On September 23, 2003, MESJ sent copies of this letter, drafted principally by LDS environmentalist Craig Condie, to members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which was considering the nomination of Utah governor Mike Leavitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency. The Senate confirmed Leavitt as Administrator of the EPA on October 28.

Dear Senator:

We write to you as concerned citizens who, like Mike Leavitt, also happen to be Latter-day Saints. The writings of our founding prophet call us to practice wise stewardship--to see that the earth's resources are used "with judgment, not to excess." When we consider Leavitt's record on environmental issues, we are deeply concerned about his commitment to protecting natural resources, and we therefore believe he is not the right person to head the EPA.

At a time when Utah needed leadership on environmental issues, all we received from Governor Leavitt was a request for voluntary compliance as a substitute for regulation. Leavitt's "enlibra" approach to environmental issues amounts to little more than a feeble plea for everyone to "just get along." The implications of this lax regulation are significant and troubling, including air-pollution induced respiratory problems in urban areas and the spread of whirling disease among fish in rural areas.

On issues of sustainability and population growth, Leavitt has failed to implement any long-term growth strategies from the "Envision Utah" program into policy. Instead, he urged the construction of the Legacy Highway, which will increase air pollution after destroying wetlands.

The United States needs leadership on environmental issues at this time. Based on his record in Utah, Leavitt is unlikely to provide good leadership at the national level. We are concerned about the implications of a Leavitt-style voluntary approach to pollution control. We are concerned about the health of those who live in the communities that bear the brunt of pollution. We are concerned about the health of our ecosystems and natural resources. We therefore request that you vote against Mike Leavitt becoming the next administrator of the EPA.

Sincerely,
Mormons for Equality and Social Justice (MESJ)