The Wall Street Journal called out Apple’s resignation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as an act of “green political correctness,” rather than a smart business decision.
The editorial singled out both Apple and Nike, two companies that recently forfeited their stake in the Chamber over its stance on greenhouse gas emissions. It noted that former Vice President Al Gore, a member of the Apple Board of Directors, stands to profit from potential anticarbon legislation.
The Journal suggested that the tax impact for both companies would be relatively small. Under the proposed Boxer-Kerry bill in the Senate, Apple’s carbon taxes would reportedly be between $43 million and $108 million a year.
It concluded that companies should not “dump” the Chamber over one issue. If every company did that, it said, the Chamber wouldn’t be able to serve anyone’s interests, as it would be too worried about each individual company’s specific agenda, rather than the health of business in general.
Apple has earned its share of fans and critics in the wake of its decision. Chamber President Thomas Donohue took on Mac maker after it said it would prefer the Chamber to have a “more progressive stance on this critical issue.” Donohue said Apple forfeited the chance to “advance a 21st century approach to climate change.”
But Apple earned accolades as well, from U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, who called the move “wonderful.” Greenpeace, too, applauded Apple’s decision to leave the group.
While Apple left the Chamber entirely, Nike only withdrew from its board. The shoe-maker has retained its membership. Preceding them in departure were three utility companies, Pacific Gas & Electric, PNM Resources and Exelon.
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