Washington, DC: In anticipation of a series of anti-environmental actions undertaken in Congress on the 45th Earth Day, League of Conservation Voters Legislative Director Sara Chieffo issued the following statement.  On Earth Day (April 22)  the House Energy and Power subcommittee will mark up Rep. Whitfield’s draft bill to block the EPA’s Clean Power Plan.  The House Appropriations Committee will also mark up the Energy and Water appropriations bill which contains a host of anti-environmental riders. Meanwhile, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing exploring ways to decimate America’s premier conservation program, the Land and Water Conservation Fund. 

“It’s probably safe to assume that Congressional Republican leaders wanted to send a message by choosing Earth Day to move a host of anti-environmental measures.  But it’s less clear if they want the public to know that the message is they are putting polluters before their constituents. 

“Representative Whitfield’s draft bill attacks a central pillar of the Clean Air Act and undermines the EPA’s efforts to reduce carbon pollution. The House Energy and Water Appropriations bill blocks important clean water and ocean protections while sacrificing clean energy for continued reliance on dirty fossil fuels. Senator Murkowski is leading a hearing where they are expected to outline ways to decimate the nation’s premier conservation program. On this Earth Day, their message is clear: polluters hold the keys to this Congress.  This stands in stark contrast to the progress the Obama administration has made, including this week, in demonstrating that growing the economy and protecting the environment go hand-in-hand.”

###