ecoRI.org News asked the
candidates in the U.S. House District 2 congressional race for their stance on
several environmental issues. PC Editor's note: not disclosed by EcoRI is that EcoRI News Editor Dave Fisher is serving as Abel Collins' campaign manager.
Here’s what they said, in alphabetical
order:
Abel Collins,
Independent
• Do you believe that
human activity is the principal cause of global climate change? Yes.
• How should Rhode
Island and the country make dramatic reductions in CO2 emissions? The easiest
reductions in the near term would come through improvements in energy
efficiency and making mass transit accessible and affordable to all. Longer
term, we need to be sourcing our energy from renewable sources with both small-
and large-scale projects, and we need to localize our food production system as
much as possible. All of these activities are a part of my proposed green works
program.
• Do you agree with the
assessment by local scientists that the sea level in Narragansett Bay is
predicted to rise between 3 and 5 feet by the end of the century? Unfortunately, I think those assessments will
turn out to be too conservative.
• How should the
country address pollution caused by fracking? If we're not going to ban fracking, then we need to at least
regulate the drilling fluids that are being used in the process. We cannot risk
the gross contamination of our groundwater supplies.
• Do you support the Safe
Cosmetics Act? Yes.
• Do you support the Safe
Chemicals Act? Yes
• What changes should be
made to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)? The EPA has
become too politicized. The mission of the agency should not be jeopardized by
which party controls the White House. I would advocate for changes that would
make it more independent.
• How would you support
the local farm movement? Subsidies should be divided equally between large
farms that grow commodity crops in the Midwest and small-scale farms like those
we have here. We should also consider raising the cap on the estate tax
exemption for agricultural lands.
• Do you support federal
subsidies for renewable energy? Definitely. We should transfer the
subsidies that are currently being provided to the fossil-fuel industry to the
renewable industry.
• Are you for or against
the Keystone XL pipeline? James Hanson our top federal climatologist says
that the burning of tar sands oil would be "game over for the
climate." Therefore, the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, which
would make that burning much more likely, is a direct threat to our security.
As such, I'm against it.
Incumbent James
Langevin, Democrat
• Do you believe that
human activity is the principal cause of global climate change?
Yes.
Yes.
• How should Rhode
Island and the country make dramatic reductions in CO2 emissions?
I have been a staunch supporter of the American Clean Energy and Security Act to reduce our CO2 emissions. I have also strongly supported increased CAFE standards for vehicles and weatherization assistance for homes.
I have been a staunch supporter of the American Clean Energy and Security Act to reduce our CO2 emissions. I have also strongly supported increased CAFE standards for vehicles and weatherization assistance for homes.
• Do you agree with the
assessment by local scientists that sea level in Narragansett Bay is predicted
to rise between 3 and 5 feet by the end of the century? Yes.
• How should the country
address pollution caused by fracking? I support greater transparency and
oversight of chemicals by the EPA. I want to repeal the “Halliburton exemption"
to the Safe Drinking Water Act, which excludes fracking liquids from
regulation and restrictions on the underground injection of chemicals near
drinking water sources. I also support disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic
fracturing.
• Do you support the Safe
Cosmetics Act? I agree with the goals of the bill and I am reviewing
the legislation to decide if it is an effective approach to reach those goals.
• Do you support the Safe
Chemicals Act? Yes. TSCA provides EPA with crucial authority to
require registration of all new chemicals brought to market, but
important provisions should be implemented to strengthen TSCA. I
will support measures to strengthen the EPA’s ability to regulate and
collect information on toxic substances, and require the testing of and the
submission of test results for chemical substances.
• What changes should be
made to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)? Right now, my focus from a congressional
perspective is to prevent Republican attempts to roll back protections in the
Clean Air and Clean Water acts. I am proud that my efforts in this area, as
well as promoting a clean energy future that keeps our environment safe while
creating jobs, has resulted in receiving the endorsements of the Sierra Club
and Clean Water Action.
• How would you support
the local farm movement? I
have been a champion of the local farm movement, recognizing the importance of
the local agriculture community and our ability to boost our economy by giving
local farmers a fair shot. New England farmers have long been disadvantaged by
federal farm policy. In the last Farm Bill, I worked to make changes that would
help local farms. I advocated for resources for specialty crop production and
supported technical assistance and access to conservation programs for these
farmers. Other measures increased funding for school nutrition programs,
including the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, which has particularly
assisted Rhode Island’s Farm to School Program by helping schools purchase
fruits, vegetables and nuts, and afford local products.
• Do you support federal
subsidies for renewable energy? I support tax incentives and investments in
renewable energy technology to help us lessen our dependence on fossil fuels
and create jobs in industries with significant growth potential.
• Are you for or against the Keystone XL pipeline? Langevin said in a Sept. 6
debate that he wants the pipeline built while avoiding environmentally
sensitive areas. "More importantly, we need a national energy polcy that
gets us off fossil fuels."
Michael Riley,
Republican
Riley didn't reply to questions sent to a spokesman. Riley’s statements on the environment suggest that environmental policies shouldn't neglect economic growth. “Any successful environmental policy must be interwoven with the economic growth goals which are critical to our nation’s future. It is possible to achieve both with thoughtful and constructive work between the business and environmental communities.”
Riley has made no
official policy statements on climate change, sea level rise or the EPA.
• Do you support the Keystone XL pipeline? Yes.