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February 27, 2014

Sierra Club Endorses Mark Schauer for Governor of Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, February 27, 2014


Contact: Mike Berkowitz
248-345-9808
Mike.Berkowitz@sierraclub.org



Sierra Club Endorses Mark Schauer for Governor of Michigan

Detroit, M.I. -- Today, the Sierra Club announced its endorsement of Mark Schauer as the clear choice in Michigan’s gubernatorial race in 2014.

“Mark Schauer’s Michigan values mean support for policies that protect our Great Lakes system and strong, renewable energy standards that will transition us from older energy sources toward cleaner energy that is better for our families and our future,” said David Holtz, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Chair. "Michigan was once a leader in preserving and protecting our Great Lakes and natural resources, but Gov. Snyder has failed to embrace the Milliken-era values that protected and preserved one of our state's strongest economic engines.  He has been a huge disappointment.”

Mark Schauer has supported comprehensive plans to create new clean energy jobs in Michigan while taking action to protect our communities from the consequences of climate disruption. As Governor, Schauer has made it clear that he would support a strong renewable energy standard for Michigan and energy efficiencies that would significantly reduce pollution while putting tens of thousands of Michiganders back to work. That is a stark contrast to the record of Schauer’s opponent.

“Governor Snyder has had nearly four years to deliver clean energy jobs and put in place strong protections against the ever-increasing expansion of new deep well gas drilling in Michigan,” said Mike Berkowitz, Political Director of the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter. “Instead, he’s given Michiganders false promises and said we must wait for the next governor to do something on clean energy while the oil and gas industry continues deep well fracking without protections for our water or our citizens’ health.  On these and a range of issues involving Michigan’s land, air and water, the governor has failed to deliver for everyone who cares about our health and natural resources.”

Schauer has consistently voted to protect Michigan’s lakes, rivers, and streams while taking action to curb climate disruption by cracking down on unregulated carbon pollution. In the state Senate, he authored legislation to protect the Great Lakes and has opposed efforts to endanger them with unregulated drilling while championing bills to expand Michigan’s rapidly growing clean energy economy. Snyder, on the other hand, has approved new dirty coal facilities, unnecessary mines, and dangerous deep injection wells.

“I voted for Rick Snyder in 2010 because he advertised himself as a moderate who would protect our Great Lakes, but now I regret that decision" said James D'Amour, Vice Chair of the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter's Political Committee. "Governor Snyder has been a disappointment to Republicans like me who care about clean water and air. We need Mark Schauer to be Michigan's next Governor so he can stand up for clean energy, take action to curb the climate crisis, and protect our Great Lakes.”


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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 2.4 million members and supporters nationwide, and over 150,000 in Michigan. In addition to creating opportunities for people of all ages, levels and locations to have meaningful outdoor experiences, the Sierra Club works to safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and litigation. For more information, visit http://www.sierraclub.org.


Paid for by Michigan Sierra PAC (109 E. Grand River Ave. Lansing, MI 48906) and authorized by Mark Schauer for Governor.