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The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact: Email:,pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org

Greenpeace Statement on the Outcome of the U.S. 2010 Congressional Elections

WASHINGTON

Responding to the outcome of the United States congressional elections,
Kyle Ash, Senior Legislative Representative for Greenpeace USA, issued
the following statement:

"American voters today made it crystal clear that they
have had enough of politicians -- all politicians. And who can blame
them when it's the politicians who have failed to come together to find
solutions for, or punish the real culprits of the greatest environmental
catastrophe this country has ever seen in the Gulf oil spill, and the
burgeoning threat of global climate change? When added to a massive
financial crisis, which the people will feel for years to come no matter
what the bankers say, it is clear that the cash from big business is
dictating American politics.

"Industry dollars have made a mockery of democracy in America,
polluting not only our air, water and communities, but nearly every
political campaign. Dirty energy magnates like the Koch brothers spent
more of their fortunes, earned on the backs of American communities, to
elect congressional candidates who will support their destructive
profit motives. The defeat of Proposition 23 is a win for California's
efforts to address the urgency of global warming, but it is the first
in a salvo of assaults we can now expect nationwide on existing laws
that were passed to ensure that Americans have clean air and clean
water.

"Although many Senators- and Representatives-elect have professed
horrifying positions on the protection of endangered species, our
national parks, and even basic rights of Americans to live in a clean
environment, they have also maintained a commitment to fiscal
responsibility. If these positions are genuine, the newly elected
should slash the billions of taxpayer dollars wasted every year in
subsidies for wealthy coal and oil companies like BP.

"We should also be able to work with the presumed Speaker-to-be John
Boehner to ensure that modern technology requirements to eliminate
pollution from outmoded coal-fired power plants are implemented and that
minimum federal standards are established to prevent another toxic
coal ash disaster like the one that occurred in Kingston, Tennessee, in
2008. The EPA has identified forty-nine high hazard sites like the one
in Kingston nationwide and six are in Representative Boehner's own
state of Ohio.

"In this election, we have repeatedly heard damaging rhetoric about
fundamental environmental protections. Now is not the time for
knee-jerk reactions on matters of such import and urgency to the health
of our nation. No matter where it comes from, we need leadership to
defend our environment from what are sure to be vicious industry
attacks in the coming years."

Greenpeace is a global, independent campaigning organization that uses peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future.

+31 20 718 2000