Conservation and Public Interest Groups to Brief Press on 'State of the Environment 2004' Jan. 15

1/13/2004

From: Rob Perks of Natural Resources Defense Council, 202-289-2420; Liz Hitchcock of US PIRG, 202-546-9707 ext. 316; Kerri Glover of the Sierra Club, 202-675-7903; Brandon MacGillis of NET, 202-887-8833; Keira Costic of the Friends of the Earth, 202-222-0731

News Advisory:

What:

"State of the Environment 2004" Policy Briefing as President Bush prepares to deliver his State of the Union Address, experts will briefly review the top environmental issues of 2003 and the conservation policy outlook for 2004, then answer questions from reporters.

When:

Thursday, Jan. 15, 9-10 a.m.

Where:

The Mayflower Hotel (The Senate Room), 1127 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC -- Breakfast will be served.

Speakers:

-- Debbie Boger, Sierra Club

-- Anna Aurilio, US Public Interest Research Group

-- John Walke, Natural Resources Defense Council

-- Sara Zdeb, Friends of the Earth

Numerous other conservation and public health policy experts from other organizations will also be present to answer questions.

Background: This past year the Bush administration and congress continued their unprecedented legislative and administrative campaign to undermine environmental protections in the United States on behalf of polluting industries and other corporate special interests. Will 2004 be any different for the state of the environment?