[Green] Meeting with Congressman Johnson

[gbanz42 at suddenlink.net]

Green Sanctuary Colleagues:

     On Monday afternoon Dave Ballantyne and I met with Bill Johnson. Dr. Bob Chase, former Chair of the Petro Engineering Program at MC,  was there also--Dave & I think that a major reason that we got the meeting with Johnson was that Johnson has a lot of confidence in Chase, and Chase offered to go with us. His District Director, Sara Keeler, was also there.

    We were scheduled to meet with Johnson for 30 minutes, but the meeting went on for 60 minutes.

    There was considerable discussion about non-climate issues, but we think that  such discussion serves to establish a bond and some trust between us and Johnson. Our assumption  was confirmed when he agreed to have future meetings with us and to maintain some ongoing dialogue. 

    We talked about the climate legislation before Congress, mainly about the Carbon Fee and Dividend Bill (HR 763). He did not say if he is for it or against it.  Johnson said not to expect any major legislation out of Congress before November 2020.

     Johnson used the word "throttle" several times--in the context of his disposition not to support any climate legislation that throttles or punishes the fossil-fuel industry.  Dave and I regard this as a   challenge for our future discussions.

      When I brought up the issue of the fast-growing jobs in solar and wind industries, Johnson said that a lot of these jobs are government subsidized. That's another challenge that Dave and I will deal with as we try to promote the economic viability and sustainability  of an economy based on renewable energy.

      Chase and Johnson discussed some  major plans for development of petrochemical facilities in the district that will soon be made public.


--
George Banziger
202 Lawton Road
Marietta, OH 45750-1111
740-434-5685
cell: 740-434-3354