For Immediate Release:
December 17, 2019
Contacts:
Sandy Bahr, Sierra Club - Grand Canyon Chapter: 602-999-5790
Arlinda Bajrami, Mi Familia Vota: 779-245-4887
Columba I. Sainz, Mom’s Clean Air Force: 520-664 8324
Vianey Olivarria, Chispa Arizona: 602 904 3728
McSally: A Year of Failure
One year after her appointment to the US Senate, Arizona Communities Concerned about Climate and Public Health ask, “Where Is Senator McSally?”
(Phoenix, AZ) – Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of Martha McSally’s appointment to the U.S. Senate. During the past year, she has repeatedly failed to support bold policies that combat our climate crisis and bolster Arizona’s transition to a 100% clean energy economy, which already provides nearly 42,000 jobs across the state, or to support measures to keep our county in the Paris Climate Accord, an agreement to reduce emissions worldwide.
“Senator McSally has had several opportunities to demonstrate that she cares about the health of Arizona families and the need to reduce the pollution that contributes to climate change,” said Sandy Bahr, chapter director for Sierra Club's Grand Canyon (Arizona) Chapter. “Sadly, time and again she has failed to show leadership on the greatest crisis facing our state and many of our local communities. Drought and its impact on our rivers and water supplies, extreme heat that is harming and killing more and more people, and more acres of fires in our forests, are all costing our communities. We need leaders who will put these concerns and action on climate before the short-term interests of coal, oil and gas, and other special interests, and put our state and our nation on a path to a 100% clean economy.”
“Senator McSally says that she believes that climate change is 'likely' human caused; however, the Senator has done the bare minimum to introduce or support climate action legislation,” said Arlinda Bajrami, environmental justice organizer with Mi Familia Vota. “She claims that she enjoys spending time in the great outdoors but has not made climate change a priority. We do not need any more politicians who are complacent in protecting our planet.”
"We’re facing a climate crisis and children deserve clean air, we know the time to act is now and it’s going to take bold action to correct our course,” said Columba Sainz, Arizona Field Consultant for Moms Clean Air Force. “We need our Senator Martha McSally to stop hiding and to listen to her constituents and support 100% clean energy economy.”
“As we all do end of year reflection, Senator McSally should dig the deepest. She was appointed to represent the state in the US Senate yet she has consistently avoided her responsibility on climate change and defending Arizonans,” said Gloria Montaño, Advocacy Director, Chispa Arizona. “In Phoenix and Tucson, the temperatures keep rising, the air pollution is horrible, and we cannot afford for there to be anything but bold federal action on climate change.”
Senator McSally has voted to support the Trump administration on the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule, also known as the “Dirty Power Scam,” that seeks to extend the lifetime of dirty coal plants. She has failed to sign on to support S.1743 - International Climate Accountability Act , which would help keep the U.S. in the Paris Climate Accord to reduce emissions affecting our climate.
Arizona is feeling the impacts of climate change. Reporting by the New York Times found that, as a result, heat-related deaths are spiking in Arizona, tripling from 76 deaths in 2014 to 235 in 2017. If the climate crisis is left unaddressed, Arizona can expect more frequent and intense droughts, extreme heat, wildfires, and worsening air quality. Low income residents and communities of color are disparately affected by many of these impacts.
Arizona is well positioned for success in the transition to a 100% clean energy economy to help address climate change, but we need strong leadership, someone who cares about our communities, our health, and our economy. Since 2008, Arizona has seen a 185-fold increase in solar electricity generation, and Arizona is home to more than 450 solar companies and over 7,500 solar jobs.
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