Rep. Saxby Chambliss (R): Dirty Dozen 2002
Georgia Senate

2001 LCV environmental rating = 0%

  106th Congress LCV rating = 10%

  LCV Lifetime rating = 7%

View Saxby Chambliss' Race At A Glance page.

Saxby Chambliss has failed to stand up and protect Georgia's environment and quality of life. Throughout his eight years in Congress, he:

• opposed efforts to clean up Georgia's waterways,      
• accepted thousands of dollars from groups opposed to stronger environmental laws and      
• voted to limit the public's right to know about what chemicals are being released into the air and water. 

Worked to Weaken Clean Air Laws
Georgia ranks 6th in the U.S. for point-source air pollution, up from 7th in 1998, 10th in 1997 and 12th in 1996. Some of the largest polluters are coal-fired power plants, emissions from which are linked to the deaths of over 1,600 Georgians annually. And, although over 3.5 million Georgians live in counties in "serious" violation of air quality standards, Chambliss voted against disclosing air violation information to the public and supported legislation that would have significantly weakened laws curbing soot and smog emissions. He also voted to exempt oil refiners from air standards and block clean air enforcement.    

Voted Against Protecting the Chattahoochee River
Flowing for over 400 miles, the Chattahoochee is one of the most polluted rivers in the country due primarily to urban runoff and high levels of fecal coliform, a bacteria indicating the presence of human or animal waste. Over 300 million gallons of treated municipal wastewater are discharged daily into the Chattahoochee, while heavy rains frequently cause raw sewage to overflow into the river and its tributary streams. The Chattahoochee River also serves as the primary source of drinking water for nearly half of all Georgians.  Chambliss voted against protecting the Chattahoochee, supporting a proposal to bar EPA enforcement of clean water laws that prevent raw sewage from flowing into the river. He also voted for a bill to relax water quality standards, exempt industry from certain water treatment requirements and weaken federal storm water permits that help reduce urban runoff.

Failed to Protect Public Health 
Toxic mercury and PCBs are responsible for hundreds of fish consumption advisories for Georgia waterways; exposure to them can cause severe health problems. PCBs are a recognized carcinogen, while mercury is known to damage the nervous system, especially in young children. Even though recreational fishing is a billion dollar a year industry in Georgia, involving over one million participants, Chambliss opposed cleaning up these toxics. 

He voted to delay the clean up of mercury from power plants and hold up EPA's efforts to clean rivers contaminated with PCBs and contaminated sediments. Also, he twice supported legislation to undermine reporting requirements for companies releasing toxics into the environment.

Sided with Corporate Polluters -- Not Taxpayers
Over 799 million pounds of toxics were released into the state's environment during the 1990s and there were over 122 million pounds released in 2000 alone. Additionally, Georgia has 14 hazardous sites on the National Priorities List, three that have threatened drinking water supplies.

Chambliss has consistently sided with corporate polluters by: 

• opposing more funds for toxic waste site clean up,
• backing a proposal to compensate polluters for clean up costs with taxpayer dollars, and
• voting to weaken reporting requirements for toxics. 

Between 1996 and 2000, he accepted $333,000 from Political Action Committees opposed to stronger environmental laws. 

The Race
Saxby Chambliss is challenging incumbent U.S. Senator and 2002 LCV Environmental Champion Max Cleland, who has worked to improve air quality, protect the Chattahoochee River and preserve open spaces. Although the race is currently rated "lean Democrat," Cleland was elected in 1996 with only 49 percent of the vote. As political analyst Charlie Cook notes, the "Cleland/Chambliss contest is likely to focus on leadership. And while Chambliss has some work to do to get better known, this race will become more competitive." Chambliss has the full support of the White House and President Bush has already headlined a major fundraiser on his behalf. Recent polls show the race tightening, and while Cleland holds a narrow advantage, he is considered a top target for defeat.