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

WASHINGTON - The League of Conservation Voters (LCV), the political voice of the national environmental and conservation community, today named Representative Mike Castle (R) as a 2004 Environmental Champion in his race for reelection to the at-large House seat in Delaware. 

LCV Environmental Champions are candidates who have proven their pro-environment commitment through their substantive action.  LCV supports these outstanding leaders by rewarding them with direct contributions, fundraising, and occasionally running independent campaigns to help ensure they are reelected to Congress as we continue to build America³ pro-environment majority.

G�een a strong supporter of a sensible, sustainable energy policy, land conservation and improved water quality for the people of Delaware throughout his career in Congress.� Vice President for Policy. #ontinues to bring independent, bi-partisan, common sense leadership to resolving difficult environmental issues.�le="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 80%">Rep. Castle opposed the House of Representatives Energy Policy, which would give an estimated $8.2 billion in tax breaks to oil and natural gas companies. He also opposes drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which would forever damage a pristine wilderness area and endanger critical wildlife habitat. Castle supports creating incentives to make energy conservation easier and more desirable for consumers and advocates investing in alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, geo-thermal and fuel cell technology to better meet the nation³ long term energy needs.

Rep. Castle has taken a leadership role in protecting precious open spaces in Delaware. He has worked to secure funding to expand the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge and the Redden State Forest, which are important habitats for a variety of migratory birds and to create the Delmarva Conservation Cooridor.  Most recently, Castle has made it a top priority to carve out a new environmental, recreational and historical vision for the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal.

Rep. Castle is committed to improving water and air quality in Delaware. He has advocated for improved monitoring especially along coastal areas and beaches and worked to secure funding for improved wastewater treatment facilities in Delaware. He supported the B.E.A.C.H. Act that requires states to adopt national water quality standards for protecting human health from pathogens in coastal recreation waters consistent with those published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Castle is also leading a bipartisan effort in Congress to push for a comprehensive mercury reduction rule.

For information on all of LCV³ 2004 Environmental Champions, visit our website.

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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.