PETITION CLOSED

  • The time period for signing this petition has ended.
Demand Best Buy Stop Supporting Anti-Environment Politicians
  1. Signatures
    698 out of 1,000
    Petitioning
    1. CEO (+ 2 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • CEO (Brian J. Dunn)
      • Senior VP, Public Affairs, (Paula Prahl)
      • Director, Corporate PR (Susan Busch)
  2. Created By
    ALLIANCE FOR A BETTER MINNESOTA
About this Petition Petition Letter

Consumer electronics giant Best Buy recently made a corporate donation of $100,000 to elect a political candidate in Minnesota who has one of the worst environmental track records in the state, Tom Emmer.

Best Buy is trying to "keep our planet healthy." At least that’s what it says it’s doing with the "Greener Together" initiative.  But its corporate sponsorship of an effort to elect Tom Emmer calls into question Best Buy's commitment to the environment.

Best Buy became an industry leader after field testing its electronic recycling program in Minnesota.  Then Best Buy launched it nationwide at over 1,000 stores.

These commitments to corporate social and environmental responsibility are what make Best Buy’s decision to actively fund Tom Emmer’s campaign for governor so troubling.

Tom Emmer twice voted against creating an electronic recycling program in Minnesota, and now that its law, has pledged to abolish the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the department responsible for administering and ensuring compliance with the program.

For Best Buy Corporation to directly donate money to a pro-Emmer group, let alone such a high amount, when Emmer consistently votes against setting goals for reducing energy consumption and emissions flies in the face of Best Buy’s own corporate practice.

Please email Best Buy today to demand that they stop funding political candidates with anti-environment track records that undercut their own sustainability initiatives.

Tom Emmer’s voting record has earned failing grades from Minnesota's leading environment and conservation groups –- and he was one of only five state house members to vote against banning toxic chemicals from children’s toys and sippy cups.

If Best Buy wants to continue to call itself a leader in environmentally-friendly business, it has to shed ties to anti-environment candidates like Tom Emmer.

Recent Signatures

Please stop funding anti-environment politicians

Dear Best Buy,

In recent weeks it was disclosed that Best Best Buy Co., Inc. made a direct corporate contribution of $100,000 to MN Forward, a political action committee that is funding efforts to elect extreme politicians in Minnesota. MN Forward has used that money to support that has consistently received failing grades from Minnesota's leading environmental and conservation groups.

On your website, it says that Best Buy is committed to “keep the planet healthy” by leading the industry with forward-looking initiatives, like the electronic recycling program which you piloted in Minnesota before you launched it nationwide.

I'm afraid these efforts are undermined by your corporate support of Tom Emmer's Gubernatorial campaign in Minnesota.

Twice, Emmer has voted against the bill that created an electronic recycling program in the state. The program, which passed despite his opposition, is now administered by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency –- an agency Emmer has consistently said he would eliminate should he be elected governor.

Has Best Buy changed its its position on protecting the environment through socially responsible recycling?

The business and environmental communities both applauded Best Buy when you set a goal to reach an 8% carbon footprint reduction by 2012 and achieved that goal by 2009.

But again, these efforts are tainted by Tom Emmer’s staunch opposition to setting goals for reducing energy consumption and and emissions, as well as his promise to repeal the “25 by 25” renewable energy standard that requires utility companies to get a quarter of their power from renewable energy sources by 2025.

I was also shocked to learn that Tom Emmer was one of only five house legislators to vote against banning toxic chemicals from things our children touch everyday – like toys, baby bottles and sippy cups!

Are these the kind policies that will help keep our planet -- or even our children and families -- healthy?

I kindly ask you to explain how money from Best Buy – which considers itself a leader in sustainability – could make its way to a politician with an agenda that is so unfriendly to the environment and who actively promotes an anti-environment agenda that will undermine Best Buy's efforts to “keep the planet healthy.”

Thanks for your time.

[Your name]

Press Inquiries