Issue Position: Stewardship of Natural Resources

Issue Position

An important part of Vermont's identity is defined by the extraordinary natural resources that surround us. Vermont relies heavily on its natural resources -- most obviously in the agricultural and tourism sectors -- and

we owe a debt of gratitude to those who have cared for these natural systems over the generations.

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Many of these ecosystems now face increasingly urgent pressures, especially our waters. I am troubled by the growing revelations of groundwater contamination. We have made progress in cleaning our water, but there is clearly more to be done. Without action, we risk further impairing this vital resource upon which public health depends and also face a growing host of federal mandates and associated financial penalties.

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Addressing climate change is another imperative of our time and deserves action on multiple fronts. It not only threatens to negatively impact sugaring operations and ski resorts in Vermont but also vital ecological systems across the planet. Greater renewable energy output is an important path to meeting our state goals; this sector also serves as an important engine for job growth. I support responsibly sited renewable energy projects that take into account community input. Our leadership on regional initiatives that have made measured progress on carbon reduction should continue through expansion of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to include transportation fuels.

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More must also be done in term of energy conservation and efficiency as the returns cited for each dollar invested are impressive, there is untapped residential and commercial opportunity, and we have significant local talent and knowledge in East Montpelier and Middlesex available to us. We also need to support public transportation, bicycle and park-and-ride infrastructure, alternative ride-share programs, and other creative approaches to meeting our transportation needs. Finally, continued adaptation planning to improve resilience is critical to our future well-being.

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I support a ban on any more hydraulic fracking infrastructure, including pipelines. Not only do these projects risk contamination to groundwater and consequently human health, but mistaken cost estimates threaten a dramatic utility rate increase. We need to strengthen laws to give local communities more influence over where this kind of project is sited.

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