This Tuesday: Vote for Joe Sestak

In a first for Remember, I would like to offer the official endorsement of this blog for Congressman Joe Sestak in the Democratic primary against Republican Senator Arlen Specter.  As this is a blog focused on the environment, and on environmental issues, I will be endorsing Congressman Sestak based on his progressive initiatives and forward thinking regarding energy policy and the environment.  

Vote for Joe on Tuesday. 

Specter VS Sestak: On the Issues-

Arlen Specter:

Voted YES on protecting middle-income taxpayers from a national energy tax. (Apr 2009)

Voted YES on requiring full Senate debate and vote on cap-and-trade. (Apr 2009)

Voted NO on tax incentives for energy production and conservation. (Jun 2008)

Voted YES on addressing CO2 emissions without considering India & China. (May 2008)

Voted YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies. (Jun 2007)

Voted YES on making oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal. (Jun 2007)

Voted YES on factoring global warming into federal project planning. (May 2007)

Voted NO on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's ANWR. (Nov 2005)

Voted YES on $3.1B for emergency oil assistance for hurricane-hit areas. (Oct 2005)

Voted YES on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%). (Jun 2005)

Voted NO on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Mar 2005)

Voted YES on Bush Administration Energy Policy. (Jul 2003)

Voted YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010. (Jun 2003)

Voted NO on removing consideration of drilling ANWR from budget bill. (Mar 2003)

Voted YES on drilling ANWR on national security grounds. (Apr 2002)

Voted YES on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months. (Mar 2002)

Voted YES on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling. (Apr 2000)

Voted NO on ending discussion of CAFE fuel efficiency standards. (Sep 1999)

Voted YES on defunding renewable and solar energy. (Jun 1999)

Voted YES on approving a nuclear waste repository. (Apr 1997)

Voted NO on do not require ethanol in gasoline. (Aug 1994)

Keep efficient air conditioner rule to conserve energy. (Mar 2004)

Raise CAFE by a 4% per year until 2018. (Jul 2006)

Rated 50% by CAF, indicating a mixed record on energy independence. (Dec 2006)

Sign on to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. (Jan 2007)

Open the Outer Continental Shelf for oil & gas leasing. (Jun 2008)

Supports immediate reductions in greenhouse gases. (Sep 1998)

• Voted YES on $2 billion more for Cash for Clunkers program. (Aug 2009)
• Voted NO on prohibiting eminent domain for use as parks or grazing land. (Dec 2007)
• Voted NO on including oil & gas smokestacks in mercury regulations. (Sep 2005)
• Voted YES on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior. (Jan 2001)
• Voted NO on more funding for forest roads and fish habitat. (Sep 1999)
• Voted NO on transportation demo projects. (Mar 1998)
• Voted NO on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests. (Sep 1997)
• Voted YES on continuing desert protection in California. (Oct 1994)
• Voted YES on requiring EPA risk assessments. (May 1994)
• Supports grants for brownfields remediation. (May 2002)
• Make EPA into a Cabinet department. (May 2002)
• Rated 32% by the LCV, indicating anti-environment votes. (Dec 2003)
• Inter-state compact for Great Lakes water resources. (Jul 2008)
• Celebrate the recovery of the bald eagle. (Jun 2008)
• Strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting. (Jan 2007)
• Focus on results, not regulation. (Sep 1998)

JOE SESTAK

• Reduce greenhouse emissions & stop global warming. (Dec 2009)
• Create an advanced alternative energy research project. (Nov 2006)
• Voted YES on enforcing limits on CO2 global warming pollution. (Jun 2009)
• Voted YES on tax credits for renewable electricity, with PAYGO offsets. (Sep 2008)
• Voted YES on tax incentives for energy production and conservation. (May 2008)
• Voted YES on tax incentives for renewable energy. (Feb 2008)
• Voted YES on investing in homegrown biofuel. (Aug 2007)
• Voted YES on criminalizing oil cartels like OPEC. (May 2007)
• Voted YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies. (Jan 2007)

• Voted YES on $2 billion more for Cash for Clunkers program. (Jul 2009)
• Voted YES on protecting free-roaming horses and burros. (Jul 2009)
• Voted YES on $9.7B for Amtrak improvements and operation thru 2013. (Jun 2008)
• Promote conservation of rare felids & canids. (Mar 2007)
• Grants for beach water pollution under Clean Water Act. (Apr 2008)
• Strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting. (Jan 2007)
• Fund projects for international conservation of cranes. (Jan 2009)

VOTE FOR JOE