As many of you know there is a Senate seat up for grabs here in Oregon. Republican Gordon Smith is up for re-election and has an approval rating below 50%. We have two progressive candidates running against each other for the nomination, House Speaker Jeff Merkley and lawyer/activist Steve Novick. Today the Sierra Club endorsed Jeff Merkley for Senate, joining numerous other unions and progressive organizations. Steve Novick is a highly respected environmental lawyer, so why would Merkley get the Sierra Club's endorsement over Novick? More below the fold.....
Jeff Merkley has been an incredible House Speaker when it comes to environmental concerns. Under Merkley's leadership, the OLCV declared that 2007 was the greenest year for Oregon in last thirty years. The House passed a ton of environmental legislation, here's a breakdown of the bills that passed from the OLCV website:
SB 838 – Establishes a renewable energy standard so that 25% of Oregon’s electrical power needs to be met by renewable energy sources by 2025.
SB 375 – Establishes minimum efficiency standards for a number of home and commercial appliances.
HB 2620 – Provides that public improvement contracts for construction or major renovations of public buildings appropriate at least 1.5% of the total contract price for solar energy technology.
HB 2211 – Expands the business energy tax credits available for renewable energy investments (concepts put into omnibus bill)
HB 2212 – Expands the residential energy tax credits available for renewable energy investments (concepts put into omnibus bill)
HB 2210 – Establishes the renewable fuel standard and provides incentives for Oregon biofuel production
SB 737 - Provides Oregon with a first ever "roadmap" for reducing and eliminating sources of toxic pollution in our rivers, streams and the Pacific Ocean.
Both Jeff Merkley and Steve Novick have been dedicated stewards for the environment. Both candidates would be a million times better than salmon killer Gordon Smith. However, it looks as though Merkley's record in the House earned him the endorsement from the Sierra Club. They had to pay homage to Merkley's leadership and hard work in helping make Oregon a leader in conservation. Here's a statement from the Sierra Club about their endorsement of Merkley:
"Speaker Merkley has been a champion for the environment and Oregon's economy, passing legislation that has created economic opportunity, benefits to consumers, and green jobs that are tackling the greatest environmental challenge of our time - global climate change," said Ivan Maluski, Conservation Coordinator for the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club.
If you'd like to read about Jeff's plans to combat global warming and become energy independent go here.