Senator Jeffords’ (I-VT) widely reported move to the chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee would place a strong and thoughtful champion of clean air and progressive energy policy in a crucial position in the U.S. Congress, Environmental Defense said today.

“As the Congress debates a national energy strategy, Senator Jeffords’ long-standing leadership in support of regulating air pollution from power plants, including the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, and on behalf of energy efficiency, are strong signals that energy policy and climate policy will be linked,” said Environmental Defense legislative director Elizabeth Thompson.

“Environmental Defense believes it is essential to view energy policy and climate policy together. We look forward to a positive working relationship with Senator Jeffords in his new role,” said Thompson.

One of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 3 million members and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund