The American Legislative Exchange Council says Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt's contention that the group is "literally lying" about the reality of climate change is based on "misinformation from climate activists who intentionally confuse free market policy perspectives for climate change denial."
Schmidt made his statement Sept. 22 during an interview with NPR's Diane Rehm about the search giant's decision to cut off spending to ALEC.
Yahoo followed Google out the door on Sept. 24.
Arlington, Va.-based ALEC responded Sept. 24 via a letter to 11 top Google execs including Schmidt, founders Larry Page/Sergey Brin, senior VP communications/policy Rachel Whetstone and global head of government relations & former Staten Island Congresswoman Susan Molinari.
ALEC contends it offers an environment that provides vigorous debate and disagreement without negative consequences.
Schmidt's statement has triggered "negative consequences for an organization that provides just such a forum for debate and exchange," according to the letter.
ALEC claims it doesn't deny climate change, but wants solutions rooted in scientific and economic realities.
ALEC speculates Schmidt was pressured by groups that "conflate climate change denial with having significant concerns over government mandates, subsidies and climate regulations."
To ALEC, "nothing is more anathema than the government picking winners and losers."
By "falsely attacking ALEC," Schmidt has harmed Google's side-by-side working relationship to it, says the letter signed by ALEC national chair Linda Upmeyer and supporting politicians.
Business leaders will face challenges in the upcoming year, some of which will come as a complete surprise, or beyond anyone's imagination.
Teneo has hired Philipp Grontzki, who is a 20-year veteran of corporate communications and financial journalism, as a managing director in its strategy and communications group.
Rowan Benecke, who co-founded Zeno Group and helmed Burson-Marsteller's tech practice, has joined McKinsey & Co as director of communications for North America.
BCW has named Golin's Matt Coldagelli EVP and leader of its corporate affairs practice in Chicago.
Abby Bailey, who headed corporate communications for Fedex in its Middle East, India and Africa region, has joined Teneo as managing director in Dubai.
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