Former Governor Jim Hunt calls for environmental protection

From North Carolina League of Conservation Voters:

GOV. HUNT: “TIME FOR OFFICIALS TO LEAD ON PROTECTING WHAT MATTERS”

RALEIGH – Former Governor Jim Hunt emphasized the urgency to re-prioritize protecting North Carolina’s natural resources during his keynote address in front of more than 250 attendees at last night’s Green Tie Awards, hosted by the NC League of Conservation Voters.

“It’s for us. It’s for our children. It’s for our grandchildren. I’ve got 10. And a great-grandchild. I get it,” noted Hunt.

During his speech, Governor Hunt highlighted several of the most egregious cutbacks to state environmental protections over the last few years, including the dismantling of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), a law passed when he was in the Governor’s office. He also reflected on the positive impacts policies like North Carolina’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards and other pro-clean energy investments are having on the state’s economy and health. At the end of the day, Hunt noted, to be a state that is attractive and sustainable for economic development, it boils down to how we treat our environment.

“Political parties come and go. We need elected officials who cherish our air, land, and water, and have the records to prove it,” remarked Hunt.

This annual event hosted by NCLCV, an environmental advocacy nonprofit, honors legislators and community leaders who have stepped up, spoken out and been vocal advocates for environmental issues at the General Assembly and in the public.

Senator Floyd McKissick and Representative Paul Luebke were honored as Senator and Representative of the Year, respectively. The class of Rising Stars included Senators Paul Lowe, Jane Smith and Joyce Waddell and Representatives Gale Adcock, John Ager, Cecil Brockman; Brad Salmon, Brian Turner and Shelly Willingham. These are new voices at the General Assembly that North Carolina citizens can count on to ensure the environment is a priority, particularly when there are difficult decisions and conflicting interests. The late Representative Ralph Johnson was also recognized as a Rising Star for his conservation advocacy during his time in the legislature.

The 2016 Defender of the Environment, a special award for legislators who are committed to doing what’s right regardless of political ramifications, went to former Senator Josh Stein, who is currently running for North Carolina’s office of Attorney General. Another former legislator, Representative Rick Glazier, received the honorary “The Joe” award, named for former House Speaker Joe Hackney in recognition of strong champions who have recently left the General Assembly.

Outside of acknowledging elected officials, NCLCV honored two Catalyst Award recipients who have taken exceptional action to create change and to bring attention to an important environmental issue. Frank Tursi, editor of the NC Coastal Federation’s Coastal Review Online, has elevated coastal issues to statewide audiences, connecting policies crafted in legislative chambers to real impacts on coastal communities and ecosystems.The Coastal Review Online is making coastal policy relevant, whether it involves offshore energy, terminal groins or beach renourishment.

Catalyst Award recipient Melvin Montford is the Executive Director of the North Carolina chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute. In this role, he has worked to elevate fracking and other environmental issues in recent elections, forged important new relationships between labor and environmental groups and is at the forefront of bringing new advocates to the fight for clean energy in our state.

Courtney Crowder, NCLCV board president, and Carrie Clark, executive director, surprised Nina Szolsberg-Landis, NCLCV board member, in announcing her as the recipient of the 2016 Jane Sharp Lifetime Achievement Award. As Crowder reflected: “Whether chairing (and founding) the Environment Planning and Policy Committee on NC’s state Board of Transportation to reimagining the role an environmental advocacy nonprofit can play in North Carolina politics, Nina has prioritized the values of clean air, healthy people and sustainable growth for the betterment of all of us.”

“This year’s event was extra special thanks to Governor Jim Hunt reminding us all what is at stake. At the end of the day, environmental protections mean a healthier, safer North Carolina for all of its people. We have a responsibility to protect our natural resources for our families today and for generations of North Carolinians to come,” noted Clark.

The 2016 Green Tie Awards was held at the Marbles Kids Museum. In its ninth year, the Green Tie Awards brought together individuals who are concerned about protecting North Carolina’s quality of life, whether as elected officials, clean energy business owners, community leaders, conservation nonprofits or concerned citizens.

NC League of Conservation Voters is a statewide lobbying organization dedicated to protecting, preserving, and enhancing North Carolina’s natural environment. NCLCV has been working to protect North Carolina’s environment and our citizen’s health for nearly 50 years, turning environmental values into North Carolina priorities. NCLCV’s vision for the future of North Carolina is that all citizens and our elected decision-makers will better understand and appreciate North Carolina’s unique natural environment, and the integral role it plays in North Carolina’s economy and quality of life. Visit nclcv.org for more information.