skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump picks former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe to lead the CIA; NY group establishes new veterans' direct care program; Following election results, questions emerge about labor impact; Investors and activists both work to shape companies' climate goals.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

GOP leaders say they're ready for President-elect Trump to return to office. President Biden hosts the Israeli president, amid concerns about blocked Gaza aid, and the labor movement assesses the impact of Trump being back in the White House.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Texas women travel some of the longest distances for abortion care, Californians the shortest, rural living comes with mixed blessings for veterans, an ancient technique could curtail climate-change wildfires, and escape divisive politics on World Kindness Day.

Businesses to Congress: Pass the 'Build Back Better' Plan

play audio
Play

Wednesday, September 29, 2021   

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Congress is expected to vote on the Biden administration's Build Back Better agenda, which includes creating clean energy jobs to tackle the climate crisis.

Leaders of small and large businesses, in Pennsylvania and beyond, are asking representatives to vote in favor of the plan.

A letter from the American Sustainable Business Council is signed by 300 companies in support of the overall plan that includes upgrading both physical infrastructure and social programs.

Bill Wollrab, founder of the e-commerce marketplace AllPeople, signed the letter. He said fighting climate change also falls on corporations, and customers can hold them accountable.

"The consumers hold the power," Wollrab asserted. "Customers are the lifeblood of any company, and for corporations to not listen to feedback from their customers, and if their customers are saying, 'We want you to reduce your carbon footprint,' those companies will eventually lose."

Also among Pennsylvania businesses that signed the letter, were the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia and BioEconomy Partners. Some Democrats have voiced their support of the Build Back Better agenda, including Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pa., and Rep. Dwight Evans, D-Pa., who represent the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia regions, respectively.

Wollrab pointed out his online marketplace is working toward being 100% owned by customers and employees. It also uses carbon-neutral shipping for its products. He thinks the letter shows, despite some large corporations lobbying against Build Back Better, many businesses are concerned about the impact the changing climate will have on their livelihoods.

"So, if you've got numerous companies and millions of consumers that all believe that climate change is real and that it should be addressed, then you've got a very powerful ecosystem that can demand that our politicians listen to us rather than ignore us," Wollrab contended.

In the last month, the effects of climate change have cost Pennsylvania more than $100 million after Tropical Storm Ida caused major flood damage.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Nearly half of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency budget goes into grants to state environmental programs, nonprofits, educational institutions and others. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Florida environmental advocates are concerned about the future after President-elect Donald Trump named former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin to lead…


play sound

As President-elect Donald Trump announces immigration hard-liners as his deputy chief of staff and border czar this week, groups supporting …

Health and Wellness

play sound

It is now up to Wisconsin Supreme Court justices to decide the fate of an abortion law from the mid-1800s. A circuit court determined last year an 18…


Someone becomes homeless in the United States every 40 minutes. (Pixel-Shot/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

The faith-based nonprofit Our Calling is working with unsheltered clients in north Texas to create a long-term exit plan to help them rebuild their li…

Environment

play sound

The hills and hollers of Virginia are no strangers to hardship, but few were prepared for the devastation Hurricane Helene would bring. Six weeks …

Colorado has been working to remove cost as a barrier for students, and many certificate and degree programs are zero-tuition. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Gov. Jared Polis has designated seven Colorado colleges and universities as Career Connected Campuses for their work getting more students from all …

Social Issues

play sound

With Thanksgiving just over two weeks away, will Michiganders and shoppers across the country face sticker shock at the grocery store while planning …

Social Issues

play sound

As winter break approaches, Alabama's Summer Adventures in Learning program is encouraging parents to think ahead to summer, particularly as quality …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021