Contact: Chuck Porcari (cell: (240) 286-7566) or Mark Sokolove (cell: (703) 599-7656) or (202) 785-8683

WASHINGTON D.C. - Today's Denver Post reports that Colorado Rep. Bob Beauprez (R-07) voted for legislation that bailed out polluters, and at the same time, took thousands in campaign contributions from the companies that lobbied for this special deal.  Following the Post's revelation, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) said it was "devastating commentary on his representation and leadership."

According to the Post, "Colorado Congressman Bob Beauprez, who received thousands of dollars from makers of a potential human carcinogen, voted to shield makers of the chemical MTBE from lawsuits even though it has been found at 20 sites in his district."

"Bob Beauprez was named to our 'Dirty Dozen' list for a good reason - he supported a dirty polluter deal.  Beauprez took campaign money from the polluters, then voted for their special interest bailout - while his own district suffers from MTBE pollution.  It doesn't get more dirty than that. This story provides devestating commentary on his representation and leadership," said LCV Senior Vice President for Political Affairs Mark Longabaugh.

"This is the worst kind of special interest politics - deals cut behind closed doors, polluters let off the hook and taxpayers and citizens are left with the bill.  Bob Beauprez voted for this dirty deal.  Maybe he thought his constituents would never find out, maybe he's just a lap dog for Tom DeLay and his party leadership, or maybe he wanted the campaign cash - but whatever the case - Bob Beauprez does not deserve to be re-elected to the United States Congress," added Longabaugh.

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About MTBE

Methyl tertiary butyl ether is an additive found in gasoline and other petroleum fuel. It easily dissolves in water and moves quickly through soils and aquifers.

MTBE can be inhaled in the air or absorbed through the skin or through drinking contaminated groundwater.

The effects of human exposure to MTBE are not known. Animal studies indicated that the chemical can cause cancer and kidney damage and impair fetal development.

Sources: Environmental Protection Agency, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Campaign funding

Contributors to Rep. Bob Beauprez from political action committees with an interest in the MTBE provision of the energy bill for the 2003-04 campaign cycle:

Americans for a Republican Majority (PAC of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas) - $10,000. DeLay is the primary sponsor of the MTBE provision.

BP Corp. - refiner that used MTBE and was sued - $1,000.

ChevronTexaco - refiner that used MTBE, was sued - $3,000.

Devon Energy - owns an MTBE plant through Belvieu Environmental Fuels, a joint venture of Enterprise Products Partners, Sunoco and Devon - $500.

El Paso Corp. - natural gas company that closed MTBE plant in Cheyenne last year - $6,000.

ExxonMobil - refiner that used MTBE and was sued - $5,000.

Valero Energy - manufacturer of MTBE and was sued - $10,000.

Sources: Federal Election Commission, Center for Responsive Politics

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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.