CORRECTION: Whirlpool EXACTLY as Green as Claimed: UPDATED

This is a correction to a story that ran here September 28 (bottom of this report).
Though the US Chamber of Commerce may still tout Whirlpool's participation in its organization, Whirlpool confirmed to us today that it canceled its membership in the organization "more than a year ago".  Whirlpool's response:

Whirlpool Corporation ended its membership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce more than a year ago.  We chose to discontinue our membership for a variety of reasons, including the value of the membership to our organization.  

Whirlpool belongs to a number of trade associations at the national, state and local level.  We do not always agree with the positions taken by these trade associations and we regularly communicate our specific position on a wide range of issues and policies.

Nearly 40 years ago, Whirlpool established a corporate office for environmental control and, in 2003, Whirlpool became the world's first appliance manufacturer to announce a global greenhouse gas reduction target.  Recently, the company announced that by 2015, it will make all the electronically controlled appliances it produces -- everywhere in the world -- capable of receiving and responding to signals from smart grids.

Regards,

Jody
MANAGER, CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY COMMUNICATIONS
Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail

We at ApplianceAdvisor.com sincerely apologize to Whirlpool for our error.  In the case of Whirlpool, (not the other brands listed below), we made the mistake of relying on what must have been older marketing materials from the Chamber and not a current membership directory. 
As for Whirlpool's green bona fides, we have been and remain highly impressed with the energy, focus and leadership that Whirlpool has brought to the industry on this issue.  It is being felt.  We also appreciate Whirlpool's position that, like marriage, we can't all agree with all the positions of the organizations who represent us, though in the case of Global Warming, we feel there can't be a compromise position.

While we have this momentary channel of communications, we have 4 questions we hope you will be able to answer:
1)  Does Whirlpool have a position on Climate Change as being primarily of "man made" or "natural" causes? 
2)  As the largest appliance manufacturer in the US (and the World), what is Whirlpool doing to lead and accelerate the development of appliance efficiency standards in the United States?
3)  As the largest appliance manufacturer in the US (and the World), what is Whirlpool doing to correct the many problems with the Energy Star certification system?
4)  There is a market for much more efficient refrigerators and freezers than are available in the North American market, though they are available overseas.  Are you considering bringing these more efficient units to the US


ORIGINAL UNCORRECTED STORY SEPTEMBER 28 FOLLOWS:
Whirlpool was named 78th most green company in America by Newsweek's Green Rankings, yet it supports one of the strongest lobbies in Washington fighting against climate change legislation.  Does Whirlpool's lobby jive with CEO Jeff Fettig's comment:  “Recognition like this is only possible because of the people at Whirlpool who make our long-term commitment to sustainability a reality.”  This section concerning Whirlpool is in error....see correction at top.

Sub-Zero and Viking, brag of their green bona fides (how we'll never know) but they too support the lobby against climate change legislation.

VIKING CORRECTION Nov 4, 2009: 
VIKING STATEMENT:  "Viking is not currently a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, nor have we been a member for many years."
AA Comment:  Viking is a prominent member of the local Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce, which intern is a member of the Mississippi Economic Council, which intern is a member organization of the US Chamber of Commerce.  We are inquiring further into the relation of the field and HQ chamber offices.

Fisher & Paykel, has long marketed its products emphasizing efficiency.  Fisher & Paykel remains a member.

General Electric, with aggressive green marketing, remains a member, though has joined the competing green lobbying efforts of the US Climate Action Partnership which includes over 25 major manufacturers and utilities.

What nefarious organization are all these appliance manufacturers affiliated with?  The Chamber of Commerce.  (Chamber's position)

It is being reporting that major corporations are criticizing the Chamber or canceling their membership based on the Chamber's stand against all climate legislation.  Yet for our industry, it's business as usual.
Bloomberg

WSJ (the comments section is interesting.  who knew WSJ readers were so enlightened?)

Washington Post (anti - climate legislation ad campaigns)

NOTE:  We also attempted to confirm memberships for BSH, Electrolux, ASKO, LG, Haier but were unable to.  (maybe they are...maybe they aren't)

Updated Sept 29, 2009:  New Times Editorial "Way Behind the Curve"