WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lois Capps received the 2004 Environmental Hero Award yesterday in the category of Public Leader for her efforts in Congress to protect the environment. Capps received the award from the Environmental Defense Center (EDC) – a local environmental advocacy group.
“I am honored to receive this award from a group that shares my interest in protecting California’s pristine Central Coast,” said Capps. “Protecting our environment is an ongoing process. On the Central Coast, we must constantly thwart attempts to increase oil and gas drilling.”
Capps has worked against proposals to drill in Los Padres National Forest and to drill in the undeveloped leases off the Central Coast. Capps introduced legislation to stop the U.S. Forest Service from opening up additional lands in the Forest to oil and gas exploration. She led the fight in Congress to persuade the Administration to follow the law and comply with a Federal court order giving California the right to review and potentially veto development of the 36 leases off the Coast. Capps has also urged the Bush Administration to reverse a decision that weakens environmental standards on 22 platforms that are discharging pollution.
Capps was unable to accept the award in person because she is on a fact-finding mission to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).
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