WASHINGTON D.C. û For the first time ever, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) today included the President of the United States on its election year ôDirty Dozenö list of anti-environment policy makers. The group cited President BushÆs consistent anti-environmental record and his unabashed support for energy legislation representing a taxpayer giveaway to wealthy corporate interests. Vice President Cheney, whose secret Energy Task Force meetings helped formulate the legislation, and House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX), who is trying to force the bill through Congress are also included on the Dirty Dozen list.

ôWith President Bush and Vice President Cheney, Big Oil and Halliburton not only have a seat at the energy policy table, they own the chairs, the table and the entire building where the table sits,ö said LCV president Deb Callahan. ôBy selling out our energy policy to the special interests, Bush and Cheney have given Americans a failed energy policy that has made our nation less secure. First, George Bush earned an ôFö on our Presidential Report Card, now he is the first president ever voted a member of the æDirty Dozen.Æ His legacy will be unraveling 30 years of environmental progress.ö  

Joining them on the LCV Dirty Dozen list are Reps. Bob Beauprez (R-CO), Max Burns (R-GA), Richard Burr (R-NC), Colin Peterson (D-MN), George Nethercutt (R-WA) and Rick Renzi (R-AZ). Former Rep. John Thune (R-SD), currently running for Senate, is also included. LCV will announce the final three members of this yearÆs list in the coming weeks.

Ms. Callahan noted that the bulk of those on the 2004 ôDirty Dozenö list regularly vote on environmental issues in lockstep with the desires of Rep. DeLay, who in turn blindly follows the White Houe lead, no matter what the concequences to their constituents back at home.

ôTom DeLayÆs Texas has one of the worst air quality problems in the nation. Rick RenziÆs Arizona constituents face tremendous clean water issues and Richard Burr takes thousands in campaign contributions from giant utilities after voting on energy legislation beneficial to the industry. This top-down disdain for the public good is only exceeded by their arrogance of power,ö Ms. Callahan said. ôIn November, voters should remind the entire æDirty DozenÆ who they should be working for.ö 

Through the ôDirty Dozenö campaigns, LCV identifies those holding or seeking federal office û Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike -- who consistently vote against the environment, as part of its ongoing effort to educate voters about voting records. LCV targets selected members of this list for independent campaigns in competitive races. 

For more information on LCVÆs ôDirty Dozen,ö visit www.lcv.org.

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The nonprofit League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is the political voice of the national environmental and conservation community.  LCV, which is not a partisan organization, is the only national organization working full-time to hold Congress and the president accountable for their environmental actions.  For more information, please visit us on the web at www.lcv.org.