Environmentalists don’t understand why their relationship with Congressman Leonard Lance (R-N.J.) has changed so drastically.
Alex Taurel, Deputy Legislative Director of the League of Conservation Voters, said, “He started out with a 71% rating in 2009.” “It’s now 21%. That’s a pretty steep 50-point drop in the wrong direction.
“When he first got to Congress, he was a friend on environmental issues. He voted for the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which was a historic bill to create jobs in clean energy and cut carbon pollution. That was a very strong vote in favour of the environment, and in 2009, he had one of the best scores on the environment among Republicans. But now he votes as if we don’t have a moral obligation to our kids and grandkids to do something about global climate change.”
Heather Taylor-Miesle, who runs the NRDC Action Fund, is very different from Taurel in how she criticises. She said, “In a state like New Jersey, “Here is a member of Congress who could go around saying all the right things and still vote the way he always has.