Rep. Calvert's Appointment To Chair Subcommittee On Environment Sparks Criticism From Democratic Challenger

Republican Congressman Ken Calvert, who represents the cities of Lake Elsinore, Murrieta, Wildomar and other local jurisdictions, was named on Nov. 13 chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.

That appointment has democratic challenger Tim Sheridan crying foul.

Calvert said he was honored to serve as chairman, and excited to get to work in the new role.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Interior Subcommittee to assess and provide the necessary resources to protect our air and water quality, ensure Americans can enjoy our country’s natural treasures, and maintain our commitment to Native Americans,” he said in a released statement last month. 

Sheridan, who is looking to unseat Calvert in the 42nd District next year, said the appointment is bad news for the environment.

"Mr. Calvert's record on the environment renders his appointment as head of any environmental subcommittee a problem -- not a boon," Sheridan said in a Dec. 3 released statement.

"Mr. Calvert has shown such little regard for environmental issues that in 2012 he earned an abysmal 3 percent score from the highly respected League of Conservation Voters," Sheridan said.

The challenger criticized Calvert for supporting H.R. 4480. The legislation died in committee but was intended to provide for the development of a plan to increase oil and gas exploration on federal lands.

Sheridan said H.R. 4480 would have been terrible for the environment and was "intended to change the definition of air quality from the current standard, which gauges the potential effect on human health, to a standard which considers the 'cost to industry.'"

Sheridan also criticized Calvert's support for H.R. 3409. The democratic candidate said the legislation, if passed, would have gutted the Clean Water Act.

In Calvert's released statement, he outlined his objectives as chairman.  

“I am particularly interested in finding ways to strengthen domestic energy production by utilizing appropriate federal lands. Our economy benefits greatly from reducing our dependence on foreign energy supplies and by putting Americans to work here at home to take advantage of our natural resources. I am deeply concerned by ongoing efforts within the Department of Interior and the EPA to impose unnecessary regulatory red tape that will thwart our energy production and other sectors of our economy.”

Rep. Calvert was named as vice chairman of the Interior Subcommittee in January of 2013. Previously, while serving on the House Natural Resources Committee, he served as the chairman of the Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee as well as the Chairman of the Water and Power Subcommittee. While serving on the House Science Committee, Calvert served as chairman of the Energy and the Environment Subcommittee.