Uploaded August 2013 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Video by Scott Cannon
HAZLETON -Jon O'Connell,Times Leader — Scranton attorney Todd O'Malley thinks U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Hazleton, deserves an award.
On Tuesday, backed by Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition members, O'Malley delivered a trophy inscribed "Congressional Climate Denier Award: For exceptional extremism and ignoring the overwhelming judgment of science." A silver unicorn, front legs kicking, topped the trophy to represent what O'Malley said is a fantastic belief that humans do not cause global warming.
The drive-by award ceremony was inspired by the congressman's statement in 2010 that there is not enough evidence to prove man-made climate change one way or the other, according to a press release from O'Malley's firm.
Barletta was not in his office but, in a written statement, a spokeswoman said the congressman believes we must seek balance in environmental policy.
While everyone wants a clean environment, restrictive policy has hampered the growth of industry, the statement said.
"In today's economic climate, we simply can't afford regulations that will destroy jobs, raise energy prices and increase our dependence on foreign sources of energy," the statement said.
These kinds of awards are being given around the country this week to Congress members who question global warming's validity. Organizing for Action, a non-profit advocacy group that promotes President Barack Obama's policy pursuits, is credited for inventing the award.
According to Organizing for Action, 97 percent of scientists accept climate change research. The federal Environmental Protection Agency reports that NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration agree that climate change is real and humans contribute to the rising global temperature.
O'Malley said politicians must recognize these facts and write laws to protect the environment.
"Future generations are going to be impacted by what we haven't done," O'Malley said. The entire list of Pennsylvania water contaminations from fracking. files.dep.state.pa.us/OilGas/BOGM/BOGMPortalFiles/OilGasReports/Determination_Letters/Regional_Determination_Letters.pdf
Video by Scott Cannon
HAZLETON -Jon O'Connell,Times Leader — Scranton attorney Todd O'Malley thinks U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Hazleton, deserves an award.
On Tuesday, backed by Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition members, O'Malley delivered a trophy inscribed "Congressional Climate Denier Award: For exceptional extremism and ignoring the overwhelming judgment of science." A silver unicorn, front legs kicking, topped the trophy to represent what O'Malley said is a fantastic belief that humans do not cause global warming.
The drive-by award ceremony was inspired by the congressman's statement in 2010 that there is not enough evidence to prove man-made climate change one way or the other, according to a press release from O'Malley's firm.
Barletta was not in his office but, in a written statement, a spokeswoman said the congressman believes we must seek balance in environmental policy.
While everyone wants a clean environment, restrictive policy has hampered the growth of industry, the statement said.
"In today's economic climate, we simply can't afford regulations that will destroy jobs, raise energy prices and increase our dependence on foreign sources of energy," the statement said.
These kinds of awards are being given around the country this week to Congress members who question global warming's validity. Organizing for Action, a non-profit advocacy group that promotes President Barack Obama's policy pursuits, is credited for inventing the award.
According to Organizing for Action, 97 percent of scientists accept climate change research. The federal Environmental Protection Agency reports that NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration agree that climate change is real and humans contribute to the rising global temperature.
O'Malley said politicians must recognize these facts and write laws to protect the environment.
"Future generations are going to be impacted by what we haven't done," O'Malley said. The entire list of Pennsylvania water contaminations from fracking. files.dep.state.pa.us/OilGas/BOGM/BOGMPortalFiles/OilGasReports/Determination_Letters/Regional_Determination_Letters.pdf
