Washington, D.C. – The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund, which works to elect candidates who will implement sound environmental policies, announced today its endorsement of Senator Bill Nelson for re-election to the U.S. Senate. A lifelong Floridian, Senator Nelson is devoted to protecting Florida’s Gulf coast from offshore drilling and ensuring clean air and water for all.

“Senator Nelson is an environmental champion who never stops fighting for policies that protect public health,” said LCV Action Fund Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld. “Throughout his time in the Senate, Senator Nelson has been a leader in preventing offshore drilling that threatens our coasts and the crucial fishing and tourism industries in Florida. He’s been vocal about the need to combat climate change in order to lessen the impacts of climate-fueled disasters such as Hurricane Irma. In contrast, his expected opponent Governor Rick Scott has consistently put the safety of Florida communities at risk by refusing to acknowledge science and by implementing harmful state budget cuts. Floridians need commonsense environmental solutions that are forward-looking, not old-fashioned climate denial that puts people and jobs at risk.”

“Rick Scott has been a disaster for Florida’s environment,” said Aliki Moncrief, Executive Director of Florida Conservation Voters. “As Governor, he used the power of his office to dismantle proven environmental safeguards crafted with bi-partisan support over several decades. And while communities throughout Florida continue to suffer from increased flooding and other effects of climate change, Scott has ignored the problem completely and failed to act on everything from clean energy to protecting our waters. In stark contrast, Senator Bill Nelson has championed our environment as the bedrock of our economy and quality of life, an asset to be protected and not assaulted.”

“Ever since I was a young congressman I’ve been fighting to protect Florida’s unique environment and that fight is increasingly important today,” Nelson said. “Florida is ground zero for climate change. We need to focus our efforts on investing in clean energy, combating the impacts of climate change and protecting Florida’s beautiful coasts and beaches. I look forward to continuing to work in the Senate with the League of Conservation Voters and its members.”

Senator Bill Nelson is in his third term in the U.S. Senate, where he has been a strong defender of the environment. Recognizing the Gulf of Mexico’s importance to Florida’s economy, Nelson has fought hard to prevent further expansion of offshore drilling in the Gulf and was a lead sponsor of the RESTORE Act, an effort he shepherded into law to ensure that penalties from the BP oil spill go directly to citizens affected by the spill and towards restoring the Gulf Coast. Nelson strongly believes that our dependence on oil is one of the greatest threats to our national security, which is why he advocates for greater research and development of clean energy and energy efficiency. He has been a vocal advocate for climate action, including supporting the Clean Power Plan. Florida is on the front lines of sea level rise and extreme weather fueled by climate change. These disasters disproportionately affect low income households and communities of color who are also the least likely to receive the resources they need to address the impacts. Senator Nelson received a 100% score on LCV’s 2016 National Environmental Scorecard.

In stark contrast, Senator Nelson’s expected opponent, Governor Rick Scott, has consistently proposed major budget cuts to regulatory state agencies, putting the health of Floridians at risk by attacking their right to clean air and water. He has also made it easier for special interest polluters to skirt environmental regulations by cutting the resources of the Department of Environmental Protection and refusing to hold businesses accountable.

Senator Nelson is featured on LCV Action Fund’s GiveGreen website, the only website devoted exclusively to raising money for environmental champions for federal office. Last cycle, LCV Action Fund raised or contributed more to candidates through GiveGreen than ever before—over $8.3 million for state and federal candidates.

About LCV Action Fund

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund, the connected federal political action committee (PAC) of the League of Conservation Voters, works to elect candidates who will implement sound environmental laws and policies, and defeat those who stand in the way of progress. Since the 1994 election cycle, LCVAF has helped elect and re-elect 73 U.S. senators and 331 members of the U.S. House of Representatives.  In the 2016-2017 election cycle, LCVAF endorsed over 100 candidates and, since 2009, has raised and contributed more than $17.6 million dollars via GiveGreen. Over the last several years, our efforts have also helped elevate climate change and clean energy as critical issues in key elections.

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Paid for by the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and authorized by Bill Nelson for U.S. Senate.