Press Release
October 18, 2016
CONTACT:James Johnson, California League of Conservation Voters
213.494.8688; [email protected]
Cheryl Brown Becomes 1st Ever California Official Named to
League of Conservation Voters’ “Dirty Dozen in the States list”
Targets the most anti-environment state-level candidates in the country
Los Angeles, CA— The California League of Conservation Voters announced today that Cheryl Brown is being named to the League of Conservation Voters’ “Dirty Dozen in the States” list. Modeled after LCV’s trademark federal “Dirty Dozen,” the state version highlights 12 of the most anti-environment state-level candidates from around the country. The addition of Cheryl Brown marks the first time a California state elected official has ever appeared on this list.
“The Inland Empire has some of the dirtiest air in the country. Yet time and again Cheryl Brown has sided with Chevron and Big Oil, who fuel her campaign, rather than act to protect the health of her constituents,” said CLCV Political Director James Johnson. “Cheryl Brown’s terrible record of siding with special interests against her constituents made her an obvious choice for inclusion to the ‘Dirty Dozen in the States’ list. It’s no wonder why Chevron is spending $1 million to keep her in office.”
Cheryl Brown has earned her place on the Dirty Dozen list for many reasons including:
- Chevron is spending amind-blowing $1 million to help re-elect Cheryl Brown, earning her the moniker “Chevron Cheryl.”
- In addition, Cheryl Brown has accepted huge direct campaign contributions from Big Oil including BP, ExxonMobil, Occidental Petroleum, Tesero, and Valero.
- Brown voted against a bill that would have prevented oil companies from cheating customers by manipulating the price of a gallon of gas.
- Brown not only opposed expanding California’s landmark climate and clean energy law, but she tried to help Big Oil dodge complying with the law.
- Brown is key player in the “Oil Caucus,” a group of oil-funded Democrats who work against reducing California’s dependence on oil.
- Brown voted for MORE fracking and FEWER regulations on fracking.
Local advocates welcomed the decision.
“It’s not surprising that Cheryl Brown would make the Dirty Dozen list. She represents a district with the highest particulate pollution and the highest levels of ozone or smog in the state, but has been consistently absent on important votes to address this, or she votes against them,” said Penny Newman, Executive Director of Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice, based in Cheryl Brown’s district. “Most recently, a bill (SB 1387) would have added two environmental justice seats to the AQMD Board that represent the most heavily impacted communities in the South Coast. Cheryl Brown didn’t even bother to vote, which shows how she sides with Big Oil over the health of her constituents.”
“It’s disappointing that Cheryl Brown would accept campaign contributions from multiple Big Oil corporations that have notoriously horrendous records for environmental violations, especially among environmental justice communities,” said Strela Cervas, Co-Director of California Environmental Justice Alliance Action. “We need leaders who do not take money from the corporations that are killing our communities. We need leaders who put the health of their constituents before Big Oil and who work in partnership with communities of color to protect those who are most vulnerable to climate change and overburdened by pollution.”
CLCV joins a growing coalition of environmental and environmental justice groups, public health organizations, workers, consumer advocates, and local leaders working to expose Cheryl Brown’s terrible track record on protecting public health and her disturbing relationship with Big Oil. More information can be found at www.chevroncheryl.com.
About Dirty Dozen in the States
Thirty state Conservation Voter partners have worked together to determine this election cycle’s “Dirty Dozen in the States.” The candidates named are some of the most anti-environment politicians running in competitive state-level races for governor, state senate or state house this cycle.
The “Dirty Dozen in the States” is modeled after LCV’s “Dirty Dozen,” which has targeted candidates for federal office (with occasional exceptions)— regardless of party affiliation — who consistently side against the environment, and are running in races in which LCV has a serious chance to affect the outcome. LCV has named candidates to the Dirty Dozen for twenty years. Last cycle, state LCVs defeated seven of the twelve “Dirty Dozen in the States” candidates.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL VOTERS
California Environmental Voters (formerly the California League of Conservation Voters) believes the climate crisis is here and this moment requires transformative change. California has the policy solutions to stop climate change but lacks the political will to do it at the rate and scale that’s necessary. EnviroVoters exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. We organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. We won’t stop until we have resilient, healthy, thriving communities, and a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all. Join us at www.envirovoters.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. See more press releases.
