Press Releases

Executive Director Josh McNeil recaps election results

Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania is making the environment a top priority across the Commonwealth.

PRESS CONTACT info@conservationpa.org

Conservation Voters of PA Endorses State Representative James Roebuck

Today, Conservation Voters of PA endorsed State Representative James Roebuck for re-election in Philadelphia’s 188th district. 

“Rep. Roebuck has been a strong voice for the environment in Harrisburg for the last 33 years. As one of the longest serving State House members, Rep. Roebuck is one of our most experienced advocates for clean air, land, and water,” said Josh McNeil, Executive Director of Conservation Voters of PA. “We need to send Rep. Roebuck back to Harrisburg to continue standing up against giveaways to the gas industry and advocating for clean renewable energy." 

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Conservation Voters of PA Endorses Kyle Mullins for State Representative

Today, Conservation Voters of PA endorsed Kyle Mullins for State Representative in Scranton’s 112th District.  

“Our state constitution guarantees Pennsylvanians the right to clean air, pure water, and protected natural resources. Too often, our State Legislature forsakes these rights in the form of giveaways to the gas industry and attacks on critical environmental protections,” said Josh McNeil, Executive Director of Conservation Voters of PA. “We need more leaders in Harrisburg like Mr. Mullins, who will stand up for our environment and our health.”

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Conservation Voters of PA Endorses State Representative Adam Ravenstahl

Today, Conservation Voters of PA endorsed State Representative Adam Ravenstahl for re-election in Allegheny County’s 20th district. 

“Rep. Ravenstahl has hands-on experience fighting to replace dirty energy with the clean energy of the future. He has stood with his constituents in fighting for better environmental policies that will protect public health,” said Josh McNeil, Executive Director of Conservation Voters of PA. “Rep. Ravenstahl’s commitment to the fight for a cleaner future is the kind of vision we need in Harrisburg.”

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Conservation Voters of PA Endorses State Representative Chris Rabb

Today, Conservation Voters of PA endorsed State Representative Chris Rabb for re-election in Philadelphia’s 200th district. 

“Rep. Rabb has demonstrated in just his first term that he is a stalwart champion for environmental justice in the State House. We applaud Rabb for introducing his bill today to commit Pennsylvania to 100% clean energy by 2050,” said Josh McNeil, Executive Director of Conservation Voters of PA. “He has consistently championed issues surrounding clean energy, water, and air and we encourage the citizens of the 200th district to send Rep. Rabb back to Harrisburg.” 

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Conservation Voters of PA Endorses Danielle Friel Otten for State Representative

Today, Conservation Voters of PA endorsed Danielle Friel Otten for State Representative in Chester County’s 155th District. 

“Danielle embodies all of the values we look for in pro-environment candidates. She is a self-motivated and passionate advocate for clean water in her own backyard and will bring real change to Harrisburg,” said Josh McNeil, Executive Director of Conservation Voters of PA. “Danielle will not only make environmental protection a top priority when elected, but she has firsthand experience in enacting lasting change.”

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Conservation Voters of PA Endorses Business Owner and Solebury Supervisor Helen Tai for State Representative: Endorsement Acknowledges Tai’s Long-Standing Commitment to Bucks County and the Environment

Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania today endorsed Helen Tai for State Representative in the 178th district in the May 15 special election.  

“The citizens in district 178 have been represented by a legislator with an abysmal environmental record for too long,” said Josh McNeil, Executive Director of CVPA. “Helen Tai will continue to be a true environmental champion when elected to the State House. As proven during her years of public service, she is committed to protecting our natural heritage and ensuring that everyone has clean drinking water.”
 

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Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania Endorses Zidek and Madden for Delco Council Endorsement a first of its kind for Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania

Delaware County Courthouse

Brian Zidek and Kevin Madden are proud to announce that the Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania has endorsed their campaigns for County Council. This marks the first time that Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania has endorsed County Council candidates in Delco.

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Environmental Groups Endorse Judge Ceisler and Judge Fizzano Cannon for Commonwealth Court

Judges Gavel

Harrisburg – Today, Judge Ellen Ceisler (D) and Judge Christine Fizzano Cannon (R) earned endorsements from Sierra Club PA and Conservation Voters of PA.  The two statewide environmental organizations chose to endorse Ceisler and Fizzano Cannon for seats on the Commonwealth Court, often the first court of appeals for issues impacting air, water, and public health.  Sitting Supreme Court Justice Debra Todd also earned endorsement from Conservation Voters of PA for retention. 
 

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“Impact Fee” Now a “Severance Tax” in Name Only

Drilling rig

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania State House Energy and Environmental Resources Committee  Tuesday approved an amendment gutting Representative Kate Harper’s bill proposing a modest severance tax. The amended bill now strikes any semblance of a real severance tax on natural gas and instead renames the existing “impact fee” a “severance tax” in an act of legislative deception.
 
“This move shows the blatant actions representatives now take to serve the natural gas industry rather than the people of Pennsylvania, hiding behind semantics and giving the industry another pass,” said PennFuture President and CEO Larry Schweiger. 
 
Conservation Voters of PA Executive Director Josh McNeil said, "George Orwell would have recognized the actions of this committee today. It's funny that what they called 'the Maher amendment,' the rest of the world calls 'a blatant attempt to mislead the public and avoid doing the right thing for Pennsylvania.'"

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LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS RELEASES 2016 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCORECARD

LCV Scorecard 2016

Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania and the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) today unveiled the scores of the Pennsylvania delegation in LCV’s new 2016 National Environmental Scorecard. The Scorecard includes 17 Senate votes and 38 House votes. 38 votes sets a new record as the most votes ever scored in the House, reflecting the fact that, under Speaker Paul Ryan, the current U.S. House remains the most anti-environmental in history. This is in direct contrast to President Obama who led the way on combating climate change and protecting our environment. The Scorecard is available in both English and Spanish at scorecard.lcv.org.

The 2016 Scorecard scores votes cast during the second session of the 114th Congress. The average House Republican score for 2016 was five percent, while the average House Democrat score was 94 percent.

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