WASHINGTON – The League of Conservation Voters presented U.S. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe with its 2003 Environmental Leadership Award Monday night. The award was given to Snowe for working to improve air quality standards and higher fuel economy standards, opposing drilling in ANWR, improving public health and bringing important issues such as climate change to the forefront for debate.

“Over the years the League of Conservation Voters has been deeply appreciative of Senator Snowe’s principled dedication to safeguarding our nation’s public lands, public health and natural resources,” said Deb Callahan, president of LCV. “These past few years have been no exception – whether it was on the SUV loophole, recycling, mercury standards or global warming, there have literally been countless occasions on which I felt compelled to pick up a pen or phone to thank her for her leadership on environmental issues,”

In accepting the award, Snowe said, “I have always believed that we have a solemn obligation to uphold what I view to be a sacred trust between us, and generations we will never know, but whose lives will in no small part be impacted by our decisions today.