Ocean Conservancy Urges George LeMieux to Build on His Solid Climate Change Record with Action in the U.S. Senate

Continuation of Florida's role as national leader on climate change issues requires support of cap and trade legislation

Media Contact: Tim McHugh

August 28, 2009

Washington, DC—Due to his strong record on climate change, Ocean Conservancy is optimistic about the appointment of George LeMieux to serve out the remainder of Mel Martinez's US Senate term, due to expire in January 2011. During his time as Gov Crist's Chief of Staff, LeMieux helped spearhead the 2007 Serve to Preserve Climate Summit, resulting in three groundbreaking executive orders making Florida the leading southeastern state on the action needed to avert the impacts associated with climate change. The orders established an executive level Action Team on Energy and Climate Change, sought out ways to reduce both energy use and greenhouse emissions within Florida government, and reduce energy use and greenhouse emissions within the whole of Florida. Due in no small part to the work of LeMieux, Florida - with its unique and abundant coastal and ocean resources - has launched an ambitious effort to combat global climate change. Ocean Conservancy encourages Sen. LeMieux to continue Florida's climate change leadership in the U.S. Senate.

"With numerous problems currently facing our oceans and environment at large - concerns that George LeMieux has seen first hand from the South Atlantic coast to the Gulf of Mexico and Florida's critical link to the Caribbean - we look forward to working with him as partners for healthy oceans," explained Vikki Spruill, Ocean Conservancy President and CEO. "Within the next year and a half, the Senate will be making vital decisions and casting far-reaching votes on issues of climate change, offshore drilling, and ocean use/sprawl to name just a few. We trust that now Senator LeMieux, who has done so much to make sure his state of Florida is championing efforts to address climate change, will tackle this issue head on."