U.S. Chamber of Commerce Reacts to Apple's Withdrawal Over Climate Change Policies

Dow Jones Newswires reports that U.S. Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Tom Donohue responded to Apple CEO Steve Jobs today after the company announced its withdrawal from the organization over the Chamber of Commerce's stance on pending climate change legislation.

"It is unfortunate that your company didn't take the time to understand the Chamber's position on climate and forfeited the opportunity to advance a 21st century approach to climate change," U.S. Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Tom Donohue wrote in a letter to the Apple chief executive. He said that the business group is committed to the environment but also to preserving the competitiveness of American business.

Donohue went on to note that the organization does support climate change legislation, but opposes currently proposed legislation that the organization claims would hurt American businesses and simply transfer greenhouse gas emissions to other countries rather than directly addressing the issue.

Apple's withdrawal places it in the company of such entities as Nike and Pacific Gas & Electric that have either resigned from or scaled back their relationships with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over its climate change policies.