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The report, Dan Lungren vs. The Environment: A Failure to Protect and Serve, documents Lungren's record on the environment both as a U.S. Representative and as Attorney General. It concludes that Dan Lungren's real environmental record is unmistakably clear: a pattern and practice of aggressively supporting polluters by refusing to support pro-environmental initiatives and refusing to enforce California's environmental and public health safeguards.

A study of Lungren as a U.S. Representative shows he strived to weaken popular environmental standards, even at a time when other Republicans joined with the majority of Americans in supporting them. According to annual tallies by the League of Conservation Voters, Lungren had lower scores than Newt Gingrich. His voting record was either opposition or absence on virtually every pro-environmental initiative that came through the House of Representatives during his term in Congress.

"The record is clear. Dan Lungren is simply out of touch with Californians, who want cleaner beaches, healthier air and safe drinking water," said Sam Schuchat, executive director of the California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV). "The biggest threat to California's environment would be a Governor Lungren."

Conservationists called Lungren's record as Attorney General notable for "what he has not accomplished" under his administration. The report details that as chief law enforcement officer of California, Lungren dramatically scaled back the renowned environmental enforcement division, cut back on prosecuting polluters by 95%, and refused to independently enforce environmental laws governing drinking water quality, air pollution and hazardous waste.

"As Attorney General, Dan Lungren has not been a vigilant cop on environmental protection," said Michael Paparian, Senior Regional Representative for the Sierra Club. "It's not enough to just respond to calls, you have to investigate and prevent environmental crime."

Highlights of Lungren's Congressional record:

• Opposed banning offshore oil drilling
• Was one of only 11 members to vote against reauthorizing the Clean Water Act.
• Opposed the public's right to know about releases of dangerous chemicals in their neighborhood.
• Opposed the public's right to force clean-up of neighborhood toxic waste dumps.
• Opposed the public's right to sue polluters.
• Opposed reimbursing victims of toxic exposure for medical and other expenses.
• Opposed enforcing safe drinking water standards and protecting groundwater supplies.

Highlights of Lungren's Environmental Record as Attorney General:

• Refused to protect public access to the coast.
• Refused to challenge lethal nuclear waste being shipped through California coastal waters.
• Cut back prosecution of polluters by 95%
• Was absent on reauthorizing the state's Toxic Cleanup bill.
• Supported gutting California's oldest water pollution law.
• Was the only Attorney General in the country who did not sign a letter requiring federal facilities to comply with hazardous waste laws.

The report was researched and written by the California League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club California and Vote the Coast.

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