U.S. Chamber’s Endorsement of “Progressive Wolf in Banker’s Clothing” as White House Chief of Staff Questioned by National Center for Public Policy Research

At JPMorgan, Daley Led Charge to Raise the Price of Fossil Fuels in Service of Climate Change Agenda

Washington, D.C. – Experts from the National Center for Public Policy Research are questioning the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s endorsement of Bill Daley, a progressive banker who supports climate change policies, as White House chief of staff.

“Daley’s appointment reaffirms President Obama’s war on fossil fuels. As head of JPMorgan’s corporate social responsibility department, Daley lead the charge to raise the price of fossil fuels by advocating a climate change policy that is hostile to carbon-based energy – coal, gasoline and natural gas,” said Tom Borelli Ph.D., director of the National Center’s Free Enterprise Project.

The goal of JPMorgan Chase’s climate change policy is “to advocate that the US government adopt a market-based national policy on greenhouse gas emissions, which includes all sources of emissions and is fair. Options include either a cap-and-trade or tax policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the lowest possible cost.”

“In Daley’s twisted progressive mind, taxing energy in a fragile economy is good public policy. Daley’s global warming stance, however, is not surprising; after all he served as the chairman of Al Gore’s failed presidential campaign,” added Tom Borelli.

“Because of Daley’s support of energy taxes, I’m questioning the judgment of U.S. Chamber President Tom Donahue for hailing Obama’s appointment. As a veteran D.C insider, Donahue should be able to recognize a progressive wolf in banker’s clothing,” said Deneen Borelli, fellow with Project 21.

“Daley’s support of energy taxes should be a major cause of concern for the business community that Donahue is supposed to represent. Perhaps part of the Tea Party movement should be dispatched to watch Donahue to make sure the Chamber advocates for free enterprise and not shady inside-the-beltway deals,” added Deneen Borelli.

Daley also has ties to Exelon, the Chicago-based utility that has taken a lead role in attacking coal-based electricity generation. He advised Exelon on its failed effort to buy Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. in 2004.

Exelon is a member of the United States Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), a cap-and-trade lobbying organization, and the company was a recipient of a $200 million grant from Obama’s economic stimulus plan. The Wall Street Journal recently exposed the Obama-Exelon connection. “Daley’s appointment shows President Obama really wants energy prices to skyrocket. The question remains why Donohue is joining that parade,” said Deneen Borelli.

The Free Enterprise Project is a program of the National Center for Public Policy Research, a non-partisan think-tank established in 1982.

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The National Center for Public Policy Research is a communications and research foundation supportive of a strong national defense and dedicated to providing free market solutions to today’s public policy problems. We believe that the principles of a free market, individual liberty and personal responsibility provide the greatest hope for meeting the challenges facing America in the 21st century.