EcoRI profiles US Representative, District 2 Candidates

Candidate Profiles: U.S. House District 2

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

After the initial posting of this profile, Langevin's staff responded to our questions.

• 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?
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.