On February 11, the Better Path Coalition submitted a petition with more than 5,700 signatures to Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), along with a letter signed by 38 organizations calling for the removal of Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) as Majority Chair of the House Environmental Committee because of his unabashed climate denial, obstructionism, and unprofessional behavior.

The letter cites seven examples of Metcalfe’s unacceptable behavior and statements on climate change that span more than a decade.

The earliest example, from 2009, says, “As a veteran, I believe that any veteran lending their name, to promote the leftist propaganda of global warming and climate change, in an effort to control more of the wealth created in our economy, through cap and tax type policies, all in the name of national security, is a traitor to the oath he or she took to defend the Constitution of our great nation!" Mr. Metcalfe's email reads.

"Remember Benedict Arnold before giving credibility to a veteran who uses their service as a means to promote a leftist agenda. Drill Baby Drill!!!" (Post-Gazette, October 20, 2009)

The most recent example occurred on January 29 when Rep. Metcalfe devoted a Metcalfe Minute YouTube video to the petition delivered February 11.

Says Metcalfe, “This unwarranted, personal attack from the deep pocketed climate alarmist lobby reinforces the fact that no other Pennsylvania Legislator has ever been targeted more than me for removal or resignation without having been involved in any crime or scandal.

“Why? Because I make no apologies for advancing only winning Republican policies through my Republican Majority Committee and I refuse to back down or be intimidated by any of these socialist mobs or their reprehensible, fake, fear generating tactics.”

During the only debate of Speaker Turzai’s 2018 re-election campaign, when asked about climate change, he responded “I do think that there is climate change and we have to find a way to reduce our emissions.”

He has never publicly squared that position with his choice of Rep. Metcalfe as chair of the committee responsible for moving bills to help the state achieve those reductions.

“If Speaker Turzai is sincere in acknowledging the need to address climate change, then he has to see that Rep. Metcalfe is not the right person to  control what climate bills move through the legislature,” said Karen Feridun,  Co-founder, Better Path Coalition. “As recently as January 29th, in Metcalfe’s video, he boasted that he makes ‘no apologies for advancing only winning Republican policies through my Republican Majority Committee.’ That’s not a serious approach to lawmaking, much less addressing the most important issue of our time. Metcalfe can’t remain in that important seat.”

“We must take immediate, bold action on climate change. Corporations responsible for rampant pollution and greenhouse gas emissions must be held accountable,” said Barbara Jarmoska, Responsible Drilling Alliance. “Laws and regulations combating climate change must be linked with those that promote the transition to a sustainable economy that works for everyone. No workers, families or communities can be left behind. Rep. Metcalfe refuses to walk the path to a safe and healthy future; he must be removed from his chairmanship.”

“We in the environmental activist community are tired of being told to adhere to a higher standard of discourse and never engage in attacks when we are almost constantly under such attack ourselves,” said Sharon Furlong, Bucks Environmental Action.  “We are called every name in the book, accused of taking money for our actions and positions, personally and broadly maligned and our integrity, minds and even our patriotism are questioned. This man is a perfect example of a legislator who wishes to demean and divide. Can anyone afford to have him continue in his significant role in Harrisburg? We in Pennsylvania certainly cannot.”

Click Here for a copy of the petition.  Click Here for a copy of the letter.

Click Here to add your name to the petition.

For more information, visit the Better Path Coalition website.

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[Posted: February 11, 2020]

2/17/2020