11/07/07

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kristin Lee, (202) 785-8683 or kristin_lee@lcv.org

League of Conservation Voters and Maryland League of Conservation Voters Endorse Donna Edwards in MD-4 House Race

LCV, MDLCV Cite Edwards’ Significant Leadership on Environmental Issues, Commitment to Addressing Global Warming

WASHINGTON, DC – The League of Conservation Voters (LCV), the independent political voice for the environment, and the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (MDLCV) today announced their endorsements of Donna Edwards in the race for Maryland’s 4th Congressional District seat. 
 
“LCV is endorsing Donna Edwards for Congress because she has been an outstanding leader on the environment,” LCV President Gene Karpinski said.  “Donna Edwards understands that addressing global warming and putting our country on track to a clean energy future needs to be at the top of Congress’ agenda.  In Congress, Donna Edwards will be more than just another vote for clean energy legislation, she'll be a champion for a clean energy future.”
 
"Maryland LCV is proud to endorse Donna Edwards for Congress because we know that she will fight for Marylanders and continue to be a champion for our communities in Congress," Maryland LCV Executive Director Cindy Schwartz said.  "Donna Edwards recognizes that by embracing common sense solutions to our energy challenges, we can create new, 'green-collar' jobs, lower energy costs and make our cars go further on a gallon of gas."

Donna Edwards has a long record of leadership on environmental issues on both the community and national levels.  She founded The Campaign to Reinvest in the Heart of Oxon Hill, a grassroots organization that works to tie key issues in largely African American issues to conservation issues.  She has been a champion of public transportation and smart growth in Maryland.  For the past 7 years, Edwards has also worked to protect the Potomac River shoreline and worked for smart growth in light of substantial new development. Edwards serves on the Boards of the League of Conservation Voters and the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, but is taking a leave of absence during her campaign. She also served on the Board of the Maryland Conservation Voters, but stepped down to focus on her campaign.

“Environmental issues are some of the biggest, most important policy questions of our generation,” said Ms. Edwards.  “I am grateful for the support from the League of Conservation Voters and the Maryland League of Conservation Voters for my campaign to bring real environmental leadership and vision to Congress from the 4th Congressional District.  The challenges we face related to energy and global warming go far beyond a single, isolated policy or program and require an out-of-the box approach.  I am committed to bringing communities of color, business, and other new constituencies into this conversation in order to expand the reach and possibility for change.”
 
In addition to her support for clean renewable energy to reduce global warming pollution, Edwards supports establishing a Renewable Electricity Standard, increasing fuel efficiency standards to make new cars go further on a gallon of gas, as well as improving energy efficiency standards to save energy while saving consumers money. Edwards is also deeply committed to upholding and improving key public health safeguards such as the Clean Air and Safe Drinking Water Acts.  
 
For more information on LCV, visit our website at: www.lcv.org <http://www.lcv.org/> 
To learn more about Maryland LCV, visit: www.mdlcv.org <http://www.mlcv.org/>
 

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Paid for by the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund, 202-785-8683, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
 
The nonprofit League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is the independent political voice for the environment.
To secure the environmental future of our planet, LCV's mission is to advocate for sound environmental policies
and to elect pro-environmental candidates who will adopt and implement such policies.