A 'green' vote for Chellie Pingree

April 22, 2008 Times Record Opinion by Gene Karpinski.

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is proud to endorse Chellie Pingree for the Democratic nomination in the First District Congressional race.

One of the ways that LCV works to turn environmental values into national priorities is by electing leaders who will not only vote to protect our environment, but will lead this country to a clean, renewable energy future. In a state that has shown itself a leader on the environment, Chellie stands out as the one candidate in the race who can most effectively bring Maine's leadership to Washington.

Mainers have a lot to be proud of when it comes to environmental policy. This year, the Maine Legislature (with Chellie's daughter Hannah as House Majority leader) passed several important environmental measures that make Maine a national leader in conserving our environment and protecting our natural heritage for future generations.

A law signed by the governor earlier this month puts the brakes on any development of coal gasification power for three years, while simultaneously putting Maine on the road to adopting the nation's first limits on carbon dioxide emissions from these plants. The coal industry has spent $30 million to try and convince Americans that coal can somehow be "clean." Mainers didn't buy it.

Record gas prices and increasingly ominous news about our climate crisis has made finding new sources of clean energy even more pressing. The potential for wind power in Maine is significant and the Legislature is setting an example for other states to follow by creating a streamlined process for permitting wind power projects. This new legislation keeps Maine on the path to reducing global warming pollution set last year with the adoption of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Time and time again Maine has lived up to its motto: Dirigo (I lead.) And on more than one occasion, the moving force behind that leadership has been Chellie Pingree. She has shown leadership on key environmental issues and a willingness to take on the tough fights.

From her education at College of the Atlantic to her time as an organic farmer, Chellie has lived the life of someone who loves and respects the environment.

During her time in the Maine Legislature, Chellie sponsored and successfully fought for the $50 million "Land for Maine's Future" bond issue, ensuring public access to the unique beauty of Maine for generations to come. Chellie was also the major sponsor of the Maine Cleaner Cars program, which made it easier for Mainers to buy less polluting cars and trucks. Early on, she opposed irradiated food, bovine growth hormones and genetically engineered seeds.

In her campaign, Chellie continues to live up to her reputation for environmental leadership. For example, Chellie enlisted her supporters in a campaign to pressure the Bush Administration's EPA to allow California, Maine and other states implement tougher standards for greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks. Fighting global warming and creating a new energy future are top priorities for her campaign.

Leading by example, her campaign office is 100% powered by wind energy.

The world's experts know that clean energy will create jobs, end global warming, and increase our national security, but thus far, Big Oil companies and other corporate polluters have had the money and the power to stand in the way of that future.

It will take courage for a Member of Congress to stand up to those special interests.
It will take leadership to bring other members along.
It will take willpower to stand up for the future.

It will take Chellie Pingree to get it done.

The League of Conservation Voters is proud to endorse Chellie's candidacy. Our members will work hard to help her win this election, because Chellie is the champion our country and our planet deserve.