FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Contact: Katie Todd, 919-244-5868; katie@nclcv.org
‘We simply cannot leave this problem to our children and grandchildren’
NC Congressman David Price will speak on urgency of passing sound coastal policies
Wrightsville Beach – North Carolina’s coast may seem like a distant memory for many North Carolinians as summer fades into fall. But, for Wilmington-area residents, protecting their home and way of life remains top of mind no matter the season.
This year saw several major environmental wins for the region. In March, Titan Cement nixed its controversial plans to build a new cement factory in northern New Hanover county. Neighborhood groups and coastal organizations had been working for years to keep this polluter out of the community and were presented with a victory nearly eight years later.
About one week later, the Obama administration announced that the Atlantic Ocean would no longer be considered for federal offshore drilling leases in the 2017 – 2022 plan. This came after tens of thousands of North Carolina residents submitted comments opposing the proposed draft plan and more than two dozen coastal communities passing formal resolutions opposing offshore drilling and seismic blasting.
On Tuesday, October 4, coastal area residents are invited to the NC League of Conservation Voters’ annual reception at the Blockade Runner Beach Resort, starting at 5:30pm, to celebrate these victories, develop stronger connections with each other and hear from one of North Carolina’s greatest environmental champions: Congressman David Price.
Price will touch on the urgency for state and federal leaders to prioritize environmental values when crafting coastal legislation.
“To grow the economy and to protect our beautiful coast, we must invest in advanced clean energy and energy efficiency technologies, while redoubling our commitment to sound conservation practices. Now is the time to take serious, comprehensive steps to address the threats posed by climate change and rapid coastline development – we simply cannot leave this problem to our children and grandchildren,” Price stated.
Congressman Price earned a perfect 100 on the 2015 League of Conservation Voters National Environmental Scorecard and has a lifetime score of 90. He was active in the campaign to protect the Atlantic from offshore oil and gas drilling. Additionally, Congressman Price has advocated for making significant investments in energy efficiency and providing incentives for the production of energy that is clean, domestic, and affordable, including wind and solar energy development.
Mary Baggett Martin, co-owner of the Blockade Runner and member of NCLCV’s Board of Directors, is generously donating the space and refreshments for the reception in order to make the event free for attendees.
“As a lifelong coastal resident, I want to ensure that my neighbors have the opportunity to connect with others who share their environmental values,” Martin reflected. “We know that the 2017 legislative session will have major implications for our coastal way of life. In order to keep securing victories for our home, we need our movement to grow bigger and stronger. This event will be a great opportunity to meet new faces and reconnect with familiar ones.”
About Congressman David Price: David Price represents North Carolina’s Fourth District – a rapidly growing, research-and-education-focused district that includes parts of Alamance, Orange, Durham, Wake, Harnett, Chatham and Cumberland counties. He received his undergraduate degree at UNC-Chapel Hill and went on to Yale University to earn a Bachelor of Divinity and Ph.D. in Political Science. Before he began serving in Congress in 1987, Price was a professor of Political Science and Public Policy at Duke University. He is the author of four books on Congress and the American political system.
What: NCLCV’s annual coastal reception featuring environmental champion Congressman David Price as keynote speaker
Where: Blockade Runner Beach Resort (275 Waynick Blvd, Wrightsville Beach, 28480)
When: Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.; formal program begins at 6:30 p.m.
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NC League of Conservation Voters is a statewide lobbying 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 nearly 50 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. Visit nclcv.org for more information.
