Appointed Senator Brian Schatz (D. HI) received a major endorsement for the 2014 Hawaii Special Election:
http://www.lcv.org/...
The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund, which works to elect candidates who will implement sound environmental policies, announced today its endorsement of Brian Schatz for U.S. Senate from Hawaii. Schatz has made addressing climate change and investing in clean energy a top priority throughout his career and will continue this strong leadership in the U.S. Senate.
“Brian Schatz is a lifelong environmentalist and a proven leader on climate change policy,” said LCV Action Fund President Gene Karpinski. “He has championed clean energy initiatives that have put Hawaii at the forefront of utilizing renewable energy and reducing dependence on petroleum. We will need his continued leadership in the U.S. Senate.”
Schatz has led on climate change and environmental policies since his time serving in the state legislature. While serving as Hawaii’s Lieutenant Governor, Schatz helped implement the state’s landmark clean energy initiative, which has helped the state get 18 percent of its energy from renewable sources. Schatz also spearheaded Hawaii’s work with the Pacific Island nations to invest in smart grid projects, and helped to develop the largest wind energy facility in Hawaii.
Schatz is in a unique position to make progress on environmental legislation, as he is a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, as well as Chair of the Subcommittee on Water and Power. Already, during his short tenure in the U.S. Senate, Schatz has distinguished himself by supporting an effort to put a price on carbon pollution, which is responsible for climate change and the extreme weather we’ve experienced in recent years. - League of Conservation Voters, 3/27/13
Schatz expressed his gratitude for the LCV's endorsement:
http://hawaii.news.blogs.civilbeat.com/...
“I am honored to receive endorsement from the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund. LCV has proven again and again to be at the forefront of environmental, conservation, and clean energy policy. I believe that it is my responsibility as an elected official to ensure that America’s future generations inherit a planet in which the air and water are cleaner, fossil fuels play a reduced role, climate change is no longer a threat, and clean energy jobs are integral to America’s economy. As the Senator from Hawaii, I will continue to fight tirelessly for legislation that will accomplish these goals in Hawaii and across the nation.”
The release pointed not only to his support for enviornmental issues in Congress, but his record in Hawaii. It noted Schatz has led on climate change and environmental policies since his time serving in the state legislature. While serving as Hawaii’s Lieutenant Governor, Schatz helped implement the state’s landmark clean energy initiative, which has helped the state get 18 percent of its energy from renewable sources. Schatz also spearheaded Hawaii’s work with the Pacific Island nations to invest in smart grid projects, and helped to develop the largest wind energy facility in Hawaii.
The group is also helping raise money through a website for pro-environmental candidates, GiveGreen. The organization has also donated directly to Schatz’s campaign, Gohringer said, though he would not say how much prior to Apr. 15, the deadline for candidates to report contributions to the Federal Election Commission. - Honolulu Civil Beat, 3/27/13
Schatz's potential primary opponent, Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa (D. HI-1) received a 94% rating from the LCV last year. Asked if the LCV's endorsement of Schatz was a way to discourage Hanabusa from running, League of Conservation Voters spokesman Jeff Gohringer cleared up that rumor:
Asked if the group is risking alienating Hanabusa, Gohringer said only the endorsement is a reflection of the group’s strong support for Schatz, who is a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, as well as Chair of the Subcommittee on Water and Power. It was immediately unclear whether the campaign pushed for an early endorsement in the hopes of discouraging Hanabusa from running against him. - Honolulu Civil beat, 3/27/13
I for one am proud to have Schatz in the Senate. He has vowed to make climate change a top priority in the Senate and I am impressed by how fast he has moved in the Senate on this issue. Lets give him the resources he needs so he can win a full term in the Senate:
https://secure.actblue.com/...
