CONTACT: Sarah Hersh-Walker, sarah@fcpcommunications.com, 510-759-2921

SACRAMENTO, CA – California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters) today issued the following statement in response to the news that Senator Manchin has refused to support urgently needed federal legislation to address the climate crisis.

Statement from Mary Creasman, Chief Executive Officer, EnviroVoters:

“One man from a small state shouldn’t have the power to hold the entire country back from addressing a global crisis. In the midst of droughts, intensifying wildfires, extreme heat and catastrophic weather events, Senator Manchin is choosing to side with the oil and gas industry. He’s shamelessly going to keep getting rich from coal and raking in campaign dollars from polluters while people suffer.

“California’s representatives in Congress fought valiantly for climate provisions to be included in the final reconciliation package. They pushed for investments in clean energy, clean water, wildfire prevention, and more. Now, we need our congressional champions to stand up and say ‘no climate provisions, no deal.’

“Just weeks ago, the Supreme Court gutted the EPA’s authority. Now, one Senator has derailed the federal government’s efforts to pass climate legislation. It is clear that the entrenched influence of corporate polluters combined with the undemocratic dysfunction of the federal government is leading to utter failure in the midst of the biggest challenge of our lifetime. 

“There is a vacuum of leadership at a time when every day, every month, and every year matters. We need states like California to step up big time and show the way. We cannot afford to wait.”

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California Environmental Voters (formerly the California League of Conservation Voters) believes the climate crisis is here and this moment requires transformative change. California has the policy solutions to stop climate change but lacks the political will to do it at the rate and scale that’s necessary. EnviroVoters exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. We organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. We won’t stop until we have resilient, healthy, thriving communities, and a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all. Join us at www.envirovoters.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. See more press releases.

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For over 50 years, California Environmental Voters has fought on the frontlines in our state’s toughest environmental battles. Just last year, we were instrumental in passing Senate Bill 253 — the strongest corporate pollution transparency law in the nation.

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