http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, cell 202-904-7614, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene@gp.org
Green Party seeks bans on mountaintop removal and coal-fired and nuclear power plants, introduces an aggressive plan to curb global warming
An environmental program for Green presidential candidates -- and a challenge to Democrats and Republicans
Green presidential candidates Jesse Johnson, Kat Swift and Kent Mesplay carpooling to a campaign event.
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party's Eco-Action Committee has announced a set of recommendations for environmental actions for the first 100 days of a Green presidency.
Titled "First 100 Days: Energy and Environmental Policy" and posted online (http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction/documents/First_100_Days.pdf), the recommended executive orders and legislation are addressed to the Green Party's national candidates. Jesse Johnson, Cynthia McKinney, Kent Mespllay, and Kat Swift are the four contenders for the Green presidential nomination; Sedinam Kinamo Christin Moyowasifza-Curry is seeking the vice-presidential nomination.
The Green Party of the United States will hold its 2008 National Nominating Convention in Chicago, Illinois, July 10-13 (http://www.greenparty2008.org).
"We're not only sending the 'First 100 Days' list to Green candidates. The Green Eco-Action recommendations are a challenge to all presidential candidates, regardless of party, including Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John McCain -- with a plea to set aside their promises to corporate contributors for the sake of our children's lives and our planet's future," said Wes Rolley, co-chair of the Eco-Action Committee.
"The Green Party's concrete proposals stand in sharp contrast to those who would base their election on such short term ideas as a gasoline tax holiday, which they would have to pay for with more borrowing from oil rich sheikdoms," Mr. Rolley added.
The Eco-Action recommendations also provide guidance on major environmental issues for Green candidates for Congress and other offices.
Summary of major recommendations:
* No new coal fired-power plants; no new nuclear power plants; reduce by 90% the mercury emissions of coal-fired power plants by 2012; protect human health and the environment.in the disposal of coal-fired power plant wastes
* Ban mountaintop coal removal; ban the dumping of mountaintop removal wastes in stream beds and valleys
* Reduce CO2 and SO2 emissions by 80% by 2020
* Provide incentives for industry and citizens to reduce energy use through conservation and generate more renewable energy sources; enact a mandatory 25% renewable energy mix in the national grid by 2015; encourage all states to do the same (using oil and nuclear subsidy funds); encouraging local energy generation
* Increase Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards to 60 mpg for cars and 45 mpg for light trucks by 2012
* Set a national phosphorus standard for all US waters that will protect steams from nutrient growth; strengthen bacteria standards to protect human health
* Require labeling of imported foods, foods with growth hormones, and foods produced by Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)
* Stop export of any technology abroad for projects that involve fossil fuel or deforestation
* Require that all federal agencies continue their policy of direct negotiation with Indian tribes on a government to government basis
* Protect the rights of Environmental Justice communities to be free from new proposals for permits that would potentially increase their burden of toxic contamination, and prioritize these communities for cleanup
The Eco-Action Committee credited Earl Hatley of Oklahoma with most of the writing of the recommendations, with significant contributions from Derek Iverson (California) and detailed discussion among all committee members.
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193
Video of Green presidential candidates
http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php
Links to Green Presidential Candidates' web sites
http://www.gp.org/committees/pcsc/index.shtml
Green candidate database for 2007 and other campaign information:
http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml
Green Party News Center
http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml
Green Party Speakers Bureau
http://www.gp.org/speakers
Green Party ballot access page
http://www.gp.org/2008-elections
2008 Green National Convention: Live Green, Vote Green
http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/index.shtml
Media credentialing
http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml
Green presidential candidates:
Jesse Johnson http://www.jesse08.org
Cynthia McKinney http://www.runcynthiarun.org
Kent Mesplay http://www.mesplay.org
Kat Swift http://www.voteswift.org
Vice-presidential candidate: Sedinam Kinamo Christin Moyowasifza-Curry
http://curry08.wetpaint.com
Green Party Eco-Action Committee
http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction
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