PennEnvironment Announces Pro-Environment Endorsements for 2012 Federal Elections

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PennEnvironment

PennEnvironment announced its endorsements for the 2012 election season, shining a spotlight on key pro-environment candidates for Congress and the White House.

“When it comes to the air we breathe, the water we drink and the places we love, elections matter.  PennEnvironment is proud to endorse Barack Obama, Bob Casey, Allyson Schwartz and other environmental champions running for office who deserve our support as the right choice for voters who care about clean water, clean air, clean energy, solving global warming and protecting our most treasured natural spaces,” said the Director of PennEnvironment, David Masur.

PennEnvironment endorses the following candidates:

President Barack Obama:  President Obama has aggressively protected our families’ health by tackling pollution that threatens the quality of our air and our water. He has advanced policies to dramatically reduce our dependence on oil and has doubled the nation’s reliance on clean renewable energy.  To move America toward a clean energy future, to protect our environment and health, and to ensure the U.S. does our part to combat global warming, President Barack Obama gets PennEnvironment’s enthusiastic support.

U.S. Senator Bob Casey: Senator Casey has been a strong supporter of protecting our environment and defending against threats to the public’s health. During his time in the U.S. Senate, Senator Casey has been a constant environmental champion, receiving a 94% on the PennEnvironment scorecard. And during the current session, Senator Casey has voted numerous times to defend the Clean Air Act from attacks, and has been a lead sponsor on the FRAC Act to remove exemptions for gas drilling companies from basic public health protections.  For these reasons, Senator Casey receives PennEnvironment’s endorsement in 2012.

U.S. Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz: Since first being elected to Congress, Representative Schwartz has been one of the most supportive champions of environmental policy in the U.S. Congress. From introducing policies to strengthen our environmental standards to consistently voting to promote clean air, clean water and preserve Pennsylvania’s—and America’s—incredible natural heritage. This includes working tirelessly to tackle one of the most profound environmental issues facing the planet, climate change. For all of these reasons, PennEnvironment endorses Rep. Allyson Schwartz for re-election.

Kathy Boockvar: PennEnvironment proudly endorses Kathy Boockvar for Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District. Ms. Boockvar has been a vocal champion of protecting our environment and strong environmental policies. This includes her vocal support for clean water, closing existing environmental loopholes for gas drillers, and addressing global warming. Under the pro-polluter majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick has repeatedly cast votes that would threaten our environment and health. In the past year Congressman Fitzpatrick has received a disappointing 36% on PennEnvironment’s scorecard. Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional district needs a member of Congress who will consistently vote to protect our environment and our cornerstone environmental laws—not roll them back.

Matthew Cartwright: Matt Cartwright is guaranteed to be a top environmental champion for Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District when elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. Cartwright has advocated aggressively for closing loopholes that exempt Marcellus Shale gas drilling from the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act. He has publicly applauded the decision by the Pennsylvania state courts to overturn provisions of Act 13—Pennsylvania’s controversial and disastrous gas drilling law. To address global warming and reduce our reliance on oil, Matt has been a vocal supporter of improved public transportation systems.  PennEnvironment is confident that Matt Cartwright’s leadership in Congress will lead to a healthier environment for his constituents—and for all Pennsylvanians.  For these reasons, PennEnvironment proudly endorses Matthew Cartwright for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Manan Trivedi: As a doctor, Manan Trivedi is acutely aware of the need for strong policies that will protect our environment—as well as our health. Manan has championed numerous policies that will help defend Pennsylvanians against dangerous gas drilling, reduce air and water pollution, and implement federal policies to tackle climate change. At the same time, Manan’s opponent, incumbent Congressman Jim Gerlach has a dismal voting record on the environment. Over all of his terms in Congress, Jim Gerlach has received a 39% scorecard from PennEnvironment, repeatedly voting to repeal protections from mercury pollution, smog pollution, carbon pollution and many other shortsighted policies. For these reasons, PennEnvironment proudly endorses Manan Trivedi for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Gene Stilp; PennEnvironment endorses Gene Stilp for the U.S. House of Representatives. When it comes to putting your money where your mouth is and being an active citizen in the democratic process, there are few who have put in as much elbow grease as Gene Stilp. Known across the Commonwealth for his ongoing activism to fight for justice, tackle pollution, and promote good government policies, Gene has made personal sacrifice for the greater good. Most recently, Gene has actively fought to tackle environmental pollution from Marcellus Shale gas drilling in the Commonwealth.  And Gene was chosen as one of the Philadelphia Inquirer’s three “Citizens of the Year” in 2005. With such a track record of public service to improve our state and stand up for every-day Pennsylvanians in the David vs. Goliath fights that inevitably arise in politics, PennEnvironment is proud to endorse Gene Stilp for Congress.

“With the polluter lobby spending historic amounts of campaign cash on this election, it’s more important than ever that Pennsylvania voters support those candidates who share our environmental values and who will protect our air, our water, our special places and our families’ health,” said Masur.  “On November 6th the choice for Pennsylvanians and the planet is clear. We believe Barack Obama, Bob Casey, Allyson Schwartz and all of the strong environmental candidates we’re endorsing deserve our vote.”

 

Paid for by PennEnvironment at www.PennEnvironment.org. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.