concerns for “harnessing and improving technology and efficiency,” as well finding a “global solution.” Senator Pryor is also very interested in geothermal, and Bill Sammons mentioned that he has had geothermal working very well in his home for twenty years.

Donna Kay Yeargan said that Senator Lincoln has not yet addressed the 450 versus 350 ppm CO2 emissions target, and that the Senator has expressed concerns about cap & trade’s economic impact on small business and agriculture. Duff Badgley asked about reports that Senator Lincoln said there would be no climate bill in 2009. Ms. Yeargan said she’d read the same reports, but that the Senator had not made that comment to her.

Both Yeargan and Massanelli showed interest in the information Climate SOS presented about biomass being incorrectly included among the renewables, and the suggestion that the $500 billion biomass subsidies be applied to genuinely clean renewable technologies such as wind, solar and geothermal. Also well received was a proposed amendment for an in-line payment that would ensure citizens the right to sell excess power back to the grid.