10/14/08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joshua McNeil, (202) 785-8683 or joshua_mcneil@lcv.org

Anne Northup Named to 2008 Dirty Dozen

Promises to Bring Back Failures of the Bush/Cheney Energy Policy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The League of Conservation Voters, which works to turn environmental issues into national priorities, today added Anne Northup to its 2008 Dirty Dozen list.*  Northup has a lifetime score of only 7% on LCV's National Environmental Scorecard.
 
"With energy at the heart of the 2008 election, it is critical that we elect Representatives who will steer us away from Big Oil and toward a clean, renewable energy policy," said LCV Deputy Legislative Director Tim Greeff.  "Anne Northup has a deplorable environmental record and promises to continue our reliance on oil and minimize investment in alternative energy sources."

Northup had one of the lowest LCV environmental voting scores in Congress, voting against every major piece of environmental legislation in the 109th Congress.  After losing her seat to Congressman Yarmuth in 2006, Northup, in a desperate bid to retake her old seat, has focused almost exclusively on drilling, while ignoring the potential of clean, renewable energy. She has no plans to increase renewable energy funding or development. 
 
Her opponent, LCV-endorsed Congressman John Yarmuth, received a perfect 100% score in 2007 and has continued to champion clean energy and conservation. In his first term, Yarmuth has taken on global warming as a cosponsor of the Safe Climate Act.  Yarmuth has also fought for clean energy measures that would create jobs in Kentucky and across the country. 

"I am committed to investing in clean, renewable energy sources that will lead not only to America's energy independence, but to countless new, sustainable jobs that will stay here at home," said Congressman Yarmuth. "We can protect our environment, boost our economy, and empower a new, thriving American workforce all at the same time—investment in renewable energy just makes sense." 
 
"Kentucky has a top-notch Representative who is working to effect real policy change and better the lives of the people of Kentucky," said Greeff.  "Northup would undo all of Congressman Yarmuth's hard work, and lead America down a path of continued oil dependence, and away from a clean, sustainable future."

*LCV's trademark "Dirty Dozen" program targets congressional candidates and members - regardless of party affiliation - who consistently vote against the environment and are running in races where LCV has a serious chance of affecting the outcome.    In 2006, LCV helped defeat nine members of the Dirty Dozen.  For more information, visit www.lcv.org/dirtydozen.

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