Greenpeace puts the heat on Bean, Roskam

They're famous for protesting against whaling and nuclear testing aboard boats, but Greenpeace activists are moving inland in hopes of influencing two suburban lawmakers on global warming.

The environmental organization is taking a bipartisan approach, targeting U.S. Reps. Peter Roskam, a 6th District Republican, and Melissa Bean, an 8th District Democrat.

It's part of Greenpeace's Project Hot Seat, which is focusing on pressuring certain members of Congress across the country to avert global warming.

The scientific community has concluded burning fossil fuels that release carbon dioxide is gradually warming the Earth's temperatures.

To start their Illinois campaign, fewer than 10 Greenpeace members rallied Friday outside Roskam's office in Bloomingdale.

"We're trying to get legislators to start acknowledging global warming and take action in Congress," Greenpeace field organizer Eric Quamme said.

Roskam was singled out because he opposed two environmental bills this year, Quamme said.

One of them is the Clean Energy Act that sought to eliminate tax breaks to gas and oil companies and use the extra funds for renewable fuels. Similarly, the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act encouraged use of alternative fuels and energy sources such as wind power by repealing tax cuts for fuel companies.

Roskam, a Wheaton attorney, said he voted against both because they were in essence raising taxes on American corporations and hurting production of domestic oil.

But Roskam noted he supported a bill funding research for alternative fuels.

"Illinois is No. 2 in terms of corn production, so putting money into that type of research and development is the way to go," Roskam said.

Bean, a Barrington businesswoman, voted for the two policies in question, but Greenpeace wants her to do more.

"She does support renewable energy and understands global warming is a problem that needs to be addressed. But right now, what we're most disappointed in is that hasn't translated into strong leadership," Greenpeace global warming field organizer Kate Ogden said.

"We'd like to see her become more of a leader for fuel efficiency standards."

Specifically, the group hopes Bean will be a co-sponsor of the Safe Climate Act of 2007 that seeks a rollback on greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide, of about 2 percent a year starting in 2011 for nine years. In 2020, the proposal calls for cutting emissions by 5 percent a year.

Some congressional insiders argue the Safe Climate Act is too overreaching and will never pass.

"She believes in the ideas behind this bill, but whether this bill is the right mechanism remains to be seen," Bean spokesman Jonathan Lipman said, adding that Bean has backed other emission reductions.

"She's looking at all options on the table; she has a very strong record on the environment."

Roskam said he wanted to see details of the legislation.

"What are the consequences for the families and businesses in my district?" he said.

"Does it mean we're going to have fewer minivans on the road because of different standards? If so, we need to have a conversation with families that drive minivans and (see if they) are willing to give that up. What are the consequences all the way around?"

Despite Friday's disappointing turnout at Roskam's offices, the group intends to keep pressure on the rookie legislator.

"He can be moved if it's done the right way," Quamme said.

Meanwhile, Greenpeace is planning two events: a global warming rally and a town hall meeting in the 8th District this November.