Chevron: At the annual meeting, shareholders representing approximately 160 million shares voted in favor of a shareholder proposal to help reduce instability and insecurity in oil-rich countries through a transparent and accountable payment disclosure policy in all countries where Chevron operates. This is an opportunity for Chevron to promote the rights of citizens by providing them with vital information about revenues coming into their countries.
Clean Air Act
In June, U.S. Senators voted down a blatant attempt to weaken the Clean Air Act. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) led the failed legislative effort to keep the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases, and while she failed, more such attacks are anticipated.
Health Care Reform: President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law on March 23, 2010. The new law significantly reforms health care policy in the United States.
Human Trafficking: Christian Brothers Investment Services (CBIS) sent a letter to hotels to encourage action on human trafficking in advance of The World Cup. More than 300 faith-based organizations and investors including SCN Leadership, joined together to raise our voices against exploitation of children. Responses were received from Accor, Carlson, and Intercontinental hotels.
Holy Land: We urged Congress and President Obama to exercise strong leadership for Holy Land peace. In a positive development, the U.S. is now brokering “proximity” or indirect talks between Israelis and Palestinians, but we need to continue supporting strong U.S. leadership.
India: Regarding Bt Brinjal, although the Minister of Environment and Forest (MoEF), Jairam Ramesh has deferred introduction of Bt brinjal indefinitely until “independent tests prove it safe”, the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) is trying other ways to push the introduction forward. The GEAC decided to prepare a background paper on concerns over food safety of Bt Brinjal. A panel with 5-6 independent scientists will be formed to look into the concerns and question their scientific validity.
Valley Fill Permits
The Obama Administration has stopped the rubber-stamping of valley fill permits associated with mountaintop removal mining. The decision by the Army Corps of Engineers to suspend the Nationwide 21 permitting process is a step in the right direction. This action means that permits will go through a more extensive review and directly impacted Appalachian communities will have a chance to express their concerns. This change is not permanent and will be under consideration again in 2012, and the Army Corps could retract that suspension before then.
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