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* Biss campaign yesterday…
In light of today’s report by the Chicago Tribune highlighting the damages caused to Illinois farming communities by the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline, Daniel Biss is calling on candidates for governor to divest from all holdings in dirty energy companies.
“The Dakota Access Pipeline is already damaging crops and natural spaces, lowering property values, and threatening leaks and spills in Illinois’ farming communities. Despite nationwide opposition by environmental activists and protests by Native Americans for building on sacred ground, J.B. cared more about his own profits. J.B.’s investments in the Dakota Access Pipeline are a clear conflict of interest, an unconscionable affront to affected Illinois families, and a concerning contradiction of his self-described progressive values.
“Just last year, Gov. Bruce Rauner allowed Dynergy to set its own emissions standards, so we know the consequences of having a governor who puts corporate profits over protecting the environment and Illinois families. To eliminate these conflicts of interests and ensure Illinois is a leader in clean energy, Bruce Rauner, J.B. Pritzker and Chris Kennedy should divest from all holdings in dirty energy companies as they run for governor.”
* Pritzker campaign yesterday…
For years, our failed governor, @BruceRauner, has resisted policies and worked against protecting our planet.
Illinois deserves a real leader, and when I'm governor, I will be 100% committed in the fight to protect our environment. pic.twitter.com/uHrnfHm7FD
— JB Pritzker (@JBPritzker) January 4, 2018
* Rauner campaign today…
Hi, all-
Last night, J.B. Pritzker was talking a big game on climate change. But what he won’t tell anyone is that he’s personally profiting from his investments in a company that’s helping construct the Keystone Pipeline, three companies that use fracking, and Exxon and Chevron.
Read more about his hypocrisy here: https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/smoking-out-investment-gambles-of-chris-kennedy-and-j-b-pritzker/
J.B. Pritzker likes to talk about how he’s a die-hard progressive. But the truth is, he’ll pull the wool over the eyes of Democrats if it makes him more money.
Will Allison
Communications Director
Citizens for Rauner
*** UPDATE 1 *** Biss campaign…
Daniel Biss spokesman Tom Elliott issued the following statement today, reiterating the campaign’s position that any candidate for governor, from any party, should not be supporting and profiting from investments in the Dakota Access Pipeline:
“Yesterday, Daniel Biss called for all candidates to divest from any and all holdings in dirty energy companies, including the Dakota Access Pipeline. This isn’t just directed at J.B. Pritzker - Daniel also believes that Chris Kennedy should divest from his own investments in Exxon Mobil, Halliburton, ConocoPhillips, and Occidental Petroleum, as well as for Bruce Rauner to divest from his holdings in some of those very same companies, including Halliburton, Exxon Mobil, and his own stake in the Dakota Access Pipeline.
“Speaking of Rauner, the only thing more ridiculous than his hypocrisy on this attack is his failure to note that Pritzker is invested in the Dakota Access Pipeline, not Keystone. Apparently the governor isn’t a big details guy, which must be why he lets polluters like Dynergy write their own rules, so he doesn’t have to be bothered.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** IMA’s Mark Denzler…
Political pandering is unfortunately expected at this time of year. However, politicians may want to consider that millions of Illinoisans have heat in their homes and businesses this week during record cold temperatures thanks to these “energy companies” that supply our grid throughout the year and especially during peak times. Perhaps they don’t realize that petroleum products are used to grease wind turbines and petroleum-based chemicals are used on solar panels. Further, the companies mentioned are spending billions of dollars investing in sustainable and alternative energy research and own or operate wind farms, solar panels, geothermal technology, and hydroelectric power.
Illinois doesn’t need political fairy dust. We need real leaders and real solutions to the challenges facing the state. And Illinois needs to keep an “all of the above” domestic approach when it comes to energy that includes nuclear, coal, oil, natural gas, and renewables.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 1:24 pm
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“Bruce Rauner created massive damage to the state to bust public employee unions, while having profited from public employee pensions for decades.”
Any time you want to respond, Pritzker campaign.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 1:40 pm
Someone get that Biss / So. IL coal miner forum scheduled, stat!
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 1:51 pm
GoM - What if those public employee pensions are invested in the Keystone Pipeline, fracking, or Exxon and Chevron?
Comment by City Zen Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 1:58 pm
So many Pots and Kettles….
Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 2:10 pm
Biss-”dirty energy companies” Just love those phrases designed to whip up emotions but not deal with reality. First, there are no clean energies, not in the sense that any form of energy production creates some type of pollution at some point in the energy cycle. Second, try shutting down “dirty oil production” and see how fast our society begins to break down. Oil based products serve many critical needs but environmental true believers want nothing to do with reality. That would be ok if the politicians didn’t pander to them for votes.
Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 2:11 pm
“GoM - What if those public employee pensions are invested in the Keystone Pipeline, fracking, or Exxon and Chevron?”
None that I know of. I’m just suggesting that Pritzker go after Rauner for the hypocrisy part—bringing the state to its knees to attack the very types of people who helped Rauner profit for decades.
“Rauner acts and talks like he’s a die-hard conservative, but he’s gorged at the public trough for decades.” That sort of thing.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 2:14 pm
Daniel Biss voted in FAVOR of the fracking law.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 2:16 pm
“he’s personally profiting from his investments in a company that’s helping construct the Keystone Pipeline, three companies that use fracking, and Exxon and Chevron.”
Your problem isn’t with J.B. Pritzker, Comrade Allison, your problem is with capitalism.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 2:17 pm
Hypocrisy is becoming a common theme with Pritzker.
Comment by People Over Parties Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 2:17 pm
===voted in FAVOR of the fracking law===
The Sierra Club was a proponent. So, why not?
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 2:17 pm
This kind of makes it official that Kennedy, Biss and Rauner all see JB as the one to beat. Thus far, JB has run a strong campaign, attacked Rauner and offered ideas. Biss and Kennedy haven’t. Biss keeps crying about the other candidates wealth. Rauner has no coherent plans to accomplish anything. JB doesn’t have to do much to look good compared to the failing campaigns of the competition.
Comment by Trapped in the ‘burbs Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 2:18 pm
We should all just stop using energy completely and then enjoy that economic boom, LOL.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 2:20 pm
In a post-Citizens United world, the only candidates will be rich. After term limits, they’ll also be unknown.
That’s too bad. A lot of good people aren’t rich. Too bad they’re being squeezed out by the rich.
Maybe electing a rich guy will help things.
Comment by 33rd Ward Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 2:25 pm
So what the Rauner campaign seems to be telling me is… JB seems to know the difference between making money in the current system and proposing solutions to change that system. You are telling me there is a billionaire out there that knows that businessmen and governors operate in a different manner with different priorities?(exclamation point) I am sure he is surprised by that fact.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 2:30 pm
I like Biss overall, and I get that he needs to be critical against his primary opponents, but the purity test is a bit much. Pritzker is for a lot of great policies, ie cannabis legalization and progressive income tax. Pritzker has a much better chance at beating Rauner and that is the goal.
Comment by Illinois Resident Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 2:31 pm
==an unconscionable affront to affected Illinois families==
Is it? (Hint: It’s not)
Comment by Chris Widger Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 2:34 pm
Pipelines=dirty energy. WOW.
Comment by Blue dog dem Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 2:55 pm
What is the Illinois Environmental Justice Commission?
Comment by Keyser Soze Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 3:02 pm
Could someone tell GovJunk spox we don’t talk about investments
Comment by Annonin' Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 3:07 pm
Does Daniel Biss drive an electric car (powered by coal in Illinois) and use solar energy to heat his home? Why won’t he walk the walk
Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 3:20 pm
Rich - he’s hypocritical - says he is opposed to fracking and then supported the law.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 3:44 pm
All the northsider senate Dem kids convinced Daniel to go all Jill Stein over pipelines. Get out of your bubble folks.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 3:52 pm
Based on the Rauner campaign statement on fracking, I take it the governor is against the Illinois law and regs. allowing for it.
Be sure to sell that Downstate, governor.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 4:07 pm