Environmental Groups Claim Ehrlich Is Inflating His Record

Environment Maryland

Four leading Maryland environmental organizations stated their unanimous support for Gov. Martin O’Malley in his re-election bid today.  Environment Maryland, the Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club, and Clean Water Action announced their endorsement of Gov. O’Malley.  They were joined by the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, which endorsed the governor in January.

The groups also released analyses comparing the environmental outcomes of the first terms of the two governors.  On the Chesapeake Bay, air pollution, and land preservation, the groups found stark differences between the two candidates.

“The difference is like night and day,” stated Brad Heavner, state director of Environment Maryland.  “This election really matters for our beautiful landscapes, the Chesapeake Bay, and our climate.”

“Martin O’Malley is the clear choice on the environment,” added Betsy Johnson, political chair of the Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club.  “Their records on the environment are unmistakably different.”

Former Gov. Robert Ehrlich has been promoting his record on the environment, touting in particular that he passed the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund.  The environmental leaders acknowledged that the so-called “flush tax” was a major step forward, but were quick to point out that it does not balance out the many negative things Gov. Ehrlich did for the environment.

“Doing one good thing does not make up for a long list of bad things,” said Andrew Galli, Maryland program coordinator of Clean Water Action.  “Gov. Robert Ehrlich fought clean air rules, allowed water pollution to flow from farmland, and tried to sell protected open spaces to the highest bidder.”

The analysis prepared by the environmental organizations praised Gov. O’Malley for a variety of policy initiatives, including:

• Restrictions on polluted runoff that flows into the Chesapeake Bay
• Crab and oyster restoration plans
• Preserving 28,000 acres of land
• Promoting transit and robust development near transit stations
• Low-emission vehicle rules
• Renewable energy requirements
• Programs to reduce energy use
• Limits on global warming pollution

“In the most trying national economic climate in three generations, Gov. Martin O’Malley has not shied away from making the tough choices, and he has done so while standing with the environment every step of the way,” stated Cindy Schwartz, executive director of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters. “Gov. O’Malley knows jobs, economic development and the environment are not mutually exclusive, and has created the opportunities for us to prove it.”

This message has been authorized and paid for by Environment Maryland, Inc., 3121 St. Paul St. #26, Baltimore, MD 21218. Brad Heavner, State Director.  Not authorized or approved by any candidate or candidate committee.