PennEnvironment and Environment America Endorse Joe Sestak

PennEnvironment is partnering with Environment America to endorse Joe Sestak for reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives.  Congressman Sestak has been a consistent supporter of the environment, and is committed to further action for environmental protection once he is reelected to Congress. PennEnvironment and Environment America believe the 7th district race is important for strengthening the pro-environment majority for the 111th Congressional session and enabling us to bring about much-needed change in environmental policy.  Reelecting Representative Sestak is essential for moving America forward on energy policy and stimulating national action on critical environmental issues such as global warming.

Congressman Sestak has served Pennsylvania’s 7th district in the U.S. Congress since last year, and it is his pro-environment voting record while in Congress that gives us confidence that Rep. Sestak will continue to vote for and champion important environmental legislation once he returns to Washington, D.C.

Representative Sestak is committed to solving our nation’s energy and transportation crisis. He favors clean energy solutions that protect our air, water and land and that also facilitate economic growth.[1] Throughout his time in Washington, D.C., Congressman Sestak has voted to end subsidies for big oil, to protect our coasts from offshore oil drilling, and to create renewable energy and energy efficiency standards.[2] An enthusiastic supporter of bold global warming legislation, he supports setting a cap on global warming pollutants.[3] 

Rep. Sestak’s opponent, Craig Williams, does not appear to have a dependable commitment to our environment. He supports drilling off our shores and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.[4]  He favors investments in dirty fossil fuels such as coal over investments in clean energy.[5]  Furthermore, Williams continues to advocate for risky and expensive nuclear power.[6]     

This race is important because it can play a major role in building a pro-environment majority in Congress.  With powerful special interests, lobbyists for polluting industries, and a handful of anti-environmental votes in Congress blocking necessary reforms, Pennsylvania needs representatives willing to stand up for solutions to our energy problems and the challenge of global warming.

Congressman Sestak will continue to be one of the dedicated leaders in our nation’s capital who will take on these difficult issues and enact meaningful reforms.  He has the experience, commitment and leadership needed to move Congress toward environmental solutions. Accordingly, PennEnvironment and Environment America support Joe Sestak for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.

[1] http://www.sestak.house.gov/pdf/environment.pdf
[2] Congressional scorecard 2008
[3] http://www.sestak.house.gov/pdf/environment.pdf
[4] http://www.craigwilliamsforcongress.com/news.php?news_id=79&start=0&category_id=3&parent_id=3&arcyear=&arcmonth=
[5] http://www.craigwilliamsforcongress.com/news.php?news_id=81&start=0&category_id=2&parent_id=2&arcyear=&arcmonth=
[6] http://www.craigwilliamsforcongress.com/news.php?news_id=79&start=0&category_id=3&parent_id=3&arcyear=&arcmonth=