Students and Conservation Advocates Share Holiday Wish With Senator Johnson
Johnson Asked to Stand Up to Polluters and Support Clean Energy
MILWAUKEE, WI — Today, students from Marquette University and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Milwaukee area parents met at Senator Ron Johnson’s office to deliver petition signatures and handwritten letters to the Senator. Prior to delivering their messages, advocates for clean energy shared their holiday wishes for Johnson.
Hannah Badeau, student from Marquette University, said “This holiday, I’m not asking for the newest iPhone, a shopping spree, or ski trip. I’m asking Ron Johnson to stand up to big corporate polluters and support a clean energy future with the Clean Power Plan.”
The Clean Power Plan will reduce carbon emissions by 32% over the next 15 years, as well as prevent 90,000 fewer asthma attacks and 3,600 premature deaths.
Badeau continued, “Carbon pollution is heating our planet. Look around — it’s December in Wisconsin and we are gathered outside without snow or freezing temperatures. Carbon pollution can also lead to increased health risks and respiratory problems. That’s why we are giving Senator Johnson these petitions as our gift to him. I hope he returns our gesture with a promise to fight against carbon pollution when he goes back to Washington.”
Senator Ron Johnson sponsored a Congressional Review Act (CRA) bill that passed the U.S. Senate 52-46 last month that aims to roll back the Clean Power Plan. Johnson has been a consistent opponent of efforts to curb carbon pollution and address climate change, even as Wisconsinites across the state suffer from serious health challenges.
Jonah Hermann, Communications Director for Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters, concluded, “Today, parents, grandparents, students, and children came together to ask Ron Johnson for a simple holiday wish: support the Clean Power Plan. Our state’s kids are getting sick and going to the hospital. That is no way for a family to spend the holidays. It is shameful that his constituents are begging Senator Ron Johnson to listen to their concerns about our future and he continues to vote against the best interest of Wisconsinites and with the interests of big polluters. I wonder what the Senator’s position on this important issue would be if his children were the ones in the hospital.”
Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to electing conservation leaders, holding decision makers accountable and encouraging lawmakers to champion conservation policies that effectively protect Wisconsin’s public health and natural resources.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.