Lost in all the noise of the campaign finance scandals in Washington are the efforts of hundreds of grassroots organizations nationwide that are fighting for real campaign reform at a local level. Over the next few days, we’re going around the country to hear what grassroots groups are doing to expose and reduce the influence of private money and special interests on campaigns in their towns, cities and states.

Today, we’re going to take a look at how private money in politics effects the environment. We’re joined by Peter Montague, the Executive Director of the Maryland-based Environmental Research Foundation and the editor of Rachel’s Environment and Health Weekly.