"State of the Environment" held at U.S. Capitol

LCV president Gene Karpinski and other experts from America’s leading environmental and science groups hosted a morning press briefing at the U.S. Capitol on energy and environmental issues to help reporters prepare to cover President Bush’s final State of the Union Address, the upcoming congressional session, and the presidential primary season.

Joining Karpinski at the table were Anna Aurilio, Washington office director, Environment America, Alden Meyer, director of strategy and policy for the Union of Concerned Scientists, Debbie Sease, the Sierra Club's director of national campaigns and Karen Wayland, legislative director, Natural Resources Defense Council.

The experts touched on a number of topics, including Congress’ stimulus package, pending global warming legislation, the California tailpipe standard waiver, state renewable energy standards, and international climate negotiations and answered a flurry of questions from local and national press.

The event was held in the venerable House Appropriations Committee Room, the first room in the United States Capitol decorated with murals by Constantino Brumidi (1805-1880), who painted them in 1855-1856.