Complete list of press releases

(Douglas, Wyo.) The Environmental Defense Fund and Wyoming Outdoor Council today praised a series of recent air enforcement actions taken by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality as “an important step forward.” 

The DEQ Air Quality Division recently issued a series of violation notices to several oil and gas operators – including BP, Chesapeake, Devon, Encana and Yates Petroleum – citing numerous alleged violations of rules designed to protect human health and air quality.

In the first two months of 2013 DEQ issued 20 notices to oil and gas operators for alleged violations of air emissions rules, as compared to five over the same time period in 2012.

“This is an encouraging sign and an important step forward. It shows that DEQ is holding operators accountable if they fail to follow the law,” said Jon Goldstein, EDF Senior Energy Policy Manager. “With this uptick in enforcement actions, DEQ is sending a clear signal that Wyoming’s air quality is important and must be protected.  Follow-through will be needed to ensure violations are met with appropriate penalties and that problems are fixed.”

Violations alleged by DEQ inspectors include failure to control harmful volatile organic compound and other emissions totaling hundreds of tons, failure to comply with equipment testing requirements and failure to apply for and receive required air quality permits. VOCs, along with nitrogen oxides, are the pollutants that can lead to smog and ground-level ozone formation.

“We need to prevent these kinds of harmful emissions if we are going to protect residents and workers from high ozone levels in the Pinedale area and in other regions of the state where oil and gas development is happening,” said Bruce Pendery, an attorney with the Wyoming Outdoor Council. “As we see it, this is one of the key functions of the DEQ: enforcing pollution regulations to protect human health and the environment.”

The notices give the operators ten days to contact DEQ to discuss the violations alleged. Wyoming’s 2013 air enforcement actions are available here.

“Today, Representative Henry A. Waxman, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Representative Earl Blumenauer, and Senator Brian Schatz have released draft carbon-pricing legislation to help tackle the problem of global climate change.  As part of an important and growing public dialogue, they ask stakeholders and the public to provide input on their ideas.

“Environmental Defense Fund salutes the leadership of these Senators and Members who understand that we continue to need bold action from Congress, the White House and states to protect ourselves, and future generations, from the dangers of climate change. We urge more of our lawmakers to join the effort to pass meaningful climate legislation.”

• Fred Krupp, President of Environmental Defense Fund

Media Contacts:
Lauren Whittenberg, 512-691-3437, lwhittenberg@edf.org
Chris Merrill, 307-223-0071, chris@wyomingoutdoorcouncil.org

Expert Contacts:
Jon Goldstein, 505-603-8522, jgoldstein@edf.org
Bruce Pendery, 435-752-2111, bruce@wyomingoutdoorcouncil.org

LANDER, Wyo. — The Bureau of Land Management at the end of 2012 released its draft analysis of one of the largest onshore natural gas developments ever proposed in the United States — today, in official comments, several groups are urging the agency to make significant improvements. The Wyoming Outdoor Council, Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, and others submitted joint recommendations to the agency, identifying several shortcomings in the draft analysis and recommending a wide range of improvements.

The Continental Divide-Creston proposal, an enormous development project for the Wamsutter area of south-central Wyoming, includes drilling nearly 9,000 new natural gas wells across 1,672 square miles (or 1.1 million acres) of public and private lands — an area a bit larger than the state of Rhode Island. Its massive scale makes it one of the biggest natural gas development projects put forth in the United States. The well-known Jonah Field in western Wyoming, by comparison, covers about 21,000 acres and includes about 3,500 wells.

In their comments to the BLM, the environmental groups articulated serious concerns about potential air pollution, which, if managed improperly, could be dangerous for local residents and workers. They also urged enhanced protection for lands in the area, including important wildlife habitats for pronghorn and sage-grouse.

Wyoming’s Upper Green River Basin area near Pinedale has been plagued by dangerous smog in recent winters as a direct result of pollution from the nearby Jonah and Pinedale Anticline gas field developments. The groups say it is imperative to guard against this kind of pollution in this new development.

“With a project this large, and this close to an existing area of unhealthy air pollution, it is imperative that the BLM gets this right,” said Jon Goldstein, EDF’s senior energy policy manager. “The BLM must ensure that it takes every measure it can to protect air quality, including doing some commonsense things like detecting and controlling pollution leaks from equipment.”

The comments were put together by the groups’ team of legal and scientific experts with guidance from Megan Williams, an independent air quality expert. Williams’ assessment found that the BLM’s draft analysis of the project underestimates emissions from project sources, does not consider the likely negative contributions to ozone pollution levels in the nearby Upper Green River Basin nonattainment area, and fails to ensure compliance via adequate emissions monitoring and self-certification requirements, among other things.

The environmental groups also criticized the BLM’s failure to provide adequate mitigation measures to control fugitive pollution from leaky equipment, vented emissions from well maintenance activities including liquids unloading activities, as well as methane and volatile organic compound emissions.

“I believe we have to do a much better job of protecting local residents and the people who are going to be living and working in and around this development,” said Bruce Pendery with the Wyoming Outdoor Council. “Wyoming citizens have learned some important lessons in recent years from the problems that have arisen in the Pinedale area and elsewhere, including many unanticipated impacts related to these mega field developments.”

“Today, we, and the BLM, know better. So let’s apply the lessons learned to this project so we protect air, water, land, and wildlife,” Pendery said.

Since this is largely an infill project in an area with a history of oil and gas development and surface disturbance in the “railroad checkerboard” along Interstate 80, the groups are not opposing development in all of this area outright. However, they do point out the need for better projections to mitigate potential environmental impacts and the need for stronger environmental controls and they are urging that some currently undeveloped areas should remain undisturbed for the sake of wildlife and wildlife habitat.

The BLM’s draft analysis of this proposed project considers five alternative development options but it does not specify a “preferred alternative.” The BLM will adopt a preferred alternative when it releases its final environmental analysis, which is expected within the coming year or two.

Based on the options presented in the draft and corresponding analysis, the groups are recommending that the BLM’s final decision should include the following elements:

• Enhanced resource protections for vegetative communities, habitat, and wildlife;
• Surface disturbance limits on active well pads within the project area, using unitization of leases or lease suspensions to accomplish this;
• Emphasis on directional drilling, with estimated reaches in excess of 2,500 feet so that even fewer well pads are needed;
• Maintenance of continuous blocks of undeveloped land, and preventing development on the 400 currently undeveloped sections in the project area;
• Other best management practices for well integrity, emissions controls, water and wastewater handling, and noise, light and visual mitigation measures. 

Megan Williams’ independent air quality analysis, which has been submitted to the BLM, is available here.

The groups’ full joint comments to the BLM are available here.

“Today, the President chose experienced and well-respected nominees who will be important additions to his Administration.

“I am delighted that Gina McCarthy has been nominated to be our nation’s next EPA Administrator. As her strong record demonstrates, she is a thoughtful leader known for advancing environmental protections that bolster the nation’s health and economy.

“As head of EPA’s national air office, Ms. McCarthy led the development of historic national emission standards for the mercury discharged from power plants, and helped forge new greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards for passenger vehicles. She has worked with both parties, including serving as a key environmental official under Mitt Romney when he was Governor of Massachusetts. She is well known for listening and responding to the concerns of both environmental advocates and industry stakeholders, and for pursuing a regulatory approach that is flexible, reasonable and cost-effective.

“In a recent National Journal article, the vice president of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Gloria Berquist, described Ms. McCarthy as ‘a pragmatic policymaker’ who combines ‘aspirational environmental goals’ with ‘real-world economics.’ I couldn’t agree more.

“Ernest Moniz is also an impressive choice. He has many qualities that will make him an excellent Secretary of Energy, including deep expertise, broad experience, a pragmatic approach to problems, and an enthusiasm for creating a clean energy future for America. 

“As a theoretical physicist from MIT and a member of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, Dr. Moniz will help ensure that the nation’s energy decisions are based on sound science. He has shown that he understands the complexities of the nation’s energy challenges, as well as the connections among the energy choices we make, the health of our communities and environment, and the opportunities for growth and jobs from clean energy innovation.

“Dr. Moniz has repeatedly observed that just because the environmental challenges of shale gas are manageable that does not mean that they are yet managed. As there is work that remains to be done to ensure the safety of communities living around oil and gas development, and to address the air pollution issues that go beyond the local neighbors, his perspective will be important in the national conversation.

“I look forward to working with Ms. McCarthy and Dr. Moniz in their new roles as we strive to address the challenges facing America.” 

• Fred Krupp, President of Environmental Defense Fund

(Houston, Texas- March 4, 2013) The U.S. Department of Energy recently awarded the Houston Galveston Area Council (HGAC) $3.4 million to demonstrate a new zero emission engine technology project for heavy duty trucks that will operate at the Port of Houston. The project represents the largest demonstration of heavy duty hydrogen fuel cell electric hybrid trucks (i.e. trucks that carry containers) to date. This innovative demonstration project was developed through a collaborative process with committed stakeholders that included HGAC, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Vision Industries Corporation, Total Transportation Services, Inc. (TTSI), and Air Products.

The 20-truck demonstration project at the Port of Houston will serve to accelerate the deployment of electric transportation technologies in the cargo transport sector – a sector traditionally dominated by older, dirtier heavy-duty diesel vehicles and equipment. The project will measure the operational cost-effectiveness and commercial viability of the 20 zero-emission TYRANO™ hydrogen fuel cell-electric trucks while providing goods transport. The hydrogen will be locally sourced in Houston from natural gas feedstock; trucks are expected to be operational later this year.

“Reducing harmful air pollution in Houston will save lives. EDF is excited about the demonstration of zero emission technology and congratulates the innovative partnership of industry leaders and other stakeholders who have worked to create a more sustainable vision for the future,” said Elena Craft, PhD, toxicologist at EDF.

“This announcement demonstrates how shipping industry leaders like TTSI are deploying innovative solutions to address the environmental impact of the supply chain, and CRT applauds the efforts of all of the stakeholders involved in this groundbreaking project,” said James Jack, Executive Director of the Coalition for Responsible Transportation.

Expected benefits of the project include:

• Annual emissions reductions of 39 tons of nitrogen oxides and 0.8 tons of particulate matter
• Displacement of 200,000 gallons of diesel annually (equivalent to reductions in CO2 of 2,180 tons)
• Health benefits for surrounding communities
• Assist region with achievement of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS)

The best thing about this technology? Over 80 percent of the truck components will be built and assembled in America.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                

Media Contacts:
Joaquin McPeek, 916-492-7173, jmcpeek@edf.org
Tyler Daluz, 212-793-5234, tyler.b.daluz@citi.com 

(San Francisco, CA – February 28, 2013) Today, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) partnered with Citi to host “Innovations in Energy Efficiency and Distributed Generation Finance II,” a conference convening some of the utmost experts in the country to explore innovative ways to fund energy efficiency projects in California.

The capacity crowd saw keynote addresses from former Colorado Governor Bill Ritter and California State Senator Kevin de León, and was further evidence of California’s leadership and commitment to energy efficiency from both the public and private sectors.

“California continues to take bold steps toward clean energy and provide the private sector with clear opportunities to invest in energy efficiency and renewables, a critical part to growing our nation’s economy. A key part of achieving our clean energy potential, and creating jobs in America, is ensuring access to quality financing for homes and businesses that want to participate in the new energy economy,” Mr. Ritter said.

Mr. Ritter served as Governor of Colorado from 2007 to 2011, and is currently the director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. Their mission is to incorporate best practices from around the world to help guide our country to a more secure, sustainable and affordable energy future.

Sen. de León focused on SB 37, a key bill he currently authors that would establish a first-in-the nation On-Bill Repayment (OBR) program allowing consumers a creative way to save money and energy by financing energy efficiency retrofits and renewable energy projects through their utility bills. “We need to continue with the bold action that has made California a leader in energy efficiency,” Sen. De León said. “This is a priority because it helps build an economy that is forward thinking.”

Using data from a 2009 McKinsey study, EDF estimates that there are at least $40 billion of investment opportunities for energy efficiency projects in commercial buildings in the U.S. alone that will provide annual returns in excess of 20 percent.

Despite this attractive potential, few of these projects are being funded. Today’s conference was designed to facilitate discussion of current and emerging innovative solutions, new partnerships, lessons from recent transactions and remaining obstacles to developing and scaling the market.

“Today marked an unprecedented opportunity to bring the energy efficiency and renewable energy industry together to build momentum and spur our economy. Judging by the broad coalition of private sector companies and public policy experts that participated in the conference, I’m confident we succeeded. Thanks to these efforts, California will continue to move forward on major energy efficiency projects and prove that sound environmental and economic policies go hand-in-hand,” said Brad Copithorne, Director of Clean Energy Financing Solutions for EDF.

Commissioner Mark Ferron of the California Public Utilities Commission discussed his hopes for the upcoming OBR program for commercial properties, for which EDF has been advocating. Numerous lenders, solar project developers and energy efficiency vendors discussed how they will use the OBR program to expand their businesses in California, which will create a robust marketplace for clean energy lending and save Californians money in the process.

“Energy efficiency projects are essential for boosting our nation’s energy security, successfully combating climate change, reducing building operating costs for public and private entities and creating thousands of new green jobs,” said Marshal Salant, Managing Director, Global Head of Alternative Energy Finance for Citi.

“Citi has been working diligently to broaden financing options for energy efficiency projects with our clients, local and federal government, and stakeholders such as Environmental Defense Fund. It’s fitting to share some of the latest innovative solutions and ideas in San Francisco, California, a city and state committed to leading a sustainable, green U.S. economy.”

Citi began pursuing efficiency nearly 10 years ago when it undertook an assessment of its own global energy usage and measures it could take to become more efficient. Today, Citi has set a goal to decrease absolute emissions globally 25 percent by 2015 from a 2005 baseline, and was the only bank to be named a ‘2011 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year’ by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

EDF continues its work to develop regulatory reforms and business models that make efficiency profitable and market-driven. This includes building a broad coalition to support and participation in OBR programs and exploring how organizations can overcome the challenges to clean energy financing and maximize the opportunities that are available for the economy, public health and our environment.

A full list of today’s speakers and activities can be found here.

Washington, D.C. (February 22, 2013) BP is facing tens of billions of dollars in penalties as the U.S. Department of Justice and the British oil giant get ready to start trial Monday over civil charges stemming from the 2010 gulf oil disaster. However, a report in the Wall Street Journal today suggests that the Department of Justice may be considering proposing a settlement. Representatives from three of America’s leading conservation organizations said the following about the trial and any possible settlement:

Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation:

“The Gulf of Mexico is more than just a place where oil companies make enormous profits — it’s a public jewel where our children swim, where wildlife live, and where we get the food we eat.

“A potential settlement as low as the reported $16 billion would not be much of a deterrent for an oil giant like BP — and it is unlikely to be enough to fully restore the Gulf of Mexico as the law requires. The Obama Administration can and must do more to hold BP accountable.”

Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund:

“The American people deserve to see BP held fully accountable for its recklessness. The Gulf of Mexico is an ecological treasure that sustains a large part of the national economy.

“With everything we know about the corners BP cut and the risks the company took, this ought to be a clear-cut case of ‘gross negligence.’ The outcome of this case needs to send a clear message to all companies who drill in our nation’s waters: risky behavior is bad for business.”

Chris Canfield, vice president of the Gulf Coast for the National Audubon Society:

“It will be years, even decades, before we understand the true impacts of the spill. The law requires BP to compensate the American people for all the damage that was done — for every smothered blade of marsh grass and for every oiled pelican — as well as for any long-term effects we may have not yet seen.

“It was years after the Exxon Valdez disaster that the herring population crashed due to that spill, and it still has not recovered. The outcome of this case must ensure that BP will be held fully accountable not only for the damages we see today, but also for any damages we will discover years from now.”

MEDIA ADVISORY

Media Contact:
Joaquin McPeek, 916-492-7173, jmcpeek@edf.org

WHAT: Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and Citi to host “Innovations in Energy Efficiency and Distributed Generation Finance II,” featuring former Colorado Governor Bill Ritter and California State Senator Kevin de León as keynote speakers.

The conference will convene some of the utmost experts of energy efficiency finance in the country to discuss strategic partnerships, key statewide and US policies and innovative ways to realize the full potential of energy efficiency.

Mr. Ritter served as Governor of Colorado from 2007 to 2011, and is currently the director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University.

Mr. de León was elected to the California State Senate in 2010, after serving four years as a State Assembly member. He is currently the author of Senate Bill 37 (SB 37), which would establish a first-in-the nation On-Bill Repayment (OBR) program allowing consumers a creative way to save money and energy by financing energy efficiency retrofits and renewable energy projects through their utility bills.

The OBR program was envisioned by EDF, the sponsor of SB 37. OBR provides a new route to funding clean energy investments at attractive terms, relying solely on private third-party financing.

WHEN:  
Thursday, February 28^th at 9:00AM (PT)

WHO:
Bill Ritter, former Gov. of Colorado, current Director of the Center for the New Energy Economy
Kevin de León, California State Senator, 22^nd District
Brad Copithorne, Director of Clean Energy Financing Solutions for Environmental Defense Fund

**Full agenda and speaker list here**

WHERE:
Terra Gallery, 511 Harrison Street, San Francisco, CA

(Washington, D.C. – February 19, 2013) A new book by a leading environmental health and chemical policy expert takes a detailed look at one of the most contentious public health issues today – the health impacts of potentially toxic chemicals used in common household items, chemicals that are now found in most humans tested today.

Is It Safe?, by Sarah Vogel of Environmental Defense Fund, chronicles the public outcry over bisphenol A – better known as BPA — in baby bottles. The book examines the BPA crisis as part of a longer history to define the safety of chemicals, and to understand the effects of chemicals on the human body.

“When Americans demanded BPA-free bottles, it reflected a growing anxiety about the safety of chemicals in the marketplace,” says Vogel. “Advances in scientific research are showing potential links between chemical exposure and health issues like diabetes, heart disease, breast cancer and reproductive problems. At the same time, people and often regulators don’t know what chemicals are in everyday products.”

Is It Safe? traces the science and evolving public and political debate about chemical safety — from the Mad Men-era when America seemed to embrace the corporate slogan “Better Living through Chemistry” with unqualified enthusiasm, to today’s deepening concerns that “better living” may be hazardous to our health.

As chemical production exploded over the past 60 years and transformed the world in which we live, we became quite literally what we made—a little bit of plastic, pesticides, flame retardants, and BPA. Is It Safe? confronts the major health and policy challenge that has resulted — given that we are all exposed to industrial chemicals from conception to old age, what defines the safe use of chemicals, and how can we build a more sustainable and healthy future. 

“Removing BPA from bottles won’t take care of the problem,” says Vogel. “No single chemical ban will be the answer. The answer will have to involve major changes in the way chemical safety is assessed and regulated across the board. This year promises to be pivotal for the future of chemical policy in America.”

(Austin, Texas, Feb. 15, 2013) Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) today is pleased to announce the indefinite suspension of the White Stallion coal plant, a 1200 MW power project in Matagorda County, Texas. This cancellation is tremendous news for clean air advocates, as White Stallion was the last new proposed coal plant in Texas. EDF has been leading efforts to prevent this coal plant from coming to fruition with several partners, including Sierra Club, Public Citizen, SEED Coalition, and Environmental Integrity Project.

“After suffering numerous setbacks … White Stallion has finally seen the writing on the wall,” said Austin attorney Tom Weber, lead counsel for the Environmental Defense Fund, who has worked tirelessly to stop the coal plant in the courts. “This is a big win for clean air in Texas and for the Environmental Defense Fund.”

The developers of White Stallion faced multiple setbacks over the past few years in obtaining the necessary permits to operate the plant. In November 2011, the Lower Colorado River Authority denied a water contract and, in May 2012, several businesses in Matagorda County publicly opposed the plant due to the plant’s role in providing a new, major source of mercury pollution. Additionally, the plant suffered another setback when a court ruled against its challenges to the Clean Air Act standards.

“The White Stallion plant, like the recently mothballed Las Brisas project in Corpus Christi, hopefully represents the last dying gasp of ‘new’ coal plants in Texas proposing to employ technologies from the last century,” said Jim Marston, Vice President of the US Climate and Energy program at EDF and Regional Director of EDF’s Texas office.

Since the initial White Stallion proposal in 2008, the state has seen significant changes in the electricity market, to the point where wind power and natural gas prices have made large, capital-intensive coal plants completely uneconomic. Throughout 2012, wind power generation provided 10 percent of electricity for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid. Additionally, wind power reached a new peak record on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013 providing 28 percent of ERCOT’s electricity.

“In the immediate aftermath of President Obama’s inspiring words in the State of the Union address, Senators Bernie Sanders and Barbara Boxer have introduced comprehensive climate legislation in the U.S. Senate. We are thankful to them for taking the initiative on this critical issue.

“We need bold action from Congress, the White House and the states to protect ourselves, and future generations, from the dangers of climate change. I hope more of our lawmakers will join the effort to pass meaningful climate legislation.”

• Fred Krupp, President of Environmental Defense Fund 

NEW YORK — Environmental Defense Fund Associate Vice President & Chief Counsel for the U.S. Energy & Climate Program, Mark Brownstein, released the following statement in response to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s move to delay the release of its environmental impact statement and associated gas regulations yesterday. The long-awaited announcement was postponed in order to allow the State Health Commissioner enough time to complete a study on the possible health impacts of shale gas drilling.

“New York is proceeding out of an abundance of caution. We believe it is critically important that the state do all that is necessary to review the facts, fully consider the opinions of both the Department of Health and the team of public health experts with which it is consulting, before making a final decision.” 

(Washington, D.C. February 13, 2013) – More than one hundred fishermen, chefs and seafood distributors from around the country are traveling to the nation’s capital today to ask members of Congress to give them the tools they need – namely to give fishermen the ability to catch fish sustainably through a fishery management tool called catch shares.

Teams of fishermen and chefs will meet with their members of Congress and ask them to fully fund catch share programs. Catch shares help eliminate overfishing and restore fish stocks by dividing the total scientifically approved allowable catch among the fishermen and ending short seasons and derbies. Catch shares have been proven to recover fish populations, increase compliance with catch limits, reduce waste, stabilize revenue and increase business efficiency. 

More than 65% of all fish landed in United States federal waters are landed under a catch share fishing program providing a healthy ecosystem, fishing jobs, and a consistent supply of sustainable seafood.

Recently, catch shares have been under fire by some in Congress and special interests who have sought to take the authority to implement the tool out of the hands of local fishery managers. 

The group of chefs is being led by Chef Rick Moonen, who is delivering a letter supporting catch shares management signed by notable chefs from around the country. Moonen has been a tireless advocate for sustainable fishing.

“Embracing the idea of serving my customers sustainable seafood has been a primary focus over the past 25 years of my professional career as a chef,” said Rick Moonen, chef/owner of rm seafood in Las Vegas. “Catch share programs naturally create an incentive for environmental preservation and species stewardship by the fishermen who rely on their health to succeed. Restaurants will then get to experience a more consistent supply of properly handled fish, more stable prices, longer seasons and more species diversity. Most importantly we need to provide the fishermen with the tools they need, like fully funded catch share programs.”

Currently, more than 87 percent of the world’s fisheries are overfished, and much of the fish consumed in the United States – roughly 90 percent – is imported. A recent survey by the National Restaurant Association found that fresh, local seafood is becoming increasingly important to consumers.

In their letter, the chefs say that catch shares have a proven track record of restoring fisheries and creating valuable sources of locally-caught sustainable seafood in the United States. 

“Catch shares allow us to better utilize the fishery. We can fish year-round, earn higher prices for what we catch and provide consumers with a quality product,” said John Schmidt, a commercial fisherman from Palm Harbor, Florida. “Congress needs to know that many fishermen strongly support catch share management. And the reason we do so is because catch shares work. Congress needs to keep catch shares on the table and leave management decision to regional fishery management councils.”

Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is committed to ending overfishing and is currently working with fishermen and fishery managers around the United States and the world to implement catch shares.  “EDF believes that catch shares offer a solution that not only ensures the long-term sustainability of our oceans’ fisheries, but can help to preserve the business and sport of fishing for future generations,” said Matt Rand, Senior Campaigns Director for EDF’s Oceans Program.   

Fishermen and chefs will meet all day Wednesday on Capitol Hill and then gather to recognize Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine’s First Congressional District as “Fishing Families Champions” for their service in pursuit of responsible management of our nation’s fisheries and their tireless advocacy for fishermen.  

(Washington, D.C. – February 12, 2013) In response to President Obama’s proposals in tonight’s State of the Union address to fight climate change, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is launching a multi-state TV ad campaign to support that goal.

“The President knows carbon pollution is leading to costly storms, more asthma, and dangerous changes to our climate,” said EDF climate communications director Keith Gaby. “Right now there are no limits on this kind of pollution from some of its largest sources, and we are very encouraged that the President recognizes the need to take action. We strongly support the President’s goal of reducing carbon pollution. This ad campaign is intended to show the American public what’s at stake.”

You can watch the ads here.

The television ad campaign will run for the next two weeks in Washington, D.C., North Carolina, Virginia, New Hampshire, Colorado, Ohio, Maine, and Iowa. Spanish language versions will run on Univision.