In Big With the League

Al Gore picked up the backing of the League of Conservation Voters yesterday, his first endorsement from a national environmental group. LCV President Deb Callahan: "His environmental achievements are the most extensive of any public official in high office." Gore used the occasion to tout his green credentials and proclaim the launch of an "environmental decade." He pledged to crack down on emissions from coal-burning power plants, combat sprawl, protect wilderness, and push for ratification of the Kyoto climate change treaty. Gore also called for the creation of worldwide markets for alternative-energy technology from the U.S.