This summer, as temperatures and gas prices in our state break records, the only people who haven't seemed to notice the importance of environmentalism are North Carolina Republicans in Congress.

In the nonpartisan League of Conservation Voters' most recent Environmental Scorecard for the North Carolina delegation in Congress, North Carolina Democrats scored an average of 87.3; Republicans scored 9.8%. That's out of 100.

"The League of Conservation Voters' National Environmental Scorecard reflects a session of the United States Congress steeped in controversial anti-environment legislation. Many of our core environmental and public health laws were under attack, and much of what we worked to protect for decades was at stake."

Among North Carolina Republicans, Sen. Elizabeth Dole and Rep. Robin Hayes scored the worst with 0%. Sen. Richard Burr scored 5%. Reps. Charles Taylor, Sue Myrick, and Howard Coble scored 6%. Reps. Virginia Foxx and Patrick McHenry scored 11%. The most respectable score was Rep. Walter Jones' 50%.

What have they done about...

Achieving Energy Independence and Lowering Gas Prices? Nothing.

Reps. Robin Hayes, Howard Coble, Walter Jones, and Sue Myrick, along with Richard Burr when he was in the House, voted against raising corporate average fuel efficiency [CAFE] standards and incentives for alternative fuels. [Bill HR 4 ; vote number 2001-311 on 8/1/01]

Protecting Clean Air and Battling Global Warming? Nothing.

"Overall, the first seven months of 2006 were the warmest January through July of any year in the United States on record." [Associated Press, 8/7/06]

Under the Bush Republicans, Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been declared the single most polluted park in America, with ozone quality rivaling that of Los Angeles. The EPA warns tourists the park has "levels of ozone pollution that threaten human health." [National Park Service, Accessed 07/24/06]; [National Parks and Conservation Association, Accessed 07/21/06]

Senators Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr voted against including oil and gas smokestacks in mercury regulations. [EPA's Clean Air Mercury Rule; Bill S J Res 20 ; vote number 2005-225 on 9/13/05]

Protection of Natural Resources? Nothing.

Rep. Taylor "eviscerated" forest fund: "[T]he House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, chaired by our own Rep. Charles Taylor, 'zeroed out' of the federal budget money for the Land and Water Conservation Fund grants that states have used for local parks and recreation projects. [Asheville Citizen-Times, 5/31/06]

Reps. Taylor, Hayes, Myrick, Jones, Coble voted for speeding up approval of forest thinning projects. [HR 1904 ; vote number 2003-656 on 11/21/03]

The list goes on...

"These Do-Nothing Republicans must be spending too much time in their air-conditioned offices in Washington. As the weather forecast and gas station signs tell us every day, environmental protection is critical. These North Carolina Republicans have failed our environment. You don't just have to ask me, ask the independent watchdogs," said North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jerry Meek.

Meek continued, "Thankfully, our North Carolina Democrats are living up to our Party Platform which states, 'We recommit ourselves to the wise stewardship and protection of our air, water, soil, forests, wetlands, watersheds, barrier islands, and ridgetops. We promote the research and implementation of alternative, sustainable, and renewable energy solutions. We believe that by preserving our natural resources, we are preserving our quality of life, our economic growth, and our health. The Democratic Party has consistently supported serious and effective measures to protect our environment and natural resources. We believe we can and must take steps to reduce global warming.'"