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WASHINGTON, DC, June 21, 2001 (ENS) - President George W. Bush's deteriorating poll ratings are a clear sign that his muddy environmental record has cost him the public's trust, says REP America, the national grassroots organization of Republicans for environmental protection.

"We hate to say, 'we told you so,' but we're going to say it anyway," said REP America executive director Jim Scarantino. "President Bush has damaged his credibility by pushing bad environmental ideas that the public doesn't like. It's time for him to go back to the drawing board."

According to a "New York Times"/"CBS News" poll conducted June 15-18, "Bush's job approval rating, which stands at 53 percent, is down seven points from March." Just one third of Americans support the Bush energy plan, the poll shows, and fewer than 40 percent support the president's handling of the environment.

Almost three-fourths said there should be immediate action to counter global warming, which the Bush administration has resisted.

"These are terrible numbers. But they shouldn't surprise anyone. Look at what we've seen since January 20," Scarantino said, saying that the Bush/Cheney energy plan "shortchanges efficiency and coddles old, dirty technologies."

Scarantino also noted that the Bush budget would cut funding for energy efficiency and alternative energy, and support oil and gas exploration on public lands including national monuments.

"We could go on. Our point is that President Bush has blown it on the environment," Scarantino said. "It's time to start over, with genuine conservation policies that will earn the public's support."

"We want a sensible energy plan that promotes energy efficiency and reduces our risky overreliance on fossil fuels. We want strong protection of our national forest roadless areas, national monuments, wilderness lands and seacoasts," Scarantino concluded. "We want a firm commitment to keep our air fit to breathe and water safe to drink. We want what the majority of American citizens want: a safe,  healthy environment and a protected natural heritage that we can pass on to our children."