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Defenders View: Finally, a Happy New Year for the Environment
As we usher in the new year, those of us who care about the environment, wildlife and natural places have much to celebrate. A new two-year session of Congress—the 110th—is starting work in Washington, D.C., and for the first time in many years, it is not being run by politicians seeking to dismantle our nation's environmental laws.
With their votes in November, Americans said "no" to the combination of budget cuts, destructive legislation and poor oversight that for the past 12 years were the hallmarks of anti-environmental extremists in Congress. They said "no" to taking money from lobbyists in return for legislative favors. They said "no" to concealing legislative decision-making behind veils of secrecy, promoting industry hacks to "oversee" industry regulation, and refusing to monitor the illegal and unethical activities of environmental agency appointees.
I would argue that Americans at the same time said "yes" to taking quick and decisive action on global warming, "yes" to searching for alternative-energy sources that don't require drilling and polluting vital wildlife habitat, and "yes" to protecting endangered wildlife and vital ecosystems.
Particularly satisfying was the fact that those living in California's 11th district voted to oust the most extreme anti-environmentalist in Congress and chair of the powerful House Resources Committee, Rep. Richard Pombo, and replace him with wind-energy consultant and conservation advocate Jerry McNerney. Environmentalists made defeating Pombo their highest election priority, and his loss may represent the most significant electoral victory ever for the environmental movement.
In Montana and North Carolina, voters also chose to defeat powerful anti-environmentalists Sen. Conrad Burns and Rep. Charlie Taylor, respectively. And so it went across the country, with about two dozen anti-environmental congressmen being replaced by politicians who favor the careful stewardship of our planet and its native animals, plants and habitats. Unfortunately, the anti-incumbent tide washed away a few legislators who were steadfast environmental allies. To Defenders of Wildlife and to me personally, Sen. Lincoln Chafee's loss in Rhode Island was especially painful.
But overall, the results of the election were a tremendous victory for the environment. Too many of our citizens persist in believing that elections don't matter. But—utilizing the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund's 2005-2006 "report card" that grades all members of Congress on their conservation votes—consider what the elections meant in terms of shifting control of Congress' six major conservation-related committees:
In the House of Representatives: Resources Committee chair Richard Pombo (R-Calif.)–0 percent, replaced by Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.)–80 percent; Energy and Commerce Committee chair Joe Barton (R-Texas)–0 percent, replaced by John Dingell (D-Mich.)–95 percent; Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee chair Charlie Taylor (R-N.C.)–0 percent, replaced by Norman Dicks (D-Wash.)–84 percent.
In the Senate: Environment and Public Works Committee chair James Inhofe (R-Okla.)–0 percent, replaced by Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.)–91 percent; Energy and Natural Resources Committee chair Pete Domenici (R-N.M.)–0 percent; replaced by Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.)–82 percent; and Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee chair Conrad Burns (R-Mont.)–0 percent, replaced by Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)–91 percent.
I look forward to working with these new leaders to chart a more environmentally responsible agenda for the nation. Among the tasks that they need to take on, several stand out: taking action to curb the gases that cause global warming, for one. Promoting cleaner forms of energy—solar power, wind power—and energy conservation, for another. Increasing funding for our nation's crucial system of wildlife refuges and national parks. Making sure federal decisions about wildlife and natural resources are based on sound science and not politics.
As always, in the new Congress Defenders will work with senators and representatives from both sides of the aisle to advance our mission. With the right combination of leadership and foresight, the United States will once again lead the world in conservation and environmental protection.
Rodger Schlickeisen, President
