FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 3, 2013
CONTACT: Debra Davis Rezeli, Director of Engagement, debra@nclcv.org or 919-839-0978
RALEIGH – North Carolina League of Conservation Voters honored three members of the North Carolina General Assembly and a community leader with environmental awards at their seventh annual Green Tie Awards dinner held on May 29 in Raleigh. The event featured John Campbell, Waste Zero board chair as a keynote speaker. The event was attended by over 200 business, environmental, and political leaders across the state.
Nina Szlosberg-Landis, President of NC League of Conservation Voters set the tone for the awards which introduced a change this year from previous years: “In the past we have tended to recognize small contributions to the environmental movement from certain groups in the legislature, while ignoring larger trends of anti-environmental votes—a double standard that benefited no one, least of all the environment. But now we are beginning to move forward and level the playing field.”
Szlosberg-Landis added: “It does not matter whether you are a Republican or a Democrat: you can, should, and must care about clean water, clean air, and long-term energy sustainability.”
Representative Deborah Ross received the 2013 Defender of the Environment Award. With a 100% rating on the NCLCV scorecard in seven of the past ten years and a 94% lifetime score, Representative Ross has been a strong ally of the environmental movement. This year, Representative Ross has opposed legislation which would literally set back four years of energy conservation work, and has supported legislation preventing manufacturers from deceiving customers about the biodegradability of their products. These votes, combined with numerous others, make it clear that Representative Ross is well on her way to another outstanding rating on this year’s scorecard. Representative Ross has consistently and fervently stood against bad environmental legislation and has committed herself to defending our communities from the environmental degradation pushed by the pollution lobby.
Senator Dan Blue received the 2013 Senator of the Year award. As one of only three senators to receive a perfect scorecard rating last year, and with a lifetime rating of 85 percent, Senator Blue is proving himself to be as environmentally conscious of a Senator as he was a Representative. Despite overwhelming opposition in the Senate this year, Senator Blue has voted to protect both the Piedmont region and the Coastal environments. By opposing legislation that would repeal all upstream pollution rules in the waters that feed Jordan Lake, Senator Blue showed his concern for both his native Wake County and the health of the state’s waterways generally. By voting against legislation which would open up the entire coast to terminal groins, causing damage to the environment and local voters, who would not even have a chance to vote to prevent being saddled with years of debt, Senator Blue demonstrated an understanding of the delicate nature of our coasts and the importance of government accountability to voters.
Representative Susan Fisher was recognized as the 2013 Representative of the Year. A native North Carolinian, Representative Fisher has represented Buncombe County for the last 5.5 sessions in the House of Representatives. Coming off of a great year in 2012, where Representative Fisher scored a perfect 100 on our Legislative Scorecard, she continues to represent the environmental community in a positive way. She has consistently voted in favor of the environment, with a lifetime score of a 94. This session she has introduced many great bills to the legislature, such as bills promoting energy efficiency, discouraging mountaintop removal, and enhancing the conservation tax credit. She has also supported the environment by voting against bills that would roll back energy conservation codes, regionalize public utilities, and weaken sustainable building standards.
Sue Sturgis from the Institute for Southern Studies received this year’s Catalyst Award. Ms. Sturgis is the Editorial Director and Co-Editor for the Institute for Southern Studies, where she has worked since 2005. Previously, she was a writer for the Raleigh News and Observer and the Independent Weekly of Durham. Over the years, Sue has done a tremendous job educating the public about environmental issues. In this new political landscape, we know that we need more voices speaking out in support of the environment, we need our decision-makers to understand that citizens and voters are watching them, and that people understand how the decisions made in Raleigh impact our daily lives and the environmental values we hold dear. Through Sue’s media coverage, she has taken exceptional action to create change and to bring attention actions that are threatening North Carolina’s environment and quality of life. Some examples of stories she has published are about fracking in North Carolina, the attempt to end North Carolina’s renewable energy program, and the BP oil spill.
This year, NCLCV also commended Representative Tom Murry and past rising star award winner Representative Ruth Samuelson for their continued hard work in defending the environment in North Carolina’s General Assembly. Reps. Samuelson and Murry were vital in stopping the push to repeal the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard lead by a colleague in the General Assembly. Their work to protect this hallmark 2007 legislation will ensure NC will continue to be a leader in the solar energy economy.
Notable this year was the absence of any Rising Star Awards. These awards recognize new voices at the General Assembly that North Carolina citizens can count on to ensure the environment is a priority. Environmental efforts were hit hard last session, and the anti-environmental theme is continuing this session. North Carolina needs stronger pro-environmental leadership from freshmen and sophomore decision-makers to fight or slow the onslaught of anti-environmental legislation.
NC League of Conservation Voters is a statewide environmental advocacy organization dedicated to protecting, preserving, and enhancing North Carolina’s natural environment. NCLCV has been working to protect North Carolina’s environment and our citizen’s health for over 40 years, turning environmental values into North Carolina priorities. NCLCV’s vision for the future of North Carolina is that all citizens and our elected decision-makers will better understand and appreciate North Carolina’s unique natural environment, and the integral role it plays in North Carolina’s economy and quality of life.
